William Fitzsimmons is a long-time favorite in the annals of my beating heart, and with good reason. And if my word isn’t good enough to convince you, them check out the video after the jump. The song, Lions, comes from his latest album release of the same name. Lions is out now courtesy of Nettwerk Productions. Peace. Continue reading “william fitzsimmons | lions | video”
malcanisten | wake ep
The songs of Amsterdam-based folk four-piece Malcanisten harken back to a time of bards, balladeers and rhapsodists utilizing the olden convention of music pre-dating recorded sound. And perhaps that is the bare approach interwoven throughout their recently released Wake EP.
The opening-track, “The Oven” opens pliant and sweet, like tranquil waves foaming up upon a barren stretch of coastline. Great guitar work, and with a melody evoking a measure of equanimity which settles feather soft. The harmonies are sumptuous too, mere soughing winds warm and tranquil with an undertow of peace and sweet dream. And that’s just the first track. “Fitting Coffin” comes off as a folkish affair lining my ears with wood smoke and nostalgia and a hint of Bob Marley.
The song “Clive Wearing” is a darkly beautiful song based on the real life story about a man with no memory. In the hands of Malcanisten the song becomes weighted with human flesh riddled with feeling and tugging emotion.
On the fourth track “Swans” the song is anchored by heavier vocals, perhaps to keep the song earthbound and within earshot. Again, the continuation of sweetness and light unfurls further as Sjaak Kassies and company weave a storyboard tapestry streaked with muted pastels and heartwarming meaning.
The final track “Prophets” exudes a bit of “hedgerow orations,” perhaps even a cautionary tale espousing astute spirituality (a remembrance of the old ways, etc. if you will) over moral frivolity. All in all, these are sobering songs displaying a beautiful darkness, they are bare, and they stare into the void of one’s ear, resonating like cathedral bells. Peace. Continue reading “malcanisten | wake ep”
maitland // from a cabin in the woods (our sunday best)
picked over winter bones and whiskey memories. perhaps these are the what is left upon listening to the debut album from the duo Maitland (Josh Hines and Jeff Mach). these are songs with mileage and head full of steam in their conveyance of lives ravaged by living. listen to each song which make up ‘from a cabin in the woods’ and be touched with cold fingers and hushed haunting tomes (and all this from mostly an acoustic guitar and two drum sets). you’ll wake up in the pitch black of night sweat introspection gasping for more. peace. Continue reading “maitland // from a cabin in the woods (our sunday best)”