You can stream the entire Alt-J album free. They're getting a lot of popularity over here after blowing up in the UK. I've made a few posts promoting them and predicting that they'll get big here. Anyway, the entire album is worth a listen, and you might find your song.

Nope. The singer in the Song of Madness had a much higher voice, I think.

I've sampled several of their songs and would be highly surprised if it were them. I think not.

FAX

ROFL

ERRRNT!!

Is that how you spell that buzzer sound when the guy gives the wrong answer and gets a pie in the face?

FAX

Are you positive it's not something older, like Jeff Buckley?

Synths? Strings? Horns? Anything unique?

Check out "Breezeblocks" by Alt J. I'm on phone or would link it.

Thanks, Mr. Scorp. But no, that isn't it either.

Too many chords, too normalish. I knew this would be tough on account of the lack of clues. However, I figured that because the song was so unusual, you guys would nail it.

I'll try and get back to the market tonight and, by God, if the manager doesn't give me that CD, I'll tear that freaking place apart. There will be lettuce and potatoes and cantaloupe everywhere and I'll smack him square in the nuts with a clump of celery.

FAX

My submission. It the very least, is this the kind of chord progression you're envisioning? Three chord, droning, a key change.

No real dominant percussion

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I wish I could offer more. As I mentioned, the listening conditions were less than ideal. It might be older ... honestly, I refuse to listen to the radio much other than classical and jazz in an effort to avoid being let down. The only reason I thought it might be more recent is because it was on a muzak reel with a lot of other stuff that was probably no more than 5 years old.

I'll check out Buckley and see if he's a possibility.

As for strings, horns ... there were probably strings and/or synth throughout but I can't swear to it. I may be projecting, but I think there might have been merely due to the fact that it was a very dramatic sort of arrangement and melody with extremely minimal chord changes ... like almost none. Were I producing something like that, I'd probably use strings. No horns, though ... at least what I could hear.

I recall hardly any percussion. The main clues I can offer are the facts that the vocalist was a high tenor and the song is, essentially, a 1-chord song with very occasional changes ... that is what makes it so unique. The melody line takes place over this sort of droning chord thing. It's a very cool song ... very interesting melody. Wish I could have made out some of the lyrics. Or, alternatively, had gone to a different market to buy stuff for my juicer.

FAX

I think people are getting closer to the song style, but forgetting this was played in a grocery store. Go to the local store and take a sample of the music. I doubt they are playing most of the stuff we are guessing.

Sorry, Mr. Baby Lee, but nope.

That's in the general ballpark ... kind of. This song was more richly produced ... at least, it seemed that way.

I knew this was going to be tough since I can offer few clues. But I didn't think it would be this difficult. I've googled every conceivable combination of terms trying to churn up something but, so far, nothing. Honestly, it's getting hard to believe that we can't figure this out.

FAX

I know this has too much percussion and stuff, but I would hate to have an idea and not throw it out there.

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Nope. Not Buckley. Wrong voice.

FAX

ROFL

I think you're right. Everything else they have on that reel (so far as I can remember) is pretty pop/rock oriented and written for radio. Some older, but mainly fairly recent. To be honest, that's the reason this particular song stood out. Otherwise, I would never have noticed.

By the way, that last song isn't it, either. Thanks, man. But sorry.

FAX

When we figure this one out, can we keep the thread going? This is like a fun mystery game. Whomever gets the correct song gets to post the next one.

Me, too.

Okay, here's what I do, if it's just killing you. Call the grocery store and ask to speak to the manager. Ask him who supplies their music service. If he doesn't know, he can likely give you the number to their corporate office, which will in turn give you the name of the music service.

Contact the music service. Tell them that you heard a song in your city, zip and state playing this month at "x" grocery store and ask them for a playlist. I'd be shocked if they didn't comply. Once you have the list, post it here or search for yourself on Spotify or whatever.

It sounds like more work than it actually is and you'd probably have your answer in less than an hour. Good luck!