Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Amy Millan: Masters of the Burial


Amy Millan: Master of the Burial (Arts & Crafts)

Acoustic, folk

Second sola album by also member of Stars and Broken Social Scene. They are soft songs, with a folksy and country touch. 9 is a cover of Death Cab for Cutie’s and 3 of a song by Sarah Harmer.



Monday, November 30, 2009

Yppah: They Know What Ghost Know

Yppah: They Know What Ghost Know (Ninja Tune)

DJs, Electronica

This is the second album of this young Mexican American from Texas (name,“Happy” backwards, pronounced “Yippah”.) Like with a magic wand he mixes rock, hip hop, soul and electronica to create fresh musical (all instrumental) landscapes.

Space

Promo

Friday, November 27, 2009

(David) Bazan: Curse your Branches


(David) Bazan: Curse your Branches (Barzuk)

Leonard Cohen, Mountain Goats

This is the guy behind bands like Pedro the Lion and Headphones. In this concept album, with his unique, powerful and mournful voice, songwriter and multi instrumentalist Bazan sings out his struggle with spirituality and religion.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Arctic Monkeys: Humbug


The Arctic Monkeys: Humbug (Domino)

Third album of AM, not as explosive as the previous ones but equally good. They explore new paths with these complex songs where they show fine craftsmanship and solid interpretation. Josh Homme (Queens of Stone Age) is the co producer.

Song "Dance Little Liar":
The Culture Show Interview:

bah Interview:

Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Bourgeois Gypsies: Faulty Fairytales


The Bourgeois Gypsies: Faulty Fairytales (Kaiam Records)

Folk rock, alt country; The Duhks

This is the second album by this 5-piece based in California. The band is fronted by composer, vocalist and guitar player Kaisa MacDonald, who can sing with a sweet or sour voice. Vocals by also guitar player Arnold Mitchem add variety to the songs. There’s nice guitar and violin play in these sometimes bluesy ("Bright", #11), sometimes rocky tunes ("Dry Land", #8) that also include fine ballads, like track 3 "Bluebirds." Track 7, "Train Song," is a cleverly funny one.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

John Doe & The Sadies: Country Club


John Doe & The Sadies: Country Club (YepRoc Records)

Country

John Doe (X, The Knitters) and Canadians The Sadies pair in this album of mostly classic country covers: Songs by Jonny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, and others plus four own (excellent) compositions: Tracks 4, 7, 8, and 15. The covers are straightforward and do not add much to the original versions.

Reviews:

YepRoc

The9513

NPR (audio)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Accident that Led Me to the World: The Island Gospel


The Accident that Led Me to the World: The Island Gospel (NFR)

Acoustic, folk; the everybodyfields

This trio, with basic instrumentation and the harmony of their voices, refreshes the landscape of Americana. These are slow, quiet and poetic songs that will take you to the island of yourself.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Medeski, Martin & Wood: Radiolarians II



Medeski, Martin & Wood: Radiolarians II (Indirecto Records)

Jazz Rock, Instrumental; Conveniens, The Bad Plus

This is the second installment—a more accomplished one than the first one—of the Radiolarians project (write music, tour, record; repeated three times) by wizards of improvisation and avant-garde jazz MM&W. Rock and blues riffs are treated with a jazzy feeling and a little of noise and electronica. All instrumental; all good.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Ed Laurie: Meanwhile in the Park


Ed Laurie: Meanwhile in the Park (dangerbird records)

Acoustic, folk, singer-song writer; Leonard Cohen, Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez

This British artist got known through the Internet and later this year (2009) dangerbird records will release his first full-length album. He has a soft, warm voice and he plays the guitar Spanish style, adding Brazilian and other Latin rhythms to his calm, melancholic songs. He definitely opens new paths to the singer-song writer’s line of work.


Page

Space

NPR

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Barcelona: Absolutes

Barcelona: Absolutes (Universal/Motown)

Indie rock, “piano rock,” Death Cab for Cutie, Copeland

This is the debut album by this four-piece band from Seattle, WA. (Actually it’s a re-release of a 2007 production, with added tracks.) Piano harmonies and guitar driven riffs, plus Brian Fennel’s voice (who also is the song writer) are the backbone of these songs that sometimes sound like power pop ones.

