Posted by: Ryan Allen on March 30, 2009 at 11:20 am
Over the past few Monday Mix Tapes, we’ve focused on the phenomenon of hype. In the digital age of harder, better, faster, stronger, NOW! NOW! NOW!, we’re essentially wallowing in it. It seems that every blog on the block is trying to shove “the next big thing” down our throats — so much so, we forget to swallow perhaps what’s been lodged in the back of our mouth’s all along. This mix focuses on ten bands that we feel don’t get the credit they deserve. Some are newer, others have been around for a minute. But one way or the other, we feel they’re all pretty unappreciated — we’re hoping to change that.
Blitzen Trapper :: Gold For Bread
Last year, everybody had their nut on for Fleet Foxes. And while merited, wasn’t it Blitzen Trapper that was the band of bearded, backwoodisan Northwestern-ers that Sub Pop signed first? Maybe their harmonies aren’t as sunny, and maybe they’ll never play “SNL,” but their Wilco-meets-the-Band-meets-a-bottle-of-Moonshine country rock should not be slept on. On tour now with, uh, Fleet Foxes.
Jason Falkner :: Author Unknown
Falkner’s list of credentials is impressive — he’s done time in the Three O’Clock, Jellyfish, and the Grays, and has also logged studio and road time with Brendan Benson, Air, and some dudes named Paul McCartney and Beck. Yet, besides power-pop nerds that still live in their parents basement, Falkner may as well be a ghost. A Japanese release of his 2007 album I’m OK…You’re OK, and his insistence on releasing bizarre instrumental Beatles albums is further confounding, but there’s possibly not a better pop songwriter that you’ve never heard of before working today.
French Kicks :: Abandon
Admittedly, we kind of hated on French Kicks’ latest album, Swimming. We dogged it, sorta, because, really, the band hasn’t changed much since their inception. But the more and more we think about it, that may be precisely why they’re so good — they’re nothing if not reliable, truly settled in as a smooth pop outfit with enough edge to keep us listening. The above track is one of Swimming’s best.
Harvey Danger :: Cream and Bastards Rise
They’re not sick. They’re not well. But they still exist. And guess what? They’re pretty fucking awesome. Sure, they had that one hit about flag polls that you probably thought was a little dorky. But it’s not. It’s a great song. And so is this one right here. Don’t believe us? Download their latest, Little By Little, right here and decide for yourself.
Ladyhawk :: S.T.H.D.
Awhile back, we caught Ladyhawk (no “e” at the end — that’s somebody else) simply destroy the Magic Stick in front of, well, probably ten or so people. But it didn’t matter who was there, or how many — Ladyhawk played like it was their first and last show ever, tossing of Neil Young influenced chunks of rock ‘n roll that was as effortless as it was passionate. When (if) they ever come back, let’s not make the same mistake again, OK Detroit?
Lilys :: Nanny In Manhattan
One of the biggest weirdos in indie rock has got to be Lilys’ Kurt Heasley. Drug gobbler, pop genius, father of two. He was there when shoegaze hit it’s stride, abandoned it for Kinks-y mod pop when it got stale, then combined the two with fantastic results on his last few albums. Heasley hasn’t made one in awhile, but considering how popular the genre’s are that he specializes in, he seems primed for a comeback.
Love As Laughter :: All Parts of Me
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. That’s pretty much the story of Sam Jayne. His former band, Lync, is often referenced as a huge influence on northwestern indie bands like Modest Mouse, and despite numerous tours with the band, LAL never really gets the credit they deserve. This track, released on last year’s Holy, is simply to good to go unrecognized.
The Ponys :: Double Vision
The Ponys love Detroit. Detroit loves the Ponys. But does the rest of the country? Sorta? We’re not sure. It just seems like for such a solid rock band, the Ponys would get more love than they do. Maybe because their name is confusing…”The Ponys” sounds like a twee-pop band if we ever heard one — not one that expertly channels Sonic Youth, the Stooges, and Jesus and Mary Chain into one fuzzy, hook-filled ball of awesomeness.
Supergrass :: 345
Everybody has at least heard of Supergrass, right? We probably all bought I Should Co Co when it came out, because the magazines told us to (remember magazines?). But then most of us forgot about them — which is really too bad, because some of their later-period albums rip. Check this rocker from their slept on 2008 album Diamond Hoo Ha, and ask yourself, “Why do I not like this band anymore?”
Teenage Fanclub :: Mad Dog 2020
Post Nirvana hysteria, Teenage Fanclub were on “SNL” once. It was awesome. They had super long hair and wore flannel, just like they were supposed to. But maybe America wasn’t ready for a bunch of Scottish dudes playing fuzzed out power pop, because it seems they just never really caught on like it seemed they might. Regardless, they’re an essential 90s staple, and this cut, from the infamous DGC Rarities, Vol. 1 compilation might be one of their best.
Tags: blitzen trapper, cass mccombs, French Kicks, jason falkner, ladyhawk, lilys, love as laughter, Supergrass, teenage fanclub, the ponys
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Blitzen Trapper and French Kicks are ace choices for this mix!
Teenage Fanclub’s “Bandwagonesque” beat out Nirvana for Spin Magazine’s “Best Albums of 1991. “Nevermind” was number three.
French Kicks aren’t even also rans, they’re just one of those bands that ultimately has never done much to distinguish themselves. I’ve been wanting to like them since the Star Time days — I’ve probably even seen them more than a lot of bands I do like… but averaging one good song per album just isn’t enough for me anymore.
dig the Faulkner reset.
Me and Rob Kenna smoked a big joint with Kurt Heasley at the Lager House once. Total fucking dick. Sitting in Robs car he talked only of himself and his genius. The weed was great though, as was the show. Lilys rule.