Aloha consistently create some of the most intricately amazing music you could possibly ever find. Their new album Home Acres could be their best album yet, but that’s a personal decision you will have to come to. We asked the bands own Tony Cavallario to come up with a playlist of his favorite songs and give us some inside notes to each one. You can also listen to each song while you read. Be sure to pre-order Home Acres.

First enjoy Aloha’s brand new song Moonless March

Aloha – Moonless March

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Johnathan Coody sings real good. Maybe that’s why he is the front man. He did send over the bands favorite songs for their IRR Playlist for you to enjoy,  along with some great notes on each song. Ninja Gun released their full length Restless Rubes early in ’08 and have recently released a split 7″ with Fake Problems! If you want to know what they sound like then go hear them!

1.  The Zombies – “This Will Be Our Year”
Notes: This is the most hopeful, optimistic song I’ve ever heard.  The Zombies had a hit with “Time of the Season”, but it’s not even close to their best work.  I suggest everybody check out the album Odyssey and Oracle.  This band wrote stronger melodies than the Beatles on many occasions.  My fiance and I will be dancing to this song at our wedding in a month or so.

2.  Bobbie Gentry – “Papa, Woncha Let Me Go to Town With You?”
Notes: Bobbie Gentry is one of my very favorite southern songwriters.  Her songs were about uniquely southern subject matter and her voice and dialect are pure Mississippi Delta.  This song is from her debut album that came out in 1967, “Ode to Billie Joe.”  The title track was the hit, but this song is probably my favorite because of the melody and subject matter.  It’s about a secluded little girl from a really rural area begging her dad to take her to town.

3.  John Prine - “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore”
Notes: John Prine was discovered by Kris Kristofferson and got his first record deal because of him.  This song is from his debut album that came out in 1971 right smack in the middle of Vietnam.  Prine himself was a veteran of that war and he saw firsthand how the whims of rich people permanently marred and destroyed the lives of poor kids who were shipped off to fight and die for an unjust cause.  This song is about false patriotism.  After September 11th when all the oil guzzling Hummer driving right wing football moms had a war boner and slapped flag decals all over everything they owned, I couldn’t help but notice how truly relevant this song still is.

4.  Guided By Voices – “Chasing Heather Crazy”
Notes: Another piece of fearless pop songwriting from Bob Pollard and crew, this song was on the album Isolation Drills that was released by TVT in 2001.  Pollard’s voice is so strong and his sence of melody so acute, he could sing the phone book and it would be the best thing you ever heard.  I don’t know what this song is about and I don’t care.

5.  T. Rex - “Children of the Revolution”
Notes: I love T. Rex for many reasons, but the production quality of this song is so good.  Marc Bolan was a pop star unlike any other in that he was older, not particularly handsome, and batshit crazy.  He could never happen in today’s context because the people that program your radios are pussies.

6.  Webb Pierce – “There Stands the Glass”
Notes: This song was his biggest hit and for good reason.  Both the words and melody are top notch so you can enjoy it for two different reasons.  Plus, this guy was always looking good.  If we ever make any money off rock n roll, the first thing I’m buying is a good looking nudie suit.  Probably the best country drinking song ever.

7.  Cheap Girls - “Stop Now”
Notes: You’ll notice that this band is the only entry on this list from a band or artist that is currently still around.  That’s because I don’t listen to a whole lot of new stuff.  I hate everything and I LOVE this fucking band.  If you like good indie rock like the Smoking Popes and such you better get hip to Cheap Girls real quick.  This song is from their debut album called “Find Me a Drink Home” and it’s my favorite.  We’re going to tour with them sometime in the beginning of next year.
(Song not available on LaLa)

8.  Wire – “The 15th”
Notes: I just like how minimalist and powerful this song is.  This one’s fun to drive around to.

9.  Lee Scratch Perry – “City Too Hot”
Notes: You can probably figure out what this song is good for.  Scratch is a mad man.  Freak out!

10.  Big Star - “September Gurls”
Notes: Alex Chilton wrote so many good songs and it’s hard to pick one, but this one stands out as a real achievement in songcraft.  Plus, I really like the clangy telecaster style guitar sounds on this song.  You should also check out O My Soul.

- Visit Ninja Gun because you have a good chance of loving their music!