The Traschan Sinatras
In honor of the release of their fabulous new album In the Music, my list this week is dedicated to the finest Scottish band of the past twenty years. Here’s a list of ten of my favorite songs of theirs. Even though they only have five albums during their long career, this is still very tough.
“Obscurity Knocks”
I’ll start in the most obvious place. Their first single, this was originally released in 1990 and placed on their debut Cake and it rocketed to #8 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart in that year. Produced by the great JOHN LECKIE, this is one of their very best songs.
“Only Tongue Can Tell”
One of the few tracks on Cake not produced by either John Leckie or ROGER BECHIRIAN (who also produced SQUEEZE‘s East Side Story and THE UNDERTONES‘ 1st 3 albums and engineered the first five ELVIS COSTELLO albums), it also made it onto #12 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart in 1990.
“Hayfever”
This wonderful SMITHS-like track is their biggest hit, climbing to #61 on the British charts. It was also featured in an episode of MTV’s Beavis and Butthead.
“Send for Henny”
Not a single, but a concert staple and a fan favorite from their second album, 1993’s I’ve Seen Everything. That album was produced by RAY SHULMAN of GENTLE GIANT and no track on here shows the subtle prog-rock influence more than this one. Overall, this track is quite representative of the album as a whole in that its charms aren’t immediate, but it’s really rewarding after multiple listens as it sinks in and grabs a hold of you!
“The Genius I Was”
I would use one word to describe this track and it’s already in the title. Can you guess what it is? This has a more driving beat than most of their material as well as what’s possibly their most mesmerizing riff. This is from 1996’s A Happy Pocket, their last album for Go! Discs and now a hard-to-find collector’s item.
“How Can I Apply?”
A beautiful, lovelorn ballad from A Happy Pocket, this stiffed as a single. In a better world, this would’ve been a smash hit!
“Freetime”
Another Smiths-like track from 2004’s incredible Weightlifting (their first album in 8 years up to that point and in my opinion, their best), this provides a nice, slightly upbeat break from the (also great) balladry that dominates much of the rest of that album.
“Leave Me Alone”
I’ve never heard the version on the Snow EP, but I have a difficult time believing that it could top this, perhaps the finest track in their entire oeuvre.
“Should I Pray”
Featuring a guest appearance from none other than CARLY SIMON (no joke), this is my favorite track from In the Music. If anything, this proves yet again that The Trashcan Sinatras are amongst a handful of great, veteran artists who make intelligent, literate music for adults. File this alongside some of NICK LOWE‘s recent work or the just-released, absolutely beautiful new album by PETER HOLSAPPLE and CHRIS STAMEY.
“Oranges and Apples”
Until I read the liner notes in the beautiful CD package that comes with the limited edition version of In the Music, I didn’t realize that this unusually long (for TCS; it’s over 8 minutes long) song (initially released on iTunes last year as a stand-alone single and then placed on In the Music) was a tribute to the late, great SYD BARRETT. In retrospect, though, the references to “Emily” and cycling (i.e. PINK FLOYD‘s “Bike”) should’ve been a giveaway.
