Our regular visitors might have noticed my interest in instrumentals, as I posted about it 3 times (& Jonder once!) in the past.
However, the focus of these collections was mostly on tracks from the seventies and eighties...
What triggered this post was me looking for any kind of artwork I could (ab)use for my ongoing Art For Art's Sake cartoon series.
I noticed Chris Ware's artwork and liked it a lot.
To my surprise, he had done a 1995 cover for a band's vinyl 45 I had never heard of before: 5style or Five Style.
A quick check via YouTube revealed it was a quirky rocking instrumental that made me sit up...
This in turn, made me think of other rock bands from the nineties which primarily focused on instrumentals: Pell Mell, Friends of Dean Martinez, and Tortoise.
A band I'd never heard of before, but working along similar lines, was Cul de Sac.
Another band whose output is mainly vocal, Calexico, occasionally released some cool instrumentals as well...
This shouldn't be a surprise; band members Burns and Convertino used to be in Friends of Dean Martinez!
They eventually released a full instrumental album, "Toolbox", in 2007!
Just to be sure, I looked around the web to see if there was anything similar released, either officially or on any blog, but I found zilch.
Therefore, I'm happy to present you with this 'syncopated' collection from the nineties for your listening pleasure!
With 3 instrumentals each by these 6 American bands, you might develop a taste for more.
Link: https://pixeldrain.com/u/PXseuUwG
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Do you know any other mainly instrumental bands from the 1990s?
Thanks for this, plenty of bands here I'm familiar with, especially Cul de Sac and Pell Mell. I have an album somewhere by 5style but it's been several years since I listened to it, can't even remember what the album was called! I've been thinking of doing an anthology of Pell Mell for quite some time now, maybe this comp will give me the kick up the backside to finally do it. Cheers!
DeleteCheers to you, slugbucket! A compilation of Pell Mell would be most welcome. For anyone who doesn't know, slugbucket runs the excellent music blog Nothing's Going To Happen. Click on the tag "Anthology" for a wealth of well-curated CD-LENGTH features on artists both familiar and new!
Deletehttps://hairybreath.blogspot.com/
Thanks slugbucket! We're waiting for your Pell Mell compilation!
DeletePut the playlist please
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you answer the question, please?!
DeleteOzric Tentacles come to mind, and Treble Spankers
ReplyDeleteGood ones, thanks Richard!
DeleteExplosions in the Sky! Great band.
ReplyDeleteI'm hard pressed to think of many other groups (that only played instrumentals), but maybe I am only forgetting.
I'm tempted to mention Bardo Pond, but they technically had vocals. You just couldn't distinguish any words, so Isobell Sollenberger's voice was practically another instrument. So... maybe?
Beastie Boys released a fantastic instrumental EP, The In Sound from Way Out!, in 1996. And, of course, Sonic Youth released an excellent series of instrumental EPS starting in 1997.
Regarding Chris Ware drawing sleeve art, that could be another compilation. The great Dan DeCarlo (of Archies fame) drew an album cover for Cub in... 1997? It's terrific.
Koen was referring to the Chris Ware sleeve for this single by 5ive Styles: https://www.discogs.com/release/1245776-5ive-Style-Waiting-On-The-Eclipse
DeleteThanks for Explosions in the Sky!, I wasn't aware of them. I have that Beastie Boys album, excellent indeed. Dan DeCarlo.., I might use his work for my cartoon series one day, thanks!
DeleteOne of my favorite instrumental groups from the 90's is Ganger, and their album "Hammock Style". Discogs led me to a compilation album where Ganger appeared along with 5ive Style and other instrumental bands including Ui, Scenic, and Flying Saucer Attack. I didn't follow the links for each band to verify whether they had a vocalist.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.discogs.com/master/197989-Various-Theatre-Of-Sound
Weren't a lot of the "post rock" bands from the 1990's mainly or exclusively instrumental? I'm no expert, but I thought Mogwai. Stars Of The Lid, GYBE, 65daysofstatic, and the aforementioned Explosions in the Sky and Tortoise were essentially groups without singers.
Yep, yep, Mogwsi and Stars on the Lid definitely apply. I can’t believe I forgot about them.
DeleteWindy and Carl, and Jessamine, as well, now that I’m trying to remember harder. Flying Saucer Attack sometimes used vocals.
Ganger, Stars on the Lid, more candidates poppin' up, thanks guys!
DeleteMany Thanks!! I don't think I have/know a lot of instrumental bands from the 90's (other than jazz bands, that is). So this is a very welcomed addition, many thanks!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Nico, glad you like it!
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