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daniel wilson | the boy who cried thunder ep

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Ypsilanti, Michigan native Daniel Wilson isn’t so much an anomaly as he is a supremely talented singer/songwriter. He somehow manages to quasi-impersonate vocally greats like Smoky Robinson. Or in the case of the lead track Killed Ya the quirky best of a modern miracle like Cee Lo Green (Goodie Mob, Gnarls Barkley). Then musically inhabit the glissando of Brian Burton (Danger Mouse, Gnarls Barkley and Broken Bells).

Mr. D. W. can effortlessly (or so it seems) compose sonics on par with say Bon Iver (Vernon Jordan) or melt a melody ala Caroline Smith. But a copycat Mr. Wilson most certainly isn’t, for he brings the fresh and unique force of his own imaginative spirit to the music making experience. For proof check out his latest The Boy Who Cried Thunder EP and be impressed. I am an instant fan. Oh my fav is the song Proofread. I am pricked. Peace. Continue reading “daniel wilson | the boy who cried thunder ep”

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nathan k | most birthdays | our sunday best


 
At times songs take on a greater significance if the music is produced by someone whom you count as a friend and you really admire their undeniable artistry. Nathan K. and I first met after I Tweeted a penned response to his amazing Dishes LP (2012). Since then, we have kept in touch and the rest is history.

Now, Mr. K has gone a done it again. With the his latest song Most Birthdays which plies the deepening waters of this so-called life. And although the waves seem to engulf his personal life Nathan remains resilient and beats back despair with gorgeous and powerful song. Look for a forthcoming album in 2014. Peace. Continue reading “nathan k | most birthdays | our sunday best”

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protomartyr | come & see


 
Protomartyr is more than a Detroit-based band. This is a band which embodies all the good and bad of a troubled city on the cusp of deliverance or economic irrelevancy. Their songs are raw and a bit schizophrenic to the opposite of anything resembling a fault. Yet, there exists beauty of an austere sort of nature. This is post-punk angst revitalized and resurrected from obscurity. Frontman Joe Casey’s dry ice vocals set the tone for the achingly raucous songs which occupy their forthcoming album Under Color of Official Right via Hardly Art Records. These are fast paced odes of pain wrapped with dirty bandages, and the fact that they don’t heal right only lends authenticity of character to an album that is an apt catharsis for despair. This album is an up-all-nighter for damn sure. Look for Under Color of Official Right to drop April 8th. Peace. Continue reading “protomartyr | come & see”

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the milk carton kids // snake eyes

What life is there, what delight without golden song?

It is nigh impossible not to fall for The Milk Carton Kids. In terms of harmony, delivery, and overall songcraft the Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale duo are unsurpassed. I am inspired by artists who possess the ability to elevate a genre or in the case of TMCK, bust it to pieces. And although it is natural to try to place TMCK into a box and label it Folk, Bluegrass or Southern Rock Pop, etc. But The Milk Carton Kids won’t stay contained, not even close. Listen to their new track “Snake Eyes,” which premiered on Rolling Stone (1/08/13) and it is more than evident these guys far exceed the usefulness of their current band name. Or perhaps it is part of their wonderful duplicity, to put forth an almost juvenile designate, which at first glance conjures immaturity, but in the end offer listeners a thing wholly divergent reality. When you click play, what you get is a slow motion gut-check, a stave through your heart but without all the blood, yet still passion aplenty. These aren’t mere songs, they’re reservoirs of a revelatory depth of character, emotion and beauty. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming debut LP,  ‘The Ash and Clay’, and it also serves double-duty as the soundtrack to Gus Van Sant’s latest film, Promised Land. The Milk Carton Kids are a namesake defied kind of deal, and an admonishment to not judge a band by its Saturday morning kids show name. Peace.  Continue reading “the milk carton kids // snake eyes”

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nathan k. // ghosts (dit session #24)

if you’re not familiar with the homespun music of nathan k. (Nathan Klages) then it is about time you take a few minutes and sit back and absorb the work-a-day music of this incredible michigan-based singer/songwriter. nathan’s soulfully wholesome album ‘dishes’ came out this summer, from which the beautiful track, “ghost” is taken. after the jump check out the dit session #24 for the previous mentioned track. how mr. k captures so much raw emotional tumult is both heart wrenching and a total explosion of happy/sad tears all at the some time. for more, check out nathan k.’s bob seger video and shiver at it’s majesty and grace. it’s as if every time nathan picks up a guitar and sets his honest mouth and accompanies the mercurial michigan clime, the airwaves rattle with the bones of truth. peace. Continue reading “nathan k. // ghosts (dit session #24)”

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language // ep

lansing, michigan-based band language unleashes a sound which comes pouring out of your speakers like a sunburst of post-punk euphoria. this is music glazed with a vibrancy combined with both ear-aching post-punk pop but tempered by a gritty passion and an unstoppable need to get it out of their collective systems. lead-vocalist christopher minarik channels a hybrid blend of ian curtis (joy division) and peter murphy (bauhaus) with sonic fragments of the pixies thrown in for good measure. and even though the band has its influences it still portrays a visage which is clearly and unequivocally their own. my favorite track is the ep opener, “sault marie,” how it unfurls with a frenetic maelstrom of drums and quicksilver guitar work before chris’s vocals festoon the song with his husky diamond in the rough crooning. great music from a band i will definitely be following. peace. Continue reading “language // ep”

