We once examined artists Artists People Like More Because They Were Ka-Raaay-Zeeeee. Today, let’s discuss artists who may have benefitted from a ka-raaay-zeeeee band member and at least one artist who tried to raise his band’s profile with this angle but could not capitalize on the fact.

To kick things off, I believe The Zombies would have been loved and studied by more than Ken doll-smooth rock nerds if they’d had a ka-raaay-zeeeee band member.

Among failed attempts at playing the ka-raaay-zeeee angle, I’d start with Andy Partridge and XTC. He’s worked hard over the years at pumping up his legacy with “English Eccentric” details that go beyond his irrational fear of performing live, such as stories of his comic books, toy trains, war games, teenage antidepressant therapy, and penchant for masturbation. I’d guess these efforts have been for naught. They keep some of the Chalkhills crowd stokes, but rock lovers either dig XTC or they don’t. Have you ever met some asshole who says, “I’ve been getting into XTC, maaaannnnn. That Partridge guy is whack!”

I’ll start things off: Status Quo. For better or for worse, they seem to have been ubiquitous among a generation or two of British bands while making little to no impression on US audiences. Beside “Pictures of Matchstick Men”, from their early psych incarnation, did anyone in the US ever hear their popular UK boogie music without tracking it down in cutout bins? Once tracked down, did it ever make a positive impression on any set of American ears?

Feel free to speculate on why these artists were unable to make the jump across the pond.

Here’s a challenge with a less-involved set of criteria than meets the eye: examples of two or more officially released versions of the same song by an artist, not including live, orchestral, or simply remixed versions. As a final condition, you must state your favorite version.

I’ll start us off: Elvis Costello, “Black and White World” (Get Happy!! version and country-style alternate take, which was released on Taking Liberties). I prefer the alternate take.