Space

Torrent Freak Link

Museé Mécanique: Hold this Ghost



Museé Mécanique: Hold this Ghost (Frog Stand Records)

Indie, folk rock, Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens

This five-piece is not from France but from Portland, OR, and this is their debut album. Accordion, keyboards, strings and bells plus melancholic voices create mesmerizing tunes that will take you to graveyards, empty streets, and other places populated with old polaroids and ghosts (like the Wright brothers’ in track 3, “The Propellors”). Perfect album title and perfect band name: Museé Mécanique is a museum in San Francisco of old music boxes. And this band sounds like a giant symphonic music box.

Page

Space

Museé Mécanique

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Ben Weaver: The Ax in the Oak


Ben Weaver: The Ax in the Oak (Bloodshot Records)

Acoustic, singer-songwriter.

This is the sixth album of this poet, illustrator and musician. By adding keyboards and electronic sounds to acoustic instruments, he explores territories not traditionaly associated with the singer-songwriter. These are slow, quiet songs where wild animals and urban landscapes coexist.

Page

Biography

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Xavier Rudd: Dark Shades of Blue


Xavier Rudd: Dark Shades of Blue (Salt X/Anti/Universal))

Indie, “world rock”.

5th album from this Australian multi instrumentalist—and surfer— who, although playing the didgeridoo and sometimes relying on aboriginal themes (#4: “Guku”), shows his rocker side with his guitar. Album’s been described as “heavy and psychedelic”.

Nice art work includes Rudd's manuscript of lyrics--although difficult to read. If you persist you'll find traces of hope among chaos and destruction.
"Shiver":
he is climbing up the mountain
and searching for the other side
seeking shelter from the rain
and from the pain he feels inside
he sees that now it's time to move on
time to let the ropes come loose
see your father is too coldand he may never let you through
and the anger and resentment
will only churn you up inside
but you are on another level
and they will only deny
and you will see it in your young hearts
as they give you what they know
and it will always come around
but it is time
to let it go
let it go
let it go
oh, let it go






Video:


Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Theresa Andersson: Hummingbird, Go!


Theresa Andersson: Hummingbird, Go! (Basin Street Records)

Acoustic, singer-songwriter; Mirah, El Perro del Mar, Keller Williams

She is originally from Sweden and currently lives in New Orleans. She is a multi instrumentalist who with pedals records her voice(s) and different instruments one after another (see below amazing video.)
She also has a beautiful voice, writes the music, and plays guitar, violin and all kind of objects (bottles, saw…). This is her third solo album: sweet, merry and lyrical songs that connect music to nature and art.

Monday, April 13, 2009

MAD STARING EYES


Mad Staring Eyes: Bored of Looking Cool (Retina Records)

This four-piece comes from London and played at Glastonbury 2005. They have been described as a cross between The Cure and U2/Echo and the Bunnymen, but this does not make justice to their originality, even when you hear echoes of Devo and David Byrn. Punk stamina with nice guitar work, keyboards and melodically screaming vocals that will make you wonder what band you are listening to… the same one featured in some TV shows.
(Speaking of originality, as someone pointed out, the first two tracks may sound similar, like having the same riff.) In “Educated Heart” you have a 60’s sound and “Shiny new car” is a rock n’ roll. A line from “I start fights” will resonate with guys: “You know I love you, but I hate conversation.” Some personal favorites: “Blue,” “Out of my Head,” “Don’t Lead Me on,” “Walking in the Streets,” “Grounded.”

Thursday, March 26, 2009

(weewerk) is 6!


(weewerk) is 6!

Indie, folk rock

(weewerk) is an independent label from Toronto founded by Phil Klygo and Germaine Koh. The project supports the arts as well as music. This compilation celebrates their sixth anniversary, Happy Birthday, (weewerk)!
Features The Barmitzvah Brothers, Canteen Knockout, Great Lake Swimmers, The United Steel Workers of Montreal and more from the Canadian independent movement.

