Eyes! China Doll cover

Eyes! China Doll

Recorded
Released

Edward Ka-Spel’s second solo album, 1985’s Eyes! China Doll, is one of his most intriguing, covering a variety of sonic approaches, from aggressive percussion to floating ambience to even a bit of reggae-informed rhythm, all while rich synth texturing and his ever-recognizable voice creates the feeling of rituals, sci-fi movie weirdness and general mystery. He finds space for some of his more extreme vocal approaches, thus the strangled screeches on “Avengelist,” while the lengthy “Hotel Blanc” is a striking multipart effort. Best song title, meanwhile: “Six Cats on a Dead Man’s Chest.”

Ned Raggett

Suggestions
The King of Limbs cover

The King of Limbs

Radiohead
This Is the Day…This Is the Hour…This Is This! cover

This Is the Day…This Is the Hour…This Is This!

Pop Will Eat Itself
Forth cover

Forth

The Verve
A Kiss in the Dreamhouse cover

A Kiss in the Dreamhouse

Siouxsie & the Banshees
Year Zero cover

Year Zero

Nine Inch Nails
Magician Among The Spirits cover

Magician Among The Spirits

The Church
Starfish cover

Starfish

The Church
Everything’s Alright Forever cover

Everything’s Alright Forever

The Boo Radleys
Giant Steps cover

Giant Steps

The Boo Radleys
Screamadelica cover

Screamadelica

Primal Scream
Showtime cover

Showtime

Nitzer Ebb
Definitely Maybe cover

Definitely Maybe

Oasis