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6.25.2009
6.24.2009
Joe Pug Offers Free EP
You Should Know
While Joe Pug is hard at work finalizing a new full-length recorded in Chicago, you can mosey on over to Pug's website and download a free EP entitled In The Meantime. The EP features 5 songs from the original Nation Of Heat sessions. These are not merely throwaway songs as Pug exhibits the same lyrical command that made Nation Of Heat so special. Just enter in your email address and you can download this exclusive collection of songs at www.joepugmusic.com. -- Capt. Obvious
6.15.2009
Dark Mean
You Should Know
Fellow music bloggers will attest that opening your daily inbox can be overwhelming. When you're perusing hundreds of bands, sometimes the music starts to sound a little samey and unfortunately you find yourself moving the bulk of your mail to the trash. Hamilton Ontario's Dark Mean represent the rare exception of a band that I took one listen to and knew I was on board. The trio's debut 4-song EP Frankencottage is an eclectic hodgepodge of folk rock, electonic elements, and pop. The title track is built on a thudding bass riff, stuttered drums, and 80's-tinged keyboard, while the aptly titled "Happy Banjo" melds melancholic lyrics with upbeat instrumentation that includes banjo (naturally) and horns. Vocally, the different ranges of voices weave together seamlessly to create an intoxicating blend that will have you nodding your head uncontrollably. Frankencottage is the first of three EP's that will form the band's first full-length, and it is available for FREE on the band's website. Highly recommended. -- Capt. Obvious
6.09.2009
Fanfarlo
You Should Know
You can't get a whole lot for a dollar these days, but from now until July 4th, you can pick up Fanfarlo's new album Reservoir for a measly buck and you'll even get 4 bonus tracks. The band hails from London and creates highly orchestrated indie-pop that sounds a bit like Arcade Fire meets Belle and Sebastian. Lead singer Simon Balthazar's vocals are also vaguely reminiscent of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! singer Alec Ounsworth, but the similarity isn't blatant enough to be a distraction. Lazy comparisons aside, Fanfarlo carves its own niche with a highly-ornamented yet never overly-adorned approach. Balthazar's words are effortless yet weighty. The band's arrangements are immense. Still, Fanfarlo manages to hypnotize despite complexities that could have easily caused the album to crumble. Take, for instance, album opener "I'm A Pilot," with its stomping percussion and hazy piano. The song builds slowly to a bell and string-laden crescendo indicative of things to come. As far as debut albums go, Reservoir is a rarity. It's steeped in grandiosity but displays a focus seldom seen on debut albums. Please visit the band's website and take advantage of this opportunity to buy their album for next to nothing. I'd venture to say this will be one of the best dollars you ever spend. -- Capt. Obvious
6.08.2009
Leonard Cohen: Live In London (2009)
New Wax
Humility is a virtue lost on many a younger musician these days. One album into a career, and you are likely to hear posturing the likes of which might shame an NBA player. What humility you do see is usually calculated and superficial; designed to fit the expectations of a certain genre and not reflective of anything substantial. Leonard Cohen has had a long career, in literature and music, and more than anything else it is his humility that shines through in this recording, from London in July 2008. The 73 year old Cohen, touring again after a long hiatus, is truly thankful and appreciative to be performing his songs for so many people. In his warm delivery, his wry humor on display in between songs, and the respect he gives his material and its place in the audiences' heart, Cohen gives a blueprint for artistic maturity that Kanye West would do well to study. Cohen is a consummate performer. He knows exactly how to deliver every line, what songs people need to hear, how to best seduce the audience. In the 26 songs on this recording, Cohen doesn't miss anything glaring save for "Famous Blue Raincoat;" but with the wealth of material presented, perhaps that omission can be forgiven. Opening with "Dance Me To The End Of Love," Cohen jumps between albums and periods in a manner that would do Dylan proud. There are songs from his first album all the way through 2001's Ten New Songs, and everywhere in between. His rendition of "Hallelujah" is a highlight in a show of highlights, as he takes his oft-covered song and reclaims it for himself once again. The slow, stately romp of "Bird On A Wire," the snarl of "Everybody Knows," the wistfulness of "So Long, Marianne" - this show has too many beautiful moments to write about. Listen to this album, and see if you can be charmed by Cohen as much as he so clearly appears to be charmed by his audience. -- Mountain John
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