Come all ye.
Over the past four weeks, we – you and I – have been through the 1970s with a fine tooth comb, careened across the 1980s mullets flapping and navigated the 1990s and Noughties with some dignity despite the ‘mom jeans’ and ‘boot cuts’.
But now we have arrived at the terrible Teens.
We knew this day would come.
What’s your favourite underrated/obscure gem from the decade just passed (2010-2019)?
Here’s mine.
Reply below to be in with a chance of winning a throbbing €25 Golden Discs voucher.
The winner will be chosen by my barber.
Please include video links if possible and it would be great if you could say WHY you like the song.
Lines MUST close at 4.45pm 10pm Sunday.
Nick says: Good luck!
Last week: Win Nick’s Voucher
Sponsored Link
Right so I’ll start with this incredibly catchy tune, this band should have been massive.
Fantastic video!!
And a heads up for our fantastic homegrown talent!!
https://youtu.be/h4ak0XEEiFc
Please enjoy!
Kurt Vile has been one of the artists of the decade…and this is just beautiful….could go on forever..
https://youtu.be/7oM8FOf3_v8
This is true
Really like I’m your vinyl. Saw there first gig ever at the Grand social but where at they nowadays?
catchy is right, very catchy
Off to a good start :) Like that 60s vibe
And I’ve never heard before… Not that I can recall anyway :)
These are 3 sisters from England, I think I gave them their first gig in Ireland!! (Probably why I love them so much)
Amazing vocal harmonies, but what a song, I could have picked loads, but I went for this because of the brilliant video!!
https://youtu.be/tAew5UOQXkY
A rocker from 2019. Comes along with a handy dylanesque lyric video, which is nice.
One of the most interesting rock bands of the last 20 years and they kick the shit out of it when playing live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVcTdiThScg
There’s so much great music from this decade it’s trick to pick one out but in line with the underrated/obscure motif, I’ll lead in with Shakey Graves.
Shakey Graves (Alejandro Rose-Garcia) hails from Austin, Texas. In 2014 he released a wonderful album called ‘And The War Came’. It’s a gentle minimalist Americana sound that really appeals to me but yet the record is modern and has a real depth and substance to it.
The track that made my top ten tracks of the decade playlist is ‘Family and Genus’
Here’s the original track; https://youtu.be/T4LF7vx9oSk
And here it is performed live on the fantastic Austin City Limits
https://youtu.be/XVfm2n6f08c
That was deadly :)
Never heard of the guy, very much enjoyed that, and will check some more.
https://youtu.be/mAfxuuaYI2Y
Haim – Honey & I
Courtney Barnett -History eraser-
Hands down the best lyricist of her generation, Courtney Barnett’ s songs are about the everyday and the mundane, all that comes with a deadpan delivery and still you can air guitar and head bang on her tunes.
Here’s a little ditty off her first EP. Catchy tune advisory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6_G5PlEXdk
She is a super lyricist, deadly, and she kicks rock bum! :)
A crackin’ sound live too!! Should be way bigger and well known!
i don’t know if it is underrated, but i only discovered this song well after the release. Brilliant tune, wouldn’t be a huge fan of theirs but definitely appreciate this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpz_gUyImhw
And by the same token… New Rules
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qgadSvNyU
Very glad we got to hear him and he got a bit of recognition towards the end. Such a soulful voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlNZlGWegcc
Charles Bradley – The World (Is Going Up In Flames)
soul in large doses, Charles great choice yupyup.
he lived quite a life too I believe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJInFz3Dqbo
Bobby Womack – Please forgive my Heart
I’ve used this live studio version here because you can really feel the pain in his voice. It’s beautiful, soulful, vulnerable and heartfelt.
Produced by the genius that is Damon Albarn
+1 from me.
Love this tune, and the album’s great too.
That is beautiful indeed
I never heard it before, will listen again
thanks
I’m with her – Crossing Muddy Waters
https://youtu.be/BTDUDRIEifQ
Love it Bertie… Very Alison Krauss-like :)
This should have been an absolute smash, criminally underrated:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIKhxU7Kkok
There is no key to my gate, but you can still come around.
Lean your ladder against my window and I’ll come down…
I’m off for pints before we’re in semi lockdown!!
I’ll be back later, please keep me a seat.
Enjoy.
Looking forward to your contributions.
Cheers Lush!
I look forward your picks!
Hi Andy, I love your contributions too. Can I ask a favour? Can you include the band name and song title in your posts? My browser takes about 20 minutes to bring up each YouTube link and clip and it’s driving me to distraction :-(
Gracias amigo!
No probs at all,considered it done!
Appreciate you like some of my choices.
+1 Mucha :)
Enjoy yizzer pints Andy!
I’m back Clampers!!
I savoured ever last drop, well done again last week!, really deserved cracking tune!.
It is isn’t it :) Great to share it a find like that.
Probably not obscure enough but proves the ‘beauty in simplicity’ principle so well. Everything about the track is so straight forward (including the video) but it just works so well.
