The original "odds and sods" disc
The Drive-by Truckers’ new rarities album, The Fine Print , has instantly become my favorite DBT album, period. From the off-kilter lyrics of “George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues” to superlative covers of Tom Petty (“Rebels”), Warren Zevon (“Play It All Night Long”) and Bob Dylan (“Like a Rolling Stone) — the album has a loose, improvisational, but virtuoso feel. Sometimes I find DBT a little obtuse lyrically, but I’ve always loved them live — and this album has that “off the rails” feel of a late night club show.
In mulling that yesterday, I realized how often I prefer bands’ cast-off odds-and-sods discs. To whit:
- Dead Letter Office is my favorite REM album. Especially the cover of “King of the Road” and the Velvet Underground covers.
- The Smithereens’ Attack of the Smithereens is every bit as good as the greatest hits. High points include a strip-club version of “A Girl Like You” and a live “You Really Got Me” with Ray Davies
- The best disc on the Tom Petty Playback box set is the rarities disc. Nothing more fun than a “Heartbreakers Beach Party”- Yeah!
- Ben Folds Five’s Naked Baby Photos has some great moments, none better than the soundcheck-improvised rap “For Those of Y’all Who Wear Fanny Packs.”
- Van Morrison’s Philosophers’ Stone proves that he leaves better stuff in the cutting room than most ever dream of recording.
What are some other great odds and sods?
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