i made this mix with a wide variety of artists. bands that i think are very underrated, or albums that just went very unnoticed or even some albums that did get critics' praises but yet many of you still might have never heard. i guess there's a bunch of songs from albums i loved in college and then a few recent things and some stuff from in between. there are so many more artists i'd like to introduce to the mix receiver but that will just have to wait for future mixes. so here's a mix i made.
1. lone star song - grant lee buffalo
this album is definitely in my top 10 all time and i'd say possibly the most underrated band of the past 20 years. they recently announced the original trio is reuniting for a few shows across america and europe. i can't wait to see them play again, 12 string howling guitars sound great when played by mr grant lee. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgyYcdVZj9Y
2. superfreaky memories - luna
this song was on their album days of our nights (originally supposed to be called young and the restless i believe) which was the album that got them dropped by elektra records within months of it's release. one of my all time favorite bands for many reasons and a band that has some of the most consistent guitar sounds from album to album. (this track can also be found on the best of luna if you're looking for a nice introduction piece to the band). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssoivb0G0-c
3. a little like you - grand drive
a band from the U.K. who basically no one knows in america. somehow they got signed to rca in america and rca put out one album in the states which was sort of a greatest hits up to that point in the band's career. i always described them as the UK's Jayhawks. the singer now puts out records under the name Danny and the Champions who are well worth looking up as well.
4. salt in the wound - the delta spirit
one of my favorite albums of 2010, and a perfect slow jam. i had heard parts of their past release but wasn't that sold but once i heard this new record i was blown away. they can do the rock, they can do the folk, they can slow it down. for fans of ryan adams and gram parsons. enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw4ei439uIA
5. a room where your paintings hang - lost in the trees
yes, it sounds just like neutral milk hotel. but i think that's ok. a band that you'll be hearing more and more about over the coming months. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h29cK9rEGXo
6. virtue the cat explains her departure - the weakerthans
a band that consistently puts out strong records album after album. this is sort of a medium tempo track for them, the hook comes about 3/4 through the song, that's the icing on this cake. oh yea and canadian. why are canadian bands so good?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnmcw6kJ2HQ
7. can you see the light? - wax fang
a rocking number from these fellas from the south i believe. just signed to jim james' Removador Recordings and you'll be hearing much more from them over the next year or two...
8. stained glass - 764-hero
a friend in college introduced me to modest mouse in the winter of 1998 and around that time is when this 764-hero record came out. they were tourmates + labelmates of MM plus they did a split 12" together... the band never really took off but this is a classic record from a band well worth checking out if you're a fan of modest mouse... a bit different in sound but you'll notice some NW similarities. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJWSkPhphGg
9. kansas - the wedding present
ok, i was late to the wedding present game as this was their first album i heard. but if you're in the mood for pure pop british guitar candy, this is it. front to back, this album Saturnalia is filled with gems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxHZzO0YSs
10. off the pedestal - wheat
another criminally underrated record from this boston area band. sort of a difficult band to describe as they fall into so many different styles, but the production by dave fridman is great.. you'll hear fridman's work on another record later on this mix plus of course on the classic The Soft Bulletin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfYbYHahN0E
11. venus stop the train - wilco
a b-side that's never been officially released from the yankee hotel foxtrot era co-written by jay bennett. a beautiful song that hopefully will one day get a proper release (as does the rest of the YHF demos disc). R.I.P. jay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1zPzJ1-Dso
12. daisychains - youth group
australian act that has never really taken off anywhere (except for maybe their homeland).
their album skeleton jar is one of my favorite records of the past 10 years. this track comes from the follow up album (although this track originally appeared as a demo bside from the skeleton jar era). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P83_QR2vW3M
13. holes - mercury rev
classic masterpiece eclectic album from NY's mercury rev. yes, sounds like a british record but it's another one from dave fridman (who is an on/off/non-touring member of the band). please pick up this record if you don't have it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO1g251jF2g
14. never knew your name - mason jennings
the piano is what always sold me on this track. a guy who can write great folk pop songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOIXamSKPuw
15. stay - mark lanegan
depressing dark album but really beautiful too. a song from this album was recently used in a scene of eastbound and down. maybe it was this track, i can't seem to recall, but that's what reminded me of this album... also singer of screaming trees if you didn't put two and two together.. and member of the gutter twins with greg dulli among many other projects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvNRM9j_5yc
16. honey drop the knife - lullaby for the working class
an amazing collection of folk rockers from omaha who went on to many bands such as bright eyes and cursive.. too bad they're not making music together anymore... they did a quick reunion benefit show this summer... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMg-hcLY5V0
17. patience - micah p hinson
folk rocker from TX, basically is unknown in america but does pretty well for himself over in the UK. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIPkkKxRD2g
18. fly away - red house painters
if i didn't mention this was a john denver song, most of you would never notice. from an awesome john denver tribute album that was put together by badman recordings back in the 90's.. the song just keeps lifting up and up and up, and not because of the title.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWcND0WqH50
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