By David Thomas
August 17, 2004
Perfect Pitch: The Prequel
Since it's a slow week for new releases I figured I'd take you all through a
trip of the most overlooked records in my collection from pre-Perfect Pitch
days. This doesn't mean the CDs are overlooked by me, but they are those
that get repeated listens, albums not regularly considered some artists'
best works but noteworthy none the less. It's an odd (but not so obscure no
one has ever heard of the artists) grouping of albums that maybe some of you
out there remember (they're not that old), relate to or don't care about at
all.
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE, The Rising Tide (Time Bomb)
I came to the SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE bandwagon really late. I didn't really
get into their first two albums but fell in love with How It Feels To Be
Something On and the lush follow-up The Rising Tide. To me this
was one of those grand rock records that had bombastic guitars and fantastic
vocals and lyrics. I have gone back and found new appreciation for the first
two records but still enjoy putting the headphones on for this one.
PORNO FOR PYROS, Good God's Urge (Warner Brothers)
Compared to every post JANE'S ADDICTION side-project and recent reformation
this album stands out as by far the best of the bunch. The island feel of
songs like Porpoise Head confused me during the first few months I listened
to the disc. I didn't understand it was the fuzzed out guitars layered
between the melody that was to become the hallmark of this trip-inducing
album. Sonically this is also one of the more sonically perfect JANE's
related discs right behind Ritual De Lo Habitual. Perry may have
ruined things since, but the title track will stand out as one of his best
works with its personal lyrics and wide range from quiet to distorted rock.
OZOMATLI, Ozomatli (Almo Sounds)
One of the best parts of getting to travel on the Warped Tour in 1998 was
experiencing OZOMATLI's live show. The ensemble at that point of time, and
on this record, was at its best with rapper Chali 2na and Cut Chemist of
JURASSIC 5 in the group. They added a nice urban feel to the Latin rhythms.
It didn't matter that a lot of the lyrics were in Spanish, everyone enjoyed
the band's sets. And this was after a long day of RANCID and BAD RELIGION.
OZOMATLI gave new life to the party. But songs like "Cut Chemist Suite"
really stood out as a direction I wish more rap and hip-hop would have
taken.
SATCHEL, The Family (Epic)
Back in the 1990s anything that loosely touched a PEARL JAM members hands
was released and marketed by major labels. The only positive aspect of that
was the creation of the two SATCHEL full lengths, EDC and The Family. PEARL
JAM guitarist Stone Gossard produced this disc with singer Shawn Smith, no
relation to Kevin Smith despite the resemblance, announcing to the world he
could sing as well as anyone from Seattle. Smith's piano playing and soulful
voice form the foundation of the disc's gorgeous numbers. When listening to
some of the slow songs The Family can feel sad but also features some upbeat
songs like "Without Love." It's a record I never grow tired of.
YO LA TENGO, Electr-o-Pura (Matador)
As new SONIC YOUTH was letting me down I was turned on to the more melodic
tunes of YO LA TENGO. I was in college at the time and there's no better
time to get into YO LA TENGO. This was the first disc I picked up and I
worked my way backward pretty much buying everything they ever released.
That's how much impact this album had on me. It's not as fully realized as
I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One but songs like "Flying Lessons
(Hot Chicken #1)," still stand out as some of the band's best.
BEN HARPER, Fight For Your Mind (Virgin Records)
Undoubtedly the best album in BEN HARPER's arsenal of very good records,
Fight For Your Mind did not have one weak song among the 14 bass
heavy tracks. As DAVE MATTHEWS was turning the masses onto acoustic rock,
BEN HARPER was slowly gaining acceptance underground with a much more
soulful and powerful style. I challenge anyone to take the opening track
"Oppression" or "Excuse Me Mr." and not be impressed by HARPER's control and
mastery of lyrics and vocal delivery. And those are the serious songs. On
the more upbeat, and stoner friendly songs, like "Ground On Down" and "Burn
One Down," Harper shows he can play guitar and displays that bellowing
voice. On the quiet "Another Lonely Day" and "Gold To Me" he reveals his
softer side that undoubtedly attracted Laura Dern. Today Harper is a bit
more popular and deserves the notoriety but his records since have never
matched the perfection of Fight For Your Mind.
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