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Deptford Goth – Youth II

It drips like fat rainbow/plaid raindrops. It pushes you like the errant wind tussling a small dreaming sailboat out to sea. You. Looking down from the tallest crag of Mount Kilimanjaro. All these images fitting together, juxtaposed into a spacey mosaic of sound. Not cluttered, but stitched patchwork upon the delicate petals of mystical flowers flowing into the curlicued nautilus of the listener’s ear. This is Major Tom to Ground Control. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Peace

P.S. Daniel Woolhouse is Deptford Goth. Youth II is the EP via Merok Records. Out now.

No Man

Real Love Fantasy

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new artist: selah sue


 

selah sue

 
At times an artist’s true beauty isn’t fully experiences within the album format. And obviously that is one of the reasons why attending concerts, and witnessing live performances can be so amazing; at times even magical. Take Selah Sue for instance. I’ve listened to her album and its a good LP, but in many instances it sounds too strained and controlled. She doesn’t sound free to fly. Not so with her live work, which allows her true self to shine bright, and let’s listeners know that this unlikely songstress is very capable of making a believer out of any naysayer. I’ve posted two excellent examples so you can witness for yourself this young woman’s raw beauty and passion for the songs she embodies and brings to life. First up is “Summertime” which is taken from her self-titled LP Selah Sue. The second selection is a cover of Erykah Badu’s song “Appletree”. Both of these are stand out performances and I hope you enjoy them too. Peace.

Selah Sue LIVE: Summertime, Bring Me Joy from Raj Scheijen on Vimeo.
 

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Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble – Pretend (ft. Emika)


Normally a 9-piece outfit the Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble is nowadays a trio touring North America. It is hard to classify these guys. At times electro, then turning into something resembling techno/pop meets Richard Wagner. Although that sounds like a weird combination, surprisingly it works.  No doubt their latest album Mr. Machine is an eclectic and tantalizing  hybrid, you got to hear it to believe that different can be indeed good, very good. Mr. Machine is out now on via K7.

The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble feat. Emika – Pretend (Official) !K7 from K7 Records on Vimeo.

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A Classic Education – Call It Blazing

It’s not so easy to take an old format and make it fresh and invigorating again. But that is exactly what A Classic Education has done, and has been doing since the band formed in 2007. If the music feels like something you’d expect to hear from the 1950s or 60s it isn’t by mistake, it’s by design. Check out the video below for the song “Gone To Sea”. Right off the bat is doesn’t sound like anything else you’ve heard lately from this era. The guitar is subdued and mellow, the drum-work sounds like Dennis Wilson (of Beach Boys fame) is working the sticks effortlessly. Then there is the vocals  of singer/songwriter Jonathon Clancy, which coincidentally sound almost identical to that of Jim McGuinn of the Byrds. Yet, it all comes together nicely and works big time. I’ve also included the song “Forever Boy”, which is one of my favorites. Give them a listen and I think you’ll enjoy this octet  from Italy. Their debut LP Call It Blazing is out now. Peace.

A Classic Education – “Gone To Sea” from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.

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Winter Gloves – Dancing My Heart Out

It’s not hard to reason why one would enjoy listening to Winter Gloves. The foursome from Canada makes great noise that is not only easy to listen to, but their music has the blood of early alternative rock flowing through its veins. That’s a plus in my book no matter what. You’ll discern more than a few visceral references to late 80s and early 90s alt music, think Echo & The Bunnymen, and Depeche Mode for instance. But musical influences aside these guys know how to pen and play music that stays in your head long after you’ve hit stop. The music on their 2010 release All Red begs to be revisited and played anew and often. This collection of songs is unadulterated effortless joy. I have included the video for “Dancing My Heart Out”, and after you hear it I think you’ll want to seek out more of what Winter Gloves has to offer. Peace.

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Meshell Ndegeocello – Weather

48 minutes a 2 seconds isn’t a long time up against the whole of eternity, right? So spend this meager amount of time listening to something utterly languid, beautiful and choke full of soul. This is Meshell Ndegeocello exploring a gentler side to music making, and it’s mostly uncharted territory for her. That’s saying something for an artist who in her past has portrayed a “brasher” type of music (Go back to Plantation Lullabies in 1993, you’ll love it). Ms. Ndegeocello has released numerous albums, played for the Rolling Stones and Madonna, etc. Yet, because of her notorious work effort she isn’t resting on her laurels, instead she’s doing what she loves to do and that’s make gorgeous music. The new album Weather is due for a November 8th release, so cop it, spin it and enjoy. It’ll be 48 minutes and 2 seconds of total bliss. Peace.

Stream the entire album here at NPR’s First Listen here.

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Bry Webb – Rivers Of Gold

How are songs made if not by the fire and anvil of the soul? Nothing mollifies or tempers a mood quite like a well crafted song. Listen to Bry Webb and be transported deep in the wood of your utmost self. His release Provider, from which “Rivers Of Gold” is taken, will take you on journeys and you may not come back the same as when you began. And a word of warning, be wary of someone with a voice as somber as his, and please don’t underestimate the guitar work here either. Bry’s crying guitar, it’ll work itself into your veins and brand you a fan. Peace.

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Owen – Ghost Town

Some nights there’s too many moons separating your breath from the one you love. And so you forget how ‘no place like home’ isn’t a place after all. It’s moments spent with your lover making small talk within a shared womb of body heat. Listening to Owen makes you want to write poetry (even bad poetry) or beautiful prose. Makes you want to try your hand at love and living again. These songs have been crafted out of the wood of flesh, and leavened with the stuff left fermenting within the cracks and crevices of an honest soul. And even though at times the words tumble forth a bit awkward and off key, they are more real and vulnerable because of their straightforward quality. Owen has constructed these songs, not the preening kind, but the kind of songs that catch you seeing yourself within their sober reflecting pool. Lucky you, the release date for Owen’s forthcoming album Ghost Town is scheduled for November 1st (today). I am looking forward to letting his songs into my life and spending long hours making them my friends. Listen to the entire album below. Peace.

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Japandroids – Post Nothing

I’m going to post this because I like it, a lot. When I first heard this band I spent a great deal of time touting them to so many of my friends. And although it’s been over two years since Japandroids ( Brian King and David Prowse) dropped Post Nothing it still remains among the top plays on my iPod. There is one simple reason to take this track home with you… IT FLAT OUT ROCKS BALLS! Peace.

I’ve also included the studio version as well below, check it.

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Common – Blue Sky/Sweet

What can be said about hip-hop impresario Common? A lot apparently, but the jist of this artist/actor/author/MC is that he keeps getting better with each release. Common is one the brotha’s out here doing it the way its supposed to be done, with enough style and poise to make anyone proud to say they’re a fan. Check out his latest releases “Blue Sky” and the rawkus “Sweet” and tell me son ain’t nice. Keep a look out for Common’s new album The Dreamer/The Believer to drop in December. Peace.

Sweet