Too Crazy Cowboys

With production and support playing from New Order’s Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris, the duo of Stanton Miranda and Carter Burwell released their one full album as Thick Pigeon in 1984, a bass and synth-led effort that has both fascinating songs and great atmosphere to recommend it. Miranda’s slightly childlike but not childish singing adds a very human touch to the usually skeletal or ominous arrangements – “Sudan” is a strong example, while “Fred + Andy,” a transformation of the standard “Something’s Gotta Give,” murmurs with subtle threat.