Post by takeinthestray on Jul 2, 2011 15:47:23 GMT -5
Can I say that I really respect the musical opinions of anyone who delved into Melon's self-titled album beyond No Rain back in the day? It is here on this forum that I first read the name Avett Bothers who I'm now really into.
So I would like to throw a name out there as well: Mat McHugh/the Beautiful Girls. This Aussie deserves to be bigger here in the states than he is. The best place to start is with his newest, solo, acoustic-based 4 song EP or the albums 'Water' and 'Learn Yourself,' both done as a full band.
They are not the easiest cds to find, import only I think, but well worth it. Each of the later albums from the band are good, but stylistically different from the early stuff. I mention this because the songs on myspace and facebook are mostly from later albums and don't make as good a first impression.
This is easily my favorite band for that past 6 years after I caught the end of their set in '05 opening for Pepper. (Must have been fate, because they were the first of 3 bands, and these days in my advanced age I rarely ever get to a club early enough to see a support act. I'm at home napping til an hour before the headliner!)
Even if the studio tracks don't grab you right away, go see Mat on his solo tour in the fall and be floored. Plus he's a genuinely nice guy. I met him recently in Boston.
If you end up liking Mat and the boys, here are a few other Aussies that might tickle your fancy: The Waifs, Xavier Rudd, Jeff Lang, John Butler Trio (but you knew that already right?), Ash Grunwald, and for the blues enthusiasts, Danni Carr, Anne McCue and Dave Hole.
I love hundreds of bands from dozens of lands, but lately it's the Aussies who have managed to harness that organic, homespun, and highly original vibe that first attracted me to Melon.
Thanks for listening to me rant. Hit me up if you want a list of my personal favorite songs from the Beautiful Girls or want to talk other bands.
Hope you enjoy.
G'day. (just kidding!)
So I would like to throw a name out there as well: Mat McHugh/the Beautiful Girls. This Aussie deserves to be bigger here in the states than he is. The best place to start is with his newest, solo, acoustic-based 4 song EP or the albums 'Water' and 'Learn Yourself,' both done as a full band.
They are not the easiest cds to find, import only I think, but well worth it. Each of the later albums from the band are good, but stylistically different from the early stuff. I mention this because the songs on myspace and facebook are mostly from later albums and don't make as good a first impression.
This is easily my favorite band for that past 6 years after I caught the end of their set in '05 opening for Pepper. (Must have been fate, because they were the first of 3 bands, and these days in my advanced age I rarely ever get to a club early enough to see a support act. I'm at home napping til an hour before the headliner!)
Even if the studio tracks don't grab you right away, go see Mat on his solo tour in the fall and be floored. Plus he's a genuinely nice guy. I met him recently in Boston.
If you end up liking Mat and the boys, here are a few other Aussies that might tickle your fancy: The Waifs, Xavier Rudd, Jeff Lang, John Butler Trio (but you knew that already right?), Ash Grunwald, and for the blues enthusiasts, Danni Carr, Anne McCue and Dave Hole.
I love hundreds of bands from dozens of lands, but lately it's the Aussies who have managed to harness that organic, homespun, and highly original vibe that first attracted me to Melon.
Thanks for listening to me rant. Hit me up if you want a list of my personal favorite songs from the Beautiful Girls or want to talk other bands.
Hope you enjoy.
G'day. (just kidding!)