Product Description

The tracklisting for Below the Radio was compiled by Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle. Includes songs by Beck, Snow Patrol, The Handsome Family, Pavement, Blonde Redhead and of course, Grandaddy.

Track Listing

1. We Live Again - Beck
2. Burned By The Sun - Beulah (1)
3. Color Bars - Earlimart
4. Run - Snow Patrol
5. Wild Was The Night - Golden Boy
6. Bottom Line Man - Giant Sand
7. Little Acorn - Fruitbats
8. Comin' Up Empty Again - Home (2)
9. If We Could Go Backwards - Jackpot (2)
10. I Fell - Handsome Family
11. Sand Canyon - Little Wings
12. Motion Suggests - Pavement
13. For The Damaged - Blonde Redhead
14. Twisted Layers - Shaw, Virgil
15. Nature Anthem - Grandaddy
16. Nature Anthem - Grandaddy

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87593 in Music
• Released on: 2004-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

CD Description
An affectionate mix-CD made by Grandaddy's lead singer Jason Lytle, BELOW THE RADIO compiles songs by some of Lytle's favourite acts, mostly performers that are unlikely to be heard on commercial radio. Though there are a couple of heavy-hitters, Beck and Pavement most notably, the majority of the set culls some of the more intriguing underground bands of the early 2000s, many of which lean toward a laconic, lo-fi, introspective folk-rock sound (an aesthetic that resembles, interestingly enough, Grandaddy's own).
Blissful, straightforward pop (Beulah's "Burned by the Sun" and Goldenboy's "Wild Was the Night") nicely balances the gravity of tracks like Blonde Redhead's aching, incisive "For the Damaged". Other highlights include "Bottom Line Man", a wistful, idiosyncratic spoken-word ballad by Giant Sand, and the loopy fun ofLittle Wings' "Sand Canyon", which sounds a bit like Neil Young after too much time at the beach. Lytle tacks on one ofGrandaddy's own songs, "Nature Anthem", at the end for goodmeasure, wrapping up this enjoyable sampler of contemporarysinger/songwriter-oriented indie rock.

Customer Reviews

Next best thing to a new Grandaddy LP
I'd prefer Mr Lytle put his mind to a new Grandaddy LP, but I'm sure he's working on it. I bought this purely on the strength that it was Grandaddy associated and therefore guaranteed to be a super cool. I know all about Snow Patrol, Pavement and Beck, but who the hell are Beulah, Earlimart, Fruit Bats and Giant Sands? How could I not know about these bands? Jason Lytle is clearly inspired by his contempories, and if you love Grandaddy you'll love this collection. The sleeve notes make the point that these songs aren't the obvious hits of their respective albums, but they sound hugely melodic to me. That's why I can't wait to explore a whole bunch of back catalogues. There isn't one band song on this LP, and the songs are intricate enough to get better with every listen.

understated genius
Jason Lytle has an eclectic ear and the 15 songs chosen for this album are testament. From the opening 'we live again' through to Fruits Bats 'the little acorn' and The Handsome Family 'I fell' he has presented a unique selection of varied yet somehow similar music that to me at least is not unlike some of the best lo-fi melodies he himself has penned. A lot of bands on this album I hadn't heard of but but thats all about to change because Mr Lytle has released an invitation to all to enjoy this music - my advice is don't turn him down.

A wonderful insight
This CD is a very nice compilation.

Not only is it a great collection of songs, but if you are a Grandaddy fan it is special in another way too. It gives a really good insight into Jason's influences and where he draws his inspiration from.

There are a few artists on here i had never previously heard of, and even the ones i had heard of, i don't own any of the songs. Mix tapes of this sort are really good if you are looking to 'discover' a new band. I personally have put a few of the associated CD's on my wishlist and will hopefully get them soon.

Buy this CD because it has brilliant songs. It definately has the lytle-factor, and for that reason it has a magical edge.

Buy