If you grab this expecting to hear the latest from Grandaddy you may be pleasantly surprised. Instead you will find some of Jason Lytle’s favorite songs from his best loved artists and friends. Below the Radio is a poignant compilation that takes the listener on a ride of nostalgia. Chock-full with fourteen well versed under the radar bands plus a new anthem from Grandaddy. This is an example of what fanatics crave from their idols, what girlfriends desire from boyfriends, what an unrequited love never sees. A little window into what motivates artists to do what they do. A mix tape is always a great way to launch into a new romance.
A great percentage of these songs have never and will never be heard on hit “radio”. I say halleluiah to that, man. Each track deftly hand-picked by Jason, it’s a novel idea. Exactly what I do for the holidays every year, try to give my friends and relatives a more open mind about music. Mr. Lytle’s choices are vastly more intriguing.
Each song melded together, flowing and changing in mind opening ways. Musically Below the Radio flows perfectly but it is the lyrical content that is truly remarkable. The listener can blatantly hear the progression of Mr. Lytle’s harmonious sense. Read the liner notes. They are insightful and hilarious. Lytle is quite a poet, as I am sure any Grandaddy fan knows. It’s like reading a diary, each song is another chapter in a book of short stories.
Opening with Beck is genius. Beck is undeniably a great musician but its Beck’s words that stand out on this opener. Jason ostensibly loves the “high drama” and really feels his music. It’s great that he includes friends and mentors on the set list. Jackpot rocks with distorting twists and turns. Virgil Shaw is so romantic; “Twisted Layer” brings a heap of an old car to life. These lyrics are a journey; I forget where I am every time I listen to it.
“Burned by the Sun” is so melodic and harmonizing. This is a fine representation of Beulah. This one is my favorite with a smooth segue into “Color Bars” by Earlimart. Earlimart is making great sounds and I recommend getting the full length “Treble & Tremble”. Giant Sand’s “Bottom Line Man”, this one had to be replayed many times. I had never experienced the Sand, I found it intriguing. I thought it was some rare Lou Reed but was pleasantly surprised.
Fruit Bats “The Little Acorn” and Little Wings “Sand Canyon” are well written, picture painting stories of life. They are hopeful and affecting, as is the track from The Handsome Family. “I Fell” is musically sweet and poetic. Another great segue into “Sand Canyon”.
“For the Damaged” just needs an ear to penetrate and Blonde Redhead has melted the heart, again. Home “Comin’ Up Empty Again” this was quite a find. I had never experienced Home. After some research I have found that they have been around since 1991. Experimentation and oddball sounds run amuck when Home is recording at home.
Although I am sure Jason had no clue that Snow Patrol’s “Run” was going to blow up as it did. I skipped this one the first couple times as it is now played out but then I listened to the complete project and that’s the key. Play it out, the trip is amazing.
Goldenboy “Wild Was the Night” is a great debut from the super indie group. Do not get these guys mixed up with the Norwegian pop punk group of the same name. This Goldenboy hail from Diamond Bar southern California and are jam-packed full of talent. These are the ones to watch for.
Pavement “Motion Suggests” I can’t be objective as they are one of my most cherished bands. I know this song by heart, backwards and forwards, inside and out. I thought it was perfectly placed.
The epilogue is Jason’s own “Nature Anthem”. It really does sound like a campfire song. I could smell the s’mores and tree sap. I swear I sung this at camp but we tried to buy the world a coke and sing in perfect harmony. I like a happy ending and the singing children inspire hope and happiness. Good choice for an ending.
“Why am I usually more smitten with the inobvious hits, than the obvious hits?” writes Mr. Lytle. This is an age old dilemma that has been discussed by many over coffee and what not. After hearing and feeling Below the Radio many times through some questions have been answered, now new questions have arisen. The fact that this is something someone can go purchase is very business savvy, was this the plan?
I’m a sucker for compilations as I was lucky and learned of their importance early on from one of the best. One of my most prized possessions is a mix tape circa 1984 made for me by Scott Kannberg (Pavement). It must be a valley thing? I recommend this comp for anyone who is ready to understand another side of music today. To start a romance with a different kind of music. |