Buried Treasure - The Feelies, 5ive Style & Moose

This week SVB opens up the vaults for some of the lost classics - the buried treasures of music. Today it's The Feelies, 5ive Style and Moose. Words & Music for today's contribution comes from Sean Byrne, the man behind the great Twin Atlas

The Feelies The Good Earth (1986) – This (currently out of print) album always lives in the shadow of their Crazy Rhythms debut which preceded it by about 6 years, but time may prove this quiet jewel to be the true statement of perfection. Big wideass simple strummy pop songs with vocals buried low in the mix, the beginning-to-end consistency of this record (produced by REM’s Pete Buck) is absolutely hypnotic, making Crazy Rhythms sound over-caffeinated and almost immature alongside of it. This is classic VU in a more rural setting.

On The Roof - The Feelies
Let's Go - The Feelies

********************

Miniature Portraits by 5ive Style (1999) – A musician’s band for sure, but a marvel nonetheless. After a debut that did a real good job at teaching indie rockers who The Meters were, 5ive Style allowed their followup record to explore some more international flavors and in the process highlight some jaw-dropping guitar interplay by group founder Bill Dolan and Jeremy Jacobson (aka The Lonesome Organist). Bringing up the rear is a rhythm section that defines Chicago’s dominance of the 90’s musical landscape, with Tortoise’s John Herndon and bassist Leroy Bach (who went on to a stint with Wilco and more recently Beth Orton). Progressive dub, African guitar duels and hip shaking rhumba.
Pledge Drive - 5ive Style
Mythical Numbers - 5ive Style

********************

Honey Bee by Moose (1994) – Poor Moose was tried & hung as a shoegazer knock-off band before they ever got out of the gates beyond their first single in 1991. But those who kept an eye on them watched a band blossom into a beautiful & stoned acoustic jangle-pop band with hints of country roots. ‘Honey Bee’ from 1994 is their killer, with a locked-in rhythmic acoustic guitar & drums drive offset by a deliciously mellow yet sincerely romantic vocal. Allmusic put it right: Not so much underrated as unheard.

Asleep At The Wheel - Moose
Uptown Invisible - Moose

Music MP3 music