Songs You May Have Missed #240

doug

Doug Powell: “This Lion’s Lamb” (1996)

From Powell’s debut Ballad of the Tin Men album, his first and last on a major label (due to some weird machinations, he’d actually been with three different majors by the time his debut even got released). Of course, being an appealing melodist with a lyrical quirkiness and a jangle pop sound that leaned toward Jellyfish or Chris Von Sneidern, Powell was a better fit on power pop haven Not Lame Records, where he eventually ended up for a time.

It always amazes me that though there was never much room on the radio for artists and bands who patterned their sound after the Byrds, Beatles, Hollies, etc. it didn’t stop them from making their entire career an homage to those greats of past decades. Placing a track on a medium-profile tribute album to an idol like McCartney or Jeff Lynne might be a career highlight. Clearly the music of artists like this is made for the love of their craft–few guys like this get rich in the biz.

Songs You May Have Missed #239

chenier

Clifton Chenier: “Allons a Grand Coteau” (1975)

While I enjoy the sound, I don’t own much Zydeco. But I’m pretty happy to have the Bogalusa Boogie album, by the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. And this is my favorite song, a classic of the genre.

Songs You May Have Missed #238

september

Big Star: “September Gurls” (1974)

From Radio City, Big Star’s second album. The ill-fated band led by Alex Chilton (The Box Tops) and Chris Bell were already crumbling here, and record distribution problems didn’t help matters. If talent alone dictated such things, they might have been big stars indeed. But instead their 3 album output was fated for cult classic status, revered and often covered by other musicians but never racking up the sales numbers the music deserved.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/03/25/songs-you-may-have-missed-372/

Songs You May Have Missed #237

clientele

The Clientele: “Isn’t Life Strange” (2007)

Alasdair MacLean has one of my favorite names and one of my favorite voices. His London band, The Clientele, have a wistful and evocative sound that perfectly complements a contemplative mood and a cloudy day. Violins, cello and occasional gentle tremelo guitar punctuate a reverb-laced sound that always hints at heartbreak just around the next corner. The album, God Save the Clientele, is a  thing of sad beauty, a quietly devastating record.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/04/12/songs-you-may-have-missed-388/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/29/songs-you-may-have-missed-495/

Songs You May Have Missed #236

pain

Blackfield: “Pain” (2005)

I gushed about these guys on other occasions so there’s no reason to repeat all the reasons I think they’re great. But I do want to share another of my favorite Blackfield songs so…feel my “Pain”.

When modern-day prog rock’s leading light, Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson, and Israeli pop rock legend Aviv Geffen get together they make a mesmerizing brand of shoegazing catharsis. As I’ve said before, if you can appreciate this kind of thing, you can appreciate that no one does this kind of thing better. Blackfield’s first two albums should be considered classics of their time.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/10/01/recommended-albums-24/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/02/11/songs-you-may-have-missed-329/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/04/songs-you-may-have-missed-483/

Songs You May Have Missed #235

plume

Plume Giant: “We Got it Made” (2012)

It’s easy to let yourself get caught up in the happy vibe of this one. Plume Giant came together as students at Yale University and began making a fresh sound built on harmonies, whimsical humor and a willingness to play an unusual array of instruments (viola, harmonium, melodica). They graduated in May and released their first full length CD, Callithump in August. “We Got it Made” has a dash of dixieland, a pinch of Pink Martini, and loads of simple joy.

Here they actually bring something new and pleasant to “Strawberry Fields Forever”, although it looks like they picked a crappy spot for busking.

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