Indie Show Tunes

By: Charbarred | in: Music |

Musical

It seems that rock music has had a long and prosperous relationship with the theatre. I’m not talking about “Rent”, but more about bands embracing Broadway style writing and showmanship to alleviate their music. Some succeeded, while some merely alleviated their cheesiness. Luckily alternative music was generally exempt from such atrocities (or genius, depending on whether you’re into Meatloaf or not). I’ve been shuffling through my music collection and realized a lot of the current tunes would fit into some demented musical. So get your sailor suit ready, prepare the chorus and join me on this unlikely adventure.

Sufjan Stevens - Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!)
With a series of concept albums about various states, Mr. Stevens sure knows how to tell a story. Tunes like this can serve as the exposition to “Detrorit, The Musical”.

The New Pornographers

The New Pornographers – Myriad Harbour
An ongoing discussion with oneself is very popular in many shows. With their excellent new prog-pop album, The New Pornographers have some really interesting tricks up their collective sleeves.

Bodies of Water - Our Friends Appear Like the Dawn
If it’s drama you’re after, look no further than Bodies of Water. Yeah, this song is most likely to appear in an epic religious musical, but don’t underestimate this band, they provide the whole meal with each and every one of their songs.

Nurses

Nurses – Way Up High
You can’t have a musical without a wild guest cameo. It’s gotta be different and it has to be crazy. Think Meatloaf in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and you’ll get my drift.

Immaculate Machine – C’mon Sea Legs
Why do so many musicals (especially film adaptations) have sailors in them is beyond me. You can’t have The New Pornographers without Immaculate Machine, and as the song progresses you can just about close your eyes and see those sailors dancing.

Laura Veirs

Laura Veirs – To the Country
The lights go dim, the protagonist is left alone on stage contemplating her actions. The chorus, hidden in the shadows behind her, starts to sing as the story progresses. The lights go brighter, our hero begins to run around on stage readying the next big scene…

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Posted on August 14, 2007

Comments

7 Responses to “Indie Show Tunes”

Ryan of the RSL Music Blog on August 14th, 2007 10:08 am

You have to consider Of Montreal for theatrics - and the Fiery Furnaces! What insanity hath indie wrought??!

Rustycat on August 14th, 2007 10:59 am

Ryan has a point…
I love the new The New Pornographers track. Looks like a promising album.

okcutie on August 14th, 2007 12:08 pm

This was enjoyable

Minnie on August 14th, 2007 2:27 pm

I loved the New Pornographers….really good sound.

DThompson on August 15th, 2007 11:44 am

Didn’t Styx already do this Broadway Rock thing? Tell me The New Pornographers aren’t going to be putting out Mr. Roboto in five years.

Charbarred on August 15th, 2007 11:57 am

Lots of 70’s and 80’s have done the Broadway thing (remember Queen?)…The interesting thing is that it seems to be coming back.
Why isn’t anybody covering Mr. Roboto BTW? Such a great tune…and while we’re at it I’d also love to hear a modern rendition of Da Da Da.

DThompson on August 16th, 2007 7:31 am

I’ll pass on ever hearing Mr. Roboto again, unless the White Stripes want to cover it. But, a modern take on 80’s minimalism could be interesting. If someone did a REALLY stripped down version of Da Da Da, you know, without all that excess instrumentation.