Where the food sounds good, and the music is pretty tasty too.
William Fitzsimmons is dependable, like the constant sun and the enduring moon. His is a sound uncontrived and without artifice or unnecessary embellishments. On his latest work, the album Pittsburgh leaves my soul ajar letting the beauty of its continual gifts to drift in. Continue reading “our sunday best: william fitzsimmons | pittsburgh”
The Lost At Sea EP by the Swedish band With A Light Heart is a basket full of songs perfect for a walk along coastal environs or a languid drive without any specific destination in mind. Also, this release of four simple, yet beautiful songs feels bigger than the some of its parts. The songs have a sweeping and epic character which rolls like a cleansing and rising tide in the bowl of your eardrums. Here, in the endless diameter of sound is human intimacy radiating gloriously. Each song is imbued with the spectacular essence of the warming sunrise, and by the albums end the moon too is full to bursting with solemn thanks of gratitude. Word is the band recorded it’s new EP in a loft and in a church in Bua, a small quaint village on the west coast of Sweden. How fitting then or telling because these songs have the inner-workings of hymnals and a spirituality which touches your soul like the soothing hand of grace. You can get you own copy via the With a Light Heart’s bandcamp. Peace. Continue reading “with a light heart // lost at sea ep (our sunday best)”
Some songs just go better with life and living. Period. You know, those songs that have more than just novelty going for them, but will stick with you for the long haul. Well, singer/songwriter Andy Cabic crafts such songs and he makes it sound easy. For the past several days I’ve been listening to the San Francisco based band Vetiver. Their durable album The Errant Charm has sunk roots deep into my soul, and my flesh won’t be easily rid of such beauty. These songs have bones and sinews well oiled with strong marrow. There lives in our world songs of fluff and fancy, and for a change it’s nice to have songs constructed like hand-made Shaker furniture. And like any craftsman worth their salt Andy has been at it for quite a while. Originally a member of the now defunct Greensboro, North Carolina indie rock band The Raymond Brake in the mid-1990’s. And although the band had some measure of success, it was short-lived and concluded with the release of the Never Work Ever EP via Hepcat Records. But this review isn’t about what was, it’s about the here and now. And right now this gifted songwriter and band leader has given us The Errant Charm. This collection of songs is easily one of the best albums of 2011. So, if you have a taste for alternative folk/rock bands with the essence of pine needles and sunflowers dripping from every verse, then put this one into your inventory. Peace. Continue reading “Vetiver – The Errant Charm”
The gift of music, if its the right music, will keep on giving, and giving. Thanks to our friends from FM Belfast for sharing and introducing me/us to Sam Amidon. I’m rapacious for new music and I’ve been listening to “How Come That Blood” remixed by FM Belfast since FMB Tweeted the link, and I already love it. After searching for the lyrics the song may have so many meanings, but likely allegorical as befits the season. I have also posted Sam Amidon’s album I See The Sign via bandcamp. Merry Christmas! Peace.
(Via Bedroom Community)
And Sam’s Neil Young cover is really quite good as well. Enjoy!
A guitar. Her acoustic guitar. A voice. Her haunting voice. This voice belongs to Sara Kermanshahi and when her music is playing it is the only light in the room. Needless to say her voice has a chafed and corporeal quality to it that I love. It is reminiscent of the scorched remnants of a bruised and curling flower petal languishing in the potent light of the sun. A mouthful I know, but she does this to me; makes me feel such heartful emotions. Her album Naturboy is resilient and beautiful; as only a somber collection of songs can be. Listen to the entire album below and soon you’ll notice you’re disappearing into the music too. Peace.
I find it quite amazing how two Swedish sisters (Johanna & Klara Söderberg) manage to sound more heartland Americana than native born denizens of the USA. Perhaps I’ll never know. I do know this, the sisters from Stockholm, Sweden are nothing short of amazing. If you haven’t already heard of them, then I implore you to peruse their debut 2010 release The Big Black & The Blue. I still shake my head every time I listen to it, because I am constantly blown away by the absolute power and beauty of their vocals. Early next year “The Lion’s Roar”, is expected to drop on January 24th, there is a teaser clip below. This time out producer Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes is at the helm, as if I needed further reason to be more excited. The first video is a teaser from their forthcoming album Lion’s Roar. I have also included Johanna & Klara’s song “Waltz For Richard”, from their epic 2010 release The Big Black & The Blue. By the way, I’ve heard through the grapevine that Conner Oberst will also appear on the new album, how wicked is that?