This week I was searching for some diversity to bring to the table. I just think i found some new stuff but they’re all very similar… just the mood of music I’m in lately. Next week I’m going to bring some rockin’ sounds to the table, need some heavy stuff to balance out the chill. Thanks to all for reading and the nice messages and comments on last weeks artists… sorry for the delay, work has been nuts. Now, the vitamins:
I really like this dude, and i feel like i’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his music. I bought one album, the Dan in Real Life OST after hearing a few of his songs, and the album is just great – all the way through. Sondre sounds like a Rufus Wainwright mixed with Jason Mraz (minus high school cheerleader following). His vocal quality and sound are mixed with some slightly off center musical phrases which reminds me of Rufus. However, he has some upbeat pop songs that dance in the Mraz realm. Overall very fun to listen to, and could be one of your favorite artists for summer driving, cookouts, etc. Check out his duet with Regina Spektor, “Hell No”; and “My Hands Are Shaking”.
This chick is straight up kentucky gone New York. Not an incredibly rich sound or full voice (rather thin actually), but there’s something about her that keeps you looking for awesome. In my opinion, its not really out there yet. Nonetheless, it will be… someday. I picked up the Fireproof record and I’m waiting for that moment when its exactly what i want to hear.
She’s gained some recent popularity do to her cover of “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn & John (check it out below). You know it… its that whistling song. Her rendition is really cool actually. She goes straight to her kentucky roots and rips it up with some old school bluegrass dudes. Very entertaining to listen to. I’m really interested to hear if anyone sees something in this girl that i don’t. I know the greatness is there, just can’t put my finger on it.
If you took the indie-alt edge of Modest Mouse and mixed it with the socal pop-punk-rock from Phantom Planet, you’d have these guys. They aren’t a completely unique sound, or groundbreaking in any way… they’re just good – good enough to buy the album. While these guys may not make it up on your facebook profile as a favorite, you’ll enjoy it.
The cd starts off with my favorite track which is downloadable on virb, “Eucalyptus.” A very nice opening track that doesn’t dwell on a repetitive song form and goes on a bit of a journey as the track finishes. Another highlight off the album is “Wolves in the Garden” (shown live below). A nice ballad that doesn’t make you want to stuff your mouth with pain killers, swigging crown and hoping for the best. On the contrary, its a nice ballad that warms you up but could be followed by a hug… listen to it and you’ll understand.
The album is interesting in the fact it never really settles on one particular sound. Every track seems to take you in a new direction, but its all held together by the unique vocal sound and consistant instrumentation mixing. Honestly, this album will have few more rotations in my player before i feel like i get it, and I’m ok with that. The Ortolan is a nice album that is a pleasure to listen to. Check it out, let me know if you get it.
They’ve got a big bandwagon right now but it’s a good one to be on. I first heard these guys a couple months ago by my friend’s recommendation (thanks Chris) and since then they have exploded. From the first note on the album you can really tell you’re about to hear something unique. (expect anything else from a foursome of Columbia grads?) Their music resembles an early Police in how they mix such an array of eclectic styles into a very well bundled package. (The police effectively mixed quintessential 70’s rock with a strong reggae mix, while Vampire blends South African afro-pop with trendy Brooklyn indie rock.) I don’t dare say they are the new Police… just comparing sounds. Check out the track, “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” to really hear the South African influence.
Highlights on the album for me are “M79″, “A-Punk”, and “One (Blake’s Got a New Face)”… maybe just because they use my name. If you are in Atlanta, these guys will be at the Variety Playhouse on June 11th, hope to see some of you there.
These guys are quite a gem to find, i have to give a big thanks to Rob for the recommendation. Yeasayer is an extremely eclectic sound coming out of Brooklyn with their 2007 debut release, “All Hour Cymbals. ” They mix a nice blend of middle eastern ethnic sounds, jam band hippie rock grooves, and Ibiza-style chill electronic backbeats.
I don’t think the foursome could have picked a better opening song than “Sunrise” for the album. From the first notes you immediately escape to a middle eastern dawn and you can almost feel the warmth from the sun as it grows over the horizon. Another notable track, and the most popular, is “2080“.
For me, the album slightly dies off as you progress through the track list. I can’t tell if its because a lack of variety in later tracks or if I’m just not letting myself listen to the entire cd. Regardless, I keep going back to the cd. The sound is so new and unique, its hard for me to get to a point where I’m not excited about listening to the cd after a constant week of player rotation.
Bon Iver, a solo music project from Justin Vernon, is an amazing piece of work. The back story from this website says much more than a simple review:
“Tailing from the swirling breakup of his long time band, he escaped to the property and surrounded himself with simple work, quiet, and space. He lived there along for three months, filling his days with wood splitting and other chores around the land. This special time slowly beegan feeding a bold, uninhibited new musical focus…”
As you can imagine the result is an amazing debut album, “For Emma, Forever Ago”. A very unique sound with colors resembling Damien Rice and Jack Johnson were they to go sit in a cabin for three months and reinvent themselves. Essentially, Bon Iver is the perfect rainy day music, yet amazingly beautiful.
I love finding new music and I feel like I have a lot of friends that ask me about new music. This has led me me to the creation of this blog and a facebook group. Its my effort to spread the word about great stuff and keep myself pushed to find it.
Every week I’m going to post a new entry with write-ups on new artists that i have found that i think are worth your listening. I’ll also toss up posts on any shows that i may go to, or new albums i feel like reviewing.
Leave comments with your thoughts on the recommended bands and artists and send me a msg if you have any suggestions.
First music letter: May 5
For now, here’s a clip of The Roots performing the title track off their new album, “Rising Up” that just hit this week. Its a hot one.
