5 Albums You Haven’t Heard…Yet
That you need to hear
My wife says I am a music snob. Actually, over the years, many people have said that to me. I have worn it as sort of an unofficial moniker. In my mind it’s not snobbery, its simply knowing what everyone else needs to hear, and trying my best to force them to hear it and agree with me (partially kidding).
I realize in introducing it this way, I’m just feeding the argument about my snobbery. But, I think THIS time, what I have to say will be worth hearing.
I grew up listening only to Oldies, which at the time included anything between the 1950s and 1960s. Classic rock was not yet oldies genre, but neither was it “hip,” or “happening” or whatever we said back in the 1990s.
My dad was a big fan of the Beatles, so naturally I also grew up ONLY listening to the Beatles. It’s odd to have developed a music snobbery when I essentially sequestered myself in a very tight realm of music and refused to venture out of it.
As I aged and gained more wisdom about the world around me, and how everyone has differing opinions and tastes, I gradually learned to let other types of music seep in from time to time. Though, to this day, I am usually at least a decade behind any current popular music of any genre.
In my day-to-day search for the best music to which I can force people to listen, I have stumbled onto some albums which I feel, despite my penchant for snobbery, would be an enjoyable listen to a larger audience. Though, even this isn’t an exhaustive list.
With all of these albums, I would encourage a listen straight through because the album as a whole must be enjoyed in the context of all its songs (this is rule one of the music snob bylaws).
Since I realize some of you may be “skippers,” I’ll try to list the track(s) you can’t miss. For the record, I always encourage listening straight through an album at least two time before skipping tracks.
With this in mind, lend me your ears (and eyes) and let us journey into the realm of my personal opinion which I would very dearly like to press upon you all, my dear readers.
#5 Barenaked Ladies- “Snacktime”
How You May Know the Artist: If I had A Million Dollars
Album Highlights: Raisins, 7 8 9, Crazy ABCs
I’ll kick things off here with the Barenaked Ladies, who were one of the few bands I let into my realm as a teenager obsessed with The Beatles and oldies. These guys have always had fun music and clever lyrics to go with the songs.
This particular album came out very close to the time that one of the group’s founding members moved on to other projects. Still, this was a good representation of the band’s talents as a whole. On first listen it could easily be mistaken for a children’s concept album. And, I believe that was part of the intention. If you really break down the musicianship and vocals within the album from start to finish; however, I would submit that it’s quite a bit more complex than a children’s album.
There are some really catchy tunes, some silly tunes, and the natural musicianship that the Barenaked Ladies have brought to all of their previous albums. This album also produced my favorite play on words from the group when Ed sings, “When I make mistakes I use a lot of salt, salt makes mistakes taste great.”
It’s a fun album with quite a few tracks, but provides some complex musical arrangements within as well. This particular album is meant to tie together as a whole, so make sure to give it at least one full listen.
#4 Fountains of Wayne- “Welcome Interstate Managers”
How You May Know the Artist: Stacy’s Mom
Album Highlights: Halley’s Waitress, Fire Island, Valley Winter Song
Most of you will have familiarity with this band’s big hit from 2003. That may also be why many of you never gave this full album a listen.
When I first purchased this album I was probably buying it to be like the cool kids who were obsessing over “Stacy’s Mom.” But, this was one of my big surprise albums when I realized that there is really no other song on the album that sounds like “Stacy’s Mom.” It’s actually one of the more diverse albums I have listened to as these guys cover a wide spectrum of musical styles.
Where “Stacy’s Mom” was the teen rocker of the album, songs like “Halley’s Waitress” and “Fire Island” represent a more relaxed, almost jazzy style. The harmonies hit well on the chorus of these songs especially, but really are present throughout the album as a whole. “Fire Island” has a particularly nice horn/guitar solo section.
If able to look beyond their hit single, “Stacy’s Mom” (which on second listen is not the worst song in the world), there is a treasure trove of good tunes present on this album. This band as a whole really has an enjoyable style to all of their songs, even beyond this album. I find their lyrics, much like the Barenaked Ladies, are cleverly thought out, and use lots of wordplay. And, I’m always a sucker for a good lyrical pun.
