I received a lot of mail in response to last week's 31 Days of Horror Music, and none of it was positive. In a representative comment, one Mr. Lancelot Jacob Hawthorne Nickerbocker Madeup Handjob, III had this to say: "OMG WTF, Bindi Irwin?" Another internet commenter insisted I include "Witches Invitation," his favorite Carman song, in this week's list. Well, rest assured, intertube haxors from cyberspace and other web-associated commenters, there will be no Bindi Irwin in this week's final compendium of totally l33t horror, horror friendly, and horrible music (sorry, Matt), and, if you were paying attention, you saw "Witches Invitation" 3 weeks ago. That being said, I agree that I probably lost the plot with last week's list, so this week I've uncovered a foolproof plan to keep my eyes on the prize and my hands on the wheel: I've got a theme. And that theme is Zombies.
Zombies! Organize!! - "Robotacus"
Zombies are my favorite Halloween-friendly creature, and bands that are named after Zombies (the Zombies…uh, and others) traditionally have been amongst my favorites. So it is with great excitement that I introduce to you (unless you've heard of them already) the adorable kids in Zombies! Organize!!, one of my new favorite bands. But it's not just the band name that makes these kids special. They sing songs about Zombies. And did I mention they're adorable? Also, their songs are adorable. Whether they're using Zombies to make political commentary or they're just singing 'bout 'em 'cuz they're cool, they always keep it cute, and I appreciate that.
Take the above track for instance. I know, it's not about zombies--it's about a killer robot (who may also be a robot zombie--I can't make out the words)--but it's adorable as hell in that MC Chris mixed with Peaches kind of way, and with lines like "lick my robot clitorous" and references to Short Circuit, Nintendo, Small Wonder, and Greek mythology, what's not to like--or at least be amused by? And who knew that even a robot needs to use a vocoder tube?
Special bonus prize: See if you can find the ALF puppet!
The Magnetic Fields - "Zombie Boy"
In July I had this to say: "Not every song on the Magnetic Field's newest album benefits from the distort now, ask questions later approach, but 'Zombie Boy,' Distortion's penultimate track, is a sheer delight. It's humorous and menacing all at the same time, just like zombies."
What he said. This is still my favorite song from Distortion, and I still don't know WTF is happening in the Torchwood footage.
BTW, this is my favorite zombie boy:
Screaming Jay Hawkins - "I Put a Spell on You"
This is one of my favorite songs ever, but man, there are so many horrifying things about this video. First, dude puts a spell on a woman, zombifying her essentially, and that's no way to treat a woman. Second…um, is this racist? It certainly plays on some uncomfortable stereotypes, and I have trouble letting myself enjoy it. That being said, I'm pretty sure he performed this song in this way from its release in 1956 until his death, and he certainly didn't see it as racist. Third, that voice! Who can deny it?
As a counterpoint I'm including a clip of Nina Simone performing the same song from a female perspective. Much classier, but not quite as horrifying.
The Creepshow - "Zombies Ate Her Brain"
There were several schlock rock and psychobilly songs up for this spot, but I chose this one on the strength of its doo-wop opening and catchy tune. And it's short, so you can watch all of it and not feel too bad about not working. Hey, it's Halloween, y'all!
Carman - "Revival in the Land"
Ok, this isn't a song, and it isn't about zombies, but it is the ultimate manifestation of Carman's sick fascination with the dark side. In this video, using his trademark flowery language ("a scaly creature disrupts Satan's ghastly existence"), Carman takes us right into the heart of Satan's lair where one of Satan's minions warns him of the coming revival in the land. Saints of God, man your battle stations.
