On a dreary winter morning, while dining on scrambled eggs at The Bad Waitress, we noticed something about this South Minneapolis eatery: It has one of the best jukeboxes in town. Miles Davis, PJ Harvey, and early REM, to name but a few, were the perfect accompaniment to a slow-starting Sunday. So impressed were we by the eclectic mix, in fact, that we asked the man behind the jukebox, Christian Johnson, who also happens to be the owner of The Bad Waitress (and the Spyhouse Coffee Shop up the street) to share his personal playlist. Dubbing his mix “Seven Days in the Desert, Ten Albums Shotgun,” Johnson explains that these albums will provide the soundtrack to an upcoming road trip: “Every year I travel to the desert to get away, driving along deserted county roads and visiting small-town weirdness in the American Southwest. These albums inspire, and typify, the mystery surrounding those desert communities and their hauntingly beautiful landscapes.”
10. Depeche Mode, Violator (1990)
“Personal Jesus,” “Enjoy the Silence,” “Policy of Truth.” To me, it was their first heavy album with a lot less electronica, dance-type stuff.
9. The Cramps, Bad Music for Bad People (1984)
The track “TV Set,” produced by Alex Chilton, begins with cannibalistic drums and rants of debauchery; on “Garbageman,” engines thunder into a gothic rockabilly riff.
8. Bowery Electric, Lushlife (2000)
Formed in New York in the ’90s, this duo’s last album proved to be a cinematic soundtrack to a post-modern world; it’s filled with rich tones and futuristic qualities similar to Portishead and Massive Attack.
7. 120 Days, 120 Days (2006)
Hailing from Norway, this band produces a relentless and pulsating rhythm indicative of The Cure in the early ’80s, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine. Their ambient drone, rolling drums, and subtle, soaring vocals complement the synths and guitars on tracks such as “Lazy Eyes” and “Sleepwalking.”
6. Judas Priest, Point of Entry (1981)
I must confess, there is a metal band I still listen to. This underrated record was released between two monster-selling albums: British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance. With tracks such as the appropriately titled “Heading Out to the Highway” and “Desert Plains,” this album is perfect when departing the motel parking lot and hitting the road for another day of scorching heat and highway haunts.
5. The Clash, Combat Rock (1982)
It’s The Clash. Come on!
4. Gram Rabbit, Music to Start a Cult To (2004)
Former Minneapolis darling Jessica Von Rabbit fronts this dangerously disturbing pop assault of renegades now residing in Joshua Tree, California. Their first full-length album engages the listener from the murderous West with a soundtrack of brilliantly written pop anthems. Jessica’s voice floats above melodic rhythms of guitars, pianos, and synths, with a backbeat of go-go inspired tastes. My favorite tracks are their massive hit “Cowboy-Up,” “Land of Jail,” and “Cowboys & Aliens.” Imagine Madonna, Johnny Cash, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and The Jesus and Mary Chain all in the same Chevy Nova going 120 miles an hour and crashing into a van filled with bunnies.
3. X, Under the Big Black Sun (1982)
A classic album whether on the road or sitting in church. John Doe and Exene Cervenka deliver modest attitude and an electrified sound with great talent as songwriters and vocalists. John Doe’s solo albums are also a must for any trip.
2. The Cult, Pure Cult: The Best of the Cult
Just a great collection of American commercial rock songs from English blood.
1. Mark Lanegan, Bubblegum (2004)
The darkest and most urban album to date from Seattle’s Screaming Trees frontman. The tracks “Head” and “Hit the City,” with PJ Harvey, are explosive. “Driving Death Valley Blues” speaks of addiction with reference to the road. This bluesy album is full of depth, soul, and loss.
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