Songs You May Have Missed #453

04 Aug 2013 Leave a comment

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

shins

The Shins: “It’s Only Life” (2012)

Like A.C. Newman of the New Pornographers, James Mercer’s brand of indie pop has a way of tapping into timeless elements of pop and rock yet simultaneously sounding fresh and of the moment. The band’s fourth album, which features Mercer’s songwriting, vocals and, in large part, instrumentation, is awash with lush melody and fresh turn of phrase–another characteristic Mercer and Newman share.

These two guys are among the most appealing songwriters in the genre, and I’ve got the feeling the originality of their work will be recognized for many years to come.

“It’s Only Life” in particular seems a towering achievement to me. I just can’t believe how many appealing turns of melody Mercer crams into this tune.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/04/30/songs-you-may-have-missed-404/

Songs You May Have Missed #452

27 Jul 2013 2 Comments

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

landlady

Kirsty MacColl: “My Affair” (1991)

From one of England’s true national treasures, cheeky and talented songwriter Kirsty MacColl, lost to us tragically and too soon in a controversial 2000 boating accident.

Kirsty gave us, among other great musical moments, the retro girl-pop classic “They Don’t Know” (popularized by Tracey Ullman) and the Christmas duet “Fairytale of New York”, recorded with Shane MacGowan of the Pogues.

Kirsty is the daughter of folksinger Ewan MacColl. “My Affair” was her first foray into a Latin sound–she recorded whole albums of Latin-tinged pop later in her career–and it perfectly displays the lady’s witty lyrical style, as well as her mesmerizing voice.

Electric Landlady? One of the greatest album titles of all time.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2015/05/14/songs-you-may-have-missed-530/

Songs You May Have Missed #451

27 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

concretes
The Concretes: “On the Radio” (2006)

Low-key but infectious, The Concretes create what has been called The Stockholm Sound, a sunny brand of pop sound from a country that doesn’t actually get a lot of sun.

Too Philosophical Pop Song

23 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in On a Lighter Note, Video of the Week Tags:

The Second City presents a pop song so philosophical it’ll kill any party. Even deeper than some of the work of professor Ke$ha.

Songs You May Have Missed #450

23 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

sloan

Sloan: “Nothing Lasts Forever Anymore” (2003)

Count the guitar tones used here by underrated Canadian power pop masters Sloan.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/04/09/songs-you-may-have-missed-71/

Songs You May Have Missed #449

23 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

keane

Keane: “Everybody’s Changing” (2004)

 

From their 2004 debut, which featured the single “Somewhere Only We Know”, their biggest radio hit.

Keane’s anthemic sound eschews lead guitar in favor of piano, and their emotive songs and soaring choruses have always invited Coldplay comparisons. Somehow, though, Keane have mostly managed to avoid the mainstream audience.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/28/songs-you-may-have-missed-494/

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