[ell ess two]

Hope he's not a forbidden name around here.



Smog was perhaps my biggest musical love as an adolescent and certainly one who formed my music palette. Unlike others of his ilk (looking at you, Oldham) he legitimately gets better with each record. With twenty recording years behind him, that's a rare feat!

As I've grown, his music has with me. He remains my favourite vocalist and lyricist. My one constant. And yes, through his association I found Joanna.

Any other Callahan aficionados?

[ribbonbows]

oh god, isn't "hit the ground runnin'" amazing? i can't remember the name of that album but i really like it. the boy i was dating was a big fan of smog... i had never given him a chance, related to his apparent not-so-nice treatment of cat power, but ah well.

[Zonodon]

I've been hearin' gobs about him for years, 'specialy between bein' a fan'a JN and residing in the same town as he, but I've never actually gotten into his music--all the clips and songs I've heard here and there haven't really grabbed me, but given his immense body of work I feel like I must just not have hit his oeuvre in the right place to get inside. Would you be so kind as t' give me some starting places? Other singer-songwriter-y music I like includes that of The Handsome Family, The Angels of Light, and Marissa Nadler, if that's any help.

Thankee!

[ribbonbows]

Blanche is good... look up "do you trust me" on youtube

alela diane
mariee sioux
jenny lewis
vetiver
great lake swimmers
okkervil river
blitzen trapper
the mountain goats

[ell ess two]

oh god, isn't "hit the ground runnin'" amazing? i can't remember the name of that album but i really like it. the boy i was dating was a big fan of smog... i had never given him a chance, related to his apparent not-so-nice treatment of cat power, but ah well.

Yes! It's off Knock Knock.
Aw, I can't allow myself to pay attention to the a-hole factor. I'd cut out the fair majority of some of my most adored artists if I did.

I've been hearin' gobs about him for years, 'specialy between bein' a fan'a JN and residing in the same town as he, but I've never actually gotten into his music--all the clips and songs I've heard here and there haven't really grabbed me, but given his immense body of work I feel like I must just not have hit his oeuvre in the right place to get inside. Would you be so kind as t' give me some starting places? Other singer-songwriter-y music I like includes that of The Handsome Family, The Angels of Light, and Marissa Nadler, if that's any help.

Thankee!

Whilst not my favourite, I always find Knock Knock to be the perfect introductory album. You can't go wrong with Dongs of Sevotion either.

If you'd like a mix/playlist of sorts, I'd be happy to sort that out.

An essential listen, for just about anyone with a beating heart: The Breeze / My Baby Cries http://hypem.com/search/the%20breeze%20my%20baby%20cries/1/ - A devastating cover of Kath Bloom's original.

[Weirdelves]

He had me at Dress Sexy for My Funeral.

[claire]

I've been hearin' gobs about him for years, 'specialy between bein' a fan'a JN and residing in the same town as he, but I've never actually gotten into his music--all the clips and songs I've heard here and there haven't really grabbed me, but given his immense body of work I feel like I must just not have hit his oeuvre in the right place to get inside. Would you be so kind as t' give me some starting places? Other singer-songwriter-y music I like includes that of The Handsome Family, The Angels of Light, and Marissa Nadler, if that's any help.

Thankee!

Knock Knock is definitely a good place to start. I started with A River Ain't Too Much To Love, and it took a while but it eventually became one of my top five all time favorite albums.

[Cosmia]

I'll go listen.

I'm not sure if I like. I should, I like early will oldham, but I'm not sure if I like his voice. A bit talky.

[elainemonk]

http://www.dragcity.com/products/letter ... ma-bowlcut

Has anyone read his new book? I just ordered it.

[ell ess two]

I'm not sure if I like. I should, I like early will oldham, but I'm not sure if I like his voice. A bit talky.

What have you started with? I find fewer things more comforting than Bill's baritone.

Has anyone read his new book? I just ordered it.

Just started! It's very much in his 'voice', which I could not be more pleased with.

[Cosmia]

Can't remember what I started with now. Any recommendations to begin with?

[ell ess two]

Can't remember what I started with now. Any recommendations to begin with?

Knock Knock, A River Ain't Too Much To Love, and Red Apple Falls, under his moniker Smog and are all good places to start. Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle is pretty faultless too.

If you enjoy early Oldham, Callahan should be a good fit too.

[Weirdelves]

I've only listened to Dongs of Sevotion, and although I think he is a great lyricist I find his music really dull and uninspired and so don't really enjoy listening to Smog. Am I missing something or should I try a different album?

[claire]

I've only listened to Dongs of Sevotion, and although I think he is a great lyricist I find his music really dull and uninspired and so don't really enjoy listening to Smog. Am I missing something or should I try a different album?

Dongs of Sevotion has some songs I really love on it, but as an album it's not my favorite. These are my top four:

A River Ain't Too Much To Love
Knock Knock
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Supper


I think Supper is maybe his most underrated album. I hardly ever hear anybody mention it but it has some great songs on it, like "Morality," "A Guiding Light" and "Vessel in Vain."

[ell ess two]

I think Supper is maybe his most underrated album. I hardly ever hear anybody mention it but it has some great songs on it, like "Morality," "A Guiding Light" and "Vessel in Vain."

"Our Anniversary" is perhaps Bill's most beautiful song. For all the focus on the ugliness and bitterness in his lyrics, he has written equally stunning, always witty and even sweet lyrics.

[Jessie]

OK I've fallen in love with his voice. Which album should I buy?

[claire]

OK I've fallen in love with his voice. Which album should I buy?

I always recommend "A River Ain't Too Much To Love" because it's my favorite (and Joanna plays piano on one of the songs!). His latest album "Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle" is really great too, and in some ways is a nice complement to Have One On Me because there are some songs about their breakup on it.

[Rich]

I've signed up purely for this thread, although i may read some other stuff that keeps me hanging!

It's basically brilliant to read of some other Bill Callahan/Smog lovers - he's all i've listened to for the last 2 years and i've showed no signs of letting up. I don't know what connection i've found with his music, but there's something (despite how horrible he would probably find it to read this, based on interviews i've seen?).

I've also liked seeing supper get some recognition - 'Morality' is amazing, and 'Ambition' deserves so much more than it's got in my opinion, it's possibly my favourite 'album version' smog song there is (but to pick would be to difficult).

As for my favourites, i couldn't pick. Red apple falls was the first i listened to, and i still think it's genius; Blood Red Bird and Red Apples going so well together i could pass out.

I love 'limited capacity', 'It's rough' and 'Be Hit' from Wild love

infact, there's too many to go into now. I'd love to get hold of Bill, if anyone knew how?

[claire]

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2 ... lypse.html

Can't wait!

[ell ess two]

Anyone attend any of his recent readings? They've been a bit special.