Influences Playlist: Wild Pink
These are the 10 songs that influenced the band's new album, Dulling the Horns, the most.
Photo courtesy of the artistWe are inviting our favorite musicians to compile playlists of the songs and artists who have impacted their latest projects the most. The latest Influences guest is Wild Pink, who have returned today with their awaited ILYSM follow-up, Dulling the Horns. I believe John Ross is one of our greatest living songwriters, but Paste contributor Eric R. Danton sums everything up best:
“Dulling the Horns is the band’s most distinctive release so far. It is beholden neither to the hushed piano arrangements and whispery vocals of 2022’s ILYSM, which Ross finished writing after he was diagnosed with cancer (he has since recovered), nor to the lush, indie-adult alternative sound of 2021’s A Billion Little Lights. If there’s an antecedent in the band’s catalog, it’s Wild Pink’s self-titled first album, from 2017—but more visceral and direct this time around. Dulling the Horns is a guitar record, though it’s not one that relies on riffs. Rather, the group’s fifth full-length is brimming with immense growling textures that ebb and flow, creating space in the songs as often as they fill it. That approach seems to have emboldened Ross to let his lyrical idiosyncrasies loose. He’s droll here, and sometimes offhandedly profound as he comes at the stories and sentiments in his lyrics from unexpected vantages.”
Check out John Ross’s Influences playlist, which includes tracks from English Beat, Arthur Russell and Warren Zevon, below:
The Magnetic Fields: “When You Were My Baby”
I’m a huge Magnetic Fields fan and love this record especially. I love the way these songs were recorded too. They sound timeless.
John Cale: “Ship of Fools
Probably my favorite John Cale song. I love how unhinged the playing is. The drummer sounds like he’s just in a different room, or something. The arrangement is really cool, he made it sound very dreamy without a bunch of reverb, etc.
Nick Lowe: “The Rose of England”
I play this song for my baby every morning.
English Beat: “Save It For Later”
Incredible song. I was trying to learn it on guitar and instead came up with the guitar part for “Disintegrate.” Love the video, too.
The Waterboys: “The Whole of the Moon”
I think these are my favorite lyrics of all time. It’s the greatest love song I’ve ever heard. Just total love and admiration for whoever he’s singing to.
Arthur Russell: “Love is Overtaking Me”
Very hard to pick one Arthur Russell song, this one is just what I went with. This record is a stunner from start to finish.
The Clean: “Anything Can Happen”
I only got into The Clean in the last few years and am a huge fan now. Totally reinvigorated my appreciation for simple songs and arrangements. All-time great song.
Bruce Springsteen: “Born in the USA (from Live 1975-1985)”
This version is unbelievable and Bruce sounds unhinged like he’s gonna jump out of his skin. Sometimes I gotta take a walk when I listen to it.
Warren Zevon: “Lawyers, Guns and Money”
A very fun song that we cover sometimes.
The Pogues: “If I Should Fall From Grace With God”
An all-timer.