Just let this one sink in…oh, I did it again. “Sink” and it’s underwater…Punny
This is also the only band that I have found who can go from the pop-rock sounds of “Stacy’s Mom” to an all out Country Music song with “Hung up On You,” in the same album, and without interrupting the flow of it. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s talent. As a fun fact, they wrote and performed some of the main music for the movie, “That Thing You Do”
#3 Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats- “The Fine Art of Surfacing”
How You May Know the Artist: I Don’t Like Mondays
Album Highlights: Having My Picture Taken, Nothing Happened Today, Someone’s Looking at You
I first heard Bob Geldof when he performed his hit, “I Don’t Like Mondays,” on the Bon Jovi, “One Wild Night Live” album. His vocals, which I’m sure all would agree have a distinct feel to them, haunted me for many years thereafter. It occurred to me later that he also starred in Pink Floyd’s, “The Wall” movie, which was one of my favorites in my teen years as I tried to uncover the deep symbolism within.
I eventually realized Bob Geldof had once led a group called the Boomtown Rats. It was a late 70s brit-punk style group. This album was their attempt to enter the mainstream music markets in America.
According to Wikipedia (where all good authors go for source information), American society is a recurring theme within the album. As a whole, it has a good energy and mix of tunes. I find that “Having my Picture Taken,” though meant to be silly, is quite a fun listen. This group actually has a pretty consistently good library of work, but in listening to them all as a whole, I find that “the Fine Art of Surfacing,” had the most enjoyable track list.
#2 The Swon Brothers- “The Swon Brothers (Self Titled Debut)”
How You May Know the Artist: Danny’s Song from performance on NBC’s “The Voice”
Album Highlights: Later On, Chasing You Around, Colder
These two cool looking guys were contestants on NBC’s “The Voice” a few years ago, and managed to come away in runner up position. This earned them a recording contract, and they spent the better part of a year leading up to this debut putting together what is currently one of my favorite albums.
Now, I should clarify a couple of things. This is the one album on the list that fits more snuggly in the Country music genre. Historically, I have not listened to much country music, but the brothers have managed to break down that barrier for me. Their sound is directly influenced (most obviously on songs like “Chasing You Around,” and “Same Old Highway”), by The Eagles, amongst others.
I should also clarify, that I went to high school with these guys. That does not affect my musical opinion of them, but I don’t want anyone crying foul over a biased album recommendation. I’d have recommended these guys whether or not I knew them.
These guys have been performing from an early age, and as brothers have vocal styles that match perfectly to create very nice harmonies. The song placement on the album, as well as song style choices, were well thought out for their debut.
I think this album deserves a listen because each song could stand alone as a single, but the combination of them together makes for an excellent musical experience. Their talent combined with a solid grew of backing musicians make it a great listen.
#1. Jimmy LaFave- “Depending on the Distance”
How You May Know the Artist: Hideaway Girl, Never is a Moment
Album Highlights: Missing You, Vanished, Tomorrow is a Long Time
Go ahead and dim the lights, get out your best set of headphones, light a candle, and prepare for this one. Jimmy was one of the more talented musicians out there. He’s best known in Texas, Oklahoma and scattered parts of Europe. He was the epitome of the Singer/Songwriter and Red Dirt genres.
He’s been called a great Bob Dylan interpreter, but his penchant for writing meaningful original music can be felt on any one of his albums. Truthfully, any album from the Jimmy LaFave library would be worthy of a full listen.
I chose this album because each song carries very well into the next, and because of its mellow, but meaningful nature. There is a purpose behind each lyrics and note. For Dylan fans, his cover of “Red River Shore,” and “Tomorrow is a Long Time,” should whet the appetite. His cover of the John Waite’s, “Missing You” is about as good as reinterpreted cover songs come. The spirit of the original is there, but with a more modern arrangement that loses some of the 1980s style that was present in the original.
Jimmy is also my uncle. But, I’ve always known the music was good. Like the Swon Brothers, knowing a musician personally does not correlate directly with whether or not their music is good. In the case of these two connections, the music speaks for itself, and knowing them is just a benefit to me.
His style has evolved much over the years, but the roots remain. Each year, he used to lead the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma, having become friends with Woody’s daughter. His covers of “This Land is Your Land,” and “Deportee” are other excellent interpretations of the originals.
Sadly, we lost Jimmy to cancer in 2017. But, if anything, his impact on the music industry and his dedicated fans has only increased. It’s a shame new fans won’t get to see him play live. He had one of the best live shows of any group I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. Always surrounded by the most talented musicians.
I am confident if you will just do what I say (even just this one time) you will find these albums are quite enjoyable when listened to in their entirety. And, if you disagree, remember this is the internet. You are free to express your anonymous opinions and rantings for me to peruse at a later date while I cry about my inability to convert you to my ways, and listen to some golden oldies. In the meantime, you can find me down at the soda fountain with my best gal.
