For 5 days we will showcase 5 songs and take a hard look at an artist and their impact.  This isn’t a list, more of an homage to the unsung. Hard to ignore some of the finest songs ever written.

“Ms Lazarus” - Downward is Heavenward - 1998

“Ms Lazarus” is a gem on the Downward is Heavenward album, and in my top 5 songs of all time. They say music is as close to a time machine as you can get, and I still remember the first time I heard this song. Its punchy, melodic sound and clean guitar tone is enveloped in a crunch that never strays too far from the hook. I am sure that there is some ambiguity to the lyrics but one line in particular always hits me “The way your headstone shines, I only wish that it was mine”.

HUM

Hum is one of the most underrated bands of the 90’s. Lumped in with the Mid-90s post grunge, pre-nu metal phase, their tacit, dry mouth, rot gutted four album discography layers nuanced songs and melodies against a wall of noise that churns vast but beautiful waves of intensity, not scary, but warm and confident in their gestures. Guitarist, singer, and lyricist Matt Talbott sings poetically about space, love, and death, that partner well with both the distortion and Talbotts delivery, knowing full well that if the distortion wasn’t there, they may have been more radio friendly. They have become one of the most influential bands of that time period.

“Stars” - You’d Prefer An Astronaut - 1995

It would be hard to argue against “Stars” from You’d Prefer An Astronaut as our first song for the week. The loud, soft, loud dynamic on full display against a gorgeous Drop D chord progression. The melody is as warm as they come, calling your name like sirens against a blanket of sound. I have no idea what the song and lyrics are about, but I always wanted a girl to hold a daisy while she waited for me, especially one that would count the vastness of stars.