Shuggie Otis - "Inspiration Information"

Two channels of wah organ and guitar gossip indignantly, a tentatively funky bass player plays apologetically and a drummer does something dirty with a break- beat. The weave is so tight that it is hard to distinguish between the instruments. Shuggie's smooth lead and backing vocals blend right in, with the occasional piercing high note cutting through and briefly reverberating above the melee.

Even more mind-boggling is this piece of information: Shuggie played all of the instruments.

A true pop-music auteur, Shuggie largely disappeared after the release of Inspiration Information (in 1974) until it was rereleased on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label in 2001.

Shuggie Shuggie Shuggie. Shuggie Shuggie. Everybody say it. [Buy]

***

Snailhouse - "All That Will Change"

The rockier the Snailhouse, the better the Snailhouse.

Snails need protection from the elements, urban debris, etc (not so different from us humans after all, eh scientists?). And the fragile music of Snailhouse is best when confident, put to crunchy marching guitars, thick harmonies and tight, propulsive drums.

"All That Will Change" has all that and more. The drums are not only tight and propulsive, but melodic when they need to be and then sprawling and wild. Added to the crunchy guitars are occasional accents of tremolo guitar and a fuzzy solo which sounds as if it's coming from a box on the floor in the next room.

Mike Feuerstack's (aka Snailhouse's) voice ranges from shy, quiet and nearly breaking, to a brave shout.

The song is a clash between fragility and confidence.

"I've got a reputation as the homeliest man in town," is sung like a taunt. With his heart on his sleeve and his chin up and out, he stays his path. We are hearing a fight between lovers. And both the lyrics and the music mirror the trajectory of one of those fights: bravado turning to uncertainty and nakedness and then back again. The aggressive charging verses crumble into shimmering vulnerable choruses.

It should be noted that no man is better at stage banter than Mike Feuerstack. He will amuse you with his words and crush you with his songs. Watch out! [Buy]