Two musical recommendations out of left field for the likeminded

The first is John Cale, "The Island Years," a compilation of 3 early to mid-70s albums. Much more conventional rock'n'roll than Cale's work with the early Velvet Underground, but very good nonetheless.

The other is "The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators," from 1967 or so. Despite the well-earned album title, this is not a time capsule (except perhaps if you listen to the lyrics, which I mostly haven't made out). Tough rather than hippy-dippy, with r & b roots that make it more a cousin of the Rolling Stones than of the Grateful Dead, albeit original and very much its own thing.

Not to wallow too much in the older stuff, I would also rate the New Pornographers' just-released "Twin Cinema" as good clean fun.