For Throwback Thursday, here are a few songs and artists I have come across that I believe have been criminally overlooked or underappreciated: 1 “West Coast” and “Any Fun, ”Coconut Records – the recording name for actor Jason Schwartzman. Catchy Beatles-esque pop. So, so good. Jason also was part of Phantom Planet, which did the ubiquitous O.C. anthem “California.” 2. “Trick Pony,” Charlotte Gainsbourg – French legend Serge’s daughter, this track was produced by Beck. If you like Beck, or the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, you’ll dig this. 3. “Hey Na,” Galactic – a take-no-prisoners party tune, by a big, funky collective out of New Orleans. Also check out their NSFW jam “Do It Again.” 4. Dan Boechner. I was stunned to discover that this uber-talented Canadian is part of three different bands I have come to love: Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, and The Divine Fits. Hard to pick just one, but maybe start with “Radio Kaliningrad.” 5. “White Lies,” Max Frost. An Austin musician, with a cult following there, but still no record deal. Listen to this tune and ask yourself, how is that even possible? 6. “Cabaret,” Alice Smith. A great funky-diva tune. Can’t believe this one wasn’t a hit, but also kind of glad that it wasn’t. 7. “Blue Eyes,” Middle Brother, and “Birmingham,” Shovels & Rope. I’ve never been much of a country fan, but these songs have more of a folksy, roots vibe to them – and they sound like the real deal, too. Not over-produced or pandering. 8. “Coast of Carolina,” Telekinesis. This band has been on the edge of discovery for quite a while now. I defy you not to sing along with the chorus on this one. 9. “Peace and Quiet,” Waxahatchee. The first time I heard this, I thought it was Liz Phair, circa “Exile to Guyville.” Liz Phair probably wishes it was. 10. “Free Energy,” by Free Energy. Nothing fancy, just really catchy, hip pop music. Also give a listen to “Something in Common.” 11. “99 Problems,” by Hugo. A killer re-imagining of the iconic Jay-Z song, with the same chorus but a totally different sound and meaning. 12. “Skulldiggin,” by Black Joe Lewis. A great fuzzy-guitar, vocal-chord-thrashing rock song. 13. “Heart It Races,” Architecture in Helsinki. An Australian band, this is an art-rock song from 2007, that I only heard for the first time a few weeks back, thanks to an iTunes referral. Come to think of it, most of these I only heard because of iTunes – which is why I love iTunes. Thanks and RIP, Steve Jobs.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 18:22:41 +0000
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