Richard Davies

Richard Davies has established a reputation as one of the most engaging songwriters. from the off center art-op of the moles to the baroque styling of cardinal to his latest solo releases, richard has taken cues from the crafted pop of the '60s and classic rock of the '70s to create a sound all his own.
Richard Davies started his career as the creative force behind The Moles, an ill-fated Australian punk band with an affinity for classic pop. The band's catchy, eclectic brand of art-pop combined elements of the Beach Boys, the Velvet Underground, and early Pink Floyd. During its brief existence The Moles received praise from press and radio, including a 'single of the week' in Melody Maker and a Peel Session performance.
The release of the second Moles album was supposedly titled 'Instinct' because leader Richard Davies walked into the new york studio where the album was being recorded and improvised this brief album's nine songs at a grand piano, as the group's other musicians looked on. A listen to the album seems to support this story, as these songs are disjointed and strange, full of unsettling pauses and unexpected melodic leaps. Although listened as a Moles release, none of the other members of the band performed on this recording, and as such this is considered Richard's first 'unofficial' solo release.
Richard's next project was Cardinal, a pop fantasy vehicle driven by Richard's songwriting and the baroque arrangements of an unknown Portland instrumentalist, Eric Matthews. Recalling the Beatles and Love, though sounding neither derivative nor retro, Cardinal's eponymous debut (and only) release quickly assumed cult status, an album by two unknowns never to work again. Its influence can be heard on many records since.
Stepping out from behind the anonymity of a band, Richard's first 'official' solo album was next. 'There's Never Been a Crowd Like This' is an album filled with lush vocals and understated instrumentation. Conceived as a clear departure from the noisy eclecticism of the moles and the over-the-top arrangements of Cardinal, this album made plain Richard's growing confidence and talent for melody and lyricism.
Richard has since released two other solo albums, Telegraph and Barbarins, the latter of which was released in 2000. Since then he as been absent from the music scene, and has been said to being practing law in the north eastern united states. Richard's long awaited forth solo album, 'Tonight's Music' is scheduled to be released fall 2007 in what is to be a great and welcome comeback for Richard. Rumors of a Cardinal reunion and a CD with Bob Pollard of Guided By Voices fame also abound, though nothing is confirmed as of yet. But it does seem that if Richard started this decade like a lamb, he intends to leave it like a lion.