Many of you may be aware of my absolute obsession with all things Andrew Bird. His Birdness continues to produce both sonically and visually magnificent works of art. He recently (2 weeks ago, and I've been negligent!) performed at a free concert at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. The stunning 'bandshell' designed renowned architect Frank Gehry was the perfect eclectic backdrop for the one of the most eclectic, engaging, captivating artists I know. This was my third time seeing Bird, and I have to say it was my favorite. He was as intense as ever (his socks off and bow [...]
For readers of CSV , the Jacksonville-based band JJ Grey & Mofro should be a familiar name. I featured their soulful Country Ghetto about a year ago, and I come to you now with their recent project Orange Blossoms . Though it may not seem prudent to analyze an album starting from the end of it, the last track "I Believe (In Everything)" makes sense of what Orange Blossoms is all about. That bluesy, folky ballad features the band crooning "I believe in everything / I'm a believer", and after listening to this album, [...]
Just wanted to share this with you, a site that tracks the popularity of first names (in the US) since 1880. It's definitely one of the top 1,000 things I've ever seen in my life.
Imagine a dimly lit room–a classically melodramatic setting for the next humdrum, male singer-songwriter to make his debut. But this time, the acoustic guitar is accompanied by a wonderful harmonica that sounds as if it comes straight out of the mouth of a Western pioneer with thousands of wagon-driven miles under his belt. But the only desert that this performer has trekked is the Negev in Israel. The delicate lilting voice belongs to Tel Aviv native Idan Rabinovici. Only twenty-four years young, Rabinovici illustrates incredible musical prowess, backed by his all-Israeli band that plays anything from harmonica to trumpet to [...]
Israeli singer-songwriter Noa Babayof has released quite an interesting album titled From a Window to a Wall , and I wanted to give you a song that is so chillingly beautiful that I'm not even sure myself how I feel about this song. Let me know what you think. Listen to " Them That Are Writing These Songs "
Once upon a time there was a woman named Emiliana Torrini, a name so intensely Italian-sounding that listeners were clearly going to become spellbound by her gentle Mediterranean, feminine rasp. Once upon a time, Torrini released an album called Fisherman's Woman , an ironic title for a female singer-songwriter that sang with such authority and power. And that was only when she was just being noticed. Only 31, and with her third full length album Me and Armini pending release on September 9th, this Italian-Icelandic singer songwriter continues to impress and prove that the fairy tale is [...]
Born in Royal Oak, Michigan, Boggia entered this world blind in his left eye and with diminished vision in his right eye. Though his musician father encouraged him to pick up the guitar even at age 5, Boggia's love and talent for music didn't manifest itself into an occupation until after he worked at a high tech studio equipment company. And thank goodness he chose to explore his knack for guitar riffs and pop rhythms-indeed it seems as though he has an extraordinary sense for crafting folk-pop songs that are both enthralling and reflective. With two rather successful [...]
The last time I wrote about Irish troubadour Damien Dempsey, I received a great deal of flack (and that's an understatement). What I said then, and I will continue to say now, is that Dempsey is certainly the most talented Damien to come out of Ireland. Dempsey's remarkably strong voice is so entirely captivating that the musical arrangements are often overshadowed by his vocal prowess. Dempsey combines contemporary folk music with his Irish heritage-when you listen to Dempsey, you don't feel like you're listening to the product of record company machinations. Dempsey is genuine in his effort to fuse the [...]
Dr. Dog is no veterniarian extraordinaire, but rather a Philadelphian-based collective that crafts freakfolk (I hate the term, but it's spot on) tunes that would be comparable to those of Devendra Banhardt. To be truthful, I had never really been aware of Dr. Dog until very recently, but I have been so pleasantly surprised by their new album Fate that I have to share my thoughts with you. This album is so excitingly fresh and decidedly different in its approach to folk-rock, and the character of this band comes across as clear as the production qualities. "Uncovering the [...]
