What is mouthfeel and why does it matter in music?

Mouthfeel refers to the tactile and sensory experience of how music feels when you listen to it, similar to how texture matters in food. In the context of B-sides and covers, mouthfeel becomes especially important because these tracks often reveal the raw emotional and sonic qualities that mainstream versions might polish over, giving listeners a more authentic sense of an artist's true style and intent.

How do B-sides and covers reveal more than the main album tracks?

B-sides and covers often showcase an artist's creative freedom without the commercial pressures of a lead single. They reveal genuine artistic choices, experimental arrangements, and honest interpretations of material. This stripped-down or alternative approach frequently exposes the mouthfeel—the essential character and feeling—of the music more clearly than polished main album tracks.

Why should I listen to B-sides and covers instead of just the main album?

B-sides and covers provide deeper insight into an artist's influences, technical abilities, and artistic vision. While main album tracks are crafted for broad appeal, these alternative recordings often contain the most interesting creative risks and authentic performances. If you want to truly understand an artist's mouthfeel and what drives their music, exploring their B-sides and covers is essential.

Liner Note · May 9, 2026

Mouthfeel

The Lemonheads · 1992 Spin it Again - Evan Dando covering Gram Parsons and Suzanne Vega in the same year he became famous — and somehow neither one feels like an accident.

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