SHARON VAN ETTEN | TRAMP
I fell in love with singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten’s work when I first heard her 2009 debut Because I Was in Love, and have had the privilege of meeting her and supporting her work ever since. A tireless performer, Van Etten pushes things to the next level with her third release, Tramp – an album that is incredibly well-crafted and arranged despite over a year’s worth of itinerant recording sessions with Aaron Dessner (The National) at his new garage studio. The twelve tracks range from dark rockers to breathtaking ballads, with Van Etten’s captivating vocals and talented three-piece backing band and guest artists. Do yourself a favor and pick-up the album (due out February 7th) and catch Van Etten on her upcoming international tour. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Julie Doiron, Kristin Hersh, Lia Ices, Sarah Jaffe, Lower Dens, Tiny Vipers, Wye Oak
posted by JFelton, January 26, 2012
THE BIG PINK | FUTURE THIS
Following their 2009 debut A Brief History of Love and the breakout single “Dominoes” (which was recently reinterpreted with less success by Nicki Minaj), London duo The Big Pink are back with Future This. Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell’s sophomore effort has an all-star team in the wings, with producers Paul Epworth (Adele, Foster The People) and Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, The Killers) coaxing an impressive retro ten tracks of electro-pop. The music is catchy and fun; standouts include opener “Stay Gold”, “Hit the Ground (Superman)”, and “1313.” – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Blouse, The Drums, Grouplove, The Horrors, I Break Horses, Summer Camp
posted by JFelton, January 26, 2012
TRAILER TRASH TRACYS | ESTER
London four-piece Trailer Trash Tracys are out with their debut album of experimental pop, Ester. Fusing disparate elements such as Spector-esque girl group doo-wop, the music from Twin Peaks, an animal orchestra, dream-pop, and the eastern-based solfeggio scale (a seven syllable alternative to “do, re, mi”) which is embodied by non-traditional tuned guitar. Ambience and sonic atmospherics abound, with rich reverb and the sweet stylings of lead vocalist Suzanne Aztoria balancing the mix. For a sense of Trailer Trash Tracys’ pop approach, check out tracks “Rolling – Kiss the Universe”, “You Wish You Were Red”, and “Candy Girl.” – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Blouse, Bleached, Diagrams, Frankie Rose, Still Corners, Veronica Falls
posted by JFelton, January 25, 2012
IMPERIAL TEEN | FEEL THE SOUND
San Francisco based indie rockers Imperial Teen, best known for their chart topping 1996 debut Seasick with “You’re One” and 1999 single “YooHoo” are back with their fifth studio album, Feel the Sound. The four piece – Roddy Bottum (guitar; former keyboardist for Faith No More) and Will Schwartz (guitar), Jone Stebbins (bass) and Lynn Perko Truell (drums) – manages to create infectious and melodic pop-rock that feels as fresh as it did fifteen years ago. Where the band really excels is their four-part lead vocals (that’s right – simultaneous lead vocals) as well as harmonies, all artfully layered upon lush, symphonic instrumentation. Imperial Teen is not accomplishing anything groundbreaking on Feel the Sound, but they achieve wonderfully consistent pop music that always pleases. – Written by SMarx
posted by JFelton, January 25, 2012
DR. DOG | BE THE VOID
Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog is back with Be the Void, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2010’s successful Shame, Shame. Recorded in their hometown at the Meth Beach studio, the guys further capture the full throttle energy of their shows by recording live and featuring amped-up and fuzzed-out guitars with ferocious drums. The twelve tracks showcase hard-working rock and roll, a departure from their earlier psych-rock/symphonic pop sounds. Be the Void is an exceptional rock album, poising Dr. Dog for astronomical success; standouts include the title track, “Vampire”, and “Warrior Man.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Dawes, Deer Tick, Delta Spirit, Fruit Bats, Middle Brother, The Morning Benders, M. Ward
posted by JFelton, January 23, 2012
ISLANDS | A SLEEP AND A FORGETTING
