I started Mental Jukebox nearly three years ago at the beginning of the pandemic. During this time, I’ve discovered new music, rediscovered old favorites and I’ve met passionate music fans around the world. And when things opened up, I kept on blogging. This month, the jukebox goes deeper. The term “deep cut” has multiple meanings. It can refer to lesser known album tracks from well-known artists. It can also refer to tracks from lesser known artists. This month, I’ll be featuring both types. #DeepCutsFeb
Toad the Wet Sprocket started to build momentum with the release of Pale. Then when Fear was released, the band practically became a household name overnight. The follow-up, Dulcinea, went platinum, but somehow seemed to be a lesser celebrated album. But it’s my favorite of theirs. Listening back to it nearly 30 years later (!), I’m impressed by Toad’s resolve to do their own thing and stay the course when many other acts at the time were being influenced by grunge. Dulcinea builds off the musicality and songwriting of Fear, never veering, and in doing so, they establish a more mature, reflective output. My deep cut pick from the album is “Crowing”.
“Crowing” drew me in immediately when I first heard it. It is a prime example of the band’s strength: the perfect marriage of Glen Phillips’ lyrics and the melody. They are inseparable and made for each other. “Fly From Heaven”, “Something’s Always Wrong” and “Fall Down” all contain great moments on the guitar. But “Crowing” relies solely on the earnestness of the sung words, which has given it a sort of timeless quality untainted by chart positions and streaming stats.
“You’d give yourself to anybody who would cross that line.”