A few days ago I polled Mostly Autumn fans asking for songs to recommend for new listeners. I’ve collated responses from here, Facebook and the Unofficial MA forum (Nobody responded on Google+) to give this list of songs.
It’s significant that your responses span the band’s entire career, with songs from eight out the band’s ten studio albums represented, including several songs from the two most recent albums. So here are thirteen selected songs, along with some of your reasons for choosing them.
Unquiet Tears
“Showcases the amazing voice of Olivia and pulls of the trick of sounding modern and contemporary but instantly Mostly Autumn”
- Ian Almond, blog comment
Storms Over Still Waters
“One of the few to include lead vocals from both Bryan and Heather as well as typically powerful guitar solo. A long track, but any new fan would need to get over that”
- Paul E, blog comment
“I think you’d have to have a heart of stone not to be moved at all by it”
- HippyDave, blog comment
Shrinking Violet
“The live version from the Leamington CD is absolutely spellbinding and contains everything that makes Mostly Autumn special”
- Paul Gunhill, blog comment
The Gap is Too Wide
“Honestly, this works. I’ve shown this song to a few people and they have really got into it immediately. Of course providing they are the kind of people who have patience to start with a 10+ minute track. It has the emotion of the best of Mostly Autumn’s material, it has that build-up and a great climax”
- Wander, blog comment
“blew me away first time I heard it (and has reduced me to tears since)”
- Ian Massey, Facebook
Fading Colours
“Has a bit of everything without being too overwhelming for a newbie”
- Sam Lewis, blog comment
Passengers
“Not too long, not too short, an older track but not too far removed from their current sound”
- David Meadows, unofficial MA forum
The Last Climb
“Shows the epic nature of the music & the inspirational emotive lyrics”
- Ian Foster, Facebook
“Always been my favourite. I’m a sucker for a slow burner! There’s something very pure about that song which for me sums up the MA sound.
- Adam Dawson, Facebook
Evergreen
“The structure and style of it just seem to sum up the band for me. Also, I have never heard them perform a bad rendition of it live. It always hits the spot. Not my personal favourite, but the most iconic I guess?”
- Ian Hodgetts, Facebook
And When the War is Over
“Powerful lyrics, amazing power in the vocals (both Livvy and Bryan) . Raw emotion and wonderful melody. Guitar just rips through the track and just builds this up into a brilliant piece of music”
- Ian Redfearn, Facebook
The Night Sky
“It’s the first song I ever heard from the band. Still outstanding”
- Rob Jarvis, Facebook
Wild Eyed Skies
“The pick of the new material – great guitar and vocals and Anne-Marie’s wonderful harmonisation which is the making of the track”
- Tom B, blog comment
For All We Shared
“There’s not one particular aspect I like as such, just the overall feel and sound of the song. I find it uplifting”
- Mike Foley, blog comment
Mother Nature
“A good one for the prog crowd, I think. It’s got a bit of everything the band do best.
- HippyDave, blog comment
Of course, if your perfect song isn’t in the list, feel free to add your own in the comments.
All great songs. For me the ‘Go well..’ Album is rich with classic tracks. Saw them again at the Globe (fri 26/7), magical live band. How about re-releasing those early cd’s that are only available on eBay, anniversary style?
For me questioning eyes always stands out as this was the track I first heard them play at high voltage gig in 2011. And I though wow who are these guys. Also heroes never die.
That’s a great song which always provokes debate over whether or not it’s a Mostly Autumn song or not.
It’s co-written by Olivia and Iain, and originally appeared on the Breathing Space album “Below The Radar”. When Olivia left Breathing Space to take over as Mostly Autumn’s frontwoman, they introduced the song into the Mostly Autumn set, and I think it’s been played at every show since. The Mostly Autumn version has since appeared on a couple of live albums.
An interesting selection, two thirds of which I’d agree with. Although considering the point is to introduce a newbie, I don’t see how you can exclude Heroes Never Die, simply because it’s 99% certain it’s one you’ll hear if you go and see them! (It’s also something most people can relate to). Personally I’d add Dreaming, because it demonstrates their ability to relate to situations and circumstances, and you could add Flowers For Guns for it’s multi-part harmonies. Questioning Eyes is tricky, because technically it’s a cover!