Brooklyn by way of Montreal indie-pop band Islands is set to release their fourth album, A Sleep and A Forgetting, on February 14th. The eleven track collection whose title refers to the 1979 novella by Orson Scott Card about a cancer drug with a side effect of erasing memory, was recorded live in a couple of weeks with frontman Nick Thorburn and Evan Gordon leading production. The quartet which is known for their art pop aesthetic takes a different turn, with an intensely personal examination of loss, memory, forgetting and dreaming. The result is a set of subtle songs that are emotionally resonant and affecting. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Mister Heavenly, Of Montreal, Sunset Rubdown, The Unicorns, Wolf Parade
posted by JFelton, January 23, 2012
FIRST AID KIT | THE LION’S ROAR
Young Swedish sibling folk rock duo First Aid Kit (a.k.a. Klara and Johanna Soderberg) are releasing The Lion’s Roar – the highly anticipated follow-up to their debut The Big Black and the Blue. With highly sought after producer Mike Mogis at the helm (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk, Jenny Lewis), the sisters explore a fuller band sound, with expansive instrumentation and gorgeous harmonies. This stunning set shows clear growth and evolution in their sound, which will only continue to expand as they accompany Lykke Li on her upcoming UK tour. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Fleet Foxes, Lykke Li, Laura Marling
posted by JFelton, January 19, 2012
THE MOTH AND THE FLAME | THE MOTH AND THE FLAME
Brandon Robbins and Mark Garbett are The Moth And The Flame – a Provo, Utah based band who specialize in lush, layered atmospheric pop. While new as an exclusive duo (they’ve performed together in a larger band before), they are already selling out local shows and creating a buzz with their self-titled debut. Influences like Coldplay, Muse, and Vampire Weekend are apparent, but the guys make the richly layered ambient tracks their own, including mesmerizing melodies, and finely crafted piano, guitar and synth textures. The Moth and The Flame are dedicated to their overall artistic vision for the album, pressing it to CD only and promoting the work and shows with a rotating installation of 20 foot tall anthropomorphic giants that appear on their cover art. Check out this fascinating concept work that is sure to make it on the national scene. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Coldplay, Muse, Radiohead, Tom The Lion, Vampire Weekend
posted by JFelton, January 19, 2012
BEN KWELLER | GO FLY A KITE
At long last, Ben Kweller’s fifth studio album Go Fly A Kite is set for release on February 7th. Following a falling out with former label ATO Records, Kweller established his own studio and label, The Noise Company, and Go Fly a Kite is the debut release. The title, which is Kweller’s kinder, gentler way of saying “Go F*@$ Yourself”, is a public admonition to ATO as well as a send off to his former best friend, with whom he recently had a falling out. But the talented songwriter can’t stay mad for long, and while the 11 tracks speak to difficult times, his music remains upbeat. At heart, Go Fly a Kite is a rock and roll album with flourishes of pop and folk complete with Kweller’s signature stripped down vibe, piano riffs, and energetic electric guitar. It is a worthy addition to his accomplished discography. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Avett Brothers, The Bens, Beulah, Conor Oberst, Radish
posted by JFelton, January 18, 2012
OF MONTREAL | PARALYTIC STALKS
Of Montreal, named after a failed romance with a woman from the namesake region, is coming out with their eleventh album, Paralytic Stalks on February 7th. The release coincides with the limited edition career retrospective Cassette Box Set, which follows the band from their 1997 debut of Brit psych pop Cherry Peel to 2010’s rock oriented psych pop album False Priest. Originally part of the Elephant 6 collective of 1990’s American indie bands which started in Denver and later migrated to Athens, GA, Of Montreal has explored a variety of styles over the years, including psych rock, indie-pop, glam-rock, funk, and R&B. Their latest shows lead Kevin Barnes writing more personal lyrics and complex compositions, resulting in another great addition to their collection. – Written by SMarx
posted by JFelton, January 18, 2012
CRAIG FINN | CLEAR HEART FULL EYES
