I was going through some music earlier today and came across this song that I like to break out and play every now and then.  By the Southern California-based band Primitive Radio Gods, “Sitting Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand” didn’t hit Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart, but just over 15 years ago, in July and August 1996, the song spent six weeks at the top of the Modern Rock Tracks chart, which surveyed airplay on alternative/modern rock radio stations.  The song appeared on the band’s major-label debut album, Rocket, and also on the soundtrack to the Jim Carrey film The Cable Guy.

A decade and a half later, Primitive Radio Gods are still together.  Check out their official website for more.

Back in 1993, Tears For Fears had a #25 hit with the tune “Break It Down Again“. At that time, the duo had split and Roland Orzabal was the remaining tear. This was the band’s last top 40 hit in the US which in my opinion is an underrated song.

Poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron passed away yesterday at the age of 62.  Scott-Heron is most known for his political commentary, which he would present in spoken word over musical beds performed by his band.  His most well-known piece is “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” but my favorite among the limited sampling of Scott-Heron works I’ve listened to is probably “B Movie,” which is featured above.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_44jokODfzM

Back in 1993, Extreme released the song “Tragic Comic” with less than dramatic radio airplay. The other day I was going through an old bin of CDs and I stumbled upon their disc “III Sides to Every Story“. I totally forgot about Tragic Comic and I was surprised how much it picked-up where “Hole-Hearted” left off. I personally think this is an underrated tune that will get some radio play on the upcoming Tunesmate channel.

The Doe Bay Sessions – Hey Marseilles from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.

Hey Marseilles is a Seattle-based band who play what has been described, among other things, as “poetic, folkish, and stunningly orchestral music.”  Their 2008 CD, To Travels & Trunks, exhibits a tranquil, lilting sound that I find both riveting and relaxing (if that’s possible) at the same time.  Indeed, their “picnic table performance at Doe Bay Fest 2010″ featured above seems to capture the perfect setting for that feeling–sitting in a woods, chilling out, enjoying the world and one’s existence in it.

For more on Hey Marseilles, check them out on their website.

Today, of course, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States.  In fact, today marks the 25th anniversary of its first celebration as a federal holiday.  While there have been some, there haven’t been a lot of songs commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. or Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  I don’t think it’s any stretch to call U2′s “Pride (In The Name of Love),” which is featured above, the most recognizable.  Other songs include “By the Time I Get to Arizona” by Public Enemy, which addressed the State of Arizona’s reluctance to establish the holiday in the late 1980s, and Common teaming up with Will.i.am sampling King’s “I Have a Dream” speech for a song of the same name.  Billboard has made a list of songs that honor King, that includes the tunes by U2, Public Enemy, and Common featuring Will.i.am along with seven others.  I also know that Richard Marx’s song “One Man” from his Permanent Vacation album remembers King.  Can you think of other tunes about Martin Luther King Jr.?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNN0PypXflQ\

Walking On A Thin Line is one of Huey Lewis and the News’ most underrated songs. This tune was originally released off the Sports album and received minor success. Thanks to Ray for inspiring this entry.

Larry Carlton is a three-time Grammy winning jazz guitartist who has played on more than 100 albums that have gone gold or platinum. However, have you ever heard of him?

According to Wikipedia, “Carlton is married to contemporary Christian music artist Michele Pillar since 1987. He is also the uncle of singer, songwriter Vanessa Carlton.”

Discover Larry’s Smooth Jazz Sound
http://www.larrycarlton.com/music.html

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0tK70gN190

The 2007 release of Emerson Hart’s Cigarettes and Gasoline is an underrated album worth exploring. The frontman of Tonic went solo and did a fine effort. The songs are this album are a mix between strong upbeat rhythms and sentimental strumming. Above is the single off the album called “If You’re Gonna Leave”.

Listen to the album here
http://www.lala.com/#album/576742227525637655/Emerson_Hart/Cigarettes_And_Gasoline

They never really hit it huge, at least in the United States, but Scottish band The Blue Nile has developed a very loyal following on both sides of the Atlantic over the past 25 years for their mellow, melancholy musings.  Their instrumentation, their beats, their lyrics, and the vocals of Paul Buchanan all reflect a sort of forlorn, reflective combination of the contradictory impulses of optimism and resignation.  Their song “The Downtown Lights” might be the best known of their compositions, having received some VH1 and adult contemporary radio play in 1989.  The above clip features a tune titled “Saturday Night” set to the art of Edward Hopper, whom you might know from his most famous piece, Nighthawks.  The two seem a perfect match, as both the music of the Blue Nile and the art of Edward Hopper seem to channel the same emotions and experiences.  For more, check out the band’s four studio recordings:  A Walk Across Rooftops, Hats, Peace At Last, and High.