Suggestion Box

There is a wide world of music beyond what is hashed out on television and the radio. I lucked out by gaining the friendship of a great many musical geeks—appreciators of the weird and underground, LP hoarders, fellow concert addicts and members of bands—who are always open to suggesting songs and helping me unearth singers I might otherwise have never heard of. The only real way to promote below-the-radar bands is through word-of-mouth, which (thanks to the internet) has expanded to encompass a worldwide network of communication.

A happy surprise of “The Good Music Corner" is the musical offerings I receive weekly from people who read the blog. Here for your enjoyment is my "Suggestion Box": just a small sampling of some of the music comments and emails I’ve received this season from readers. Enjoy!

Frightened Rabbit

This Scottish band writes good old-fashioned heart on your sleeve mope rock, all sung with enthusiasm and a fine Scottish brogue. Listen to the highlight, "The Modern Leper" from their new album. --- Scott Baio

I can regularly count on Scott to promote his choice picks in the comments beneath each of my posts (go back and read his lists; they’re well-worth it!) But this suggestion came via email just last week. I decided to spotlight Frightened Rabbit because of their potential mainstream pop appeal, not to mention my own love affair with Brits and the music they make.

While researching Frightened Rabbit, I found it interesting the band is minus one bass player (which they more than make up for with driving drums and explosive guitars). The new album, The Midnight Organ Flight, is reportedly a beguiling continuation of their debut, Sing the Greys. From the tiny snippet I’ve heard, the tracks have the same drama-drum, light-pop appeal as Snow Patrol and others of that ilk: a.k.a. bright, upbeat songs about depressing things. With lyrics like “Jesus is just a Spanish boy’s name; how come one man got so much fame?” you can’t really go wrong.

SUGGESTIONS: Scott was kind enough to provide a link to three free tracks, “The Modern Leper,” “Be Less Rude,” and “Heads Roll Off” from Midnight Organ. Enjoy! http://music.download.com/frightenedrabbit/3600-8592_32-101075841.html?tag=mp3oftheday

Mike Patton

I'd suggest Mike Patton since he's one of my favorite singers ever, but so little of his work would transfer to Idol, unless they were doing a "scream and sound effects" theme week. The times he does show off his really great singing voice is usually a cover of someone else's song (see: I Started a Joke or Mondo Cane). --- Ravenbomb

Like Scott Baio, Ravenbomb is a member of the regular peanut gallery with impeccable musical taste. This goodie came from the comments section of my “Chaps with Chops” post. I’m a bit ashamed, actually. I hadn’t heard of Mike Patton before Ravenbomb’s mention, and apparently the dude has been around and winning praise for two decades. Mike Patton is a multi-instrumentalist whose voice is an extension of his repertoire. He scats, beatboxes, chants, raps, croons, and has an impeccable falsetto. One look at Patton’s discography illustrates some major workaholic tendencies (I counted 50+ recordings, either as solo projects, fronting bands like Faith No More, or providing sound effects for feature films like I Am Legend).

SUGGESTIONS: Ravenbomb mentioned I Started a Joke and Mondo Cane. I’m going to tack on a few discoveries of my own. Two accessible tracks are “Ford Mustang” from Great Jewish Music: Serge Gainsbourg and “A Perfect Twist (Vocal)" from the Perfect Place Soundtrack. For a taste of Mike’s aforementioned screaming / sound effects, listen to the “Robot Sex” tracks from Adult Themes for Voice. Robot sex probably would sound something like that…

Toni Childs

For me, I'd add someone like Toni Childs to the mix. Amanda [Overmyer], would rock Toni Childs! I'd pay money to hear that. When you check out her music, listen specifically to "Zimbabwe," "Where's the Ocean," and "Don't Walk Away," all of which are Amanda-worthy and truly exceptional songwriting. --- Magooish

The moment I took Magooish up on this suggestion from my “Chicks with Chops” post, I was enthralled by Toni Child’s unique voice, a throaty, almost-androgynous cracked alto. In the 70s, this rebel ran away from home at age fifteen to become a blues musician. It would be another fifteen years of playing the circuit with bands both big and small before she scored her own solo recording deal. Her music merges folk, pop, and rock with African drums and a jazzy voice. Though American born and bred, Toni only found fame in Australia and New Zealand in the late 80s and 90s.

SUGGESTIONS: In addition to the three tracks Magooish mentioned, I’m going to add House of Hope’s “The Dead Are Dancing,” an ethereal, somber ballad that encapsulates Toni’s flare for Kate Bush-like art rock and world music.

Another “Amanda” suggestion worth mentioning.

I would have been totally blown away if Amanda had come out for 60s week and said "This is a song written by Roky Erickson for his band 13th Floor Elevators," and kicked into “You're Gonna Miss Me.” --- Van Dergraaf

Van Dergraaf, I agree. Let’s hold out hope for next year.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got any suggestions for upcoming "Good Music Corners"? Convince me at CaricaturesByLaura@yahoo.com.