Songs You May Have Missed #159

02 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

hackett

Steve Hackett: “Emerald and Ash” (2010)

Steve Hackett was the lead guitarist of Genesis from 1970-77, after which he released a series of solo albums interspersed with side projects such as the supergroup GTR, which he formed with Yes’ Steve Howe.

I believe this song was inspired by Hackett’s breakup with second wife Kim Poor, who designed most of his album covers.

Sad and glorious, it’s the kind of song that deserves loud listening in a quiet place. If this song is a kiss off, it’s the most beautiful one you’ll ever hear.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2015/09/05/songs-you-may-have-missed-548/

Songs You May Have Missed #158

02 Aug 2012 2 Comments

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

barenaked

Barenaked Ladies: “Maybe Katie” (2003)

“Maybe Katie”, from the last really good Barenaked Ladies album (2003’s Everything to Everyone) is one of the most infectious pieces of pop of its decade. The lyric is a little nudge toward romance, directed at someone who’s a little too hard to please. The arrangement is a deft combination of power pop chords, synthesizers and harmonies, underpinned by BNL’s ubiquitous strummed acoustic. Oh, and listen for a subtle bit of accordion around 1:56. These guys crafted their recordings with a lot of sonic detail. It’s just a pop song, but one that gives the ear a lot to do.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/03/27/songs-you-may-have-missed-374/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/06/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-432/

Songs You May Have Missed #157

02 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

finn

The Finn Brothers: “Won’t Give In” (2004)

New Zealand’s Finn Brothers are Tim (Split Enz) and Neil (Split Enz and Crowded House). If you like “Won’t Give In” and are not familiar with the work of Crowded House, you ought to check them out as well.

Recommended Albums #23

01 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Recommended Albums Tags:

Yukon Blonde

Yukon Blonde: Yukon Blonde (2010)

yukon

Vancouver, Canada band Yukon Blonde’s debut had them pegged as one of the “10 Canadian bands destined to break in 2010” by the CBC. I don’t know if they indeed broke that year or not. Doesn’t seem like any breakout reached south to the U.S. in any meaningful way. But that doesn’t diminish anything about this solid first full-length release.

Their sound is hard to define; it’s been called psychedelic pop and “glo-fi” by some, while others hear country rock in the mix. But their pop instincts are beyond question. From the ooh’s and aah’s backing up the vocal in “1000 Years” to the reverb-enhanced harmonies and staccato guitar stabs in “Kumiko Song”. Whatever you want to call it, it’s an engaging pop rock debut album that echoes the sounds of classic rock bands of past decades, with memorable hooks that will bring you back to it again and again.

Listen to: “Blood Cops”

Listen to: “Kumiko Song”

Listen to: “1000 Years”

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/10/09/songs-you-may-have-missed-191/

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