Help for the Helpless

Apparently, not everyone grew up idolizing Eric Bachmann like I did. I was under the impression that most everyone had posters on their bedroom doors of a shirtless Eric cradling a baby tiger. Didn't every kid on my block run home after school to see the Archers on TRL promoting their latest hits? Didn't they all cry themselves to sleep knowing the dreams that would fill their heads that night would go sadly unfulfilled as the harsh reality brought on by the morning sun smacked them in the face? I guess not because I've heard from a few people that they were unable to vote in this week's poll as they were unfamiliar with not just one phase of Eric Bachmann's musical career but with his entire trajectory. No wonder some teens are so angsty. Without Eric in their lives, what hope is there?

So please, check out the videos below to get a feel for the many faces of Mr. Bachmann and use this knowledge to help you vote if you have not already or vote more than once if you'd like. The more votes the more popular we seem.

Small
Eric's pre-Archers band that he left so he wouldn't be saddled with a bunch of indie rock losers when he had greatness in his future. This choice is only on there for the completists but no one in their right mind would choose it so let's move on.

Archers of Loaf
One of the bands that changed my life drastically. Icky Mettle opened up a new world for me and was one of the most mind blowing and influential albums on me musically. If there were a Monsters of Indie Rock Tour, Archers would be one of the headliners. By the time they faded away quietly, nobody seemed to care about them anymore but the impact of their first two albums and the Greatest of All Time ep still cast shadows over the landscape of today. Les Savy Fav rightly champion this band any chance they get. Check out the video for "Lowest Part is Free" from the best 5-song album ever released.


Barry Black
Eric's mostly-instrumental project that has so far produced 2 albums. Creaky, southern vampire music and Eno-influenced circus soundtracks. I couldn't find any official videos but did come across this gem featuring sea otters feeding at the GA aquarium with "Drowning Spider" as the background music. Feasty!

Crooked Fingers
Eric left the rock behind, mostly, for this group. Incredibly beautiful and quiet tunes about people doing wrong to themselves and others. Lots of drinking, smoking and other vices are explored in song as Eric examines the bad decisions people never stop making. Album after album of pure brilliance. Here's "Weary Arms" from the bullfighter-approved album Dignity and Shame.


Eric Bachmann
Legend has it that Eric travelled to Guatemala for a spell and returned to America, living in his van and writing the music for the second album under his own name, which may be my favorite album of any of his bands. Here is the official video for the song "Lonesome Warrior" which may or may not be autobiographical but to me the song and video perfectly sum up my image of Eric as a modern troubadour, never staying in one place for long. A Dion for the 21st century.