Harry Nilsson’s Pussy Cats and David Porter’s ...Into a Real Thing

Both of these records are two guys who shaped pop music in their own images–Nilsson, via Nilsson Schmilsson, Porter, via Sam & Dave and Carla Thomas–making knotty, “difficult” albums in the wake of their creations. Nilsson blows out his vocal cords making an album about being down and out, Porter blows out Tin Pan Alley, pop balladry. Both are vastly underrated, and both belong more ears on them.