Christine and the Queens – Tilted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RBzsjga73s
Alas, being an old fart means I know very little about recent music. Except for this pair – Larkin Poe. The missis keeps telling me I spend waaay too much time watching Megan Lovell’s lap steel tutorials when I don’t have a lap steel. Yet.
Here’s bleach blonde bottle blues for your edification and delight:
https://youtu.be/Wy0RGsd2-JA
IMO one of the most underrated groups of this era is London Grammar- Hannah Reid has one of the most perfect singing voices I have ever heard. I could pick a number of their songs as to my ears they can do wrong like-
Wasting my Young Years- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkeDBwsIaZw
Hey Now- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMEHJPuggHQ
Nightcall – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZYw0MQp_fI
But the Judah remix of ‘Strong’ melts my heart every time.
London Grammar- Strong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWfVAjVwl1M
*they can do NO wrong
Great choice! I was listening to the ‘If You Wait’ album leading up to their appearance at EP a few years back.
I was anticipating a live show a bit downbeat, wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it but wanted to give them a go live… Boy did I have that wrong.
Energetic and uplifting, the buzz from the crowd, and the band buzzing too was infectious! She was infectious and really brought the crowd on. Super gig. It was my fav show at EP that year :)
London Grammar throw their raw work out and other creatives throw back with different ways of interpreting it- that feeds into the club scene and they have the best of the best to work with as their background.
win-win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDGw_GNeQEw
.
Incredible, incredible group and her vocals . Not sure they are underrated, are they? (Asking for a friend.)
Hell to the Liars is so powerful. Truth, (indeed) is a Beautiful Thing. Nice to be reminded of them anyway and if anyone doesn’t know them… London Grammar.
Yes- they are defiantly underrated.
Here’s one from the gene dudley group
from this very day in 2014 (released 18/09/2014)
No Trouble On The Mountain
https://youtu.be/V3yqrvYp4Qw
Under or over rated – you must decide
I first heard mario biondi doing this gem, then i hear this version
simply put, it has loads of sass. Biondi’s version is well worth a listen too by the way.
This one from, New Street Adventure
What’s so good about happiness
2016
https://youtu.be/oax03RcJLag
I love the musicianship, the lyrics and how they hang together.
the tune uplifting,the bass puts a spring in my step.
That’s excellent- there is something really stylish about that acid jazz crowd.
glad you like it, nick corbin the singer/writer works under his own name,
you might enjoy
The Inside Man (Soopasoul Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNKOay0cfDk
new to me, infectious groove. thank you
Denise Sherwood
Ghost Heart.
2019
https://youtu.be/RrpK60K1qBc
Let’s draw a map to the stars…….
Angelic Vocal and flawless production
Father (Adrian) and Daughter team up to give us a little sonic beauty to marvel at.
I love the song Wolf Pack by Pigeon Hole, it’s an absolute banger, great intro, and includes howling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYOC-LyRPaw
Spilly Walker (David Kitt )
2007
let the freaks come out at night.
https://youtu.be/BJVPxWBRhYE
I like this one because it skips along, it makes me think of Jekyll + Hyde in an odd way.
Now that i listen to it on you tube, it is not exactly as I remember it, however.
Once upon a time, I knew someone who used to chant” Let the Looper out, let the looper out” at certain times. As an exhaltation to shake it down and be free.
This tune recalls that person – that they may be well and happy to this day.
Laura Seiija and the hawkmen
Keep on workin
From September 2014
Why do I Like this – I Just Do
Jangly, sassy and so very true – nothing in life is for free –
And Gregory Porter – Take Me to the Alley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj5z4SbrH20&list=LLhjrmrO6LxkfZ3ZT4wXKihg&index=1941
Gregory Porter
1960 what ?
2012 – how time flies, this still sounds fresh to me.
What a voice, a mix that adds another element lifts it adds a dark groove.
https://youtu.be/hBBHCdrz2JU
I am going to soak up the evening sun and give thanks and praise !
I might be back, that remains to be seen + heard.
Never heard that before- the percussion alone paints a picture- thank you.
Although released commercially as ‘Forget You’, the original, much more gritty version was called ‘ F You’ and captures the true meaning and sentiment behind the song.
CeeLo Green, ‘F You’. Warning NSFW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K71XXSin4lc
Interesting Fact – CeeLo Green is one half of duo “Gnarles Barkley”, along with Danger Mouse.
Omi – Cheerleader
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NVUZNsh2E
This pleasant ear worm always reminds me of a fantastic few days spent in Barcelona with the current Señora Gordo-Delgado and Las Señoritas Gordo-Delgado. ¡Muy Bien!
Interesting Fact – Omi is Jamacian and this song has nothing to do with Spain.
Despacito – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee & some Slap Magnet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoYgCg6i9C8
Interesting Fact – this song is not about the former Yugoslavian Despot, Tito.
