Talkin About The Passion

With this lovely 2012 debut album, the British folk-soul gentleman Michael Kiwanuka a sublime, retro "back-to-basics" sound. It's so warm and cozy in here you could rightfully call it a bit "safe", but it offers many great songs nonetheless. "Home Again" is about the overall vibe, really... Moondogs - use discount code "RUDI" at checkout to get 50% off any one item in the Niagara Moon store: https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/store www.danbarracuda.com

Yeah he's the "sad guy" songwriter, but does Elliott Smith simply wallow in his misery, or does he transcend his depression through incredibly meticulous, masterful artistry? Maybe a little of both? In any case, 1998's "XO" is full of beautiful melodies, lyrics, instrumentation, and melancholy. If anyone ever was deserving of the "one-man Beatles" title, it's this guy. And who better to discuss him with than Smith devotee and amazingly prolific SoCal songwriter Eric Davis? https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com https://edavis.bandcamp.com/

While Dan's away on vay-cay, the composer will play... Taking a break from our typical album review episodes this week to bring you an album's worth of relaxing piano music by yours truly. Yessir, my neo-classical side project sure keeps me busy! https://open.spotify.com/artist/72Ojcdg0bCLAURS3HTWEDm?si=bMT0pROmQ_mKep4qWQCgmw

I mean, everyone should know by now that Joni Mitchell's an all-time great. And on this 1976 sprawling epic Hejira, she was in particularly rare form. An ode to travel and solitude, with some exquisite bass work from Jaco Pastorius. Is it jazz? Rock? No idea... www.patreon.com/niagaramoonmusic www.danbarracuda.com

This 1970 solo debut by George Harrison is a juggernaut, plain and simple. Produced by Phil Spector, featuring a gigantic cast of some of the best session musicians in the world - how can you go wrong? Well, it is a bit long. But just listen to Wah-Wah... Check out the NEW Niagara Moon Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/niagaramoonmusic www.danbarracuda.com

Love love love this one. Bjork's 1995 sophomore album "Post" defies all kinds of pop convention to deliver something entirely unique and impactful. Dan hears how its influence spread to countless other artists, including Radiohead. www.niagaramoonmusic.com www.danbarracuda.com

Beautiful songs, a beautiful message, and a truly unique figure in the world of folk-rock... This 1970 Cat Steven album is a triumph! But what adjective best describes his voice? Is it "Raspy"? "Scratchy"? www.niagaramoonmusic.com www.danbarracuda.com

This episode takes you through the entire journey of making my song "Running in a Dream", the epic closer for our latest album Fuzzy Thinking. I used to do more of these for the podcast. They're fun. I'll be back with Dan next week though for more album discussions.

"Save me White Jesus." "Getting high on the mattress while the global market crashes." Father John Misty certainly has a way with words, as demonstrated in this 2015 album I Love You, Honeybear. And he has the soaring vocals and lush production to back it up. Dan and I are in agreement - this one's a modern classic... https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com http://www.danbarracuda.com

If the term "voice of an angel" ever TRULY applied to someone, it would be the late Jeff Buckley on this lil 1994 debut album of his. Very ambitious, eclectic, progressive 90's rock that defies easy categorization. Dan loves it. Heck, Brad Pitt loves it. I am... neutral on it. www.niagaramoonmusic.com/adoptacd www.danbarracuda.com/

It's too bad Van Morrison now protests against safe and sensible COVID preventive measures, because 50 years ago he made a SOLID GOLD classic with this 1970 album Moondance. So good. Dan agrees. Is "Into The Mystic" even of this planet? www.niagaramoonmusic.com/adoptacd www.danbarracuda.com/

He might lose me sometimes in his washed-out psychedelia haze, but generally I'm pretty down with Tame Impala. As is Dan. And I'm inclined to think their 2012 sophomore album Lonerism still stands as the most varied and exciting thing they've done to date. Niagara Moon CD SALE @ https://freeniagaramoonalbum.com/adoptacd https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ http://www.danbarracuda.com/

Myself and Dan both have somewhat mixed feelings on this 1977 Steely Dan juggernaut. Their hyper-produced styling of jazz rock feels funky and chic one moment, but then "safe" and "yacht rock" the next. At least Michael McDonald is awesome. It's not bad, but I prefer Gaucho... Niagara Moon CD SALE @ https://freeniagaramoonalbum.com/adoptacd http://www.danbarracuda.com/

The 3rd Niagara Moon album is out and ready to be explored! Dan helps me go through the new full-length, and break it down track by track. Get some real insight into just how this thing was made... Pick up a CD copy for yourself here (they need a good home, after all...) https://freeniagaramoonalbum.com/adoptacd

We turn our critical ears inward, to discuss (and celebrate!) the release of Dan Barracuda's new EP "Catabolic". It's proggy, it's spooky, it's mellow, it's jazzy - it's so many things. Cool is what it is. Great songs, and a very unusual creative process to boot! https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com https://www.danbarracuda.com

This 2012 album from alt-J made quite a splash upon its release. (You're darn right that pun's intended). I did not care for it. They're one of Dan's favorite contemporary bands. We get into it. www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ www.danbarracuda.com/

One of the zaniest, most original pop albums of the 2000's - who knew this classic by of Montreal was such a harrowing depiction of identity crises and mood disorders? www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ www.danbarracuda.com/

Love it or not, this now 20-year Radiohead album made huge waves in the rock community upon its release - and set the band's career and style on a whole new path. Turns out a lot of the songs hold up pretty well too! www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ www.danbarracuda.com/

One of the biggest albums of all time. I have more than a few problems with it. Dan Barracuda loves it. We get into it. www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ www.danbarracuda.com/

I'm joined by musical cohort Dan Barracuda again to tackle Tool's "Lateralus" album. He loves it. I was unfamiliar with it, and still feel that way. But we had fun. https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ http://www.danbarracuda.com/