By Jason Hunter
The Cardigans: First Band on the Moon [1996] / Gran Turismo [1998]
It's the way of the world that one of the more diverse LPs of 1996 got pigeonholed because of one song, "Lovefool." This band could do it all on this LP - so many styles, some many sounds, so much irony (see the lounge cover of Sabbath's "Iron Man"). For Gran Turismo, they ditched the eclectic pop sounds for sparse notes, chunky beats, and electronic flourishes. When the hipster indie rock I regularly consume leaves an bad taste, these two albums cleanse the palette.
Compulsion: Comforter [1994]
It is my opinion that good punk rock cuts through all inhibitions and makes you go ape. When I spin this I transfer into some crazy person in my house or car, flailing around and throwing up air guitars And judging from the Youtube videos, I'm not alone. In 1994, all my favorite punk bands were peaking, but then there was this shot in the dark from Ireland.
The Clientèle: Strange Geometry [2005]
While I understand what the Beatles did for popular music, I don't really want to listen to them. Instead, I prefer to appreciate their legacy through the prism of bands like The Clientèle. I try my best to be an "album guy" and not a "singles guy" but I rarely make it through this entire album. The first four songs are EPIC in their simplicity, perfection, and sad sack-ness.
The Cardigans became popular with a song that eventually robbed them of wider fame. They deserved more radio play.
ReplyDeleteI never got past "Lovefool" but I'll give the Cardigans another go based on your recommendation and Clientele will be making repeat appearances on my lala.com playlist. Muchas grassy-ass.
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