As you may well know, CSV does not highlight many hip-hop-oriented artists. In an effort to stay somewhat balanced, I wanted to highlight the new album from Hint Driven from Distractions . From what I can tell (including my own hopes), there is a good deal of anticipation for the first LP-follow up to Hint's Portakabin Fever . Six years later, Hint's style has deviated into a more danceable type of electro-hip-hop. "Keep Your Shirt On", featuring the vocal stylings of Laura Vane, is an insanely groovy track. Vane continues to impress on "One Woman Army" [...]
They're just so dreamy!! But seriously, find me the human being that can resist the tempting Siren Song of The Clientele and I will show you a heartless (wo)man. That said, the third EP of a trilogic set That Night, A Forest Grew has been released, and there are some wonderful tracks to be heard. Here are two. Please enjoy. Get a copy of God Save the Clientele Get a copy of That Night, A Forest Grew Listen to [...]
Wade Alin and Lauren Cheatham came together in 2004 to combine downtempo rhythms and silky sweet vocals under the name Atomica Project. Add a drummer and bassist, and this full-fledged band comes across like Portishead....without all the dreariness. Despite the coldness that electronica often embodies, the songs on Atomica Project's sophomore release Grayscale are dually warm and embracing. Cheatham entices with her come-hither vocals that reminds me of something so familiar, yet I can't quite place it. And that's precisely what's so great about Atomica Project-the sounds are unique but comfortable. Bands like [...]
Not Dylan this time, but a neat interpretation of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Neptunes. It's also featured on the trailer of the new movie "Righteous Kill". Listen to The Rolling Stones - " Sympathy for the Devil (Neptunes Remix) "
Star Spangled Banner: Marvin Gaye - Funny videos are here We've talked about anthems here on this website before, but this little ditty is something entirely different. If you've been watching the Olympics incessantly like I have, you may have heard a soul rendition to the Star Spangled Banner playing in the back of a Nike commercial about the USA Redeem Team. Well, ladies and gents, that's Marvin Gaye singing with a soft R&B soul riff behind him! Take a listen and get all patriotic inside (for our American readers) [...]
The predictably unpredictable Beck Hansen (aka Beck) somehow, someway also churns out gold. And his latest LP Modern Guilt is no deviation from that standard of excellence. Though Beck is the master of altering his style from one album to the next, Modern Guilt has the same feel as The Information . The only palpable difference is that some of the songs have slowed down a bit-but don't think that Beck has. I've never quite understood, though, the cultish fascination with Beck. It's probably because I've always been a rather superficial fan of [...]
Swirling guitars. A little Tom Petty Americana. Awesome riff. "We'll all get a job". Listen to Black Kids - " Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo) "
You know that excitement you get when you see a new album by a band that that always managed to please your ears? You know that disappointment when you find out that (as is custom) that new album just doesn't cut it? Well, I certainly felt the former with Stereo MCs newest Double Bubble , and unfortunately I can't say that I disagree with the latter sentiment either. The baggy-clothed, desheviled-white-rapper look is losing its novelty. The rhymes and the delivery are still there, and as catchy and intriguing as ever. But it is undeniable that the melodies are [...]
Things have been a little hectic lately, and blogging just hasn't fit in the way I'd like it to. That said, expect to see a good amount of posting starting in a couple of days from now. Cheers, Benji
When Albert Hammond, Jr.'s Yours to Keep debuted a couple of years ago, my love for the Strokes' Is This It? was transposed onto their lead singer's (Mr. Hammond, Jr.) debut LP. Whereas The Strokes had seemed to fall off their game, Hammond, Jr. was only elaborating on his band's sound. And his sophomore album, the surprisingly non-Hispanic influenced Como Te Llama? , is a continuation of the maturation process for Hammond, Jr. as a singer-songwriter. Aptly titled, the album seems to rhetorically answer the "What is your name?" question he poses from the outset. [...]
Sometimes there's a good deal of 'packaging' that goes with certain records-the record company feels a need to hit you over the head with what that particular record is all about because you (the consumer) are not intelligent enough to figure it out on your own. Well Plug Research has continued to do this on behalf of Toronto's now-budded abstract electronic musician Mike Milosh. Going under the name of simply Milosh, he has already released two well-received albums You Make Me Feel and Meme . As the biline goes, the debut album was all about [...]
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
