Song of the Day #2,698: ‘All Things in Time’ – Toad the Wet Sprocket

toad_sprocket_coilI’ve written before that Toad the Wet Sprocket is my favorite of the alternative bands that truly belong to the 90s. The band’s debut album, Bread & Circus, was released in 1989 and the four records that make up the heart of their discography were released between 1990 and 1997.

Coil was the last of these and many fans consider it the best. I have difficulty finding much space between this record, 1991’s Fear and 1994’s Dulcinea in terms of quality. That’s a trilogy I’d stack up against anybody’s work from the era.

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Song of the Day #2,696: ‘Come Away With Me’ – Norah Jones

norah_jones_come_awayUnlike the other albums I’ve featured this week, I’m very familiar with today’s artist, if not the specific tracks on the record.

Norah Jones rocketed to stardom following the release of this jazz-folk record, which sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. and 26 million worldwide. Come Away With Me earned eight Grammys and showed up on plenty of critics’ year-end lists (even as others dismissed the album as sleepy and bland).

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Song of the Day #2,695: ‘Obstacle 1’ – Interpol

interpol_turn_on_bright_lightsInterpol is a post-punk alternative band out of New York City that has been off my radar completely. They are often compared to Joy Division, but I have to admit I’m not very familiar with Joy Division either.

2002’s Turn On the Bright Lights is Interpol’s debut album and remains their best received, both commercially and critically.

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Song of the Day #2,694: ‘No One Knows’ – Queens of the Stone Age

queens_stone_age_songs_deafToday’s entry is a good test of my basic musical preferences. I like to think of myself as a well-rounded music fan, one who can find enjoyment in many different genres and many different sounds. But one genre I have never liked, and suspect I never will like, is hard rock/heavy metal.

Sure, I’ve enjoyed some harder-edged detours by otherwise “quiet” bands (R.E.M.’s Monster comes to mind) but those are definitely exceptions.

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