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So it’s January, Christmas has come and gone for another year, Music lovers out there have no doubt been inundated with CDs and records and have plenty of new and great music to listen to. Well in that spirit here’s seven more tracks, I have discovered, for your listening pleasure.
Monday – Hey Hey Revolver – The Felice Brothers
It’s incredibly hard for me not to get worked up about this track. It’s not new, it’s from their 2004 album, but then I only just discovered that album after having gone backwards through their discography. Whilst the whole album is magnificent in my opinion, this track does stand out on its own for being truly spectacular. I recommend you get the actual album version of this track and not a live version, as they may not have the same effect. You’ll notice that shortly into this track, it’ll sound as if the recording is broken. It isn’t that would be lightning hitting the makeshift recording studio. But then comes the really great part, the vocals start, and just behind them the natural percussion of thunder rumbling. This just gives the track some natural power and well an aura – plus it’s pretty cool to listen to up loud in the dark.
Listen: http://www.goear.com/listen/6c248ca/Hey-Hey-Revolver-the-felice-brothers
Tuesday – Zorbing – Stornoway
Stornoway are another in a long list of folk or folk-tinged groups to break out of relative obscurity. They are also one of the bands tipped for success in 2010, featuring in a number of Sounds of 2010 lists. The track starts off with a somewhat traditional feel; the vocals would not be out of place on a more traditional folk record; and the imagery is wholly pastoral and beautiful. The instrumentation is wide and varied, in many instances giving the song a rockier and more upbeat feel. Trumpets give the track an added dimension and give the track added life and vitality. The finished product is a pop ballad that is very hard not to like, its upbeat, fun and in no way cynical. A band to look out for in the future.
Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr_ZhrQ_G9c
Wednesday – Goodbye England (Covered in Snow) – Laura Marling
The new single from British femme-folk darling Laura Marling gives some idea of the direction of the new album which is due out this year. The track was released just before Christmas, suggesting that it is perhaps in part a Christmas or holiday song. Though really it is much more than this, it has all of Marling’s trademark reflections backed by some beautiful acoustic instrumentation; not to mention some great sounding vocal moments, backing up Marling’s delicate-yet-powerful vocals. Its included this week because England does happen to covered in Snow, and Laura Marling is currently gracing Australian shores, appearing at the Sydney Festival and elsewhere.
Listen: http://strangeglue.com/music/music-laura-marling-goodbye-england-covered...
Thursday – Jagadamba, You Might – First Aid Kit
Taken from the recently released EP, “Drunken Trees” Jagadamba comes later in the track listing but is by far one of the standout tracks on the EP. It is minimalist in production, featuring only acoustic guitar and vocals, creating a song which is both ghostly and majestic. First Aid Kit is made up of two young sisters from Sweden, and what really stands out in this record and on this track is the brilliant harmonising of their vocals and the melodies which they create. With their debut album out later this month, lets hope we hear more from these sisters.
Listen: http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/song/Jagadamba+You+Might/21719144
Friday – Fake Blues – Real Estate
Surf Rock is making a resurgence it would appear, what with this band and The Drums gaining momentum. Hailing from New Jersey, they make a brand of psychedelic surf pop/rock which is quite infectious. Jangly guitars and understated vocals give the track a distinctly summery feel. Those jangly guitars are bright and simple, the drumming loping, but occasionally excitable, it’s at times both exhilarating and contemplative. All in all though, it signals a band I want to hear more from.
Download: http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Real_Estate/track/Fake_Blues
Saturday – I Can See The Pines Are Dancing – A A Bondy
A A Bondy is another of those folky troubadour types coming out of America, and in my opinion they can keep on churning them out if they keep on making music this good! Like those other folky types coming out of America, Bondy has been able to tap into the rich well of Americana and produce an album of great lyrical and melodic beauty and starkness. This is an album that takes a couple of listens to seep into your consciousness, and should definitely be given the time to do so.
Sunday – Home – Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
The first track from the latest soundtrack from long time collaborators Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and it is clear that Cave and Ellis are not only masters at their usual musical projects, but that they are prodigiously talented when it comes to scoring soundtracks for films. I was a big fan of the soundtrack for “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” so now always ten to look forward to a Cave and Ellis soundtrack, and The Road does not disappoint. This opening track really does create some sense of “home” conjures up images of homeliness, but at the same time still manages to do enough to create a sense of atmosphere. Normally you see a film and then want to buy the soundtrack, here for me; it is the other way around. Both the soundtrack and the movie are out now.
