So, I can’t even keep up with regular posting on this blog, but I decided to chip in on the trend to, now that 2010 is only a month and a half away, reflect on the past decade. In terms of society, we’ve entered a new Dark Ages as far as I’m concerned, but because one of my mission statements for this blog was to not talk about me, I’ll only bother my friends in the bar with that. I don’t consider myself important enough to be sharing my opinion on everything that’s going on.
So, let’s talk about music then! In my list there will be no Wilco, no Arcade Fire or no Radiohead. The first two surely would be in my traditional decade list, but I decided to focus on those bands that aren’t in any lists, albums that have been ignored or forgotten, or albums people have never even heard about. 26 albums precisely, and I believe all of them are timeless. At least to my ears, because I give them a spin all too often.
Making this list sucked. I had to leave out a lot of favorites. And quite a few of the bands have featured on this blog before. I won’t upload new songs for them, unless the uploaded songs are from another album.
Anyway..here is number 26 to 20. Oh yeah, no albums from 2007, 2008 or 2009. I wanted to make it really obscure.
26. Hudson Bell – Captain Of The Old Girls (Upperworks, 2002)
Sounds like: A nineties indie-retro melancholy soup
Hudson Bell is one of those bands I got to know by just downloading everything that was in my way. Ninety per cent of those songs disappear into the Microsoft Trash can, where it will be monitored how much illegal music I have once owned, so that it can be used against me. Hudson Bell is the bastard son of Neil Young and Built To Spill, but just a little bit sadder then. I wrote about them here. You can also find some songs there. And release that new album man.
25. Arab Strap – Monday At The Hug & Pint (Chemikal Underground, 2003)
Sounds like: Scottish pub-sadness, but as long as there is beer in the end, we’ll be happy.
Arab Strap wasn’t known for their happy songs. The collaborative project of Adrian Moffat (who released a fine album this year by the way) and Malcolm Middleton (who has been releasing good stuff since he started a solo career) was all Scottish melancholy. It was rough, but musically amazing. The Mumbling of Moffat, combined with the sometimes uptempo melodies, makes this album a master in duality. Ok, this is crap, but it’s really good. As an extra I’ll add a song of a sideproject of Moffat, The sick anchors, where he sings a cover by Atomic Kitten in his own amazing way. If you have that single, I’ll marry you.
The Sick Anchors – Whole Again (Atomic Kitten cover)
24. the Love of everything – Handjob Community ( Redder Records, 2004)
Sounds like: Daniel Johnston’s squeaky basterd nephew, but even worse at singing.
I have not known the Love of Everything for more than a year, but already they are among the most played bands on my last.fm pages the last six months. It’s got this sincerity I’m looking for in music. Anyway, i wrote about the band not so long ago. You can download some songs there.
23. Havergal – Lungs for The Race (Secretly Canadian, 2001)
Sounds like: The Postal Service who didn’t care about being poppy. Why, but not Why?
Havergal..damn, i wish he would resurrect from whatever grave or coffee bar he’s in, to release something new. He made two albums and then kind of disappeared from the face of the earth. the last login on MySpace is from beginning of 2009. Maybe i should become a documentary maker and then go on a search for Havergal. Anyway, I wrote about him here.
22. Black Bear – The Cinnamon Phase (Baskerville Hill Records, 2006)
Sounds like: Casiotone for The Painfully Alone, you’d better watch your back.
Another project that hasn’t been heard of after this album. Too bad, cause I think this is one of my favourite bleep-bleep indie squeak bedroom projects. I wrote about this project here. Download those songs.
21. Chauchat – Chauchat (Free digital release, 2006)
Sounds like: the sadcore indie project no one knows about, but everyone should know, cause it’s fucking underrated.
I don’t use the word ‘fucking’ that often, but in regard to Chauchat, it’s necessary. There is no vessel in my mind that would doubt that this band can be really big with the american indie crowd. It’s got all what indie bands need. Damn. Luckily, it’s not too late to discover, cause this album can be found for free on the internet. And therefore I applaud them even more. Also try out their other stuff. And by writing this, I found out they released a new album for free this year, to be found on Last.FM.
Chauchat – Young And Dethroned
20. Okay – High Road (Absolutely Kosher Records, 2005)
Sounds like: A cricket singing about heartbreaking emotions.
This cd was rediscovered by me the last week. It’s been my wake up-cd. The unique way with which Okay connects the sad lyrics (and voice) with poppy melodies..It breaks my heart each and everytime. another bastard son of Daniel Johnston, with the ability to unite melancholy with uplifting indie pop.
The rest is for later this week! (or two or three or four. Eventually I’ll get there)
An Inside Out Sock 