.357 String Band - Lightning From the North

How the .357 String Band have slipped through the cracks for me is impossible to understand. They are stunning and their songs are amazing. This is what I picture Scott H. Biram sounding like if he were to have a "string" band backing him.


I have been listening to their latest effort Lightning From the North for the last couple of days and I cannot give it enough praise. If songs like Oh, Adilene don't get you going, you may not have a pulse!


Yes, it is very traditional music but there is a sense of aggression that completes the songs and makes them refreshing and original. The band refers to their brand of Americana as "Streetgrass" which could very well lend itself to my understood aggression. The musicianship is second to none and their talent is definitely adequately expressed with each track.


 Go get this album!

Monday Myspace Page: pleaseturnmeon

I was in need of some mood setting music this week and, depressed and hungover, my search brought me to Myspace yet again. I found the phenomenal band, pleaseturnmeon. There is a great sampling of music on their page and very worth heading over there to take a listen.

The band looks to be made up of a troupe of, Paris-based, musicians and the brainchild of a man named Damien. Let me know what you think.

Brainbheats - Tomorrow is the Destroyer e.p.

I don't often hear music that runs the gamut of every genre possible. However, this was before I had heard the the musical ambitions of Brainbheats, aka Brian Healy. This amazing foray into everything from smooth jazz to heavy drum and bass has been my listening choice for the last couple of days. Although, I may be getting a slight case of A.D.D. in the process.

Healy's musical accomplishments are immense and one does not have to search much further than his own compositions to understand that he is influenced by, well, everything! His timing is perfect and his exploration is a joy to listen to. I couldn't recommend this e.p. more and, as a bonus, you have to check out his mashups here. These are hands down some of the best mashups I have ever heard.

The e.p. is available from Ropeadope Records here.

Brainbheats - Cloud Dust

Monday Myspace Page: Pierre Omer

I absolutely love the sound of a big-bodied guitar, especially if it is done very well. To hear what I am talking about one needs to look no further than Pierre Omer. This is an incredible talent and his ability shines through in his music. Go have a listen, you will not regret it.

His second album is due out April 9th and several tracks are available for listening on his Myspace page.

Dreams

Do you ever have those dreams? The ones that feel so vivid and real that you wake up feeling guilty, timid, embarrassed, or unsure. I had one of those the other night. I can't remember the plot anymore, which is often the case with all my dreams, but I do remember soles of feet and a pouch of gold coins. However, the dream did have a running soundtrack that was, of all bands, Wang Chung.

Morpheus, what are you doing to me? I wanted to forget those slap-bass eighties tunes!

Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days (Extended Remix)

Beck's Record Club - New Sensation (INXS)

This is amazing and I can't wait to hear more of the INXS sessions.

The First Days of Spring

Well, spring is here and what better way to ring in the blooming of flowers than with music? Better yet, how about a mix of songs that could contribute to the smell of pollen. Here is a collection of songs that I have deemed "Spring" related. Hope you enjoy them. 

Track Listing: 

1. The First Days Of Spring By Noah And The Whale
2. First Day Of Spring By The Gandharvas
3. Spring Flower By The Great Outdoors
4. Classic Rock In Spring By Kurt Vile
5. Three More Springs By Ghostkeeper
6. Belly Of June By Horse Feathers
7. The Constant Springs By Cornershop

8. Spring Song By Colourmusic

*note: I chose Horse Feathers - Belly of June because of the metaphorical imagery it conjures up. I love picturing spring as the joyful belly of summer. 

*note duo - For some reason, the tape does not work if you are using Chrome. Quite peculiar if you ask me. 

Monday Myspace Page: Dustbowl Revival

It is rather strange. Ever since I started writing about bands found on myspace, my "friend requests" have risen substantially. I am really not that popular! Therefore, it certainly feels bizarre to be weeding through countless bands hoping for that next gem. Also, what I am trying to say here is, this weeks entry is a little late due to "friend requests" that all deserved a listen. I was weeding through far too many bands to count. 

On that note, I did find the fantastic Dustbowl Revival that need as much press as they can get. These guys follow the Blues theme from my last post as they are a traditional folk orchestra messing around with blues, jug band and swing. They brand new album is available here and it is fantastic. 

One more thing, it is really unfortunate that a lot of the bands that have requested to be my cyber-friend are not all that great. I feel awful writing this, but there is a reason that I find a lot of the bands all by myself. 

Listen to the Blues

I have been obsessed with the likes of Son House, Mance Lipscomb, and Blind Lemon Jefferson for the last couple of days. This all started with a marathon blip.fm session realizing, yet again, all that is amazing about early blues.

My soul tingles when I listen to these recordings. There is something so amazing about a man and his guitar or, in Son House's case, a man and his hand claps! I am absolutely convinced that Lipscomb is one of the best guitar players I have ever heard. Have a listen to these tracks and let them take you back.

