Jeff Ament Picks the Tracks

1. Mastodon
"Blood and Thunder"
Metal revivalists Mastodon unleash more killer guitar riffs on this 2005 tune than some bands do in their whole career. "These guys are all great players," says Ament. "It's really good heavy metal."

2. Mogwai
"Travel Is Dangerous"
Indie stalwarts who specialize in moody guitar instrumentals add equally brooding vocals in this standout from their new album. "They're part of the killer new wave of Scottish bands -- along with Arab Strap and Aerogramme."

3. Mudhoney
"I Saw the Light"
"Sabbath sonics and that Birthday Party-Stooges blues groove," Ament says of this tune from his fellow Seattle grunge survivors' 2005 CD. "The best Mudhoney ever.

4. Ben Harper
"Never Leave Lonely Alone"
"Blackbird"-style guitar fingerpicking propels a lilting, melancholy tune from Harper's new disc. "I love it when Ben stretches out," Ament says. "I can't think of a better song to wake up to."

5. David Garza
"Foul Jasmine"
On this dark love song, Austin, Texas, songsmith Garza delivers Jeff Buckley-ish vocals over Led Zeppelin III acoustic guitars. "David is one of the great unknown singer-songwriters out there," says Ament.

Listen to the playlist