Soundtrack to Cindy
Side 2
Semisonic -Semisonic is
really the reincarnation of a band that I loved a long time ago, called Trip Shakespeare.
TS is one of those obscure groups that I used to listen to on college radio that
had some cool songs like "The Slacks" and "Turtledove". Their
sound is characterized by the combination of guitars and keyboards with unique vocals that
range from a high falsetto to a deep monotone, that is strangely sensual. Two
members of TS are now Semisonic with their current CD Feeling Strangely Fine.
They bring the same combinations that made TS unique but have jumped
to the mainstream modern rock format with the current hit "Closing Time."
This is a song with great lyrics, using the metaphor of a bar closing as being the ending
as well as the beginning. This song is destined to be the closer of every high
school prom, last party song, and has already found multiple duty on MTVs The Real
World. I'm really very happy for their success. The entire CD is awesome with
"Never You Mind" and "Singing in My Sleep", about
the ultimate mix tape, and "Completely Pleased", an erotically, sensual number
("I want to see you come, Completely Pleased"). A previous Semisonic CD, Great
Divide, is also great.
Semisonic
discography at 
Trip
Shakespeare discography at
Lemonheads - The
Lemonheads have been around a while, but the only constant in this group is Evan Dando,
lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter extraordinairre. I feel that he is the poet
of our time. He writes one perfect pop song after another, each with unique catchy
hook and melodies. While Evan usually appears baked, his guitar stylings are simple
yet accomplished. On the recent CD, Car, Button, Cloth, the Lemonheads are
in rare form with "If I Could Talk I'd Tell You" and "C'mon Daddy" and
my personal favorite "The Outdoor Type" a country sounding ode to being a
"city boy". Previous CDs include It's a Shame About Ray and Come
on Feel the Lemonheads, which include some of my favorite songs,
"Rudderless", "Into Your Arms," ,"Bit Part," (featuring the
vocals of another favorite, Juliana Hatfield), and a great
cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson." While Evan Dando is a
great musician and songwriter, the Lemonheads have lacked the focus to acheive mainstream
success. Too bad, because it is the loss of the masses not to be exposed to this
talent.
Lemonheads
discography at
Recliners
- The Recliners are a lounge band from Austin, TX that offer a twist on the serious lounge
trend going on today. They do fun covers of popular songs in lounge fashion.
For instance, imagine "Back in Black" being sung by Frank Sinatra or "Figh
for Your Right to Party" by Tony Bennett. They mix the cheesy, Donna summer's
"Hot Stuff" with the classisc, Ramones, "I Wanna Be Sedated" and it
all comes out bouncy and fun. Their CD, Cosa Caliente, is a great
addition to any CD collection and it is perfect for parties. It's fun to see
everyone's expression when they recognize the song out of its normal musical
context. With very talented personnel, Cosa Caliente offers some original
Recliners tunes like "It's All Talk" and my favorite "Deeper and
Deeper" which could easily cross over to the pop format. With bands like
Squirrel Nut Zippers and Cherry Poppin' Daddies making a name for themselves in the Swing
market, the Recliners can capitalize on this trend while still offering something that
everyone can love.
Recliners
discography at
Juliana Hatfield -
Juliana Hatfield is another of my favorite artists that I have been following for a long
time. Also an underachiever in the mainstream markets, Juliana has suffered from
"label hopping syndrome." Maybe she's just misunderstood. She offers
the contrast of powerful guitars and childlike vocals all being delivered by a waif of
a woman. My favorite song is probably one that she hates "Everybody
Loves Me But You" off of her CD from 1991, Hey Babe, but
her credits also include other favorites of mine "My Sister" and
"Ugly". Juliana was a part of a group called the Blake Babies before going
out on her own and I would also recommend their CD Sunburn.
Juliana
Hatfield discography at
Blake
Babies discography at
Sarah McLachlan
- Sarah McLachlan is the pride of Canada, as well as her management company, Nettwerk and her label, Arista. Sarah was
discoverd as a teenager in a pop band, but with backing and support, went out on her own
to craft some of the most beautiful and insightful songs. She really captures the
essence of being a modern woman in the rock format. The founder and brains behind
the extremely popular Lilith Fair tour, Sarah has had marvelous success with her recent CD
Surfacing as well as the previous Fumbling Towards Ecstacy.
Sarah's songs "Good Enough", Ice Cream", "Possession,"
"Adia", and "Building a Mystery" have been great hits. Other
notable tunes on Surfacing include my favorite "Do What You Have to Do"
which is about getting over a loss. She has a powerful presence and has done a great
deal for women in music over the past year.
Sarah
McLachlan discography at
