The first song from Bon Iver’s sophomore album is out.
From the man who released the magnificent album ”For Emma, Forever Ago” in 2007, we now get the first glance of what’s to come. And judging from this first tune, it will be as magnificent…
Listen to ”Calgary” and sit back and wait… because june 21st, the rest will follow.
Label: Bella Union / SubPop
Releasedate: 2011-05-02
Having almost created a genre of their own with the first album, this Seattle-based folk band follows up with greatness. A sophomore album with dignity. I am stunned, just like in 2008.
Mr Pecknold know his way around folk, having created the feeling of the sixties-sound cloaked in a modern wardrobe. The vocals and instruments makes you wait for the next album already. The lyrics are like stories, and wanders from barefoot to heavy workboots. Know this, this album is bound for many late night sessions in the summer to come.
In interviews, Pecknold refers to his feelings for this album, wanting to create something in the vicinity of Van Morrisson’s Astral Weeks. Beeing inspired by Roy Harpers album Stormcock. I say this is nothing less than epic stuff.
Like many follow-ups, the anticipation is great, and having followed Fleet Foxes during the process, on Twitter, I have been more than inpatient. I have to say, the wait was not at all in vain, it exceeded my expactations. Way beyond, that is.
Fleet Foxes will be playing Way Out West this summer, I will be there, believe me, I will be there.
Close to perfection, again. This album is a clear six. A Kentuckyseven-Classic already.
Release: 2011-04-25
Label: Bella Union
Alessi Laurente-Marke, is exactly what the world needs. Her music deserves to be heard by every each and one. The 21 year old british musician, is doing just about everything right.
Her sophomore album ”Time Travel” is no exception. The sound is familiar, but it has grown. Oh how it has grown. From her previous releases, it has made a journey, to new higher grounds. The lyrics are greater, still narrowing down just so they fit the exquisite guitars and pianos of what is Alessi’s Ark.
I must have exceeded the number of times you are allowed to listen to an EP, listening to her EP ”The Horse” from 2008. Four songs that completely blew my mind, and still do.
”Time Travel” feels like the right way, to get to know Alessi, if your ways haven’t crossed before. The way the album winds down several beautiful roads, with the delicate voice of Alessi, is like beeing on a great excursion, in forests, fields and the countryroads of which ever great country on earth. And beeing guided by these songs is just close to perfection.
I still haven’t had the luck of seeing this great artist live yet, but from what I have heard, it is just as beautiful, so I keep waiting. Waiting for the Ark to set sail for sweden. I will be at the docks waiting.
6 out of 7, what else is there to do? This is amazing stuff.
Wanna know more about the artist Alessi’s Ark? We had the fortune of getting a word with Alessi, a while ago… read more.
You want something that itches? Something that will hit you hard in the belly? Something that won´t go away?
Try ’Times New Viking’. A great band from Columbus, Ohio with their own style, their own lo-fi-punk take on life.
For the first time the trio (guitarist Jared Phillips, drummer Adam Elliott and Beth Murphy on keyboards) has escaped into a studio, and the result is pure genius.
With the help of Adam Smith and Dustin White, ’Time New Viking’ produced and recorded an album that sounds like a mellow night out. It´s loud, brash and just lovely.
Their fifth album ’Dancer Equired’ is released April 25th via Wichita Recordings / Cooperative Music. Check out the song ’No Room To Live’.
If you come across an artist that describes himself as this guy, Dean Fields does, you wanna know what he sounds like:
”It takes a long time for me to wake up. Often Ill get up in the middle of night, change the cat box, and go back to bed with no recollection of it. Im an over-thinker and an undecider. I make up words. I went to grad school to pursue music and left grad school to pursue music. I moved 7 times in 3 years between 4 states. I have 300 voices with 300 accents for 301 different moods. I cannot park a car. My wife is the coolest person I know. And she is not a horse.”
It got me intrigued, and I started to explore the songs of Mr Fields latest EP ”Under A Searchlight Moon”, which was released March 15. Stumbled over a bunch of well-written songs, catchy tunes with feel. Dean is from Richmond, Virginia and the Americana is more than present in the EP, to say the least.
This artist know his way around words and phrases. The music sounds like there is a straight line between the idea and the songs. Steel-guitars give the ambiance and authenticity that great American songwriters need.
My advice has got to be, check this one out, and hopefully you will find something that will find a place in you too.