When The Hold Steady went on a four month break this past summer, frontman Craig Finn got to work on his debut solo album, Clear Heart Full Eyes. It was in Austin that the Brooklynite met up with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead), and with local musicians Josh Block (White Denim), Jesse Ebaugh (The Heartless Bastards), Ricky Ray Jackson (Phosphorescent), and Billy White (Centro-matic). The eleven tracks showcase Finn’s newly discovered songwriting talent, with heartfelt lyrics narrating the lives of the lonely, struggling, and heartbroken. Check out Mount Moriah with Finn on his U.S. tour this February. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | The Hold Steady, Lifter Puller, The Twilight Hours
posted by JFelton, January 16, 2012
MARK LANEGAN BAND | BLUES FUNERAL
Mark Lanegan is the name behind some of the most influential bands of the last 2+ decades: grunge godfather Screaming Trees and hard rock outfit Queens of the Stone Age. For his seventh solo album Blues Funeral, Lanegan gathered many of his ongoing collaborators such as Alain Johannes (Eleven, QOTSA), Josh Homme (QOTSA), Jack Irons (formerly of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Greg Dulli (The Afgan Whigs) for a strong 12 track collection of blues and rock. Blues Funeral is available in vinyl and will be widely released in early February. Check out promo single “The Gravedigger’s Song” featuring Lanegan’s distinctive gravelly vocals and full backing band. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Nick Cave, Dinosaur Jr., Grinderman, The Gutter Twins, Screaming Trees, Tom Waits
posted by JFelton, January 16, 2012
CLOUD NOTHINGS | ATTACK ON MEMORY
Dylan Baldi’s Cleveland, OH based four-piece band Cloud Nothings has shed their syrupy yet fun indie pop/punk for an edgier sound. What spurred this change is the monotony of life on the road; specifically Baldi’s realization that his early work didn’t have the capacity for improv on the road – he had to play the songs almost note for note as originally composed. To encourage more dynamism in the arrangements, Cloud Nothings recorded Attack on Memory in Chicago with engineer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey, Bush), resulting in aggressive, angst ridden ’90s post-punk/hardcore sounds. Not only does the band rock harder and louder, the lyrics are stronger and the production is hi-fi. Fans of the band are bound to like this new direction, and those new to Cloud Nothings will find a great collection of music. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Babies, Beach Fossils, Big Troubles, Male Bonding, Neon Indian, Vivian Girls, Weekend
posted by JFelton, January 12, 2012
PORCELAIN RAFT | STRANGE WEEKEND
NYC-based Italian Mauro Remiddi, former frontman of the indie pop band Sunny Day Sets Fire, caught many critics’ and fans attention this year at SXSW as the psych-pop band Porcelain Raft. Strange Weekend follows four EP’s, making for a melodic collection of dreampop layered with noise, synths, electronics, acoustic guitar, and vocals. While he has a rich and varied musical career spanning the globe – from the Berlin Youth Circus to an Off-Broadway tap dance gig; from North Korea to London to Brooklyn; yet he continues to record from his bedroom, wherever that happens to be. Standouts include “Is It Too Deep For You” and “Put Me To Sleep.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Beach House, Blood Diamonds, The Drums, Real Estate, Wild Nothing, Wise Blood
posted by JFelton, January 12, 2012
CHAIRLIFT | SOMETHING
Brooklyn’s electro-rock duo Chairlift has evolved since first founded in 2005 as a project to create music for haunted houses. Since then bassist Kyle McCabe and founding member Aaron Pfenning left (the latter to pursue a solo venture as Rewards) leaving co-founder Caroline Polachek (tambourine, synth, vocals) fronting along with Patrick Wimberly (drums, bass guitar, keyboard, production). However, the great promise of earlier works like 2008’s Does You Inspire You (which spawned both MTV’s VMA Breakthrough Video nominee “Evident Utensil” and “Bruises” featured on the ubiquitous iPod Nano commercial) is realized in the duo’s sophomore release of synth-pop, Something. The tunes were written and recorded between 2010 and 2011 in NY and London and mixed and produced with industry veteran Dan Carey (Franz Ferdinand, The Kills, M.I.A.), resulting in a catchy set that is sure to gain fans, fame, and critical acclaim. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Beach House, The Bird and The Bee, Class Actress, Friendly Fires, Glasser, Yeasayer
