David Mead - Tangerine

Stunningly talented but inexplicably obscure artists are a fixture on this list (see Messrs. Pernice and Rouse discussed below). Such is the lot of David Mead, an extraordinary singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and practitioner of intelligent, baroque pop in the finest Beatles/Beach Boys tradition, who since 1999 has turned out one fabulous, immaculately crafted record after another. This is his fifth album, and possibly his best yet -- a suite of gorgeously constructed, impeccably performed and beautifully produced songs for which the opening, instrumental track serves as an overture. Infectious melodies are Mead's stock in trade, but as is the case with the best pop songwriters, there's always an unexpected melodic twist, a surprising chord change, a nifty arrangement or some lush orchestration to keep things interesting, and to add layers of complexity and richness to the basic tunesmithing. The guy is just an amazing songwriter, plain and simple, and this is an excellent record from start to finish. It has to be mentioned, also, that Mead has the sweetest tenor this side of Thom Yorke, and perhaps an even sweeter falsetto, which he busts out in virtually every song. (If I could sing like this guy, I would, too.) In a just world, David Mead would be a big star. If you don't know his work, now's the time to fix that, and this is a fine place to start.

LISTEN / DOWNLOAD: The Trouble With Henry, which showcases Mead's voice, his way with a tune and the gorgeous orchestration and production on this record.