With all the hullabaloo about the upcoming Grammy's, let's not forget who won "Best New Artist" last year - Esperanza Spalding. Her new album "Radio Music Society" drops March 20, 2012. Sort of a companion piece to her Grammy winning "Chamber Music Society". Looking forward to this one. On the leadoff single, Esperanza gets vocal help from Algebra Blessett. Listen via SoundCloud : Buy from iTunes . PS - Happy Groundhog's Day!
Don't get me wrong, I like Obama. I was just hoping to watch Raising Hope last night. So I was a little sad to see the State Of The Union take it's place. BUT some good news hit my inbox while he was getting applauded. Martin Sexton released an EP yesterday - Fall Like Rain. Six songs that tackle today's unsettle climate, including a cover of the Buffalo Springfield classic "For What It's Worth". So it seemed fitting that I got word [...]
I heard this one on the radio the other day. I was impressed by the Arcade Fire meets Rusted Root meets (slight hint of) Animal Collective on Yo Gabba Gabba vibe. Don't know much about the band. But this tune is a perfect way to warm up on these cold January days. Listen via SoundCloud : Saw You First by GIVERS
Some musicians below in a different time period. Some below in a different country. Sweden's First Aid Kit (sisters Klara and Johanna Soderberg) sound like they should have been making music in So-Cal's Laurel Canyon in the '70s. Their new album drops next Tuesday (1/24). Love the music although the videos don't do much for me. Title Track: Second Single:
I'm addicted to this bossanova inspired version of the 80s classic. Rebecca Zapen is from Florida and takes this Robert Palmer song to a whole new country. Listen: Rebecca Zapen ∞ Addicted To Love Bonus mp3: Rebecca Zapen ∞ Lakewood
I've been a fan of Kathleen's since her wonderful debut album. She has always approached music with a swagger not often found in females. She is not afraid to take risks or piss people off. She does it her way. So when she enlists everybody's favorite indie-Wisconsinite Justine Vernon to produce and record her fourth studio album, one must really take her seriously. Overall, there isn't a whole lot of straying from Kathleen's previous work. She still has kind of a roots-rock, Americana, alt-country feel to her sound. She still writes excellent [...]
Credit: Brendan Pattengale One of my favorite records from 2011 was "Prologue" from The Milk Carton Kids. They are kind of a cross between Gillian Welch and Simon and Garfunkel. They recently did a superb set for Mountain Stage. Listen here . And then get that record for FREE from the band . They're hitting the road: 01/07 - New York, NY, Rockwood* 01/11 - San Diego, CA, Anthology 01/12 - Los Angeles, CA, Largo 01/14 - Ventura, CA, Zoey's [...]
Everyone these days is all about wrapping up 2011. Best of… Worst of… Yadda yadda yadda. I'm looking forward. To 2012. To January 17. Ani DiFranco will be releasing her new studio album. There was a time when Ms. DiFranco was knocking out an album a year. It's been three years since her last studio endeavor. It's 12 new songs (including the re-worked Pete Seeger classic which givens the album its name – listen below). It's Ani being Ani. From the opening driving rhythm and slightly distorted guitar [...]
We might not be getting a white Xmas in Minnesota. BUT at least we have this incredible version of "Frosty The Snowman" a la Neil Young's "After The Gold Rush". It comes from the Zunior Holiday album. Listen: Mike O'Neill ∞ Frosty The Gold Rush (via I (Heart) Music ) PS - Happy Winter Solstice everyone!
So everyone is releasing their "best of" lists for 2011. Not that I have read them all. But of all the ones I have read, no where is David Myles' "Into The Sun". For my salt, this is the best album of the year. Sure, it doesn't have the falsetto of Bon Iver. Sure, it doesn't have the British throwback sound of Adele. Sure, it doesn't have the electronic blips, bleeps and beats of everyone else. What it does have? Solid songwriting. Singability. Diverse use of instrumentation. [...]
Voyageur drops January 16th on Rounder Records. Just in time (and Justin Vernon) for my birthday (1.21).
Today is my son's 6th birthday. Crazy how time flies. I still can't believe I am a dad. I heard the song below (I Won't Grow Up) a few weeks ago and it has stuck with me. Aurda and her band really have captured how I feel. Sometimes I hate being an adult. The song comes from a fantastic EP you should get now . Audra Mae and the Almighty Sound - I Won't Grow Up Listen via SoundCloud.
Here's Coconut and The Duke's holiday single from last holiday season! Listen: Coconut and The Duke ∞ Trim My Tree (featuring The Duchess and The Thinker)
Thank you Veterans. Thank you for all you have done for this country. And also thank you US Government for making it a banking holiday. For I have the day off. They Might Be Giants ∞ I'll Never Go To Work
Act fast people. Act fast Beach Boys fans. Only 100 of these available. (The SMiLE Sessions is also available as a digital release.) This is one of the most famous "unreleased" albums ever. This "album" may be pop music's greatest ever made, from musicality to originality. A true masterpiece. Stream it here .
Kathleen Edwards continues prepping her new full-length album - coming January 2011. Next month, she'll be releasing the single "Sidecar". Unlike the last taste of the new record , Sidebar is an uptempo pop-rock song. This Canadian sure knows how to craft excellent songs. Wordplay is great. Melody memorable. Great little ditty. Listen (via SoundCloud ): Kathleen Edwards - Sidecar by Kathleen Edwards
I finally got around to buying Gillian Welch's new record – The Harrow & The Harvest – and man is it good. I would say it ranks right up there with Time (The Revelator). Ten perfect songs. If you haven't got it yet, buy it NOW. Listen: Gillian Welch ∞ The Way The Whole Thing Ends What is your favorite this week? Leave a comment.
Sometimes I think bluegrass is the music of the future. Sometimes I see it as a dying American classic. Then, there's a Monday after a great weekend and it's brought to my attention that Minnesota's own Pert Near Sandstone is releasing a new album in November. Paradise Hop drops 11-15. PNS plays a high energy show and this new release will showcase their live intensity. Add this one to your Thanksgiving plans. Watch the leadoff single: Go see them on tour: Sept 30 - Madison, WI @ High [...]
Pict by Andre Guerette The Barr Brothers are Andrew and Brad Barr with harpist Sarah Page and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial. They are making some truly unique folk-esque music. Check out the amazing video below. Stephan Bircher makes puppets out of roadkill bones. Simply mindblowing. Watch the video: Go see them on tour: 10/05 – Joliette QC @ Salle Rolland-Brunelle # 10/06 – Quebec QC @ Theatre Petit-Champlain # 10/07 – Terrebonne QC @ Moulin Neuf # 10/08 – Sherbrooke QC @ [...]
The Late Greats
Circo Voador anuncia shows de The Kooks, Foster The People, Friendly Fires, Gogol Bordello e mais
The Kills on Letterman (Video)
James Blake – Live Album
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
