PERT’ NEAR SANDSTONE | OUT ON A SPREE

SELF-RELEASED

Minneapolis based string band quartet Pert Near Sandstone’s fourth album Out on a Spree takes a step back from their newgrass leanings with a solid set of 12 traditional country bluegrass tracks. From well-known classics like “Liza Jane,” “John Henry,” “Stay All Night” to the songs of well-known musicians like American banjo player Charlie Poole’s “Goodbye Booze”, Out on a Spree even has obscure ditties and recordings found during their travels. One song, “Last of Callahan” is a study in contrasts, with the energetic, vigorous fiddle playing a defiant contrast to the story about the author, who, as the lore goes, played it on his coffin and smashed his fiddle just before being hung on the gallows. Out on a Spree, while more traditional than their usual blend of vintage country, folk, and bluegrass, is a good introduction to the band’s old-time sound. – Written by JFelton

HI HO SILVER OH | PUT IT ALL IN ONE PLACE AND BURN IT

SELF-RELEASED

Put It All In One Place and Burn It, the debut release from Hi Ho Silver Oh, impresses as a mix of indie folk and rock with gorgeous strings and added effects. Originally from North Carolina, frontman Casey Trela moved out to Los Angeles and gradually began playing and writing songs with Philly Eastman and fellow North Carolinians Jon Mackey and Wil Donegan. This album is immediately engaging. The songs pick up right when you want them to; there isn’t a boring moment in the entire set. Traces of My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, Local Natives and Roy Orbison are present, but not overpowering. This four-piece especially stands out on “Communion,” which has a stunning string arrangement that elevates what you think might be your run-of-the-mill acoustic song to a surprisingly affecting and haunting song about truth and spirituality. – Written by DBosket

WOOM | MUU’S WAY

BA DA BING

Over the course of their six year collaboration, Sara Magenheimer and Eben Portnoy have continually experimented with eclectic folk, electronic and indie rock mixes. On Muu’s Way, their debut album under the name WOOM (formerly Fertile Cresent), the duo take lo-fi sounds (be it instrumental, animal, or vocal) and sample them for constantly surprising and catchy results. Whether it is the beat-driven sing-along “Backwards Beach” or the chill instrumental “Under Muu”, the male-sung folk of “Sister” or the austere female vocals layered with soft bass and computerized cricket chirps of “Foggy Dew”, Muu’s Way spins out quirky and charming tracks that defy repetition. This is an indie-pop gem that deserves an inquisitive listen. – Written by JFelton

TOM SCHRAEDER | ONCE LACE, NOW COTTON

TOWNSHIP RECORDS

Young Chicago troubadour Tom Schraeder’s (Tom Schraeder & His Ego) latest album Once Lace, Now Cotton – the first of three planned for release in 10 – is essentially a compilation of favorites culled from recordings done over the past 18 months. While there is a sweet, measured balance between simplicity and complexity of the melodies, Once Lace, Now Cotton is all about Schraeder’s soft guitar and warm, affecting vocals. Notable tracks to check out include, “Don’t Wake My Woman”, “Patbaby (An Ode to),” and “Carry On.” – Written by JFelton

ARCADE FIRE | THE SUBURBS

MERGE

Acclaimed indie rock darlings Arcade Fire release The Suburbs, their highly awaited follow-up to 07’s “Neon Bible” on August 3rd. Packed with 8 different album covers and 16 tracks and recorded in hometown Montreal and New York over the past couple years, The Suburbs is a cautious tale about the downward spiral of modern society. Littered with allusions to urban sprawl, decay, gentrification, and the gradual erosion of the soul, Arcade Fire drives their message through titles such as “Modern Man”, “City with No Children”, “Wasted Hours” and the ominous “Sprawl I (Flatland)” and “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains).” Surprisingly the music itself is more upbeat than “Neon Bible” and holds hints of Neil Young, Bruce Springteen, and Depeche Mode. The Suburbs is an exceptional expansion of Arcade Fire’s sound, and will be a welcome addition to their celebrated discography. – Written by JFelton

STARS | THE FIVE GHOSTS

VAGRANT

Indie pop band Stars continues its run of producing big dreamy songs that are dramatic, earnest and romantic. Heavy keyboards and synthesizers dictate the tone on The Five Ghosts, the fifth album from the Toronto group. For the most part, this is a strong album that doesn’t veer too far from their earlier work, which should please their fans. As a casual listener of Stars, I’ve always thought of them as a Postal Service for teens, but in a mostly good way. Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan’s vocals still work well together, particularly on opening track “Dead Hearts.” The only major misstep is “We Don’t Want Your Body,” which sounds like Campbell and Millan are trying to rap, but they make up for it with surefire hits “Fixed” and “The Passenger.” – Written by DBosket

