The 6ths
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The 6ths is a band created by Stephin Merritt, also the prime mover behind The Magnetic Fields, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes.
One story has it that the band was conceived when Merritt, observing that there was no tribute album dedicated to him, decided to make one himself. The concept is that Merritt writes songs which are then played and sung by other artists, different ones on each track. It has so far produced two well-received albums and many bizarre collabarations.
The list of singers on Wasps' Nests reads like a veritable Who's Who of mid 90s indie rock starpower, including Barbara Manning, Mary Timony, Dean Wareham, Lou Barlow, Robert Scott, and Mark Robinson.
Some of the more notable artists appearing on Hyacinths and Thistles are Bob Mould, Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Gary Numan, Marc Almond, Clare Grogan (Altered Images) and the accomplished toy piano player Margaret Leng Tan.
The two albums released to date are Wasps' Nests (1995) and Hyacinths and Thistles (1999). The names of both albums, and the name of the band, are deliberate tongue-twisters.
Tracklists and Featured Singers
Wasps' Nests
- 01 - San Diego Zoo - Barbara Manning
- 02 - Aging Spinsters - Stephin Merritt
- 03 - All Dressed Up In Dreams - Mary Timony
- 04 - Falling Out Of Love (With You) - Dean Wareham
- 05 - Winter In July - Ayako Akashiba
- 06 - Pillow Fight - Mitch Easter
- 07 - Dream Hat - Mac McCaughan
- 08 - Movies In My Head - Georgia Hubley
- 09 - In The City In The Rain - Lou Barlow
- 10 - Looking For Love (In The Hall Of Mirrors) - Ameilia Fletcher
- 11 - Heaven In A Black Leather Jacket - Robert Scott
- 12 - Here In My Heart - Anna Domino
- 13 - Puerto Rico Way - Mark Robinson
- 14 - You Can't Break A Broken Heart - Jeffrey Underhill
- 15 - When I'm Out Of Town - Chris Knox
- 16 - Yet Another Girl - Stuart Moxham (on vinyl version only)
Hyacinths and Thistles
- 01 - As You Turn To Go - Momus
- 02 - Give Me Back My Dreams - Sally Timms
- 03 - He Didn't - Bob Mould
- 04 - I've Got New York - Melanie
- 05 - Just Like A Movie Star - Dominique A.
- 06 - Kissing Things - Sarah Cracknell
- 07 - Lindy-Lou - Miho Hatori
- 08 - Night Falls Like A Grand Piano - Clare Grogan
- 09 - Dead Only Quickly - Neil Hannon
- 10 - Sailor In Love With The Sea - Gary Numan
- 11 - Volcana! - Marc Almond
- 12 - Waltzing Me All The Way Home - Odetta
- 13 - You You You You You - Katharine Whalen
- 14 - Oahu - Miss Lily Banquette