posted by JFelton, January 11, 2012
NADA SURF | THE STARS ARE INDIFFERENT TO ASTRONOMY
NY band Nada Surf is coming out with their seventh album on January 24th, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy. Trio Matthew Caws (guitar, vocals), Daniel Lorca (bass), and Ira Elliot (drums) are joined by Doug Gillard (guitars; Guided by Voices) for their first album in four years. With producer Chris Shaw (Wilco, Super Furry Animals) at the helm, Nada Surf recreate their live show experience and energy, forgoing their usual in-studio precision and craftsmanship. This is not to say that the ten tracks of rock aren’t thoughtful or well crafted – they are, but and they are looser and free. Standouts tracks include “Looking Through” and “No Snow on the Mountain.” – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Death Cab for Cutie, Fountains of Wayne, The Long Winters, Maritime, Rogue Wave
posted by JFelton, January 11, 2012
LAURA GIBSON | LA GRANDE
Portland, OR singer-songwriter Laura Gibson is joined again by an impressive cast of backing musicians on her latest full length, La Grande. As with her 2009 album of sparse folk, Beasts of Seasons, cameos include Nate Query and Jenny Conlee (The Decemberists), Joey Burns (Calexico), and Meric Long an Logan Kroeber (The DoDos). Finding inspiration in the beauty of the landscape of La Grande, Oregon, Gibson’s compositions are much more cinematic, which is achieved in part by her use of a nylon string guitar – an instrument typically used in classic arrangements – and broader ranging vistas and soundscapes including vibraphone, pump organ, synths, marimba, and steel guitar. Tying this all together is Gibson’s distinctly lovely vocals, narrating the travels and travails of life and nature. - Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Decemberists, Lisa Germano, Julie Peel
posted by JFelton, January 9, 2012
JOHN STATZ | OLD FASHIONED
Following John Statz’s 2010’s poignant album of alt country and roots rock Ghost Towns is Old Fashioned – another impressive collection of country folk. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the former Madison, WI now mostly Denver based folk rocker teamed-up with producer Bo Ramsey to record the ten tracks, which are available for purchase and download through Yer Bird and Statz’s Bandcamp site starting January 24th. Check out promo single “Distance” for a taste of what is to come. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Dry Still, John Goraj, Old Lost John, Stripmall Ballads, Oliver Thiessen
posted by JFelton, January 9, 2012
PERFUME GENIUS | PUT YOUR BACK N 2 IT
Seattle-based singer/songwriter Mike Hadreas is back as Perfume Genius, expanding from a solo gig into a three-piece. His sophomore release “Put Your Back N 2 It” follows his successful 2010 debut, Learning. Due out February 21st again on the Matador label, Put Your Back N 2 It retains Hadreas’ confessional style but expands beyond the personal to the universal, touching on themes of sex, power, and family. With the help of Andrew Morgan (musician and former Elliott Smith collaborator) and John Goodmanson (indie rock producer and mixer for bands like Sleater-Kinney, Death Cab for Cutie, and Los Campesinos), Hadreas’ sound evolves beyond lo-fi bedroom recordings into more expansive, lush, and polished instrumentation. For a preview of Put Your Back N 2 It, which is sure to be an even greater and widespread success than Learning, check out promo single “All Waters.” – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Antony and the Johnsons, Former Ghosts, Chris Garneau, Glasser, Wild Nothing, Xiu Xiu
posted by JFelton, January 6, 2012
ELEPHANT MICAH | LOUDER THAN THOU
Elephant Micah, a rotating collective led by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joseph O’Connell, is self-releasing Louder Than Thou on January 31st. O’Connell’s origins are based in folk home recordings and experimentations but he built an underground following based on his eclectic lo-fi indie sound. Louder Than Thou sees O’Connell showcasing musicians and sounds from the local Bloomington, Indiana scene, where his day job as a folklorist and musical ethnographer is based. This six track collection of beautiful avant-Americana will be available for download on a “pay what you can” basis as well as on limited edition deluxe LP. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Brown Bird, Lewis & Clarke, Phosphorescent, Strand of Oaks, Thanksgiving, J. Tillman
