Artist: The Dodos
Album: Beware the Maniacs ****
Now we've played something from every Dodos record except the shitty one where they had the guy that did the Shin's 'Wincing' produce. This is the record before the 'Visiter' breakthrough. Sometimes silly (hear 'Beards') and sadistic (hear 'Neighbours') but still pure d-o-d-o-s Dodos.
Artist: Bright Eyes
Song: When The Curious Girl Realizes She's Under Glass
Song: When The Curious Girl Realizes She's Under Glass
Album: Fevers and Mirrors ****
I've been trying to fit in some old Bright Eyes for a long while, and an episode like this seemed fitting to throw in this track. Fevers & Mirrors is what did it for me on the Bright Eyes tip over a decade ago, and is still at the top of my vinyl 'to-get' list. There's just something so unique about this album from the spoken word intro to the orchestral arrangements, to this standout track that is nothing more than a live-off-the-floor piano and vocal arrangement that works so undeniably well. Eerie and beautiful all at once.
Band: Kings of Convenience
Album: Declaration of Dependence ****
The very best in Scandinavian Folk. There's nothing like it. I wish I wish I wish I got these records on vinyl while they were still around. I've had plenty of sound a like suggestions, but no one comes close. Art Garfunkel? Get the fuck out of here with Art Garfunkel. By the way, This is the SONG 'Riot on an Empty Street' from the album 'Declaration of Dependence'. There is also a Kings of Convenience ALBUM called 'Riot on an Empty Street'. They are all amazing front to back. One of the Kings is Erlend Oye (of turn of the century Royksopp-Poor-Leno vocals fame, Whitest Boy Alive, and ... Erlend Oye). 3 of my favorite records right now. This is the newest one. They need a new one.
Artist: Maybe Tonight
Song: Nicole Atkins
Song: Nicole Atkins
Album: Neptune City ***
Nicole caught my attention a few years back when she opened up at the Opera House in Toronto for the Pipettes. I was so blown away by her performance I had to rush back to the merch table to buy the CD. (probably one of the last actual 'CD's' I purchased as a matter of fact). Fantastic voice, great arrangements, and she's even been coined 'The female version of Roy Orbison'…… take that as you will...
Artist: Fran Healy
Album: Wreckorder ****
Yet another jam that's just been idling in the wings, waiting for the right cast. It's no secret that Honeydew loves his Britpop, and although this album isn't so much 'pop', it's chocked full of fantastically catchy acoustic jams, a la Fran's 'The Man Who..' or 'The Invisible Band' days. (for those that weren't sure, Fran was the frontman for the UK group Travis…. you know….the 'why does it always rain on me' band.) If you remember loving the Travis albums back in the day, you'll love this album hands down. It's an H-Dew must.
Song: The Blizzard's Never Seen the Desert Sand
Artist: The Tallest Man on Earth
Album: Shallow Grave ****
Don't know what the hype on the new records' is about. The first was his best, by far. Ah fuck, now my indenting's all fucked up. Yo, buy this album.
Artist: Emiliana Torrini
Album: Fisherman's Woman ****
This record... hey it's back to normal. Alright - this record is another blast from the turnalmillenial past. Hearing her do straight acoustic was a breathtaking, welcome shock... I think I heard this lying in the back of a pickup truck driving to Kentucky. Yeah. I think that was me. The debut was catchy, too, if a little overproduced. Overproduced... huh... haven't said that for a long time. K, so compared to this, it's a useful description. What else she do? Lessee... vox on the opening track to Thievery Corporation's sophomore, end credits on the second Lord of the Rings movie, an unremarkable (if not jazzily unremarkable) third album... It was like Kentucky or 'ssippi....
Artist: Beck
Album: Sea Change*****
The best of the Beck - Nigel Goderich collabs. There's a reason they released this as an original master audiophile vinyl recently. Deep simmering strings and golden brown vocals threatening to surge out from behind those dull muted snares. First time I heard him do something real. One of the best of all time. That's a 5 star up there for a reason.
Song: Golden Brown
Album: La Folie ***
Believe it or not, this song was originally released in 1981. Thats right friends, over 30 years ago. But let's be honest, we all know it as the scene where Mickey the bare knuckle boxer K-O's Gorgeous George in the movie 'Snatch'. Great scene. Great movie. Fitting song.
Artist: Sufjan Stevens
Album: Seven Swans *****
Sufjan's Sea Change. 2nd fave Soof record behind All Delighted People EP.... ahhh maybe it's a tie. I just love the way the drums introduce themselves, and the little melodic farafiza glissandos. A very clever inversion of what starts out a straightforward soof-a-loof (that's what I call a Sufjan Steven's song).
Artist: The New Amsterdams
Song: Death of Us
Album: Story Like a Scar ***
Song: Death of Us
Album: Story Like a Scar ***
I've always wondered how Matt Pryor has had time to make all the fantastic music he's made.
5 albums with The Get Up Kids
2 albums with Reggie & The Full
Effect
6 albums with The New Amsterdams
2 albums with The Terrible Twos
3 solo albums
Throw in touring on all of those discs
and you have one of the hardest working dudes in the industry. And this is all
since 1995…………..Hats off to you Mr. Pryor. Hats off indeed.
Artist: M. Ward
Album: Wasteland Companion ***
M. Ward. M? Matt? Murdoch? Mumford! ... No... there's already Mumford and Sons... GOD DAMN YOU MUMFORD AND SONS GIVING US NOTHING BUT KINGS OF LEONS DOES FOLK POP AND LEAVING US WITH NOOOOOTHIIIIING!!!!!! M. Ward doesn't need me to rep him anymore. But shit - those old records - Post War in particular - people need to hear those. There are a few nice cuts on this one, too. ..... Trying not to think about those records he does with Zooey.
Artist: Kings of Mother Fucking Convenience
Album: Quiet is the New Loud *****
Quiet is the new loud. KoC Nation.
Artist: Chad vanGaellen
Album: Skelliconnection ***
This is where most of us prolly heard him for the first time. Seemed to matter to a lot of people that he made his own electronic instruments back then. Have you seen any of his animations? Terrifying.... FOLK EPISODE COMPLETE!!!!!
