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woods // bend beyond lp (our sunday best)

“for their seventh album, bend beyond, woods got dark. it’s not that they weren’t dark before-when you really get in there and listen, jeremy earl is singing about some heavy stuff, but it’s hidden under his gorgeous falsetto and sometimes obtuse lyrics. on bend beyond, though, earl and company fully embrace that darkness. album opener “bend beyond,” has long been a jammy live staple, but here it’s compact and tight with a stuttered guitar line and a world-ending collision of instruments.

meanwhile “is it honest” jangles along happily until you notice earl is in a more destructive zone than the bright music initially suggests, singing it’s so fucking hard to see as both a form of comfort and an act of despair.

instrumentally, bend beyond is certainly the most full woods record yet, guitars weave and bubble across peppy drumming, but lyrically earl is at his most direct and spare. while previous albums sounded like they went directly from earl’s brain to tape with minimal outside interference, bend beyond is lush and full-bodied, the work of a band in perfect, heavy harmony. listening to the record as a whole, it feels like the most daring leap woods has made yet: it captures the band’s live intensity, but keeps the intimate sadness that made them so great in the first place.”

– sam hockley-smith

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heyward howkins // the hale & hearty (our sunday best)

Recently, I was sent an e-mail asking to give a listen to the debut album The Hale & Hearty by Heyward Howkins. I’ll say this, I count myself among the lucky ones for having such an honor bestowed upon me. When I heard and re-heard this collection of sounds it was (and is) unlike anything I’ve experienced as of late.

From the very first notes of “Thunderin’ Stop” my ears were pricked and lovingly so, suspended by nothing short of beauty collected in a web of evocative song. The music of Mr. Howkins does more than  seduce you, it arrests your attention and sits you down. Then before you know it the hardy spell is cast. As I sat rapt and attentive I let the album The Hale & Hearty play. This is an album which is hard to get through, not for lack of good songs but to the abundance of them. The album consists of 11-songs but it might as well be a hundred, because you’ll start them over and over again as soon as they’re finished. I was bowled over time and time again by their reverential awe and simplistic nature. Continuously an onslaught of pliant sounds washed over me, and a singing voice dosed in cloud mist and the finishing notes of a fine Kentucky bourbon. What can one do when faced with songs as soul-stirring as “Hale & Hearty,” and the breath catching “Spanish Moss” just weaves deep-rooted tendrils round and round one’s vital organs. So much so, by the time “Sugar Sand Stitched Lip” spreads over you like a heavy quilt it is hard to figure out what hit you so delicately, and so sweetly square in the heart.

And if the music is the bone’s marrow, then it is the songwriting hanging like flesh riddled with the puncturing and poignant prose of a deviled-tongued bard. And perhaps the songs wouldn’t be so lethal if not for Heyward’s versatile shape-shifting voice. His is a voice whittling mere words into a cross between first-love-wonderment and old aching heartache.This voice accompanies each contemplative song with something akin to distant rolling thunder warmed over with a lover’s strewn arm across your shoulder. A comforting vibrato hulled of pretense and clothed in a powerful nakedness. Listen to the dazzling giddy-up in the song, “Flash Mob,” how it twirls and unsettles your pulse. Oh, and how that dangerous voice settles low into one’s blood on, “The Live Oak“. How the sung notes are pulled apart and stretched like well-worked sinews straining to carry you off into a melting sun all blood-red and smeared heat.. “Plum And Orange” showcases HH‘s vocal dexterity backed by organ and guitar carrying the song high into the canopy of the olden long-limbed Oak of some pristine and mysterious Pennsylvania wood. The album finishes with the finger-picked “Hudson Pier,” which is a melodic ode wound betwixt an ethereal unnamed female voice and Howkins’ own.

My hat off to Mr. Howkins. The songs he conjures are more akin to the low and high whistling winds, both the joyful and woeful squalls which move our hearts to and fro. Every tender ear should be graced with these rich songs and comforted by his exquisite melodies. The lover’s of the world have gained another gorgeous album to light candles too and dance the ardent dance of mutual adoration and simmering requital—all slow-moving hips and rapid pulse mimicking the sensual rhythms of his well-honed balladry.

