5 Obscure/Underrated Albums You Should Definitely Hear: Part 2
Otherwise known as ‘the 5 most unlikely albums to ever inhabit the same article.’ Here are the five albums I think you should go listen to, either because I don’t think you’ll have heard them already, or because I don’t trust you to have given them enough love and attention the first time round.
Dash Hammerstein – Bito Cabrito Bito Cabrito is an album of twelve neat little gems of pop perfection. Created by a 24-year-old New York carpenter (and yes, that is his real name), the album is a hazy mix of country, scuzzy surf and retro, Lovin Spoonful-style pop. When combined with his lazy, lovesick songs, Hammerstein creates something music so perfectly-arranged, and so irresistably catchy, that can I guarantee you’ll be humming it for weeks to come.
Hillfolk Noir – Hillfolk Noir Radio Hour I totally love this album. I mean, of course I do, otherwise it wouldn’t be on this list. But it’s so sweet and silly that it holds a bit of a special place in my heart. Hillfolk Noir – a band who describe their DIY-style, old-timey sound as ‘junkerdash’ music – have produced a whole album in the style of a radio show, complete with intro, outro and adverts (“Just a reminder folks, get a half-price pickle wedge at our cheese place.”). Along with the band’s solid, old-timey sound, this sweetly tongue-in-cheek concept makes Hillfolk Noir Radio Hour the perfect comfort album – at least, for anyone with a taste for American country folk. And for anyone who doesn’t, it’s a pretty good introduction.
Soulwax Presents 2many DJs: The Mash Up Machine Under most circumstances, I am pretty wary of song mashups. However, this collection is the (catchy and occasionally mind-bending) exception. Skillfully mashing artists such as Destiny’s Child and Nirvana, Beastie Boys and AC/DC, 2many DJs have managed to avoid messing up any classic songs, and instead have effectively produced a clever, danceable and pretty impressive collection of new material. Particular favourites include the mix of 10cc’s ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ and Destiny’s Child’s ‘Independent Woman’ and ‘Tour De Eleanor Rigby,’ the particularly impressive Beatles/Kraftwerk opening track. Despite the inclusion of Prodigy’s ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ (which is never going to be good, no matter how well it’s remixed), this album remains one of my all-time favourites.
Soul Jazz Records Present: Studio One Ironsides I’m going to preface this by saying that I know very little at all about reggae, and don’t really feel qualified to talk about this album. What I can do is to say that Studio One was one of the most important Jamaican record labels of the 1960s and 70s, and that the fat book of album sleeve notes states that “this eclectic compilation is a perfect summation of the incredible breadth and depth of Studio One music.” Even from the viewpoint of someone who knows little about reggae, it sounds pretty great. From the satisfyingly squelchy horns of ‘Danger In Your Eyes’ (The Paragons) to the the gentle, echoey dub of Drum Bago and the Rebel Group’s ‘Reggae Version’, and the gentle, sweet ‘I’m Still Waiting’ (Cornel Campbell), the album more than lives up to its sleeve notes.
Adam Sutherland – Squall Fiddle player Adam Sutherland has gained a reputation in the Scottish folk scene for original, exciting tunewriting, but has only now managed to take the time off to record a solo album. The end result, recorded in front of a captive audience, is an impressive showcase of compositional ability and technical skill (not just Sutherland’s, but also that of his band, which consists of some of Scotland’s top trad musicians). Not to mention some pretty great tunes. If you’re into trad folk and fancy something just a little different, this is for you. And if you don’t even know what the word fiddle means, this is your chance to find out!