I had dismissed Swedish pop singer Lykke Li months ago as a pretty voice wasted on vapid pop songs (much like Lady Gaga) after being sent one of her more grating mp3s. But I liked her voice enough to give her sophomore album, Wounded Rhymes, another try recently and was surprised to find I really [...]
The finale episode of Friday Night Lights will air tonight on NBC at 8:00 p.m. EST. I haven't been this sad to see a series end since My So-Called Life. The end of this critically acclaimed, extraordinary drama (which I've been raving about here for four years & included on my Best of the Decade [...]
As a longtime (17 years and counting) Heather Nova fan, I expected to at least enjoy her new and eighth studio album, 300 Days at Sea. Especially after hearing the song "Save a Little Piece of Tomorrow," which I first posted back in March. But after fully immersing myself in the album to the point [...]
Eleni Mandell's band, The Grabs, is offering a free, legal mp3 download via Bandcamp from their 2005 debut, Sex, Fashion & Money. Their sophomore album, Political Disco, will be available later this summer. Cold Enough To Snow by The Grabs Buy Mp3s @ Bandcamp Buy CD @ Amazon
Get Low is a gem of an indie movie starring the incomparable Robert Duvall. Duvall portrays Felix Bush, a grizzled old hermit intent on throwing his own "funeral party" while he's still alive to enjoy it. Set in a small rural town in 1920s and based on a true story, the film strikes a beautiful [...]
Last week's selection, Les Miserables: Original Broadway Cast Recording, is my favorite musical soundtrack. Well, the songs are anyway...apparently the version I had on cassette in the 1990s was not the original Broadway Cast. I preferred the vocals on whichever version I had, but this one is still pretty good. It would be difficult for [...]
Believe or not, I had never seen The Natural before. The cinematic classic is often categorized as a sports movie, which isn't really my thing, so I never bothered. But the film is so much more than that and is now a new (old) favorite of mine. Set in the 1920s, Robert Redford stars as [...]
My Brightest Diamond (a.k.a. Shara Worden) has announced a release date of October 18th for her new album, All Things Will Unwind. Described as a "chamber pop" album, the new lyrics are said to explore class differences, the complexity of the atom, the beginning and end of time, and the experience of becoming a mother. [...]
Woody Allen's new film, Midnight in Paris, is a romantic comedy in the most classic sense. The film's superstar cast includes Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Kathy Bates, Allison Pill, Carla Bruni, Adrien Brody and Marie Cotillard. I won't say much else about this wonderful, charming, magical little film, for I went in blind [...]
In case you missed it, I'm giving away a copy of A Tribute to Billie Holiday CD featuring Esperanza Spalding and other contemporary artists covering Billie Holiday classics. See the giveaway post to enter and read the rules, album review, and download an mp3. The deadline is this Friday, July 22nd.
Last week's selection, Duran Duran: Rio, has held up surprisingly well. Despite the album's undeniable 1980s style and imagery (the cover art alone is integrally linked with childhood memories of my older sister's vinyl collection), hits like "Rio," "Hungry Like the Wolf," "New Religion" and "Save a Prayer" are just as catchy and interesting now. [...]
Lupercalia is the new and fifth studio album by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf. Wolf here marries the electro-pop of his recent releases with the eccentric troubadour style of his early albums, then takes things a step beyond with classical strings, big brass and a newfound lyrical optimism. Though not as eerily mesmeric as Wind [...]
Muruch and ROMO*PR are giving away one copy of the new A Tribute To Billie Holiday CD, which features Esperanza Spalding, Shelby Lynne, Babyface and other modern artists covering several Billie Holiday classics. You can read my review of the album by clicking here and the contest details are below... The Prize: One winner will [...]
French pop/jazz chanteuse Zaz's self-titled debut will finally be released in the U.S. via Sony later this summer. Zaz, whose real name is Isabelle Geffroy, bears such a striking vocal resemblance to Edith Piaf that it's uncanny. The poor kid must be sick of the comparisons, but what else can I say here? This little [...]
Muruch's L.A. reviewer Laura Foxworthy joined the crowd at The Wiltern last Thursday night for a live performance by Okkervil River. You can read Laura's review of the concert and download a free, legal mp3 from Okkervil River's new album, I Am Very Far, below... There are two kinds of concerts that I love most. [...]
Last week's pick, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, reminded me that I'm really not as big a fan of The Cure as I always thought. I love certain songs of theirs - particularly "Love Song," "The Love Cats" and "Just Like Heaven" - but I tend to lose interest a few songs into any [...]
That voice. That extraordinary, haunting voice belongs to 22-year old New Orleans singer-songwriter - not to mention guitarist, pianist and harmonica player - Alexis Marceaux. Set for release on August 23rd, her brilliant sophomore album, Orange Moon, features 25 of NOLA's top musicians from various genres and it is a strong contender for my favorite [...]
Rave On Buddy Holly will be released on June 28th and you can stream the album in its entirety below. With a cast of superstar singers like Florence + The Machine, Fiona Apple, Patti Smith, She & Him and Lou Reed, I'm not at all surprised that I love this new tribute to rock 'n' [...]
Billie Holiday is my favorite singer of all time, any time. So needless to say I was excited to hear the new album, A Tribute To Billie Holiday. Set for release on July 5th, the album will be released via actor Peter Stormare's (Fargo, Dancer in the Dark) StormVox Records. The tribute features Esperanza Spalding, [...]
Best known for country hits like "Outbound Plane" and "Letting Go," singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss dives into pure, unadulterated folk on her new album, American Folk Songbook. With some help from Gretchen Peters and Matraca Berg, Suzy introduces younger generations to sing-along folk favorites such as "Beautiful Dreamer," "Red River Valley," "Ol' Dan Tucker" and "Wayfaring [...]
Muruch
No Church In The Wild
CHROMATICS "THESE STREETS WILL NEVER LOOK THE SAME"
Nas - Daughters
The Rains of Castamere by The National
DIIV "How Long Have You Known?" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Avicii – Two Million
Yellow Magic Orchestra edit from Chrome Canyon
Beck – I Just Started Hating Some People Today
H&M Lookbook Mujer y Hombre Otoño 2012.
