âYouth,â Beat Happening
This 1984 ditty is a fitting prologue to
the whole K story. âI thought there must be more to this world than
weâre being told,â Calvin Johnson sings. âWhen youâre young, you can
afford to be bold.â
âRollin in the Tide,â The Few
Bryan Elliott is one of the minor
characters in the story of K who had a huge impact on the label. K
returned the favor by teaching him that punk did not require a leather
jacket. Elliott went on to form the Few.
âC is the Heavenly Option,â Heavenly
The more you hear Calvin Johnsonâs deep,
off-key baritone voice, the better it sounds. This brilliant duet with
Brit Amelia Fletcher is my favorite unexpected collaboration.
âVirginia Reel Around the Fountain,â Halo Benders
Doug Martschâs intricate, meandering guitar and Calvinâs beat-cool poetry are one of indie rockâs great unlikely pairings.
âOne Small Step,â Lake
I spent relatively little time listening
to current K artists. But Lake was an exception. I played this song
every time I finished a chapter. âOne small step for the author,â Eli
Moore sings, âwho gathers evidence to offer.â Then the groove kicks in
and I dance a little bit.
SEE IT: Mark Baumgarten reads from Love Rock Revolution on Thursday, July 12, at Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. 7:30 pm. An after-party (featuring covers of K Records songs) takes place the same night at Valentines, 232 SW Ankeny St. 9 pm. $3. 21+.
WWeek 2015