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Since Wired editor Chris Anderson wrote his book a few years ago, there's been a lot of talk about "The Long Tail" from a business perspective. But the truth of the music business is that the cream doesn't always rise to the top. Hidden among those thousands of albums available at iTunes and Amazon that sell in the low thousands—or even hundreds—of records are little treasures that just escaped our collective notice. Ranging from the completely obscure to the fairly obscure, these are albums I've fallen in love with over the years that, for whatever reason, didn't get the widespread acclaim and Gold Record sales they deserved. Let me know your obscure favorites in the comments section.
1. Nikki Meets the Hibachi - The Bluest Sky (1990)
I discovered the gorgeous harmonies of Chapel Hill, N.C.'s John Gillespie and Elaine Tola when I was in college, but throughout the years, it's never left my regular rotation. The songs average right at three minutes, each time leaving you wanting to hear more of their tasty acoustic guitar and mandolin and more of them singing right on top of each other. It's earnest folk music at its best. The album is out of print on its own but available as a remastered add-on to the band's 2006 release Back Around.
Listen to "The Bluest Sky" on MySpace.
2. Shannon Stephens - Shannon Stephens (2000)
When we launched PasteMusic.com back in 1998, one of the first of the CDs we carried that I fell absolutely in love with was an EP called No One Likes a Nervous Wreck from a band called Marzuki out of Michigan. When Marzuki broke up, lead singer Stephens and multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens both released solo projects. I liked Shannon's first one better (but then I preferred Son Volt's Trace to Wilco's A.M. so good thing I'm not in A&R). Truth is, Sufjan contributed greatly to this record, as did other PasteMusic.com alum Kenny Hutson (Vigilantes of Love, Over the Rhine) and Jason Harrod. But it's Stephens' songwriting in songs like the gut-punch "Catch the Morning Line" that make the album shine. UPDATE: After a nine-year hiatus, Shannon Stephens is currently recording a new album for Asthmatic Kitty Records (thanks to Reid Davis for the tip).
Download "So Gentle in Your Arms" mp3 (courtesy of Asthmatic Kitty Records)
3. The Incredible Moses Leroy - Become the Soft.Lightes (2003)
The first time I heard Passion Pit coming from someone's computer in the Paste office, my immediate thought was that they were playing a new album by The Incredible Moses Leroy—the solo project of Ron Fountenberry. Before Postal Service, he was getting his twee indie rock ready for the dance floor—or at least the corner of the party where people are moving to the music. The keys are buried a little deeper underneath crisp guitars in his current band Softlightes, but the happy little melodies are still there.
4. Susan Enan - Moonlight/Skin, Bone & Silicone EP (2003)
As noted on her website, "Susan is currently working on her debut album," something she's been doing for seven years now. "Moonlight" was one of the first songs to stop me dead in my tracks back at the very first Paste office, and some of the demos I've heard since are just as good. When the Belfast native does finally resurface, expect something very special.
5. The Honeydogs - 10,000 Years (2003)
If you've heard of one of the albums on this list, odds are it's 10,000 Years. After all, Minneapolis' Honeydogs have been putting out records for a decade and a half. The fact that this one didn't appear on more Best Of lists could have been chalked up to the fact that it's a sci-fi concept record, but Janelle Monae just proved that little obstacle can be overcome, and The Decemberists played Stephen Colbert after putting out a fantasy concept record. Maybe Adam Levy's epic, post-apocolyptic saga was just a few years before its time. Best listened all-the-way through, the album dips its toes in power pop, psychedelia, rockabilly, lounge-y nightclub ballads and even a Tropicalia-ish outro with the story providing the cohesion. Catch them this summer at the 10,000 Lakes Festival.
Listen to samples of 10,000 Years at Amazon.com or newer songs at MySpace.
So what great albums in your iTunes have I never heard of?
The 10 Best Comedians of the Decade…
Where Have All The Weird Girls Gone?…
Evil Dead to Rise Again to Theaters…
Heather Greene - Moon Hangs Fire
James Yuill - This Sweet Love (Earth…
Patrick Watson - Tracy’s Water
Colin Hay - Down Under
Pete Yorn - Last Summer
You're right. Honeydogs is the only one I knew. But wait! What about "Blue Bossa" by Simon Salz & Glenn Basham? --on my iTunes. (Shameless plug for my cuz.) Listen to samples at http://cdbaby.com/cd/salzbasham
Mikky Ekko's "Strange Fruit" EP could fit in this mix. http://www.mikkyekko.com
Augie March's Sunset Studies. Their first album, it is now approaching gold 10 years after its release in their native Australia. Mentioned often in "influenced by" lists of other Oz musicians, it is complex enough lyrically and melodically that I could (and often do) listen to it every day.
It's funny you should mention Susan Enan today, cause she just sent out an email and posted on MySpace to say that after all this time the new album is finally finished. I for one can't wait to hear it.
But it's worth noting that she's not a Belfast native, she lived there when working on the Moonlight EP but is actually from England and now lives in Brooklyn.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=25574210&blogId=487289829
Here are two:
Sarah White and the Pearls' White Light. Released in 2006 I think this one is cover-to-cover brilliant! http://www.antennafarmrecords.com/artists/sarah.htm
Birdlips' Cardboard Wings. NPR featured "Tire Chains" from this album last year. A guitar, keyboard duo that provides pure ear candy! http://cdbaby.com/cd/birdlips
Surprisingly enough, both are from Charlottesville, VA.
