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Lost In The Trees // Golden Eyelids

North Carolinians Lost In The Trees frontman Ari Picker has a wondrous voice suited best resting against those velvety moments when your heart is most vulnerable, whilst lost in love, or barely staying afloat chin-deep in heartache. There aren’t many artists who can do this so convincingly, perhaps Mike Hadreas of Perfume Genius, as well as, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes are most similar. A. Parker has the quality of voice stripped of everything but an all too convincing woe. A voice which exists as a naked reminder of our understated humanity and the dark impressions that can leave us helpless.

Listening to the song “Golden Eyelids” is like staring into a shroud of flame, hypnotically captivating. This is music by which to warm your unfettered need and compliment your loneliness. And if you want more, well then more can be had of the bands latest release A Church That Fits Our Needs out now via Anti-Records. The songs on this album will sit in your stomach like a seed. Sprouting, this seed entwines your vital life-sustaining organs; though it blooms with fragile petals in the chambers of your heart. LITT have delivered music with the aura of fire-breathing shadows and syrupy hiccups of past remembrances that shade your mood pale blue and rheumy red. These are deeply personal songs, not so much entertainment as they are catharsis for the wounded soul who penned them in the aftermath of personal tragedy. When you get the this album you’ll find your ears and heart spending an inordinate amount of time lost in its undeniable beauty. This one is without a doubt a strong contender for album of the year. Peace. Continue reading “Lost In The Trees // Golden Eyelids”

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Haim // Forever

With this group it is definitely a family affair and some guy. OK, not just some guy, his name is Dash Hutton, he’s the guy caressing the synth ever so commandingly. Then there are the girls? Well, they’re sisters; Alana, Danielle and Este of the cognomen Haim. As if the sister thingy weren’t novelty enough, these girls, i.e. women, play exceptionally good music. It’s the perfect blend of Pop music with something more edgy and off the beaten path. The music is sensuously, though modestly, vigorous and lusty. It doesn’t just pulse, it breathes steam into your ears. In essence, it jumps your bones and you’re so alright with its outright assertiveness. Check out the Haim’s sexy R&B/Calypso/Pop/Rock track “Forever” if this ain’t dirty dancing music, then I don’t know what species of sexy noise it is. Peace. Continue reading “Haim // Forever”

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Turbo Fruits // Sweet Thang

Those raucous Nashville, TN post-punk rockabilly thrashers Turbo Fruits have a new single and it goes by the name “Sweet Thang” and you can get it free at www.spin.com. The bands forthcoming third album Butter will be released via Serpents and Snakes Records on September the 11th. After the jump I have a couple of reminders of why this band ranks pretty high on the rock around the clock meter. Peace. Continue reading “Turbo Fruits // Sweet Thang”

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The Darlingtons // Everything

I’ve been singing (writing) the praises of the band The Darlingtons since the release of their New Independent EP (2011), and I am still unflagging in my admiration of what this quartet of young guns have accomplished in such short order. Some rock bands take decades to gel into something that catches your attention. Not these guys, this troupe of bright and talented young men have made possible, in a handful of years, what others never realize. But really, it’s no surprise once you listen to what they can do with a couple of guitars, a bass and an drum set. They craft songs from the secret places within their collective hearts and fuel them with passion enough to conquer you mind, body and soul. And the icing on the cake is lead vocalist Kiran ‘Kiwi’ Roy, as he punches holes in the air with his smouldering masculine sound cannon of a voice. These guys may just be the new Kings of Leon. Yes, The Darlingtons are of that caliber.

The band’s second single “Everything” is taken from their forthcoming album Decades Dance, it starts off with clever guitar licks before exploding into an earful of radiant fireworks. The Decades Dance LP is due for a May 21st release. I am definitely looking forward to some possible U.S. tour dates, but if they keep churning out incredible music I expect to see them sooner rather than later. Peace. Continue reading “The Darlingtons // Everything”

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Tom Vek // You’ll Stay

 

A one man show is a cool thing. Especially when the one man behind the curtain is Tom Vek. This 80’s son pulls influences from a wide spectrum of musical spices, and like a maestro at the top of his game he knows when and where to sprinkle them. The song “You’ll Stay” is s far cry from Tom’s grunge garage music roots, but his ability to rock is still front and center. Peace. Continue reading “Tom Vek // You’ll Stay”

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Jake Mattison // Home Is Where The Hatred Is (Cover)

Jake Mattison pays homage to Gil Scott-Heron and his classic “Home Is Where The Hatred Is.” My hat off to Mr. Mattison for his soul stirring display of courage. Jake makes this rendition personal and it bleeds blood, leaving the scars of addiction open and utterly exposed like raw nerves doused with gasoline. This song is a heap of introspection too, and the weighty torment thick as the lies and flies out of a politicians mouth. Surviving addiction is to have  rescued one’s dying self by taking the high, hard and lonely road to recovery. Jake has stripped the original track down to its bare bones. Denuded of accoutrement it is stark and beautifully lethargic. Mr. Mattison renders a tough gut-wrenching ode, and you get the feeling this is much more than just another song to be sung. I suspect this may be his torch song, his song of triumph and rebirth. This cover is the epitome of withdrawal, leaving a listener littered with moaning and the gnawing need for more. Jake, you are a survivor with the voice of a long neglected angel. Peace. Continue reading “Jake Mattison // Home Is Where The Hatred Is (Cover)”

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Poliça // Lay Your Cards Out (Video) + New Tour Dates

The band Poliça just added additional tour dates for 2012 and I’m ever so thankful.  I missed their show in Chicago and now I’ll be able see them here in Michigan! Poliça has got to be one of the sexiest bands in existence today. Yeah it’s the music, but without a doubt Channy Casselle-Leaneagh is a major ingredient to their appeal with her (she’ll hate for this ) pixieish good looks and seductive singing voice and style. A big thumbs up to one of most darling records in my collection. Peace. Continue reading “Poliça // Lay Your Cards Out (Video) + New Tour Dates”

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things we like: the OP-1 synthesiser

It’s highly admirable aesthetics aside, the OP-1 Synthesiser is a musicians wet dream come true. Viewing it is tantamount to lusting after your favorite flesh and blood pin-up. But, like most things we use it is all about the performance, and this little gadget-that-could performs beautifully. Our Swedish brethren and sistren at Teenage Engineering are raising the bar heavenward with no end in sight. The OP-1 features eight synthesizer engines, a built-in 24 voice sampler, 4 track tape recorder,  4 track mixer with EQ, Effect, USB MIDI controller, and it’s Mac and PC compatible and this is just the shortlist. The OP-1 is a bit pricey, at just under 1K U.S. but so worth every single krona. For a complete rundown on what’s what you’ll have to visit www.teenageengineering.com. Peace.

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cold specks // blank maps (our sunday best)

Cold Specks is the project of Al Spx. Her voice is a mixture of southern gospel, the stark organic beauty of folk, with just a tinge of bluegrass at times. The songs she sings are eloquently performed hymnals; which touch your soul dead center. And when you hear words like haunting or ethereal as descriptors they’re on the mark. I first heard her offerings via the songs “Holland” and “Old Stepstone” both weighty and not for the faint of heart. Here, I posted the song, “Blank Maps” and after listening you can ‘hear’ why I’m a fan. You can pre-order her forthcoming debut LP I Predict A Graceful Expulsion (May 22nd) at www.coldspecks.com and at Amazon. Also, for further goosebump inducing fare, check out her cover of the Swans’ “Reeling The Liars In“, taken from the 12” Dancing Coins EP. Peace. Continue reading “cold specks // blank maps (our sunday best)”