Artist
picks: Plumb
Although she calls Nashville
home, you won't be seeing Tiffany Arbuckle Lee a.k.a. Plumb on CMT any
time soon. Plumb's complex, confessional songwriting and bright, modern-rock
sound put her more in same category as artists like Sarah McLachlan,
Garbage, and Evanescence. In fact, though people often compare her voice
to that of Evanescence's Amy Lee, it's actually Lee who cites Plumb
as an influence.
So what influences this innovative
singer-songwriter? We asked Plumb to list some of her "essential"
albums:
Patty Griffin
Flaming Red (1998)
"I've never heard an album speak so pointed and poetic at the same
time...while still maintaining rock n' roll elements. Jay Joyce, the
producer, and Patty made a statement when this album was made...and
it still speaks to me in almost every musical moment of my career...especially
the song 'Tony.'"
Alanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill (1995)
"This album opened a door for me I never knew existed. And I don't
think it will ever close. This record came out right before I was ever
signed...and shortly after, I caught one of her shows on her fall tour
of '96. It was one of the most spiritual moments in my life. To see
someone communicate so passionately with total reckless abandon and
confidence what they think, feel and believe...was powerful to say the
least."
Poe
Haunted (2000)
"The production of this album is like watching Willy Wonka. You
always catch something new you didn't notice before....It's a true piece
of art...that opened my eyes to the idea of creating things that cannot
be duplicated...to make them really and truly your very own. She did
it. And she wrote and produced it herself...which influenced me to try
to be more than just a singer/songwriter...whatever that may be."
Tonic
Lemon Parade (1996)
"This album shows how rock and roll can be incredibly melodic.
It's beautiful and tough all at the same time. As a female singer...listening
to a male voice can get dull sometimes...and I can listen to this album
over and over...because it's authentic.""
Suzanne Vega
Nine Objects of Desire (1996)
"This album is where I got the name 'plumb' from. She is able to
be vulnerable, imaginative, poetic and methaphorical all at the same
time and I respect that. The song 'My Favorite Plum' was on repeat the
night I was trying desperately to find an artist name per my label's
request...and this album defined that moment for me...and it continues
to affect my attempts to say more than just one pointed thing in a lyric."
Sarah McLachlan
Fumbling Towards Ecstacy (1993)
"Who doesn't agree this is an essential must have? Who hasn't made
out to it at least once? Smile here. Seriously though...growing up singing...there
were notes I just simply could not hit with grace...and it was this
very album that influenced, even instructed, my teenage voice to just
go ahead and crack...but to do it with confidence, with poise and with
elegance. But there's only one Sarah. And thanks to her influence...I
hope there's only one Plumb."
Garbage
Garbage (1995)
"Only weeks after signing my first record deal I bought this album.
It had only sold about 500K units at the time. I was writing for my
album...a female fronted rock band using loops and strings, and to my
pleasant surprise... that's a lot like what this was. And it wasn't
competition...no...it was inspiration. I loaned it out to a friend a
few months later and never got it back...I think I'll go buy it today.
Seriously."
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