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REM - Fables Of The Reconstruction
Thom on REM: ‘It’s such a confidence boost when one of your influences tells you they like your music.’
Kristin Hersh - Hips and Makers
Solo acoustic set from the woman who fronted Rhode Island rockers Throwing Muses. Thom: ‘Whenever I’m stuck, I listen to this. Happiness doesn’t have to be an inane thing. It’s just usually pictures you draw with words.’
Johnny Cash - Live At Folsom Prison
‘Exit Music’ on ‘OK Computer,’ came about from trying to get a similar sound to that album. I’d heard Johnny Cash before, but I didn’t really get it the first time around. Last year though, I really became immersed in him though.’
Elvis Costello - Blood And Chocolate
Possibly the most easily spotted Radiohead influence, Elvis’s angriest album nods many parallels in Thom’s more bilious lyrics. Thom finally met Elvis Costello two years ago when Costello approached him at a festival. It tums out that Elvis had heard Thom on the radio singing his praises and felt compelled to thank him personally: ‘When I was about 16,’ recalls Thom, ‘ “Blood And Chocolate” was the album that made me change the way I thought about recording and writing music, lyrics too. Everythlng about that record – even the way he got the artist to do the sleeve – is just awesome. Even the way he sang it so that he couldn’t hear his voice on the headphones so that he’d really have to belt it out.’ His “Tokyo Storm Warning” has a similar feel to “Electioneering”. Almost rockabilly, you know?’
Miracle Legion - Surprise Surprise Surprise
Jangly Boston four-piece who emerged in the shadows of REM. Released five albums of lachrymose pop brilliance, but never got the credit they deserved. You can hear a lot of Thom in the tearful, plangent tones of ML singer Mark Mulcahy, especially on the later ‘Me And Mr Ray’ album. ‘They were a huge influence,’ he admits, ‘There’s a song off “Surprise Surprise Surprise” called “All for the Best”, which is just one of the purest things I’ve ever heard – that was my introduction really. For me, the only voice that’s come close to Mark Mulcahy’s is Tim Buckley’s. I was so excited when Mark came to our Boston date. He’s recorded a solo album, but he can’t get a deal for it. Which is a fucking tragedy, because he’s a genius.’
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