Music Library: Arthur Russell, Ash Ra Tempel, Ask Dr. Science, Assegai, Asylum Street Spankers, At The Drive-In, Atlas Sound, Atombombpocketknife, Atomic Jefferson

Arthur Russell - Calling Out Of Context. More avant-disco with a stronger emphasis on the dance side of the equation than the avant-noise of the Let's Go Swimming EP.

Ash Ra Tempel - Ash Ra Tempel. Trippy, expansive krautrock.

Ask Dr. Science - a handful of clips. He has a master's degree. In science!

Assegai - "Hey Jude." From a mix CD exchange at some point in the last couple of years. A calypso cover of the Beatles song.

Asylum Street Spankers - Christmas Spanking. Just two songs, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Linus and Lucy," both bought from eMusic for Xmas mixes over the last three years. The ASSpankers are decent musicians, if a bit winky over their jokey nature. Usually I'd skip Xmas music here, but I listened to both of these.

At The Drive-In - "One Armed Scissor". Free download from eMusic that I've had for some time, but not listened to until now. I hate it! Deleted tonight.

Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel. Solo album from Deerhunter singer. Sort of like Panda Bear from Animal Collective's solo albums: clearly of a piece with the main band, but unique, too.

Atombombpocketknife - "Fly Vultures Fly," "Candy Cane," "Under The Smoldering Wreckage There Is A Town Or Two," "This Is Our Commitment," "Napoleone il cowboy e lo zar" (from This Is Dance Time split EP), Lack And Pattern. My friend Che was in ABPK for a while, and I think most of these tracks date from his tenure in the band. These are several songs that were available for free online plus the album Lack And Pattern and ABPK's contribution to a split EP.

Atomic Jefferson - Atomic Jefferson. A gift from a friend. I'm a little surprised that a little web research reveals that sites aware of this band consider them comic or novelty rock. They're a little goofy, yes, but the music is pitched somewhere in between early Devo, the Meat Puppets, and Captain Beefheart. They don't reach the heights of their influences, but they certainly carry themselves well enough at their best. At their worst, they're just silly.