Listen to ”Under a Searchlight Moon” on Bandcamp:
Photo: Louise Storm
You know when you suddenly, while watching a tv-series, hear the tune. The tune you have got to get. It could be that you are looking for these guys.
The Elliots are four extremely talented guys from the Swedish west coast, from the indie-rock-capitol that is know as Gothenburg. They have played together since 1990, and you can tell. Their music is an alternative-indie-rock-pop mashup, with excellence. Somehow it brings up names such as Killers, Band of Horses and with a splash of ”nineties” in it. A real sound, something very credible.
The band has been featured in several American tv-series, which is something not all bands get to experience. When listening to the new album ”Love / Decay”, which is to be released June 10, you know they have created something great. And those of you that pick up that album are in for something really good.
The first single ”When Evil Happens” features guest vocals by Camela Leierth, a perfect match. The Elliots are, Petur Olafsson, Christian Rosengren, Fredrik Berggren and Mathias Flodin.
A full review of the album will be posted closer to the release, but I can tell you this, this is something special. The emotional songs and melodies are magical. You just wait and see.
Meanwhile, check out the band @ TheElliots Twitter MySpace
You know that real Americana. The one where you can feel that worn out seat of a rugged pick up. That feeling of really dusty boots with worn out heels. And a broken heart.
That kind of Americana is played by The Far West. No more no less. It’s genuine down to that last longneck, sliding over the steelguitar.
The boys, Lee Briante, Robert Black, Erik Kristiansen and Tony Sanborn are hitting the right notes down the road that is great american folk and country music.
They have been described as something like” Waylon’s band jamming with Wilco” which should be something every band like this would put up on their walls and be proud of.
The Dylan-fan will be feeling right at home in songs like ”White Freightliner”, which sounds like its carved out of a 70’s Dylan record, and molded into The Far West.
The debut album is released today, and the band is headed out to SXSW for two shows, 15th and 16th @ B.D. Riley’s Pub and Waterloo Ice house.
April 3rd they will play @ The Grand Ole Echo in LA, with another of the Kentuckyseven favorites, Maxim Ludvig & The Santa Fe Seven. Now there is a show we would like to attend.
Get to know The Far West better @ TheFarWestBand.com
Listen to the tunes @ Myspace
Releasedate: Feb 15 on ATO Records.
Drive-By Truckers have three singers (Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, ShonnaTucker) and have recorded eleven albums. Go Go Boots puts them right where I like em.
This is a step into the bona fied countrygrass, a familiar place for the Truckers yet not always their most abraded runway. It suits them perfect, like a strong cup of coffee in the morning sun.
As always you hear the roots, the Neil Youngs and the Tom Pettys, the blues, the soul and the heartland of great americanamusic. It´s a soundtrack to that movie you love. Long, slow, steelpedaltunes. Three great voices. And a couple of songs that really makes a difference.
As DBT state in the first song: “I do believe, I do believe, I do believe.”
Fair enough.
¤ Judge says: 5/7 Kentuckyseven´s
¤ Best tracks: Everybody needs love, Used to be a cop.
¤ Drink while you listen: Zoega´s Intenzo
Arbouretums fourth album The Gathering is out Tuesday February 15 via Thrill Jockey Records. It´s inspired by Carl Jung and comes at you like wild horses. It´s not like anything else out there right now.
This is oldtime folkpsych with a heavy-stoner guitarsound and a doom-bitter twist. The Baltimoreband is touring America in Feb and Europe in March. To know what to expect, here´s a fresh livetake.
Arbouretum – ”Waxing Crescents” – Live at the Ottobar from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.
Label: Heavenly Recordings
Releasedate: 2011-02-07
Sea of Bees is Julie Ann Bee’s musical project. And the term project is well used in describing this album.
The songs evolve, changes and comes to life when listening to them. Just when you think that you got it, it takes another path. The world of Julie Ann Bee seems to drag you with it. The mysterious, sweet and yet dark songs seem to be telling you a story. Trying to catch on, I find myself humming along to songs I’ve not yet heard. Feeling poetic yet frantic.
The single Wizbot is one of those songs that just stick. From the very first note. Bee’s voice is clear yet fragile. There is something fresh yet familiar with this album. It is a building of sound. My feeling is that I’ve just entered the lobby. But I will make it to the roof.
Feels like a record that will grow with every listening. Right now it is a 5. Thanks for the ride Julie Ann Bee.
Listen to songs from Songs For The Ravens @ Myspace
Download ”Marmalade” @ Seeofbees.com
