tbt

Most people remember electronic producer DNTEL (real name James Scott “Jimmy” Tamborello) as being one half of The Postal Service. I personally hate The Postal Service and was never a fan of their music. However, before the Postal Service, DNTEL was a solo joint, and his first album, the cynical Life Is Full of Possibilities, was one of my favorite albums when it came out in 2001. This track, “Umbrella,” is the opening track from that album and sets the mood right away. “You can turn the city upside down/ like an umbrella / but it won’t keep you dry” guest vocalist Chris Gunst sings. The song sets you up for the sadness and depression that continues throughout the rest of the album, but “Umbrella” does the best job conveying this message. It’s hard to believe it’s more than a decade old now, but what better song to listen to on a rainy day like today?

German duo Ms. John Soda burst onto the indie/electronic scene in 2002 with the release of No P. or D., followed by Notes and the Like. They took a 9-year break before coming out with 2015′s Loom, an album I’ve been listening to on repeat for the past few weeks. Although not a huge departure from their earlier work, the duo expands their sound beyond the “alternative” one they’re usually saddled with.

But, since today is #ThrowbackThursday, instead of highlighting a few of my favorite songs from Loom (which is obviously “Millions,” by the way) I decided to highlight one of their older songs. Taken from their first album, “Hiding/Fading” is probably one of their better known tracks and encompasses the “edgy whimsicality” sound their known for. If you like this, definitely check out Loom when you get a chance.

For this week’s #TBT we’re not going that far back. After all, 2011 wasn’t that long ago. But Pink Playground’s debut album Destination Ecstasy came and went with little fan fare, which was unfortunate considering gems like “Never Was” and “Dark Bloom” was on there.

From Houston, Texas, the duo has a post-80s shoegaze sound that sounds as thick and nostalgic as you could imagine. Probably my favorite thing about “Never Was” is how proudly it hat tips the dreamy proto-rock bands of yore, creating an ethereal experience that you want to experience again and again. It’s a shame the duo hasn’t released an album since, but here’s hoping they have something lined up on the horizon.

When it comes to #TBT pieces, we usually try to go as far back as the ’90s or earlier. Cobra Killer‘s sophomore album 76/77 isn’t that old, but it was released over a decade ago. And while I remember their track “L.A. Shaker” making a minor splash on college radio, I highly doubt anyone remembers it now. In fact, I forgot all about them until this song randomly popped up in my iPod one day. And how fortunate I was too, because this song is too awesome to forget.

The German duo had a vampy, retro style that played with electro hooks and vintage samples. They had the kind of coy, playful sexuality that made their music as dark and alluring as a sleazy bar. And if their “retro kitsch” style wasn’t obvious enough, they even sampled the famous guitar riff from Southern Culture On The Skids’ cult classic “Camel Walk.”

But don’t let the sample fool you. Cobra Killer totally makes the song their own with an explosive chorus that shakes off any lingering suspension of irony and becomes a full bodied force of ghoulish, dark fun. It’s a shame the duo aren’t making much music anymore. However, according to their Facebook, they’re getting ready for a comeback.

Now might be the best time to get introduced (or reacquainted) with a unique band.