Also, as an added bonus check out a previous recording “Praline Country“. Peace. Continue reading “heyward howkins // the hale & hearty (our sunday best)”

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mumford & sons // i will wait

You know the band well, and if perchance you don’t think banjo and harmonies straight out of Appalachia. The music Mumford & Sons creates connects people, there’s no denying it. Theirs is a sound rooted in the rich heritage of the fiddle and banjo music of many a countrymen. And it isn’t a tradition steep only in the British, Irish and Scottish cultures. It is a music which has fallen upon many a folk and possesses many a nuance. But, like all music it wears traveling shoes, and it breathes and migrates like the transient and wild wind. Americans love Mumford & Sons because those same fiddle and banjo melodies settled here brought over many ages from the northern isles of Europe. Well, Mumford & Sons are back with their sophomore album Babel waiting beautifully in the wings. And the first single, “I Will Wait” couldn’t be more wonderful. It is rife and overflowing with quality and magic we’ve come to expect from this foursome of musical bros. The album drops via Mumfords & Sons very own Gentlemen of the Road label on September 24th. I’d say the closing of 2012 is shaping up quite fair. Peace. Continue reading “mumford & sons // i will wait”

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micheal andrews // bubbles in space

According to the label Elgin Park label the film composer/producer/singer/multi-instrumentalist Michael Andrews‘ latest collection of songs as his … “second solo effort Spilling A Rainbow, Andrews shares the wonder and excitement of his transformation into a father. This is a kaleidoscopic collection of songs about blowing bubbles, watching his baby sleep and the psychedelic, shape shifting, epiphanies that are taking place in between. At times stark, other times cinematic.” Spilling A Rainbow drops August 14th 2012. Peace. Continue reading “micheal andrews // bubbles in space”

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the milk carton kids // prologue & retrospect

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattenngale are the one-two-punch known as The Milk Cartoon Kids. When listening to their brand of folk-pop you’ll notice a certain delicacy and attention to detail mostly reserved for lace makers. These guys are in the vein of say Simon and Garfunkel or the Jayhawks, both tough acts to follow. But make no mistake TMCK don’t do mimicry, instead they pay homage to a strong song tradition with ample acumen, grace and a whole heap of talent. Treat yourself to their Tiny Desk Concert today on NPR and get their albums Prologue and Retrospect as free downloads. Peace. Continue reading “the milk carton kids // prologue & retrospect”

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thad kopec // the ghost and the thief (Our Sunday Best)

Hailing from Ocala, Florida Thad Kopec crafts folksy pop odes perfectly suited for lazy days and introspective nights. Mr. Kopec is the consummate old soul cast into a young man’s body. And if you need further evidence, well listen to his track, “The Ghost And The Thief.” No doubt this young singer/songwriter is going places. I recommend you also check out his Soundcloud page for a ton of play worthy songs. I especially love what Thad has done with his cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Born To Die,” which I may just prefer over the original. You can purchase the “The Ghost And The Thief” single exclusively on iTunes. The undeniable artistry of Thad Kopec makes for an easy choice for Our Sunday Best. Peace. Continue reading “thad kopec // the ghost and the thief (Our Sunday Best)”

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Horse Feathers // Cynic’s New Year (Our Sunday Best)

For Our Sunday Best feature I’ve tapped Portland, Oregon’s folk-pop band Horse Feathers for good reason, they’re the epitome of a languid Sunday spent soaking up musical sunshine. Frontman singer/songwriter Justin Ringle has perfected the band’s wistful lazy river sound. Collectively, the band has elevated the folk rock/pop tradition to new levels of genuis.  The band’s 4th, Cynic’s New Year (drops April 17th, via label Kill Rock Stars). Last month the band debuted the albums 1st single “Fit Against the Country,” and now with their 2nd single release, “Where I’ll Be.” And it’s a dreamy and wholesome puff of some good organic stuff. And if you’re willing and able you can pre-order the new album on iTunes and at Amazon. Hope you like. Peace. Continue reading “Horse Feathers // Cynic’s New Year (Our Sunday Best)”

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William Fitzsimmons // Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

Like most of you I am celebrating Valentine’s today with a loved one(s). and in the spirit of romance I will be posting not a few songs within the amorous vein. And although the William Fitzsimmons‘ The Cure cover “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” is sappy and a bit whiny, it fits the mood perfectly. However, Fitzsimmons brings a whole barrel full of sobriety and wholesomeness to the tune unmatched in its fragility and overall tenderness. This song begs an answer to the most prolific question on Valentine’s Day, “Will you be mine?” Peace.

