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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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Shany Kedar & Benjamin Esterlis // Comfort You (Songs By Other People)

Just let your tears run wild …

This morning I found something unexpected and absolutely gorgeous in my email inbox. Let me introduce you to Shany Kedar and Benjamin Esterlis and their sumptuous collection of heartfelt songs. Their recent release is an eclectic compilation of odes by not a few iconic musicians and songwriters that span decades. Comfort You (Songs by Other People) is presented in the low faltering last light of a vanishing sun. And like those final visages of pulsing light, these songs shimmer and glow with a soft radiance.

Shany and Benjamin have deconstructed these sonic tributes with such tenderness, and reassembled them piece by piece, using only the melted notes softened by their deep admiration for the material and the lovely heat of their burnished vocals. For me, the songs “That’s Life I Guess” made famous by Billie Holiday. “I Don’t Want You On My Mind” written by Bill Withers. And the final track “I’m A Drifter” written by Terry Callier. All of these songs are molten. But really, the entire body of work inches the temperature up, and what delicious degrees by which to work up a sweet sweat. This album just makes you want to love somebody. Or if by chance your the victim of a broken heart, these songs will provide weld and salve enough to help mend you back together again.

Check out the entire release after the jump. Plus, budgets be damned! ‘Cause with this one you can name your own price! But, even after you’ve purchased the LP, you’ll find these songs are ultimately in a word, priceless. Peace.  Continue reading “Shany Kedar & Benjamin Esterlis // Comfort You (Songs By Other People)”

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Joywave / / Koda Vista

There is something very familial about the Rochester, NY band Joywave in that the band is much more than the sum of it’s four core members (Daniel Armbruster, Sean Donnelly, Paul Brenner and Joseph Morinelli), and when quartet need additional help a veritable village appears and the number of counterparts can easily swell to almost a dozen members. Perhaps that is the reason the band sounds so expansive. But quotients aside this band is drawing comparisons to MGMT and Passion Pit, and although the music call fall into the super sonic ultra electro realm is also vastly different in so many ways, but alas I’ll let you be the final judge. Listening to the bands mini-album Koda Vista one hears so many influences. Instant favorites are “Who Do You Like” and “Smokestacks” but the fun doesn’t have to stop there. For an additional hit or two on the music bong, check out the band’s August 2011 7″ featuring the songs “Ridge” and “Traveling At The Speed Of Light”. On that note, listen responsively. Peace Continue reading “Joywave / / Koda Vista”

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Brothertiger / / Lovers

John Jagos is most definitely Brothertiger. And the music, well it speaks for itself. With the release of his latest LP Golden Years out now, Brothertiger is setting himself up nicely for a stellar 2012. Check out the track, “Lovers” and you’ll hear the reason for my heart-on-the sleeve enthusiasm for this Toledo, Ohio native. And if you need further inducement to fall head over heels, listen to BT‘s  cover of The Smiths old school classic “Ask” it’ll kiss you right on your sweet spot,  Hush! You know where it is. And if you’re thinking Brothertiger is new to the music scene, think again. There is a trove of music just waiting for you undivided attention over at his bandcamp, check it out. Peace.   Continue reading “Brothertiger / / Lovers”

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Spoek Mathambo / / Put Some Red On It (Shabazz Palaces Remix)

According to his label Sub Pop Spoek Mathambo, “Spoek Mathambo makes the Afro-futurists look old school. With the arrival of his second album, Father Creeper, he’s one man building up an army to make his creative visions a reality, rewriting any artistic laws in his way.”

Well, I’m totally smitten and I’m loving the music, the flow, the vibe, his swag. Basically, I’m a fan, a new convert if you will. Plus, I’m earning massive cool points for puttin’ on music out of Johannesburg, South Africa. And oh, you got to check his take on the Joy Division‘s “She’s Lost Control” and if that doesn’t get you, well my friend we need to talk. Peace. Continue reading “Spoek Mathambo / / Put Some Red On It (Shabazz Palaces Remix)”

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bon iver // towers (official video)

It’s not that Justin Vernon of Bon Iver is feeling himself after his 54th Grammy Awards nomination and subsequent wins for Best Alternative Music Album and Best New Artist respectively, anything but. He still remains humble and true to his craft, and in some respects maintains, no elevates his integrity for not bowing to the pressure of the machine by not performing. His reason for shunning the stage and thus losing an opportunity to be seen by some 39.3 million viewers (Nielsen Co.)? Well, it’s simple. Justin Vernon is his own man. It is apparent Justin Vernon loves the music he creates. But it goes beyond that, he respects and cares deeply for his bandmates too. And lastly, he respects his chosen craft and his fans. Don’t me wrong, performing on a Grammy stage is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s not. But Justin Vernon didn’t want to have to jump through hoops to do it. Why go through the staid motions of a heartless collaboration not of his own choosing? And so he demurred. What Bon Iver did is laudable to say the least. And yes, there are more important things in this world than award shows, but what Mr. Vernon represented, was that you can be present at an award, and even graciously accept an award, but you don’t have to be the award show. And he didn’t. Mr. Vernon knows in his heart that the music is infinitely more important than a Grammy award. What a class act.

