It’s been a good week. Thanks to Fred for being the first commenter on this blog who is a complete stranger. That’s the second feel-good blog milestone I’ve had this year, and the fact that the comment was about Pooka makes it that much better.

It’s Friday once again, and rock and roll will be done to you, this time in the form of instrumentals. I’ve noticed this year that instrumentals are turning my head at a rate not seen since the mid 1980’s (I think there’s a future post in there). And while bands like Talkdemonic and Mogwai are pretty dang great, I think the most interesting instrumentals come from rock bands known for their lead singers or lyrics.

All of these instrumentals are from the year 2006:

Smoosh - Organ Song - There are alot of good songs on Smoosh’s new album. I think “Glider” is probably my favorite - I like how the piano or synth mimics the vocal line on the chorus. But for sheer energy, you can’t really beat “Organ Song”. And hear that shouting in the background? I imagine the girls’ having a soccer coach who now fancies herself as a producer, yelling out instructions to the Asya & Chloe. But they are too into the song and intent on drowning her out. What do you think they’re saying??

Loose Fur - An Ecumenical Matter. I was into the Steely Dan vibe of this Jeff Tweedy / Jim O’Rourke project, but didn’t really like some of the vocals and lyrics. For me, this instrumental track is an oasis in the desert, and yet still gives you a feel for what this current incarnation of Loose Fur sounds like.

The Charlatans - Sunset And Vine - I didn’t like the album, but for some reason this track had me running over to the iPod to see what it was everytime it came on. “Sunset And Vine” is a good example of an interesting instrumental from a band not known for making such music. This doesn’t even sound like The Charlatans (though to be fair, the rest of the album doesn’t sound like them either). A little bit reggae, a lotta bit 80’s. This goes on a mixtape right next to Harold Faltermeyer’s “Axel F”.

Mogwai - Friend Of The Night - As mentioned above, Mogwai is known for the instrumental rock. I don’t see myself as a guy that would buy an entire album of this stuff, but damned if Mr. Beast isn’t one of my favorite albums of the year. It is good personal soundtrack music; great to have on the headphones when you’re walking around in a city you’ve never been to before.

Talkdemonic - Manhattan ‘81 - Finally, some Portland content! Talkdemonic is from Portland, Oregon - I cheat yet again because Kevin O’Connor and Lisa Molinaro are instrumentalists by trade. I’m sad to say that I still haven’t seen them live. This comes from the new album “Beat Romantic”. The album has been a slow burner for me; it took me so long to get inside of it, but I think that it will be making my end of the year best list. I think the key word here is “organic”. Oh yeah, and “drummer”.

BONUS: Pooka - The Pebble - I thought it would be appropriate to follow up a post about Pooka with this instrumental from them. I may be wrong but I think it is the only instrumental they ever released. It comes from the UK single for “City Sick” circa 1994. Simple folky goodness.

Four of today’s six songs come from duos. What is it about duos and instrumentals? The Spinanes come to mind (”I Love That Party With The Monkey Kitty”). Any others?

This entry was posted on Friday, August 25th, 2006 at 11:01 am and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.