Son House - John the Revelator
Blind Lemon Jefferson - Match Box Blues
Mance Lipscomb - You Got to Reap What You Sow

Photos of Mance Lipscomb

Young Man - Boy

Came across this the other day and I can't stop listening to it. Young Man, aka Colin Caulfield, has produced an astounding debut album. Even more astounding is that this album came from a "young man" that is all of twenty years old. There is a maturity in these songs that you rarely hear by musicians twice his age. The entire album Boy is available to stream below and it is amazing.

Have a listen:


Boy by Young Man

Ruffian Royale - Hardest of the Hard

I very rarely listen to ska/reggae of any type. I tend to shy-away from repetitive guitar lines and marijuana bliss. However, I was sent a copy of Ruffian Royale's latest e.p. this morning and I can't get these songs out of my head. I love them. 

The e.p. is definitely one that you have to nourish, squeeze, and wait for those right moments to hit you. I personally found it in the great melody lines that enter almost every song. Ruffian Royale have a definite understanding as to how to write that soothing hook. 

There is something about this mix of ska/dub by the band that has me going. It's a lot of fun and the these guys are showing some skillful songwriting. On top of that, it makes you want to move. Every song grows on you quickly and there is, to drive the point home, a great attention to the detail of melody. Hardest of the Hard is available, for free, here and if you are looking to get in a great mood, you should check it out. 

Ruffian Royale - Cold Wind 

Bakers at Dawn - You Must Hide Your Love Forever

The Swedes just seem to get it. I have been listening to the Marcus Sjöland's project Bakers at Dawn for the last week and I am floored by how good it is. Simple songs that are both expressive and intelligent.

I have been obsessing over simply recorded music lately and You Must Hide Your Love Forever fits the mold perfectly. I believe it just explodes with sincerity and shows how effective simplicity can be in creating great music.

The "bleeps" and "bloops" play their part in this album but Sjöland realizes he can add them merely as a compliment to the music. They detail each track instead of a completely overrunning it and, by doing so, Bakers at Dawn achieves that perfect layering. This is a great album full of exceptionally written songs. Check it out here. 

Bakers at Dawn - Undefined

Myspace Band: Ramon "Tiki" Fulwood

Quite simply, Tiki Fulwood was amazing and I just think you should go and listen to his page. It's Friday and it puts you in a great mood. The man's drumming was incredible and it changed the drumming-game forever... if you ask me.

Myspace Band: Kiss Kiss Fantastic

I was "friend-requested" by  Kiss Kiss Fantastic a while back and I can of dug what they were doing. Yes, the mix could use a lot of help and there is definitely some timing troubles but, as I mention with a lot of myspace bands, there is definitely potential. Songs like Sad Little Rocks and Summers with the Ephemeral Wasp (I hate when bands use the word "Ephemeral") are definitely on there way to being something special. You can check out the entire e.p. (for free) here and please let me know what you think.

Myspace Band: Tom VandenAvond

Tom VandenAvond is another one of the songwriters that I can't believe is not more well known around the music world. He is just fantastic! He is a true story-telling songster. He has that immediate charm that will ensure his place in music history and I am sure recognition for his efforts will be coming shortly. You have to check him out.

Myspace Band: The von Drats

There is something so appealing about old surfer/punk/rockabilly music that is just amazing. I wish Vancouver had a night somewhere that encompassed how amazing this music is live. Remember how fun The Marine Club used to be? The von Drats are one such band that would play that night with their interpretation of the genre. Definitely check these guys out, they are great fun.

Monday Myspace Page: Bionic

Just listening to Bionic makes me feel as if they are going to beat my ass. This is purely incredible rock that just blasts you in the face. I Love it! Just imagine them live; I am sure they were unbelievable. I Got Skin and Turn You Out are amazing examples of just how to write a great "loud" anthem.

I really don't have a lot to say other than… "Fuck these guys rock!" Too bad they broke-up.

Sunday Morning Beats

So, this morning I decided to make a little "Sunday Morning Mix" using this cool website. The mix is based mainly on electronica and I thoroughly enjoyed going back and listening to these bands. Hope you like it. All you have to do is press play. 

Here are the tracks: 

1. Action Figure - Sunburned Hand Of The Man

2. I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (Fromage YACHT Rock Edit) - Hall And Oates

3. Polygons - Magic Man

4. Journal Of Ardency - Class Actress

5. These Branded Waters - Matthew Herbert

6. Dusty Fruit - The Ruby Suns

7. Cassettesingle - Fujiya & Miyagi

8. Vat - Tarwater

9. Black Fur - Fredrik

10. Two Dots - Lusine

Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets

If you ever feel like sitting down and escaping, you should grab a cup of tea, a interesting book, and throw on Angelo Spencer et les hauts sommets latest effort. In a sound reminiscent of Neil Young's brilliant soundtrack to Dead Man, Spencer has summoned the old spaghetti western genre and made it his own. The band is brilliant and it is a lot of fun to listen to.