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christopher norman & the reverb junkie // all the pretty people ep

I got the wonderful All The Pretty People EP in my e-mail inbox several days ago and I’ve been (hoarding) listening to it ever since; while running random and mundane errands aplenty. Christopher Norman & The Reverb Junkie (aka  Michelle Chamuel) are a match made in music heaven, and this EP is a living and breathing testament to how seamlessly their respective styles coalesce into a gratifying and wonderful sound. Although the EP contains only three songs and a couple of remixes a listener can easily envision something bigger and broader in the works from this talented twosome.

The opening track, “You Don’t Know” features the fantastically seductive vocals of The Reverb Junkie, it settles somewhere near your endorphin center and pretty much stays there. The following song “Keep Pace” finds Christopher Norman‘s voice matched perfectly alongside each note, with The Reverb Junkie offering glints and shiny facets along the way. But, when Christopher sings, “I was never good at staying put…” you get the feeling he isn’t speaking of geography. It is more than evident this artist is evolving, and continues to push into uncharted territory. The maturity is evident as both of these artists showcase their individual strengths as producers and songwriters.  On track number three we’re treated to more of what works well here, the beyond excellent singing of Michelle Chamuel swimming amongst the white-water electronic orchestration of Mr. Norman.

This in more than a debut release, it is a solid statement by the duo. It is the charming and beatific voices of Christopher and Michelle commingling and complimenting each other, but it is also a combination of slow-motion-dream and the frenetic-electronic-cloud rain dripping musically all over the place. It it both bright and clever. But this isn’t the stuff of trite and mercurial hipness, it is something more enduring. This collaboration is stalwart and self-assured, very easy to listen and dance to. I think this is the beginning of a wonderful musical relationship between Christopher Norman and The Reverb Junkie. Now, I’m just hoping they’re planning a full length LP in the near and dear future. Peace. Continue reading “christopher norman & the reverb junkie // all the pretty people ep”

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matthew dear // her fantasy (poolside remix)

It is some kind of wonderful when dj/producers like Poolside remix legendary dj/producer/ extraordinaire Matthew Dear. In this case listen to the track,
“Her Fantasy” and experience how good paying homage to a such a pivotal entity as Matthew Dear sounds. Her Fantasy is the first single from Matthew Dear’s forthcoming album Beams, look for it August 24th via Ghostly International. For more please check out and download the track In The Middle I Met You There. Peace. Continue reading “matthew dear // her fantasy (poolside remix)”

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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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nathan k. // dishes (our sunday best)

Fellow Michigander Nathan K. recently dropped his spectacular Dishes LP and if you haven’t treated yourself to a listen then you’re missing out. I had the pleasure, and honor, of reviewing the full album before its official release. This album is well stocked with tender, yet dazzling songwriting.

This is an album that happens when someone loses an important link in their life. Nathans grandfather passed recently, and it is easy to imagine how many of these songs are the result his loss. So, on its face this is a collection of songs about heartache, but it also about taking that heartache and turning it into songs of reflection.  In the end it is also ultimately about refection, and finding one’s resolve to, if not rise above it, then to cope as best you can. In the end these are songs paying homage and honoring those who leave us while we still envision having them in our lives.Yes, we carry on without their physical presence. We go about the daily rigors of life with a loved one’s remembrance stitched permanently in our hearts. The album opens with the tranquil, “For Your Own Good” and the songs speak of frustration, youthful angst, well-intentioned advice, and perhaps a need to accept one’s doubtful compulsion towards personal destiny.

For Your Own Good lyrics

I was stopped on the side of the highway. I was stopped on the side of the road. I guess I was going too fast. I guess I was going too fast for my own good. He let me go with only a warning. He let me go with only these words. (He said) Son you should try to relax. Son you should try to relax for your own good. I spent the whole day just sitting in silence. I spent the whole day with the radio off. I couldn’t think of a good song to sing. I couldn’t think of a single good thing to save my life. It’s been so long since I stared at a sunset. I was a kid last time I really felt that, the world is a beautiful place. And I guess it’s a beautiful place but it’s hard to tell. And I get so tired of hearing my own voice. But I can’t never seem to want to seem to shut my mouth for shit. It makes me sick. I can’t stop thinking about what that cop said. I can’t stop thinking about what he told me. Said, “son you should try to relax”. And I really should try to relax for my own good.

It is songs like this which comprise a seemingly journal full of personal songs that flesh out the life stories and discoveries on full display within the Dishes album. There has been much written about this release, and with this writing I’ll further the accolades, simply because they are fully deserved. Nathan K. is singer/songwriter from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and he crafts songs that not only reflect the geographic and social landscape around him, but also how the aforementioned geographic and social landscape shapes his perception. The temperatures of his heart reflect the mercurial aspects of the seasons here, and his voice is a worthy conduit coloring our souls just as bright and dour as we are.  Peace. Continue reading “nathan k. // dishes (our sunday best)”