The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20131207142222/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/dec/08/popandrock

music

Playlist: Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite

The post-rock patron's ultimate soundtrack features the plaintive strains of Townes Van Zandt, Son House and Bob Dylan and the eerie serenity of Labradford, Arvo Pärt and Aphex Twin
Mogwai
Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai (left) ... the Glasgow guitar guru selects some melancholy and uplifting songs.

Can - Yoo Doo Right
The first time I heard this, I couldn't believe what an amazing groove
it had. I also couldn't believe how much Stereolab had nicked from it
for their song Jenny Ondioline. There is a cliche that all German music is rigid and efficient but Can have a really organic, and undoubtedly un-robot-like, feel.

Bauhaus - All We Ever Wanted Was Everything
I think Bauhaus are one of the most underrated new wave bands. This
song is absolutely beautiful, simultaneously melancholy and full of
hope.

Public Enemy - Welcome to the Terrordome
I was pretty young when Public Enemy appeared but even then I could tell what a huge new sound they'd created. The anger and intelligence is so precise and the production is massive. This whole album (Fear of a
Black Planet) is a masterpiece.

My Bloody Valentine - Feed Me With Your Kiss
I first heard this when I was about 13 and it'd be fair to say that it
changed how I thought about music. On a first listen what strikes you
is the noise; it's like sticking your head out of a car window on the motorway. After that you hear the perpetually changing rhythm and serene melody, and most of all the riff, which is constant throughout the song. I saw them a few times this summer after not seeing them since 1992 and it was as fantastic as ever.

Townes Van Zandt - Tecumseh Valley
This is a desperately sad song by the sorely missed Texan country singer called Townes Van Zant. Listening to Townes's records, its a miracle that he never achieved superstar status.

Bob Dylan - Idiot Wind
There isn't much that can be said of Dylan that hasn't already been said. The guy is a living legend and this song is perfection.

Son House - John the Revelator
I've been really into country blues for quite a while now and I don't
think any song or performance sums up the raw emotion and passion of that music like this one.

Arvo Pärt - Alina
My friend David Pajo named his daughter after this piece by Arvo Pärt, an Estonian composer whose music varies from huge choral pieces to orchestral symphonies that utilise atonality. This, however, is a minimalist piece using piano and string quartet. It is absolutely beautiful.

Labradford - Streamlining
This is just one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard. Totally
dream-like. It's a such a shame that Labradford aren't making music anymore. They were fantastic.

Aphex Twin - Nanou2
This song was described to me before I heard it as "Richard James
playing a song as if it were the last thing he ever played".
There couldn't be a more perfect description. Its one of the finest solo piano pieces I've ever heard.

MIA - Paper Planes
This song is so simple and the fact that the bed-wetting media got
upset about the gun references makes it even better. I'm so glad it's
become a hit.

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