SUNGLASSES | SUNGLASSES EP

LEFSE RECORDS

Sunglasses seems like a benign enough name for a band, but from the sound of this duo’s self-titled EP, these guys are ready to stir things up. Performing under the names 8000 bam bam (Samuel Cooper) and Baby Seal (Brady Keehn), the two met at Savannah College of Art and Design while working on Cooper’s senior thesis film. The EP definitely has an experimental art school vibe; beats are layered with sound effects while a poppy melody chimes in to produce some pretty trippy, yet infectious songs. “Referee” is a great dance track that sounds like Panda Bear mixed with heavy beats. It’s a fun EP to listen to and look at – be sure to check out the ridiculous (and completely awesome) cover art. – Written by DBosket

CATL. | WITH THE LORD FOR COWARDS YOU WILL FIND NO PLACE

SELF-RELEASED

Toronto’s catl., comprised of Jamie Fleming (ex-Pecola frontman – vocals, guitar), Johnny LaRue (The Exploders - drums), and multi-instrumentalist Sarah Kirkpatrick (organ, piano, vocals, percussion), bring a retrofied, punk-infused rock ‘n’ roll to the city’s music scene. Catl.’s swamp boogie/dirty blues sound is often compared to the likes of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Black Keys, The White Stripes, The Jim Jones Revue, and their sophomore release With the Lord for Cowards You Will Find No Place delivers on the promise with some down-and-dirty blues infused indie rock. Recorded across the pond in Detroit’s Ghetto Recording with producer Jim Diamond (The Compulsive Gamblers, The Dirtbombs/Gories, The White Stripes), standouts include the thumping cover of Charley Patton’s “Oh Death”, the fiery funkadelic blues of “Caroline” and the sassy slide-guitar of “Workin’ Man’s Soul.” – Written by JFelton

PICKATHON | 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Pickathon, the first and one of the top indie-roots music festivals, is coming up soon: August 6-8 just outside of Portland, Oregon. Showcasing over 35 bands on 5 stages over 3 days on the scenic, sprawling 80 acre Pendarvis farm, Pickathon is in its 12th year and is being celebrated by the likes of Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang, Dr. Dog, The Fruit Bats, Langhorne Slim, and many more. Enjoy a few summer days and nights listening to live classic American music including blues, folk, bluegrass and a mix of traditional and cutting edge indie styles. Not only is this an amazing music event, but Pickathon offers activities for families, from string band workshops to yoga classes to shadow puppet theatre. Also acclaimed for their sustainability practices, Pickathon is partnering with green vendors, offering alternative mass transit to/from the festival, as well as recycling and renewable energy. Organic food vendors, locally brewed beer from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, camping and hiking are available onsite; see the official Pickathon site for more details. Don’t miss it – I’ll see you there!

LINE-UP:
Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang | Dr. Dog | Heartless Bastards | Billy Joe Shaver | Punch Brothers | Langhorne Slim | Fruit Bats | Frazey Ford | The Cave Singers | Sean Hayes | Megafaun | Black Prairie | Little Wings | T Model Ford | Red Stick Ramblers | Richmond Fontaine | Anais Mitchell | Chatham County Line | These United States | Michael Hurley | Breathe Owl Breathe | Sam Quinn | Jill Andrews | Elliott Brood | Town Mountain | Typhoon | Roadside Graves | Foghorn Stringband | Stone River Boys | Weinland | Sallie Ford | The Dust Busters | Seth and May | The Deep Dark Woods | Woody Pines | Frank Fairfield | Cotton Jones | Martha Scanlan | Blind Boy Paxton | The Black Lillies | Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio | Cardboard Songsters | Water Tower Bucket Boys | Captain Bogg & Salty

THE ACORN | NO GHOST

BELLA UNION

Canadian indie folk band The Acorn dropped their new record No Ghost earlier this summer, the much-anticipated follow-up to 07s highly acclaimed Glory Hope Mountain about band lead Rolf Klausener’s Central American mother. Recorded at an isolated cottage in Northern Québec a year ago and finished in Montreal’s Treatment Room Studios (Plants & Animals), No Ghost moves away from the highly personal stories on Glory Hope Mountain towards guitar driven experimental soundscapes that feature expansive arrangements and swathed in feedback. No Ghost lays Klausener’s smart lyrics over acoustic and electric grooves and accented by flute, trumpets, and strings, capturing the free spirited vibe of their live shows. At its heart, No Ghost is richly textured indie-folk done right. – Written by JFelton