As we have learned in our Sophomore Slump Revisited roundtable series, there are many factors and circumstances that can sink a band's second album, especially when coming off a hit single. In the case of Dada and their 1994 release American Highway Flower, the lack of an obvious radio single to match Dizz Knee Land off their debut is a fair consideration. Rather than repeat a formula, the skilled trio of singer-guitarist Michael Gurley, singer-bassist Joie Calio and drummer Phil Leavitt pushed the band in a variety of directions while maintaining a more consistent sound than their first release. But pushing the envelope doesn't always result in a match with the cultural trends, and while the band flexes their muscle with harmonious power-pop and '60s psychedelic flourishes while unafraid to get extra noisy or delicately hushed. They may not have scored a Top 5 single or moved a million units with American Highway Flower, but that doesn't mean this sophomore release qualifies as a slump.
Songs In This Episode:
Intro - All I Am
13:11 - Feet To The Sun
17:22 - Feel Me Don't You
23:00 - Real Soon
30:35 - S.F. Bar '63
Outro - Pretty Girls Make Graves
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#261: Black Tie White Noise by David Bowie
#260: Thrumdrone by Carnival Art
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#257: Hello by Poe
#256: Movie Soundtrack of the 90s Roundtable
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#251: Earth vs the Wildhearts by The Wildhearts
#250: Frame and Canvas by Braid
#249: Interview with Morgan Taylor of Mink
#248: Female Artists of the 90s
#247: Interview with J. Robbins of Jawbox and Burning Airlines
#246: Interview with author/musician Jon Fine
#245: Dyslexicon by Dandelion
#244: Powertrippin’ by The Almighty
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