Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
15 Nov 2014 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: kate price, rathdrum faire
Kate Price: “Rathdrum Faire” (2009)
Kate Price, former backup singer to Kenny Loggins, takes Mick Fitzgerald’s “Rathdrum Faire” into haunting Loreena Mckennitt territory. Her 2009 retrospective album takes its title from the area of the Renaissance festival where she once performed and debuted much of her own material.
08 Nov 2014 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: dan wilson, love without fear
Dan Wilson: “Love Without Fear” (2014)
Semisonic front man and main songwriter Dan Wilson’s creative and commercial peak may be a couple decades in the rear view at this point, but he can still turn an appealing melody and lyric phrase. Actually, his writing always seemed a bit “mature” for the grunge-influenced era of Semisonic’s peak anyway, so it fits nicely into the AOR slot which will inevitably be the market for his latest solo LP.
His too-infrequent releases always find welcome where melodic, coherent and heartfelt music is still appreciated.
Do check out the other recommendations below. Semisonic’s Great Divide is truly one of the most unjustly overlooked albums of the 1990’s.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/09/songs-you-may-have-missed-457/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/06/23/recommended-albums-50/
07 Nov 2014 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: if i ever feel better, phoenix
Phoenix: “If I Ever Feel Better” (2000)
Although French synth/soul band Phoenix share roots with Daft Punk (keyboardist/guitarist Laurent Brancowitz was formerly with short-lived band Darlin, as were both Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of the more famous EDM band) on their debut they established more of a breezy sound reminiscent of 70’s California pop and FM “Yacht Rock”.
Though this band will never make footprints as large as, say, Steely Dan, they can be appreciated by fans of such “lite rock” heavyweights.
01 Oct 2014 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: i live not where i love, linda thompson
Linda Thompson: “I Live Not Where I Love” (1987)
One of the British folk diva’s most affecting tunes, recorded as guest vocalist on Fairport Convention vocalist Simon Nicole’s solo LP ‘Before Your Time…‘
Thompson’s plaintive voice was used to great effect conveying vulnerability on such tunes, especially in the wake of her break with former husband Richard Thompson.
19 Sep 2014 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: erlend oye, remind me, roksopp
Röyksopp: “Remind Me” (2001)
If you don’t know Norwegian duo Röyksopp but their collaboration with Erlend Øye (of another Norwegian duo, Kings of Convenience) sounds familiar, it’s probably thanks to a certain Geico TV ad (see below). Known throughout…um, Scandinavia at least, for their lush downbeat electronica, they pop their heads up into a realm of greater notoriety on occasions such as the aforementioned commercial–or their recent collaboration with Swedish dance diva Robyn.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/08/11/songs-you-may-have-missed-461/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/11/12/recommended-albums-57/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2022/06/12/songs-you-may-have-missed-731/
10 Aug 2014 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: lazarus, porcupine tree
Porcupine Tree: “Lazarus” (2005)
We’ve explored Brit progger Steven Wilson’s side-project work with Blackfield. This tune finds him working the day job, as it were, with Porcupine Tree, in one of that band’s lovely mellow moments.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2016/03/09/songs-you-may-have-missed-574/
Every Moment Has A Song 