As something of a semi-old dude (52 and counting, duh) who is pretty much stuck in the music past. How many other people are listening to this much Mott The Hoople? (There’s some. I saw them at the Ian Hunter show last year… ouch!) Anyway, for someone who pretty much believes the 60s and 70s ruled all things music. I loved much in the 80s too, but the 90s (as far as the all-time greats are concerned) consists of two bands (I won’t name them, you should know them, one was British and one was from Seattle), BUT (and I’m not saying these guys are all-time greats) there is a lot of great music being released these days from bands who were in Jr. high in the 90s. BTW, I’m not suggesting these are the only great bands that would fit that description, but these are six that have caught my ear.
MIDLAKE: These guys are from Denton Texas and sing like birds and write timeless music. Only two releases, but they are both worth owning and playing over and over and over. (I know they have an earlier EP, I have it, skip it, they hadn’t figured out who they were just yet and were a little too influenced by a certain all-time great 90s British band I didn’t name earlier).
AUGIE MARCH: From Australia these guys write breathtaking great poetic Beatle-ish music that you can’t dance to, but it gets under your skin and can make you weep for no reason.
GRIZZLY BEAR: a Brooklyn based band who play everything but the kitchen sink, kind of a twisted sideways experimental folk band with amazing harmonies. They have two full lengths and an EP. Best starting place, the second release Yellow House.
M. WARD: He doesn’t really fit with my description of “being in jr. high” in the 90s (maybe the early 90s), but I couldn’t resist. He’s just special. Utterly unique in every way (playing wise as well as a vocally) M. Ward has been consistently great, sometimes his recordings sound they were made at a blues or folk hay ride circa 1948. All four of his full lengths are excellent and worth owning. If I had to pick one it would be his first one “End Of Amnesia.” Indeed.
RUBY SUNS: New Zealander Ryan McPhun’s little project, its got a whole lot of cool vibe, amazing arrangements, great beach boy-ish vocals AND originality too.
FLEET FOXES: obviously the newest on this list, these guys only have one release (and it just came out) (and an earlier EP I’m not familiar with) but its a real winner. I suppose the jury is still out as for the long run, but I’m a believer (at least so far).
What about The Perry Comos????