Recommended Albums #103

The Tripwires: Get Young (2014)

The Tripwires are survivors of the 1990’s Seattle rock explosion, but don’t expect anything approximate to grunge here.

Instead, it’s lean power pop with smart lyrics and swagger, twin guitars dueling from right and left channels, catchy original melodies, and lots of harmonies.

For folks who like guitars deployed in an ebullient two-and-a-half minute burst rather than a plodding, bluesy dirge, John Ramberg and company have you covered.

One-album wonders Rockpile might be the best comparison, but honestly the Tripwires might do it better–and certainly more prolifically.

Comprised of members of bands such as Screaming Trees, the Minus 5, and Young Fresh Fellows, the Tripwires are that true anomaly: a “super group” that’s actually better than the sum of its parts.

Listen to: “Get Young”

Listen to: “Early Bright”

Listen to: “Owner Operator”

Listen to: “How in Heaven’s Name”

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2024/06/29/songs-you-may-have-missed-744/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2020/07/04/recommended-albums-80/

Video of the Week: George Harrison’s “Give Me Love” Gets a New Animated Video

Stranger Things actor and filmmaker Finn Wolfhard, along with a team of 20 stop-motion animators have created a new video for George Harrison’s “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)”.

The 1973 #1 hit single featured an all-star cast of studio musicians: Nicky Hopkins on piano, Gary Wright on harmonium, Klaus Voormann on bass guitar, and Jim Keltner on drums, with Harrison himself playing the slide guitar riff of course.

The video celebrates the ex-Beatle’s love of gardening and features the garden gnomes from the cover of his All Things Must Pass album cover, among other Easter eggs.

Songs You May Have Missed #809

Ghost: “Rats” (2018)

Ghost’s 2018 Prequelle album makes use of Europe’s black plague as metaphor, with the lyrical double entendres in the single “Rats” making it clear that the filthy rodents “in times like these” are human.

Ghost’s brand of theatrical rock includes masks, makeup, classic horror camp, graveyard sets and cinematic grandiosity that would make Jim Steinman envious.

Musically it’s classic metal riffs with anthemic, tuneful choruses and stacked harmonies.

Macabre, menacing, and catchy as a case of the Black Death.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2021/08/14/songs-you-may-have-missed-708/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2019/11/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-644/

Video of the Week: How They Wrote Classic Christmas Songs

Video of the Week: Classic John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013–The Bear and the Hare

Songs You May Have Missed #808

Edson: “Sunday, Lovely Sunday” (1999)

Pelle Carlberg and Edson make a Scandinavian Sunday afternoon sound like a little slice of heaven.

Sundays are slow
Never pretentious, oh no
Silent and closed
And we don’t really have to know where to go

Holding hands with the one I love
She wears mittens, I wear gloves
There must be someone above
Holding hands with the one I love
We could catch a picture show
Rent a Sunday video
We could stay out in the snow
Sunday slow

Sundays are meant
To let the quilt become a tent
Sundays well-spent
Don’t need a reason, no intent

Holding hands with the one I love
She wears mittens, I wear gloves
There must be someone above
Holding hands with the one I love
We could catch a picture show
Rent a Sunday video
We could stay out in the snow
Order greasy food to go

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/10/09/recommended-albums-26/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/02/27/songs-you-may-have-missed-29/

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/03/01/songs-you-may-have-missed-345/

Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries