The Weekday Ramble is a daily dose of sports, music, culture, and more from Rambling On founder Erik Ritland. For more information check us out on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or at our website.
Monday August 3, 2015
We begin an exciting new feature at Rambling On this week: Album Tracks! Each edition will highlight two or three deep cuts worth investigating. Today: Soul Asylum, The Cure, and Porter Wagoner.
New World – Soul Asylum
from the 1992 album Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union was Minnesota alternative rock band Soul Asylum's big break. It featured four huge hits: “Runaway Train,” “Black Gold,” “Without a Trace,” and “Somebody to Shove.” Evidently “New World” was the second single released from the album. Since it was never played on the radio, didn't chart, and I can't find any information about its release anywhere, I still count it as an album track.
The variety of material on Grave Dancers Union is what makes it work so well. “New World” is rootsier than most of what surrounds it. Lead singer David Priner hits some affecting falsetto in the verses and the lilting chorus is atmospheric and macabre.
The Cure – The Blood
from the 1985 LP Head on the Door
The variety of material on Grave Dancers Union is what makes it work so well. “New World” is rootsier than most of what surrounds it. Lead singer David Priner hits some affecting falsetto in the verses and the lilting chorus is atmospheric and macabre.
The Cure – The Blood
from the 1985 LP Head on the Door
Head on the Door convinced me that '80s production isn't all bad. “The Blood” combines '80s pop with a mariachi feel that is as unique as it sounds. It also features poetic lyrics and a convincing vocal from Robert Smith.
Porter Wagoner – The Agony of Waiting
from the 1971 LP Sings His Own
Porter Wagoner – The Agony of Waiting
from the 1971 LP Sings His Own
The opening verse of honk tonk weeper “The Agony of Waiting” is evocative:
This room is like a tomb quiet and still
I can almost hear my heart breaking
But it won't cause there's a chance I might see you tomorrow
But oh the agony of waiting
The stoic, assured voice of Wagoner and some warm pedal steel make this a lost classic.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
This room is like a tomb quiet and still
I can almost hear my heart breaking
But it won't cause there's a chance I might see you tomorrow
But oh the agony of waiting
The stoic, assured voice of Wagoner and some warm pedal steel make this a lost classic.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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