I don't know why, but it seems like very few people know about this album. Although not a household name, Richard Davies is a respected tunesmith known both for his work with Aussie rockers the Moles and as half of the pioneering chamber-pop duo Cardinal. His debut solo album,
There's Never Been a Crowd Like This, even drew favorable comparisons to the work of another Davies who was, shall we say, a well-respected man.
Folks, let me just come out and say it:
Telegraph is a lost classic, and puts even the much-ballyhooed Cardinal release to shame. It boasts no fewer than three timeless songs: the sublime "Confederate Cheerio Call," the majestic "Crystal Clear," and the transcendant "Main Street Electrical Parade."
Drawing comparisons is difficult for this work, but this album should be enjoyed by fans of chamber pop, alternative country, and the Kinks. It's also worth noting that this seems to be the last recorded work of former Flaming Lips guitarist Ronald Jones. Jones also co-produced this album and co-wrote a couple songs.
