Songbird
Aug
8
The Universe, Gregory Alan Isakov
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I was recently introduced to Gregory Alan Isakov, I fell in love instantly. Folksy singer-songwriter melodies with stunning poetic lyrics. The music has a heartbeat, with little moments of quiet that is so effective.
“I never pictured you living here with the rats and the vines
ain’t that my old heart hanging out on your lines
you’re all fucked up, Saint Valentine” – Gregory Isakov, Saint Valentine
Gregory (we are on a first name basis) has joined the likes of Nick Drake, Alexi Murdoch and Fionn Regan on my favorite singer-songwriter list. He is currently on tour and highly recommended.
“the Universe, she’s wounded
but she’s still got infinity ahead of her
she’s still got you and me
and everybody says that she’s beautiful”- Gregory Isakov, The Universe
The Universe – Gregory Alan Isakov
The Weatherman Explicit 2013 (Suitcase Town Music)
Jan
4
Top Five of 2012: Number 4
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This was difficult… So, so difficult. It was between Dry The River and Andrew Bird and as you can see Andrew Bird won. Maybe because I have a history with Andrew Bird, I have almost all of his albums. He is number 3 on my most listened to musicians. His music really hits me deep in my gut and makes me feel so, so good. He has truly become on of my favorite musicians of all time. This album is his sixth full length studio album and however divided people are about this album I am on the side that says it is a beautiful piece of art. Bird is an amazing talented musician who cannot fail because he is just flat out that good at what he does. Listen to Lazy Projector, Fatal Shore or Desperation Breeds and tell me that it doesn’t charm you with its gentle guitar melodies and subtle whistles luring you in and spinning you around. That is what Bird does best. Is this album knock your socks off blow your mind upon first listen? No. But that is not Bird’s style, he lures you in like the smell of a good sweet bourbon. Slow and methodical, his music stands the test of time. He is just that good.
Break It Yourself 2012 (Mom & Pop Music)
Dec
3
Three White Horses
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Final paper of the semester completed, 2 weeks left including final and I can’t wait for a bit of a break.
For the last month I have been enjoying Andrew Bird’s new EP, Hands of Glory. I sometimes catch myself not listening to him as much as I would like or that he deserves. I am always happy when I turn him on, he never disappoints and I can always count on him to make a beautiful album. Bird and a group of musicians created an EP as a companion piece to the earlier full length album, Break It Yourself. My absolute favorite track on this EP is Three White Horses.
Three White Horses – Andrew Bird
Hands of Glory 2012 (Mom & Pop Music)
Jun
5
It’s All Okay
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It has been awhile, friends. A long while, even when I was here I was never fully here. I was never really anywhere for awhile. Drifting. Lost at sea…
But I think you have to lose yourself sometimes to remember who you really are and what you want in life. I am happy where I am ending up, who I am turning out to be. I am still learning, I am definitely an apprentice… But I am getting there. At least now I know where I am going.
I have a soft spot for Julia Stone and her brother Angus Stone. Whether it is an album together, or a solo project, I am drawn to their acoustic singer-songwriter folk music. Julia Stone’s new album, By the Horns, is beautiful and poetic with a bonus cover of ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ from one of my favorite bands The National. Bonus points. The album is a beautiful dark sophomore effort. I will say that her vocals are not for everyone. And for me I do prefer Julia paired with her brother, duet style, to balance out the soprano girlie voice she has.
Angus Stone is also coming out with a solo album, Broken Brights, which is set to be released next month. You can download ‘Bird on The Buffalo’ from the new album at eMusic or Amazon to give yourself a little taste.
By the Horns 2012 (Nettwerk Records)
Apr
18
Keep Your Love
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Occasionally an album will come around and blow me away. Make my bones ache because it is so good. I can feel it in my heart, my pulse speeds up and my body starts moving. I can’t stop it. I have listened to this debut album from The Lumineers over 100 times in the last 48 hours. The passion in the music of this Colorado based trio is sorrowful but it will lift you up and get you dancing to your broken heart. Which isn’t that what we all need? You have got to dance it off. Dance off the bad day, the disagreement, all the debt, the day to day bullshit. Dance it off. The Lumineers get you to stand up and sing-along to their bold anthem folk-rock and my goodness I needed an album like this. It is one that everyone can relate to and feel. I find myself getting lost in it and I am so happy they create the music they do. Go to their show, buy their music and merchandise, support them and spread the word. A mix of Blitzen Trapper meets Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men and I fucking love it.
