Something just doesn't add up. Sure, it all starts out innocently enough. Husband and wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore form a band called Tennis. And they're from Denver (seems exotic in the music industry). Their name? Riley used to be the No. 2 tennis player in the state. See, something just doesn't make sense. They make beautiful music together: Easy, breezy (beautiful, covergirl-anyone get this reference?) 60s pop that was conceived on the high seas (courtesy of Denver Westword ): Spurred by a seven-month sailing trip the [...]
It's hump day, and what's better than some bits and pieces? You know. A little from here. A little from there. Bam, you've got a post. Matisyahu - " One Day " Orthodox Jewish Reggae artist Matisyahu's meteroric (?) rise to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. And in anticipation of Matisyahu's upcoming album comes the release of the single "One Day". If I'm a record executive and I'm listening to this song, there's no friggin' way I'm passing on this. This has all the elements of a top 40 hit: peaceful message, [...]
I remember the first time I heard Citizen Cope's soulful "Let the Drummer Kick". Who was this guy who sounded like he had a wad of tobacco in his mouth whenever he sang? Was this intentional or did he just not give a damn? Feeling simultaneously intrigued and repelled, I decided I needed a greater body of work to judge. And despite the sparsity of works from Citizen Cope (aka Clarence Greenwater) over the years, I have gained a deep love for his music. And so the first independently released album from CC comes in the form of [...]
I remember the first time I heard Citizen Cope's soulful "Let the Drummer Kick". Who was this guy who sounded like he had a wad of tobacco in his mouth whenever he sang? Was this intentional or did he just not give a damn? Feeling simultaneously intrigued and repelled, I decided I needed a greater body of work to judge. And despite the sparsity of works from Citizen Cope (aka Clarence Greenwater) over the years, I have gained a deep love for his music. And so the first independently released album from CC comes in the form of [...]
Junip is Jose Gonzalez's (yes, that Jose Gonzalez) Swedish band. Intrigued yet? There doesn't really seem to be any rhyme or reason to when Junip decides to release an EP. They've only put forth 2 EPs, and they're about 4 years apart. But the truth is that these little gems are basically a way to get your Jose Gonzalez fix inbetween his sparse albums. So if Jose Gonzalez is singing, and they're basically playing the same instruments, what's the difference between Junip and Jose's solo work? Well, surprisingly there's quite a bit. Junip is not so much Gonzalez's [...]
Junip is Jose Gonzalez's (yes, that Jose Gonzalez) Swedish band. Intrigued yet? There doesn't really seem to be any rhyme or reason to when Junip decides to release an EP. They've only put forth 2 EPs, and they're about 4 years apart. But the truth is that these little gems are basically a way to get your Jose Gonzalez fix inbetween his sparse albums. **Apparently, there's a new album coming out in September 2010! So look out for that as well! So if Jose Gonzalez is singing, and they're basically playing the same instruments, what's the difference between [...]
Just to keep you busy on this dreary (in Chicago) Monday: The Radio Dept. - " Heaven's on Fire " From The Radio Dept.'s third album Clinging to a Scheme . Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Digg this! [...]
Swedish pop collective Sambassadeur exudes innocent fun, and what's more fitting for the summer than some more Sambassadeur? It's a rhetorical question, but the answer is not much. Their third LP European is due out July 7th on Labrador (respect!), and they've released the single "I Can Try" for all to hear. And here it is. And you shall enjoy it. Listen to " I Can Try " Get started with Sambassadeur here . [...]
Norwegian native Sondre Lerche has been a long-time CSV favorite ever since his groundbreaking debut Faces Down . No doubt, Lerche has faced his fair share of so-so albums. He seemed to lose track of the sound that first put him on the map, trying to delve into the darker Two Way Monologue and even the edgier Phantom Punch . But what's so wonderful about this 2009 release Heartbeat Radio is that Lerche is returning back to that wonderful sound of Faces Down. 8 years older, and many musical miles under his belt, it's [...]
I don't know much about Charlotte collective Campbell the Band, but I know I love their sound. And when it all boils down, isn't that the most important thing? I'm reminded of the Art of Fighting when I listen to Campbell the Band: the delicate vocals, the nostalgic content, and the sweet-as-honey guitars that wash over you. They've been kind of enough to stream 6 tracks from the their new album Bear With Us (see below), and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. My personal favorites are "Quickly Growing Old" and "Through Your Veins", [...]
Yes. This is old news by now. No. It doesn't matter. Yes. You can still thoroughly enjoy this sleepy, swaying, delicate track in all its reverb glory. Sufjan Stevens - " The Sleeping Red Wolves " Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Digg this! [...]