“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” The Cure Cover

“The Tide Pulls From The Moon” From Gold In The Shadow (2011)

“Beautiful Girl” From Gold In The Shadow (2011)

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Natalie Prass // Bird Of Prey (Video) Our Sunday Best

Natalie Prass Media 2
 
Music is a funny thing. And more often than not music chooses you and not the other way around. What I mean is, although we are constantly inundated with tons of music. An almost endless deluge of sound, some voices rise above. Revealing, only certain songs, or bodies of work, really reach and speak to us in tomes of soul-speak. And, if you approach music with any degree of discernment you’re not easily seduced by trends, or by what someone else claims is the next big thing.

With singer-songwriter Natalie Prass the music reaches you by cutting through to the heart of what makes a song special. Delivery and emotion. When Ms. Prass open her mouth listeners are rewarded immediately by the two most important elements of song writing; song structure, and delivery, and in this case a beyond beautiful singing voice.

Funny thing, I came to know how Natalie Prass by way of a serendipitous occurrence. No lie. Recently, I was provided with an advance copy of songs to review by a band I (Cherub) really respect and like a lot. And one of those songs on their forthcoming album features Ms. Natalie Prass. And although I imagine there were a lot of people who could have potentially sung the lyrics on their song, these guys had the good sense, and taste, to pick the best person for the job. Because, what Natalie brought to this particular song was a large bit of tenderness and an ethereal voice. Which turned my heart into a pool of melted reddish jelly. I played the song over and over, at least 3-4 times before I snapped out of it and performed a Google search on her name and hit the jackpot; I found her Bandcamp and Facebook pages, then her website natalieprass.com.

First, I came upon the song “Earth Angel,” and just as soon as it pricked my ear like the soft muzzle of newborn foal, I was seduced. This sweet revisitation of an old classic is nicely done(understatement). But then I listened to the song “Bird Of Prey,” from Natalie’s Sense of Transcendence EP (2011) and I’ve been playing it pretty much non-stop. The song really comes alive when she plays an acoustic set on the video below after the jump.

What a perfect song for our Sunday Best pick and an ideal song to unfurl the morning. My advice, Get your ears on any and everything associated with Natalie Prass. She can do no wrong, musically speaking that is. Song birds are a dime a dozen, but birds of paradise are a rare breed. Peace. Continue reading “Natalie Prass // Bird Of Prey (Video) Our Sunday Best”

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Fox The Cat // The Old You (Video)

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” —Heraclitus

When you listen to Chicago-based 5-piece Fox The Cat (cool name by the way) you immediately pick up on a certain honesty and simplicity pouring forth from their music; like a spiritual geyser unleashed. One gets the feeling this is music well-wrought from a place not easily accessible to a lot of bands.  And too, like the above quote by Heraclitus, these songs are ever-changing. Not because they are mercurial or insubstantial, but because they are mood- and thought-provoking odes to life and living. And, because of the veritable richness and depth of the songwriting, deeper meaning can be discerned from each and every listen. So, it is hard to believe these guys recently assembled this already well-formed band in October of 2011. Perhaps, this is the kind of chemistry made possible by the close friendship shared between each band member. Watch the live acoustic rendition of their song, “The Old You” and you feel the intimacy and raw quality slip into a cracked window inside your heart. Below, check out the band’s self-titled EP after the jump. Casey, Abe, Jimmy, Luke and Paul thank you for the beauty of what you’ve rendered from the collective opening of your hearts. And, if only by virtue of our delighted first impression alone, Fox The Cat are most assuredly a band to watch. Check out the band’s Facebook page for the free EP download. Peace. Continue reading “Fox The Cat // The Old You (Video)”