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.

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Pitchfork review

Spin

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.

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Promo

(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.

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Seattle Weekly

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.

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Song "Dance Little Liar":

The Culture Show Interview:

bah Interview:

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.

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Video

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)

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.

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