2008 Woodie Awards
Underappreciated bands: The '90s
Tim Elliott, Kaylen Hoffman, Frank Sloan, Pete Wissinger & Steve Wissinger
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: The Arts
4) Neutral Milk Hotel: The Elephant 6 Collective was a group of psychedelic pop bands that recalled the sounds of late Beatles work and Pet Sounds with an experimental twist. Neutral Milk Hotel, the most impressive band to emerge from the movement, played music described by mastermind Jeff Mangum as "fuzz folk." The short-lived band's unique instrumentation (accordion, theramin, horns, banjo, fuzzed-out/acoustic guitars) and raw emotion made them the best band that no one listened to in the '90s.
Recommended: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Merge 1998)- A true masterpiece, this dream-like concept album's impact on modern indie rock cannot be denied.
5) Tony! Toni! Tone!: This R&B outfit is comprised of two brothers and a cousin, none actually named Tony, combined the band-driven sound of '60s and '70s soul and funk greats with modern technology to create songs that never lost their sense of groove. Equally adept at up-tempo dance workouts and chilled-out slow jams, these guys are worth a listen
Recommended: Sons of Soul (Mercury, 1993)-The highlight of their catalogue, this album showcases the band's musical diversity and songwriting ability without sacrificing accessibility.
6) Toad the Wet Sprocket: Named after a Monty Python sketch, Toad's music isn't quite that different from the famous comedy troupe. Glen Phillips' band provokes a bittersweet, reflective sound that allows its listeners to recollect past thoughts and get lost in their own nostalgia. They were only together for about 12 years, but their sound is everlasting.
Recommended: Fear (Columbia, 1991)-This album has songs about everything, from not taking things for granted to telling stories, but the best song, by far, is a little ditty called "Walk on the Ocean." Listen to it at the beach this summer.
7) Teenage Fanclub: A power-pop band like no other, they gleefully coupled the best aspects of classic rock, including gorgeous harmonies and showy guitar solos, with their distinctly modern lyrics about love, loss and life. Mellowing and improving with age, the band's body of work has a timeless grace that never fails to impress, especially in rock circles where everyone still pretends that they're under 25 (Rod Stewart, anyone?).
Recommended: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Merge 1998)- A true masterpiece, this dream-like concept album's impact on modern indie rock cannot be denied.
5) Tony! Toni! Tone!: This R&B outfit is comprised of two brothers and a cousin, none actually named Tony, combined the band-driven sound of '60s and '70s soul and funk greats with modern technology to create songs that never lost their sense of groove. Equally adept at up-tempo dance workouts and chilled-out slow jams, these guys are worth a listen
Recommended: Sons of Soul (Mercury, 1993)-The highlight of their catalogue, this album showcases the band's musical diversity and songwriting ability without sacrificing accessibility.
6) Toad the Wet Sprocket: Named after a Monty Python sketch, Toad's music isn't quite that different from the famous comedy troupe. Glen Phillips' band provokes a bittersweet, reflective sound that allows its listeners to recollect past thoughts and get lost in their own nostalgia. They were only together for about 12 years, but their sound is everlasting.
Recommended: Fear (Columbia, 1991)-This album has songs about everything, from not taking things for granted to telling stories, but the best song, by far, is a little ditty called "Walk on the Ocean." Listen to it at the beach this summer.
7) Teenage Fanclub: A power-pop band like no other, they gleefully coupled the best aspects of classic rock, including gorgeous harmonies and showy guitar solos, with their distinctly modern lyrics about love, loss and life. Mellowing and improving with age, the band's body of work has a timeless grace that never fails to impress, especially in rock circles where everyone still pretends that they're under 25 (Rod Stewart, anyone?).
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Steve Wood
Steve Wood
posted 5/08/07 @ 7:32 AM EST
I understand this paper currently has bigger problems on its hands, but Pavement's frontman is Stephen Malkmus and if this is a true ranking, it should be No. (Continued…)
Adam LeRoy
posted 5/21/07 @ 8:38 AM EST
I can see how was 'one of the frontmen'...Spiral Stairs had a big part in everything, too...there's an argument that can be made there.
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