posted by JFelton, January 6, 2012
GRAHAM WEBER | WOMEN
Austin-based singer/songwriter Graham Weber’s fourth solo release Women is an intensely personal effort to examine his troubled marriage and try to understand things from the perspective of women. Weber’s narratives of heartbreak, hope, and failure are given greater life and credibility through the female duets and harmonies, voiced by an impressive line-up of local artists BettySoo, Dana Falconberry, Carrie Rodriguez, Amanda Shires, Leslie Stevens, Bonnie Whitmore and his previously estranged / now reunited wife, Michelle Keffer. Standouts include opener “Sweet Virginia Brown” and “Black and White.” – Written by SMarx
posted by JFelton, January 5, 2012
BRADLEY WIK AND THE CHARLATANS | BURN WHAT YOU CAN, BURY THE REST
Burn What You Can, Bury the Rest is the debut of Bradley Wik and The Charlatans, the Portland, OR based quintet who specialize heartland rock and roll. Frontman Wik – a native son of the Midwest – is a songwriter who has extensively toured across the country for the past four years, laying down an acoustic set of alt-country strings wherever crowds welcome him. Wik’s knack for compelling storytelling and realistically rendered blue collar characters along the lines of Bruce Springsteen make for a great rock record. Standouts among the eight tracks include “This Old House” with Brianne Kathleen on backing vocals and the 8+ minute album closer about Wik’s close friend and bandmember, “Just Like Jon Fickes.” – Written by JFelton
posted by JFelton, January 5, 2012
RONNIE FAUSS | ANY LOVIN’ WAY BUT WRONG
The last couple releases from Dallas based singer-songwriter Ronnie Fauss were well-crafted alt-country / Americana EPs, and now Fauss is out with another, this time all covers, Any Lovin’ Way But Wrong. The four tracks read like a who’s who of modern and contemporary Americana: “Clay Pigeons” by Blaze Foley, ”Just The Other Side Of Nowhere” by Kris Kristofferson, Todd Snider’s “Happy To Be Here”, and “Sabu Visits The Twin Cities Alone” by John Prine. Fauss selected the works as representative pieces by those who influenced him most – the artists who inspired him to become a musician and those who keep him going. Fauss’ distinctly raspy voice lends a unique take on some of the genre’s classics. Check out Any Lovin’ Way But Wrong for a taste of Fauss’ style and an introduction to some of this country’s greatest songwriters. – Written by JFelton
posted by JFelton, January 4, 2012
KAREN DALTON | 1966
There’s been a recent resurgence in the work of Karen Dalton, a Cherokee/Irish-American folk musician who was an integral member of the early 60’s Greenwich Village scene. Bob Dylan called Dalton one of his favorite singers of the era, with “a voice like Billie Holiday and played guitar like Jimmy Reed.” However Dalton rarely performed in public, known for her rare performances playing the twelve string guitar and a long neck banjo while kicking back with friends. Her two studio albums, 1969’s It’s So Hard To Tell Who’s Going To Love You the Best and 1971’s In My Own Time, were re-released in 2006 and now archival rehearsal tapes are being released on Delmore Recordings later this month under the title, 1966. That year Dalton and Richard Tucker were captured at her rural Colorado cabin reheasing for an upcoming gig by Carl Baron, who brought along his reel-to-reel. 1966 is the result of those sessions, caught in all their raw beauty. Be sure to take a listen to this rare gem by a reclusive singer in her prime. – Written by JFelton
posted by JFelton, January 4, 2012
FIONA SALLY MILLER | THE WHALE’S LOVE LIFE EP
Brighton, UK based singer/songwriter Fiona Sally Miller recently released her debut EP of folk/pop, The Whale’s Love Life. The five song set is a mini concept album about love and being submerged, with each track oriented around waves, water and the ocean. Miller wrote, recorded, produced and performed all the tracks herself, an experiment in merging field recordings with recycled sounds, and a vehicle for promoting her inaugural European tour. If you enjoy these songs, be sure to check out Miller’s full length slated for February 2012. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | The Adults, Austin Basham, Jack Carty, The Gutter Press, The Hit Back, Wind and Sail
posted by JFelton, December 28, 2011
RECORD LABLES