Toronto native and Broken Social Scene contributor (but honestly, who isn't in BSS?) Jason Collett has struck gold again with his junior LP Rat a Tat Tat. Collett effectively mixes a rugged machismo with an introspective sensitivity that seemingly can only be found up north. Building on the critical acclaim of his sophomore release Here's to Being Here , Collett throws all the deliciously catchy hooks and head-bopping riffs he's got into Rat a Tat Tat. He starts off innocently enough with "Rave on Sad Songs," a modernized western ballad that evokes [...]
Ah, June 14. In the US, this is (not popularly) known as Flag Day. Created by Prez Woodrow Wilson in 1916, Flag Day honors the adoption of the American Flag in 1777. Nevertheless, Flag Day was not officially established until 1949 via an Act of Congress. But it's all good. We still love ya Woodrow.It's the thought that counts. Fun facts: 1. Pennsylvania is the only state in which Flag Day is a state holiday. 2. The longest-running Flag Day parade is held in Quincy, Massachusetts. The first parade was held in 1952. [...]
There's been no shortage of great international acts featured on CSV over the years, but I thought I'd feature some favorite tracks of mine from around the world. Hevia - " Busindre Reel ". Jose Angel Hevia Velasco is a Spanish bagpiper, and his music is as deliciously odd as that previous phrase. Nitin Sawhney - " Mausam ". Indian-British musician is as exemplary of fusion music as there is. And the results are absolutely stunning in their delicateness. Barbatuques - " Baiao Destemperado ". Sao Paulo, Brazil is the home of [...]
You know what I'm talking about. "Maggie May". The classic track from the one and only Rod Stewart. The Renaissance riff to begin the song, the stroking of the nostalgic guitars, Stewart's smooth rasp, and who can forget the amazing solo at the end that culminates in the achingly nectar-sweet bridge? Point is, it's an amazing song! And we're going to beat it into the ground with this post. Listen to " Maggie May " by Rod Stewart. Listen to " Maggie May (Live) " by The Faces, Stewart's former band. If you're thinking [...]
Hey all. I'm a little sparse on information about this band, but I got a few great ditties drop in my inbox about The B-roads and I wanted to share them with you. The B-roads is the nom de plume of one Paul O'Hara, and his album B-movies features some great weathered, folky sounds. Rich and ethereal, bluesy and moody, B-movies sounds like Dave Matthews bumped into Iron & Wine on the street. The B-roads have two tracks available for free on last.fm (see links below). Check out [...]
Don't fool yourself: JJ n° 3 is actually Swedish collective JJ's 2nd LP. I'll be honest: I didn't really see what the fuss was about their debut album JJ n° 2, which received all sorts of accolades and praise from everybody and their mother. I was skeptical coming into JJ n° 3 , but I am impressed. In stead of a full-out review, I'll bullet-point the highlights: "No Escapin' This" - Imagine The Knife playing in an FAO Schwartz. Yeah. "You Know" - Reminds me of The Cardigans in [...]
Because "Love 13 wasn't enough, I guess. French genre-creating, pioneering power duo Air released their 6th LP Love 2 back in October, but I realized I let this go by without a review. I'll be succint. Love 2 isn't Moon Safari (if haven't heard Moon Safari , stop everything and go and listen to it. Go. Now. I'll wait for you.). But then again, it's not about recreating the past but defiantly moving forward. Air has found ways to change the game, to constantly push their own sound into uncharted territory. "African [...]
Lexington, KY native Ben Sollee has been a long-time favorite of CSV, and his latest project with fellow Kentuckians Daniel Martin Moore and Yim Yames (of My Morning Jacket fame) has got me excited. The new LP, titled Dear Companion , is a call to action regarding the Mountaintop Removal coal mining taking place in the Appalachians (a portion of the proceeds from Dear Companion will benefit Appalachian Voices , an organization devoted to ending MTR and finding a better way forward). But on to the album for now. Energetic and patient, frenetic and [...]
I know what you're saying-didn't I write up a review about Tristan back in October? Well, my dear readers, let's just call Clopet prolific, as he's released his new EP Purple after the excellently done EP Duende . But honestly, what's quantity without quality? And believe me, there's no shortage of quality here. Admittedly, I'm a big fan of smaller offerings packed tight with goodies as opposed to the hit-or-miss, arduous 21-track album format that is increasingly going to the wayside. So what about Purple ? The best thing I [...]
Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream
Bison - Quill
Shinichi Osawa – Big Beach Mix 2012
Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane Over the Sea
Mr Fogg - Eleven