Now, I almost forgot I was writing about Bon Iver’s new NABIL directed video for “Towers” and it is beautifully shot and choke full with visual metaphor aplenty. And yes, it many even be channeling Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man And The Sea, but that’s a way cool thing too. Peace. Continue reading “bon iver // towers (official video)”

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alcoholic faith mission // running with insanity (official video)

There is so much to admire about Alcoholic Faith Mission aside from their über cool name. But right now I’m just pleased as punch to hear that AFM is releasing a new LP soon. On March 27th the new album ‘ask me this’ is scheduled to be releases simultaneously in Canada via 45 Records and in The U.S. States through Old Flame Records. You can also check out AFM’s major North American tour schedule at alcoholicfaithmission.com. And, for a limited time only (February 29th), ardent fans can get a FREE download of Dim Light From Above: The Best Of Alcoholic Faith Mission. Peace. Continue reading “alcoholic faith mission // running with insanity (official video)”

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Neon Indian // Fallout (Video)

From the pop culture bad boys over at Adult Swim they’ve recruited the alternate reality guru of all things not right in the universe Lifuchs to conjure up titillating visions for Neon Indian‘s Era Extraña’s far-out groovy “Fallout” video. And don’t you just love animated cartoons of the adult variety? I do, and boy oh boy is this something you’ll not soon forget. Definitely not safe for work and just shy of an R-rating. And for all those reasons it is sure to garner loads of interest. And yeah, just in case you’re wondering the song is pretty good too, even if the visuals are literally stealing the limelight from the audio. In this case  the song “Fallout” is the supporting cast for the scene stealing video and not the other right way around. Peace. Continue reading “Neon Indian // Fallout (Video)”

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Whispertown // Open The Other Eye

Being the sole anchor of the music project known as Whispertown is a demanding undertaking. But, Morgan Nagler is more than capable, and up for the task. Recently, the collective formerly known as The Whispertown 2000 has gone through a metamorphosis of sorts. And as a testament to Ms. Nagler’s munificent character, she sees clear and true, a musical landscape of few restrictions. Her vision, not only includes sounds, but those sounds are culled from many a musical nook and cranny. With Whispertown you’re just as likely to hear folk influences as you are the more brightly electro infused fare. Although, Morgan Nagler is indeed the centerpiece (songwriter, vocals, and guitarist) there exists a revolving door through which an assortment of cast members flow. This approach is more expansive, and allows for, not only greater experimentation, but instrumentation and modes of delivery as well. The results are nothing less than righteous. Listen to the first single “Open The Other Eye” from Whispertown’s forthcoming EP Parallel due out March 20th via Acony Records. You can get “Open The Other Eye” as a free download here at whispertown.com. Peace. Continue reading “Whispertown // Open The Other Eye”

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chrome sparks | still sleeping | ft. steffaloo


 
According to Jeremy Malvin, bka as Chrome Sparks, life at the moment has its positives which include the following: His age, he’s barely into his 20’s. He’s a student, presently matriculating at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). And lastly, his above average height, which I’m guessing is just over 6 foot (182.9 cm for those into metrics). Call it an unflagging modesty, but he failed to mention his ability to make astounding futurian-worthy music, seemingly out of thin air. For someone so young he is making quite a name for himself, both inside and outside of his Michigan, by way of Fort Duquesne environs (hidden history lesson). When he’s not deeply submerged in sub-space rearranging molecules into dreamy soundscapes, he’s moving crowds as DJ Professor Purple at local haunts like Necto. Also, he’s fresh from a Chicago date having shared the bill with Theophilus London. He’ll soon be sharing the limelight with Diplo protégé Rusko at Ann Arbors’ Necto. And for those lucky locals they’ll catch him with Nightlife and Alexis at Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti this Wednesday night! And be on the look see for Chrome Sparks forthcoming EP Surface Glows, no date as of yet, but rest assured I’ll keep you posted. Peace. Continue reading “chrome sparks | still sleeping | ft. steffaloo”