With this lovely 2012 debut album, the British folk-soul gentleman Michael Kiwanuka a sublime, retro "back-to-basics" sound. It's so warm and cozy in here you could rightfully call it a bit "safe", but it offers many great songs nonetheless. "Home Again" is about the overall vibe, really...

Moondogs - use discount code "RUDI" at checkout to get 50% off any one item in the Niagara Moon store: https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/store

www.danbarracuda.com

Yeah he's the "sad guy" songwriter, but does Elliott Smith simply wallow in his misery, or does he transcend his depression through incredibly meticulous, masterful artistry? Maybe a little of both?

In any case, 1998's "XO" is full of beautiful melodies, lyrics, instrumentation, and melancholy. If anyone ever was deserving of the "one-man Beatles" title, it's this guy. And who better to discuss him with than Smith devotee and amazingly prolific SoCal songwriter Eric Davis?

https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com

https://edavis.bandcamp.com/

While Dan's away on vay-cay, the composer will play...

Taking a break from our typical album review episodes this week to bring you an album's worth of relaxing piano music by yours truly. Yessir, my neo-classical side project sure keeps me busy!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/72Ojcdg0bCLAURS3HTWEDm?si=bMT0pROmQ_mKep4qWQCgmw

I mean, everyone should know by now that Joni Mitchell's an all-time great. And on this 1976 sprawling epic Hejira, she was in particularly rare form. An ode to travel and solitude, with some exquisite bass work from Jaco Pastorius. Is it jazz? Rock? No idea...

www.patreon.com/niagaramoonmusic

www.danbarracuda.com

This 1970 solo debut by George Harrison is a juggernaut, plain and simple. Produced by Phil Spector, featuring a gigantic cast of some of the best session musicians in the world - how can you go wrong? Well, it is a bit long. But just listen to Wah-Wah...

Check out the NEW Niagara Moon Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/niagaramoonmusic

www.danbarracuda.com

Love love love this one. Bjork's 1995 sophomore album "Post" defies all kinds of pop convention to deliver something entirely unique and impactful. Dan hears how its influence spread to countless other artists, including Radiohead.

www.niagaramoonmusic.com

www.danbarracuda.com

Beautiful songs, a beautiful message, and a truly unique figure in the world of folk-rock... This 1970 Cat Steven album is a triumph! But what adjective best describes his voice? Is it "Raspy"? "Scratchy"?

www.niagaramoonmusic.com

www.danbarracuda.com

This episode takes you through the entire journey of making my song "Running in a Dream", the epic closer for our latest album Fuzzy Thinking.

I used to do more of these for the podcast. They're fun. I'll be back with Dan next week though for more album discussions.

"Save me White Jesus." "Getting high on the mattress while the global market crashes." Father John Misty certainly has a way with words, as demonstrated in this 2015 album I Love You, Honeybear. And he has the soaring vocals and lush production to back it up. Dan and I are in agreement - this one's a modern classic...

https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com

http://www.danbarracuda.com

If the term "voice of an angel" ever TRULY applied to someone, it would be the late Jeff Buckley on this lil 1994 debut album of his. Very ambitious, eclectic, progressive 90's rock that defies easy categorization. Dan loves it. Heck, Brad Pitt loves it. I am... neutral on it.

www.niagaramoonmusic.com/adoptacd

www.danbarracuda.com/