Episode 107

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Former Smiths singer Morrissey
Nick Drake-inspired folk from Josh Ritter
Former Kinks guitarist Dave Davies
Lurking monsters in the music of Calexico
French, Swiss & Argentine Gotan Project
Oklahoma art rockers The Starlight Mints

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As the front man for The Smiths in the 1980s, Morrissey became an icon for broody, shoe-gazing fans everywhere. He's been making equally melancholy music as a solo artist since the band broke up in 1987. Though he took a 7-year hiatus in the '90s, he returned with a critically-acclaimed album in 2004 called You Are the Quarry. This time he didn't wait another 7 years, instead releasing a strong follow-up with Ringleader of the Tormentors.

Morrissey

CD: Ringleader of the Tormentors
Song: "I Will See You in Far Off Places"
Label: Attack Records

Listen to "I Will See You in Far Off Places"

Josh Ritter, originally featured in 2002 on All Songs Considered Episode 19, sings with a gentle voice and a quiet strum of his guitar, evoking the spirit of Nick Drake.

Josh Ritter

CD: The Animal Years
Song: "Lillian Egypt"
Label: V2

Listen to "Lillian Egypt"

Dave Davies is best known as the guitarist for the Kinks, with his brother, Ray Davies as the primary songwriter and singer. In the decades since The Kinks broke up and the brothers went their separate ways, Dave Davies has continued to make music as a solo artist. A new CD collects some of his best work.

Dave Davies

CD: Kinked
Song: "Death of a Clown"
Label: Koch

Listen to "Death of a Clown"

Calexico is a band from Tucson making eclectic music that's part folk, but deeply rooted in rock. You can download a complete concert from Calexico, featured on the All Songs Considered live concert series.

Calexico

CD: Garden Ruin
Song: "Panic Open String"
Label: Touch and Go

Listen to "Panic Open String"

The Gotan Project is made of French, Swiss and Argentine musicians who make trance-inspiring songs with a touch of tango. We first featured The Gotan Project on All Songs Considered Episode 47.

The Gotan Project

CD: Lunático
Song: "Amor Porteño"
Label: XL

Listen to "Amor Porteño"

The Starlight Mints are one of two great experimental rock groups from Norman, Oklahoma; the other being The Flaming Lips. Like the Flaming Lips, the Starlight Mints write smart, quirky, dream-pop songs.

The Starlight Mints

CD: Drowaton
Song: "Pumpkin"
Label: Barsuk

Listen to "Pumpkin"

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