Tindersticks have been soundtracking rainy Sunday afternoons for more than three decades, in that time creating a sprawling discography of fourteen albums and a string of movie scores — not to mention a string of solo albums and side projects.
It's an expansive catalogue, meaning that longtime keyboardist David Boulter had his work cut out for him when ranking the band's five best songs.
As the band come to Toronto in support of last year's Soft Tissue, Boulter told Exclaim! about the song that frontman Stuart Staples would hate him for choosing and the "beautiful moment in quite an ugly time" when the original version of the band was fell apart.
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5. "The Bough Bends"
Distractions (2021)
Another highlight of the tour. And special on a personal level as I get to play guitar on stage. Two chords! It's very organic, yet quite complex, in a simple way! I love the way it all comes together. It swells to the guitar climax and then floats away. Lost in music again. Wonderful. And why we're still here. The song was made during lockdown. And we nearly let it pass us by.
4. "Always a Stranger"
Soft Tissue (2024)
Also a magic moment. Sometimes a song comes really quickly and takes you by surprise. It started in Prague, my home town! We were together to work on ideas. This just happened and felt great straight away. A tough song for me to play. Quite a fast, repetitive organ. A highlight of the tour last year too.
3. "A Night In"
Tindersticks (1995)
Stuart would hate me for choosing this. Too obvious! But it was the first song that really felt like a big step. We were on a high from the first album. I remember the rehearsal room in London. Where we'd grown so much. This song was tough, but fully formed after a couple of hours. We had about five new songs we played on our first tour. People had only just got the first album. There was magic in the room every night. Everything was wonderful and exciting. The title is from a British sitcom called Porridge.
2. "The Waiting Room"
The Waiting Room (2016)
We were at the studio in Stuart's house. Working on new ideas. I was making dinner. A curry. So Dan McKinna was left to play organ on this song. I was immediately touched by his playing and the sentiment of the song. It's hard to see loved ones disappear in front of you. And a scary to see yourself there one day.
1. "My Oblivion"
Waiting for the Moon (2003)
The original Tindersticks were falling apart. I have a strong memory of first hearing this in a beautiful building in Blackheath, London. We were rehearsing in this old hall with big glass windows. It was starting to feel like people didn't want to be there anymore. The windows making the room feel like a cage. Longing to get out. We taped everything. I was surprised how beautiful the idea song was listening back. A beautiful moment in quite an ugly time. And a very special memory of the first time we played it live. Although we were lost as people, we could still pull together and get lost in music.