Here’s a nifty little New Wave cut from Elvis Costello’s second album, 1978’s This Year’s Model.
Costello has spent the last two decades or so in elder statesman mode, releasing chamber orchestra and country folk albums, so it’s easy to forget what a scrappy, literate punk rocker he was back in the day.
The Scottish band Travis put out a few lovely albums in the late 90s and early 00s, the best of which was probably 2001’s The Invisible Band.
That album is chock full of beautiful, fragile tracks like today’s Song of the Day, ‘The Cage.’ Lead singer/songwriter Fran Healy has a knack for penning aching choruses that make perfect use of his distinctive tenor voice.
Our next Montauk Madness matchup is a battle across the decades, pitting a 70s powerhouse against an innovative indie band from the past decade. I give you Pink Floyd vs. Vampire Weekend!
My high school self would have had no problem with this choice, as I pretty much lived and breathed Pink Floyd in those years (not to mention that Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig was in pre-K).
OK, here’s the first matchup in Round One of Montauk Madness that hit me right in the gut: Aimee Mann vs. Ben Folds Five.
Why hurt me like this, oh musical gods, by pitting two of my all-time favorite artists against each other in what should be the easiest round?
I discovered both of these acts right around the same time, 20 years ago. I know that because I gave their latest CDs (Mann’s I’m With Stupid and BFF’s Whatever and Ever Amen) to my brother-in-law as a birthday present in 1997.
Stepping into the ring for the next Montauk Madness battle are a couple of iconic figures from across the pond. Sting (but not The Police) vs. Sinead O’Connor.
Neither of these artists is a slam dunk favorite of mine, but both have put out music I absolutely adore. And both have trailed off later in their careers, making this more of a nostalgia pick.
Meet Me In Montauk 