I love that after posting this list, I find that two of the artists on it are about to have their first official releases in nine and six years! Looking forward to both.
This one fits, I think: Gra's "Exit the Cave" circa 1995-ish? Mike Mills' brother was in the band, and the album was a great representation of thoughtful hard rock. I've often wondered why there was no follow-up.
Everyone should check out Benji Cossa.
Also check out a band called DUMP, a side project from Yo La Tengo's Bassist James McNew.
I absolutely love the first album from 12 Stone Toddler (not 12 Stones). It's called "Does It Scare You?" It's like hearing a rock concert mashed with a circus. It's amazing and incredibly unique.
Seriously, I am a huge fan of underground music, and I have never heard of any of these guys. They're so great, and thank you so much for sharing.
Most passionate music you'll ever hear: "Strength" by The Violet Burning (1992, Bluestone Records); and check out this unknown but rising Texas band that combines jazz, folk, alt-rock, bossa nova and a bit of scat and hip-hop: The Statement: http://tiny.cc/NoStorms
Some faves: (1) Oren Lavie, "The Opposite Side of the Sea" (http://www.orenlavie.com/); (2) Oliver Kraus, "Sound Bites" (http://cdbaby.com/cd/oliverkraus): (3) The Autumns, "The Autumns" (http://www.last.fm/music/The+Autumns).
Everyone should track down Granada. They have three albums out. They make amazing pop music, and it's perfect for this time of year.
Now defunct Athens, Ga., band Flood City Shootout's self-titled debut is one of the finest albums I've ever heard. If you dig Wilco, The Replacements' middle-period stuff, Big Star—shit, if you're just a fan of great rock and roll with amazing hook—you'll love this album: http://athensmusic.net/product_info.php?products_id=79
Also, anything by Bloodkin - fantastic songs, Stonesy rock and roll: http://web.mac.com/danielhutchens/Bloodkin.net/Home.html
Harrod and Funck, Dreams of the Color Blind. Available on iTunes - Best Album Very Few People Have Heard Of.
Soul Miner's Daughter. Sadly, a group that's no longer together. Members were Corey Jones (I can't find ANYTHING about him lately, he put out a great solo indie album about 6-7 years ago) and Jennifer Nettles before she went all country sell out and joined Sugarland). Great singing/songwriting. They had 2 albums out before they broke up, she put out 2-3 on her own and then joined Sugarland.
I work with a ton of bands every month so, when one sticks out it must be truly amazing, or more realistically, different from the others. Americana/Roots artist Christy Clayton's
Devils Paradise literally spoke to me in 2007. The musicianship, production and writing just blew me away considering it was not a major label release. So, I started following who wrote the songs, and not only did I find the person, but it seems he drags the same players with him from album to album, but changes singers. Greg Stricklin who wrote Devil's Paradise has a new thing call LTB and put out the song "Devil Plays for Keeps." I know, seems like a theme, but apparently the devil is good material for him. ;-) Check out the video that concerns the economy. The quality is excellent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvW-nv3Pprs
Geoff Farina - Usonian Dream Sequence
Former Secret Stars member and Karate guitarist. Intimate sparse recording that channels a maximum of emotions.
I really think you will like "Freedom & Whiskey". They are from the Louisville, KY area, and have a bluesy, harder Southern rock thing going on. Plus, they are active and are continuing to make music. Enjoy, and thanks to everyone for all the tips to find really cool music.
be entertained
You will probably never hear of this band, but they recorded an incredible EP. They are swimming upstream in a river of odds, youth, and opposition:
HISTORY for SALE
http://www.myspace.com/historyforsalemusic
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=302163210&s=143441
Probably the best overall genre skipping band and singer in the Pacific Northwest.
Not only have I heard of Susan Enan's Moonlight EP, I'm playing bass on it ;)
Good choice.
Steve
Check out one of my favorite unknown bands - Rubber Clown Car. Great pop & rock and cool lyrics abound.
Josh, Trace IS better than A.M. ; ) And if Jay bennett had joined Son Volt the world would be a different place.
Gary, Trace is still a Top 10 all-time record for me. I like it better than anything Wilco—or even Uncle Tupelo—has ever done. But I'd have to take Tweedy's total output over Farrar's. I've loved the last few Wilco records. Bottom line is that no band has had two guys that talented since The Beatles.
Josh,
What a surprise! Someone on Myspace told me about this blog. Thanks for the kind words!
We're working on a new CD now and would love to send you a copy when it's finished. Maybe that one will end up on your list as well.
Thanks again!
Nikki Meets the Hibachi
i don't if they're unknown or not 'cause i lose perspective, but Castle Oldchair released a great cd Sad Pants in '03 that is frequently back in my cd player. wonderfully simple and odd music and lyrics with extremely catchy tunes. it just grew on me with each listen. just thinking about makes me want to go hear "circles" again. if anyone else knows about the cd i'd love to know if he's done anything else like it.
Check out The Floating Men, a band from Nashville, together since 1990. Their album "The Song of the Wind in the Pines" is regularly in my ipod rotation. Their other albums are great too, though.
Dan Reeder's self-titled debut. Or his second album, Sweetheart.
Hell, the man could fart a song and it would probably sound amazing.
http://www.myspace.com/danreeder