5 Reasons Why Magic Man's Real Life Color is the Best Album of the First Quarter of 2010

As many of you probably know, I gave Magic Man's Real Life Color a rave review a couple of weeks ago and it still stands as my top album of 2010 (released) to date.

Now, as we are a quarter of the way to the top 55 albums of 2010, I thought it would be fun to explain why I am standing behind my opinion. Here are five reasons as to why I think Real Life Color is the best release of 2010. Why five you may ask? Well, I am a huge fan of arbitrary numbers.

1. The album starts with the scratch and hiss of a needle on a record, quite possibly the best sound in the history of music.

2. It's available for free.

3. The song Polygons might be the best display of songwriting ability (in this genre) since The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.

4. The first time I played this album for my wife I did not inform her as to whom the band was. Within the first three songs she was demanding to know and could not believe how good it was. She has impeccable taste in music.

5. Quite simply, I have not heard anything better this year!

*I would love to hear all opinions for and disagreements.

The Autumn Film: The Ship and the Sea

With first listen to The Autumn Film's latest album, I can't help but think of how it will soon be raped and pillaged by every nightly teen-drama on television. The writing just lends itself to that sobbing walkaway scene, a teenager coming "out," or the death of a young character (Check out the track "Mended"). The Ship and the Sea just has that immediate, highly dramatized, value to it. It will be sickening how much you will hear this album in the next couple of months.

The great track Always the Same had me instantly intrigued because the band sounded to be heading in a Heartless Bastards direction but, every song on the album does not come close to the momentum gained in this tune. Great musicianship seems to be wasted and it feels as if there is a "aim for fame" mentality taken by the band. They shy away from the previous darker efforts and direct their sites on a market that is a little more forgiving.

This sounds like I hate the album and I should stress that that is not the case. The writing has its moments of excellence with powerful piano sequences that should, and will, give chills to most listeners. However, one of those listeners will not be me. Tifah Phillips has an incredible voice that should be recognized for years to come. The Ship and the Sea is pop craftsmanship at it's finest and should be recognized by the masses in the months to come.

xoxo…

Disappears: LUX

I don't know what it is!? I have been really focusing on music that makes me bob my head, pout my lips, and (please help me) throw out the arms and strike an air-guitar pose. It's rather childish (yes) but I just keep hearing so many bands in the month of March that allow me to be such a fool.

Take Chicago's Disappears for one. They have a full length debut set to be released April 12th, on Kranky no less, and their song Magics has got me seriously hooked. I feel like dancing around the living room spilling beer on my parents rug. Great band that is just full of everything, I can't wait for this full length.

Disappears - Magics

Possessed by Paul James

The incredible talent that is Possessed by Paul James (aka: Konrad Wert) is undeniable. He is definitely an established musician that seems to of mastered the craft of performing the banjo, fiddle, and guitar. He has a voice that consumes you and eerily brings you back to a time when music was recorded in a mud-floored barn. How this guy is not a household name is beyond me because he is so incredibly talented.

I have been stuck on his myspace page today and I can't wait until I get my hands on his new album Feed the Family which is due in April or May. If you have never heard of Possessed by Paul James, go right now and have a listen. Look around for links where you can purchase all his other stuff because it is so worth it.

Possessed by Paul James - No Windows
Possessed by Paul James - Come to the Water

Finders Keepers Records

I came across one of the most incredible finds I have ever experienced in music today. I am sure a lot of people know about Finders Keepers Records but experiencing, and exploring, their site for the first time has made this day amazing. I don't know what album to purchase. I have been listening to :30 second snippets all day and every album sounds amazing.

Please, do yourself a favour and go get lost in, and I quote: "… Japanese choreography records, space-age Turkish protest songs, Czechoslovakian vampire soundtracks, Welsh rare-beats, bubblegum folk, drugsploitation operatics, banned British crime thrillers and celebrity Gallic Martini adverts…" You will not regret it!

Archie Bronson Outfit: Coconut

Archie Bronson Outfit's have released another gem of an album. Right from the first thirty seconds, the song Magnetic Warrior grabs you giving the sense that the album is going to be chalked full of groove and gut-wrenching rhythm. There is a sense of anger but that is quickly subdued with each new track.

I am sure some would like to pinhole the Archie Bronson Outfit as straight ahead rock band but I have to take a different point of view. I say the songs are full of melodies that are heartfelt and sentimental. They do have their edge but hidden in there is a deeper meaning. Hidden in there are disco elements that want to make you dance! This is what draws me to the band. I question what they are about with every listen.

Not many bands show this much provocation and originality in new material but I was completely blown away by how much the band had grown from its previous efforts. Wonderful and well worth the purchase.

Thumbs up for the latest album, which is available from Domino Records here.