Right so, back after the last supper(very enjoyable),
So here is an utterly sublime track from the brilliant Louise & The Pins, put a gig on in Dublin for them and they were fantastic, unfortunately Paloma Faith nicked their bass player who was a co songwriter
https://youtu.be/0CFX4o__fNg
Please enjoy
It kills me when I’ve been fortunate enough too witness such amazing homegrown talent as Hidden Highways that never got the recognition they should have, Tim’s old style vocals , but then when Carol Ann starts singing, well, it just melts me!!!
Utter brilliance!
https://youtu.be/MybJVHwmYjI
Trying too get in before the deadline, again, another bit of underrated homegrown talent, these guys were brilliant live, and should have been massive!!!
Gypsy Rebel Rabble
https://youtu.be/Gaju6xhjb4A
Enjoy
Frootful remixed by lack of afro
2011
slowtime
https://youtu.be/KERh1K3yHR8
I love the ebb and flow,I love how it chuggs along
The Waterboys – Song of Wandering Aengus
https://youtu.be/BYb-qOKKC0E
My God, that track is beautiful. Nick, you need to win back your own voucher. I’m not entering.
Peter Bruntnell has it.
Here is any absolute belter of a track, the album is also well worth checking out.
When live music is back don’t miss the opportunity too see these guys !
Columbia Mills – This City
https://youtu.be/rowEFaU3Exo
Enjoy
Research Chemicals by satirical Stockholm punks Viagra Boys is nothing short of genius.
This song really captures the frenetic madness of youthful drug experimentation. Of the song and of such experimentation one line stands out…
“You know it’s working when everything feels wrong”.
I remember when first listening to this track and loving the energy, the guitar, the vocal delivery and thinking ‘is he glorifying this…?’
‘No’ is the answer.
But I knew the song was really working when I felt excited by the music and yet it felt wrong at the same time until I understood the satire… It’s a genius, proper well cool, punk rockin’ kick ass choon :)
These guys should be huge and they are damn well bloody brilliant live.
Sebastian Murphy (eh… Stockholm? ‘Murrphy’? Hah!), the vocalist, assumes the persona of the characters he sings about on stage. He is truly theatrical in his performance delivery, and the band is damn tight. You won’t need drugs, nor booze for that matter to lose yourself and go effin’ mental on the floor to these guys :0)
Opening verse…
“It’s getting hard to breathe
You’re feeling like you’re gonna die
They told you it was just like weed
That this could happen your first time”
https://youtu.be/U7gbFMWZWlo
And the video…. has the bang of “I don’t give a f…” about it :)
From the album Consistency of Energy, 2016
They were supposed to play Dublin in November… :/
Moved to June 2021
Another heavy sound in this one…
World Crust by Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (who are due to play Whelan’s Nov 28th) is like stepping back to the early birth sounds of thrash metal via Kill ‘Em All with an Ozzy Osborne sounding vocal… But with quite a unique, imo, vocal style. I
World Crust is the stand out track on the album, Viscerals, for me as it’s sound takes me back to those early days of thrash. They kick ass man! I’ve gone to see bands just to hear one track live before, and I’d do it again for World Crust :)
And to see them perform it in a small venue like Whelan’s would surely be one loud sweaty thrilling experience…. \m/,
https://youtu.be/l5HQ4KXqIlY
I had all that typed and then found out this wasn’t released until April 2020… :/ ahhhhh nuts!
It has to be Thinking of a place by The War on Drugs as it always brings me to another place. This song hooks you in till it’s over. https://youtu.be/TeaDE1magRk
Andhim are a very underrated German house DJ duo who have an extraordinary talent of adding depth to remixed tracks and taking them to a new level. In this case the remix has become way better known than the original.
Eating Snow – This Emptiness Is Mine (Andhim Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnYsFvxmlNE
https://youtu.be/pyRJYnAndT0
Let me get there by Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions with Kurt Vile.
Great album too with Hope Sandoval, Colm Ó Cíosóg, and an amazing Irish Band.
I LOVE this song and album. He’s bananas but he’s a genius I think.
The Age of Adz by Sufjan
https://youtu.be/028KfrPNpPs
The National – Oblivions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_xMl32mWds
A beautiful song from the band’s latest album. The female vocal adds another dimension to the National’s repertoire.
A sweet 12 minute ramble as though penned by Raymond Carver. Small moments are documented. Big lessons are learned while a fraught and father — son relationship remains unresolved.
Wilco – One Sunday Morning (song for Jane Smiley’s boyfriend)
https://youtu.be/xa2XnouRXKo
Another beautiful songwriter, Cass McCombs…Brighter
https://youtu.be/vEUpc_EViiY
Bit late to the party here. This is a song I discovered through Spotify’s radio feature, and I know very little about the artist, but it’s beautiful, airy and jazzy like a female-fronted Talk Talk:
Julia Holter “Lucette Stranded on the Island”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhBhpQgN0MU
I’m really late back to the party to check in on the contributions as Friday often takes over.
Here’s a couple from Gil Scot Heron right before he passed in 2011.
Gil Scot Heron – Me and the Devil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ybKWq3MWI
And a more subtle, gentler, peaceful side in:
Gil Scot Heron – I’m New Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV_astp3BjM