Man was today lousy with beige. As predicted, the pleasant weather quickly transitioned to gray skies and unrelenting sprinkle. (Granted, those flurries on Monday were a nice change of pace….) In my experience, few sounds backdrop such mid-week slog quite like the discontent jangle of late 80s college rock. What really does it for me is how the era so perfected that downtrodden “who gives a shit” ambiance that always makes me wish I smoked P-Funks and wore an obnoxiously hip anorak—i.e., a dead ringer for my current lack of proverbial butter tarts. Steeped in broken relationships and predetermined malaise, the lyrics obviously help promote the vibe, but few singers can rattle off “Now you think you can fuck my head up” like Alan McGee (Biff Bang Pow!), and leave you so convinced that she probably thinks right. Not to say these tracks are strictly sad bastard couture—mope-core or not, this is still some incredibly hooky pop. Check for instance “Inside Out” by the Mighty Lemon Drops, whose chorus you’ll memorize by the first pass and be humming along with by the second (though that’s probably just me). Anyhoo, track list follows….

“There Must be a Better Life” by Biff Bang Pow!

“Inside Out” by The Mighty Lemon Drops

“Uncertain Smile” (7” Version) by The The

“Madonna of the Wasps” by Robyn Hitchcock

“Places that are Gone” by Tommy Keane

“Erica’s Word” by Game Theory

“Kim the Waitress” by Green Pajamas