Space

The Great Lake Swimmers

The United Steel Workers of Montreal

The Barmitzvah Brothers

Monday, March 23, 2009

MICHAEL BARRY-REC: Streams in the Desert


Michael Barry-Rec: Streams in the Desert

Folk, Acoustic; Ry Cooder, David Gilmour

He comes from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and plays acoustic guitars and lap steel. Nice organ and bongos lay the background for spacey (all instrumental) songs. Just close your eyes and imagine water flowing through the desert. Barry-Rec is also a master mason and does amazing stone work.

Web Page

Space

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

CEANN: Making Friends


Ceann: Making Friends

“Yankee-Irish Drinking Music,” Celtic Rock, Flogging Molly.

This band (it’s OK to mispronounce their name) is from Pittsburgh, PA. They have funny and fast-paced songs about family and relationships, nationalisms and the music business, legendary pirates and… drinking. Nice blend of guitar, accordion and violin that will make you stomp with humor and sarcasm.

Web page

Space

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

ANDREW BIRD: Noble Beast


ANDREW BIRD. Noble Beast (Fat Possum)

Folk rock

Singer song writer and violin/guitar player, Andrew is a true bird; he also whistles, claps and adds vocals accompanied by a full band. Nice, folksy, subtly complicated songs that will transport you to ancient roots sometimes with the help of old instruments. Bird was a frequent collaborator of the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Web 1

Web 2

Space




This is the cover of the limited edition

More videos

Sunday, February 22, 2009

THE BAD PLUS WENDY LEWIS: For All I Care


THE BAD PLUS (JOINED BY WENDY LEWIS): For All I Care ((Heads Up)

Jazz, Experimental (Covers)

The trio that redefines rock, jazz, pop, and classical music is back with the addition of vocalist Wendy Lewis, who perfectly harmonizes with the band’s musical framework. All tracks are covers, but so personal and original they become a song on their own. Rock classics like “Long Distance Runaround”, “Barracuda”, “Lithium”, “Comfortably Numb” alternate with classical compositions by Stravinsky, Babbit and Ligeti.

Web Page

Space




Saturday, February 21, 2009

BEN YARO & THE COMMONWEALTH


BEN YARO & THE COMMONWEALTH: Ben Yaro (Team Clermont)

Iron & Wine, Devendra Banhart, Jose Gonzalez.

This folk trio comes from the subways of New York City. They have a very nice acoustic sound with pleasant harmonies and clean instrumentation. Simple and beautiful music with roots in Three Dog Night, CSNY, Cat Stevens.

Space

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Andru Branch & Halfway Tree: My Jamaican Weed


ANDRU BRANCH & HALFWAY TREE: My Jamaican Weed
(Planetary)

Root reggae

Single by Canadian reggae artist Andru Branch who has recorded and played with members of The Wailers. His band includes Brian “Bassie” Atkinson, from the original Studio One. Enjoy the Jamaican weed.

Web Page

Space:

Thursday, February 12, 2009

William Elliot Whitmore: Animals in the Dark


WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE. Animals in the Dark (Anti-)

Folk, Blues, Band of Horses, Drive By Truckers, Billy Bragg, Lucinda Williams.

Powerful singer and banjo/guitar player, WEW returns with the addition of strings and organ, moving from solo to a more band-oriented line. He is associated with the “new pastoralism” of Ben Iver, but also popular with punks.


Web Page

Space

Video

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

MADE IN MEXICO. Guerrillaton


MADE IN MEXICO. Guerrillaton (Skin Graft)

Post punk, AIDS Wolf, The Hospitals

This band from Providence, Rhode Island, includes ex-members of Arab on Radar, La Machine, and Bossman plus vocalist Rebecca Mitchell. Post punk songs alternate with Latin/Tropical influenced ones where the heavy presence of the guitar reminds of some of Marc Ribot’s work. Titles are in Spanish and words in English.