A new feature here on Muzzle of Bees will focus on some of our favorite bands sharing 5 of their favorite records. We kick off the feature with The Daredevil Christopher Wright who we caught up with when they played Club Garibaldi last month. If you missed that show you can catch them on the Daytrotter Barnstorming Tour (Turner Hall Ballroom, October 8th) and a couple nights later opening for Bon Iver at the RIverside Theater on Sunday, October 11th. The latter being a benefit concert for AIDS Walk Wisconsin. Madison fans don’t miss their set at Forward Music Festival next weekend.

Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (Jason’s pick) This is Brian Wilson’s masterpiece. Maybe it’s too cliche to write down but I wouldn’t know that because I only started listening to it two or three years ago. I love the orchestral aspect of the instrumentation and vocals paired with the profound simplicity of the lyrics, which I understand were written in collaboration with Tony Asher.

Tom Waits – Rain Dogs (Jon’s pick) A timeless crazy circus of an album that amazes me every time I listen to it.

Elliott Smith – XO (Jon’s pick) Elliott Smith was hugely influential for me and continues to be. His melodies and songwriting are catchy and tragic, beautiful and sad at the same time.

Counting Crows – August and Everything After (Jon’s pick) This was one of the first records that really blew me away lyrically as a kid.

Bruce Cockburn – Sunwheel Dance (Jason’s pick) Bruce Cockburn was one of the artists that my uncles introduced me to as a child. Perhaps part of my attachment to him as a musician is sentimental (he made some albums with the typical 80s synth that can be hard to listen to) but he remains an extremely vibrant lyricist even in his recent releases. I also love finger-style guitar (though I rarely play it) and this album features a lot of it.

Buy: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – In Deference To A Broken Back
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Myspace: Daredevil Christopher Wright
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”