Here we go with another edition of LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, our guest post series where we invite musicians we love love love to take over and write whatever they like. 2 rules: it has to be in the form of a letter, it has to have something to do with music. This week featuring Daniel Tashian, lead singer of The Silver Seas, literally my favorite band in the world (next to The Police). I’m totally serious. We featured them like gangbusters on the DAILY DOSE a few months back. Perhaps that’s because I’m a shameless superfan. You think?
FYI, the new record, Château Revenge, drops today.
Take it away Daniel…
Dear Bob Marley,
Well you’ve been gone for a while.
I heard you used to get your news from the radio — you and your homeboys in soccer shoes, huddled around a Jamaican transistor, listening to the BBC world service, strains of R & B from New Orleans.
I don’t know why that matters to me — I guess because I don’t watch much TV (the bullshit hype of CNN adds more static to the overcrowded airwaves now). But brother, there’s a lot of stuff you would dig:
• The Wire; you would like some of the technology.
• Sampling; you would probably do something really cool with it, sample some oppositional politician and make a song out of him.
• The Black Eyed Peas; I think you would dig them.
I remember seeing a photo of you (I think it was in South Africa) bringing white and black leaders together on stage, makin’ ‘em shake hands. I don’t think, in the end, it really did all you hoped it would but shit, you knew that. But the thing it DID do was to let everybody see that strange things happen. Me, I’m like a little lion cub…tugging on your mane. You are a big, beautiful, stately creature. There’s no comparison, I’m not even in the same profession as you, in a way.
But one thing we do share is we both like love songs. The pop stuff, when everybody said you “sold out” (Could You Be Loved, Satisfy My Soul, Waiting In Vain). That’s fantastic music. And, it’s where the Marvin Gaye creeps in. The Romantic Lion. I don’t know, maybe you prefer Duppy Conqueror and I would understand.
But I think we need somebody. The world is probably no more crazy now than it was then but it seems like it is. But there’s nobody like you, to cut through the static. There’s a bunch of cubs but not many lions. Well, maybe Bono. Everybody’s got to make a living I guess. Plus, you know, now, the emphasis is more on the party. At least as far as I can tell. There’s this chick called Ke$ha, and her songs are about getting fucked up and giving guys head. She’s real popular. Lady GaGa is kind of a “performance” artist. Sort of like Fame on steroids. Seems to be building a mythology — “GaGa-ism” — but what’s at the core of it? A “don’t be afraid to dream big” kind of message maybe.
Well. I guess I should let you go. I miss you. I heard you got real serious before you died. Real quiet and didn’t want to talk to anyone much. I get that. And I hate hospitals too.
Main thing is, there’s never been anybody that had it all like that before… Soul, Politics, Rock, Jazz, Funk. Maybe Femi Kuti, nowadays, but he’s not as good a singer as you were. Well I guess we just got to keep going. I mean what are the options? I didn’t write you to bitch, that’s boring. I guess, I’m just conscious of the fact that I feel the emptiness sometimes. And I want to hear that battle cry, that roar for peace in the jungle. I bet you had a lot of anger. I’m sure of it and who could blame you? You used it as an energy, though. I guess your candle still burns. It still inspires, and lights the way. Problem is, nobody wants to go down that path because you were so fucking great.
“Who do I think I am?” Well. I’ll try not to be intimidated by your massive paw prints. I put my paw inside it and realize I could put twenty of mine in one of yours. But at least I’m here. Peace be with you wherever you are. Soul brother, big brother.
Love,
Daniel
www.thesilverseas.net
Tags: Bob Marley, château revenge, daniel tashian, ke$ha, lady gaga, the black eyed peas, The Silver Seas —
You read that right, it’s the Top 9. Two qualifiers: 1) an album totally worth the price, your money will be well spent and 2) an album that’s stood up on replay, ad infintinum. Hence, there were only nine. Trying to squeeze in a 10th felt like a copout. And we can’t have that. So, just in time for your shopping lists, our faves around Outlandos HQ for the past year:
1. Michael Miller, I Made You Up 
Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Miller’s sound teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. But don’t let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller’s unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur. No kidding. Which is why it’s my top pick. |
2. Chris Velan, Solidago
Solidago was on my tops last year because I had an early copy (the release was April 2009) but it’s so good I’m putting it on the list again. The scoop: cunningly disguised as jangly chill-lax pop, Solidago reveals whipsmart songcraft and no-bullshit guitar rockers juxtaposed amidst easy-going ditties. Think Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Bob Marley. The kind of political/romantic moxie that makes me think hell yes, I too am a Hard Way Learner. |
3. Mike Gent, Mike Gent
A pop masterpiece. Seriously. It’s easy, it’s smart, it’s fun, AND it has balls. Like Wilco used to (think Box of Letters, Monday). Speaking of balls, Mike’s other band, the Figgs, has long been one of my favorite badass live outfits. |
4. Glasvegas, Glasvegas
Timeless Glasgow glampop at its uber-finest. Echo and the Bunnymen-esque, bigger drums. Shit-hot. |
5. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Theory
Fountains of Wayne meets Cheap Trick meets Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lots of bouncy, chimey guitars, and an authentic garage sound. Plus the album has a million songs on it. Loads of bang for your buck. |
6. Contramano, Contramano
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. |
7. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear 
The Bees (US) are easily one of my fave bands ever. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out soon (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic-style. |
8. Passion Pit, Manners 
A dance record! Who knew. Fun fun fun. Very Jackson 5. Plus a lot of synth. |
9. Gary Yerkins, Compass 
Gotta have a touch of blues in your list. Gary has a sweet Robert Cray sort of thing going on. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem. xo |
Tags: Bob Marley, Cheap Trick, Chris Velan, Contramano, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, David Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Fountains of Wayne, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, Gidgets Ga Ga, Glasvegas, Jason Lehning, KATE BRADLEY, Michael Miller, Mike Gent, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Passion Pit, Paul Simon, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Roman Candle, Steely Dan, Steve Forbert, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Supertramp, The Bees, The Figgs, The Jackson 5, The Silver Seas, The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Wilco —