Stubborn Love – The Lumineers
The Lumineers 2012 (Dualtone Music Group)
p.s. sing the lyrics loud xx
SHE’LL LIE AND STEAL AND CHEAT, AND BEG YOU FROM HER KNEES
MAKE YOU THINK SHE MEANS IT THIS TIME
SHE’LL TEAR A HOLE IN YOU THE ONE YOU CAN’T REPAIR
BUT I STILL LOVE HER I DON’T REALLY CAREWHEN WE WERE YOUNG OH OH WE DID ENOUGH
WHEN IT GOT COLD OOH OOH WE BUNDLED UP
I CAN’T BE TOLD AH AH IT CAN’T BE DONEIT’S BETTER TO FEEL PAIN THAN NOTHING AT ALL
THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE’S INDIFFERENCE
SO PAY ATTENTION NOW I’M STANDING ON YOUR PORCH SCREAMIN OUT
AND I WON’T LEAVE UNTIL YOU COME DOWNSTAIRSSO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVEAND I DON’T BLAME YA DEAR FOR RUNNING LIKE YOU DID ALL THESE YEARS
I WOULD DO THE SAME YOU BEST BELIEVE
AND THE HIGHWAY SIGNS SAY WE’RE CLOSE, BUT I DON’T READ THOSE THINGS ANYMORE
I NEVER TRUSTED MY OWN EYESWHEN WE WERE YOUNG OH OH WE DID ENOUGH
WHEN IT GOT COLD OOH OOH WE BUNDLED UP
I CAN’T BE TOLD AH AH IT CAN’T BE DONESO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
SO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KEEP YOUR LOVE
Dec
14
Of Monsters And Men
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It has almost been a year since I first discovered Of Monsters and Men and I waited very patiently for word of an album or EP. Well they are finally releasing an EP, Into The Woods on 12/20 and they will be releasing their debut full length album, My Head Is An Animal in 2012. I have fallen head over heels in love with this six piece band hailing from Iceland. It is a mix of Sigur Rós and Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros. Toe-tapping, dancing folk. Of Monsters and Men has become my new favorite band and I guarantee you will be hearing a lot about them in the next few months as they explode onto the music scene.
p.s. Thanks to a very nice reader their full length album is available through shopicelandic.com
Six Weeks – Of Monsters and Men
Into The Woods EP 2011
Dec
6
Black Moon
Filed Under Music Mix Up | 1 Comment
Tonight… I just want to sit back and listen to Black Moon on repeat until I fall asleep.
The Whole Love 2011
I was always right
About the morning
Okay, I’m an old shoeDanced above the blaze
Never stopped crawling
Over the black dunesAnd I’m waiting for you
Waiting forever
Are you awake now, too?I’m always one
Without a warning
Old days re-appearLift away, past the gate
Desert keeps forming
Underneath The black moonAnd I’m waiting for you
Waiting forever
Are you awake now, too?
Oct
3
Milk & Sticks
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I originally posted about Boy & Bear here. From the time I heard their single, Mexican Mavis I was obsessed. Their debut full length, Moonfire was released in August and I am in love. It exceeded my expectations. Their sound is big, with busy rhythms and soaring harmonies. Fantastic. I have an itch to see them live and I am in luck as they are currently on tour and in town next week. Check it.
Moonfire is a definite favorite and you will be seeing it on my year end list.
Moonfire 2011 (Universal)
Born from the Soldiers Arms
But our spirit keeps a moving on
And, one meter at a time we’ll fall
It’s a bloody hill and a broken wall
We’ve been singing like a lunatic
Knee deep in our milk and sticks
Just a kid with a broken arm
It’s sling shot ahead of harmOh I’m hungry for the feeling honey
Cause it’s moving faster than the speed of sound
I left you a lizard by the lake my lover
It was so profound
While we found
While we foundTorn like a beaten man
It’s another dog and a foreign man
And you’ve been carrying a broken stone
New tricks and a buried bone
We’ve been born to be motivated
Half that are cultivated
I promise you when the time does come
We’ll be down river with my loaded gunOh I’m hungry for the feeling honey
Cause it’s moving faster than the speed of sound
I left you a lizard by the lake my lover
It was so profound
While we found
While we found
While we found
While we foundJust like the rest
You’ll be coming back if you’re looking for paradise
The silver line it separates your body from your mind
What a mess we’re in
There’s a monster in my head
There’s an animal screaming that I’m on my neck
Oh no you better get off my friend
There’s a monster in my bed
There’s an animal screaming that I’m on my neck
Oh no you better get off my friend
What a mess we’re in
Oh no you better get off my friend
Oh no you better get off my friend, yeah
Oh you know you better run my friend
Sep
14
You, Earth Or Ash
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I was looking forward to coming home and listening to some new music while zoning out in front of the computer, I couldn’t wait. I think it is the only thing that got me through.
The duo, Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor have really grown up on their second album, Paradise. Their sound has a much older vibe, filled with sultry vocals, soaring indie-pop sprinkled with just the right amount of folk to mellow it out. I am absolutely in love with this new album.
Paradise 2011 (Moshi Moshi Records)
Sep
8
Ghostbird, Zee Avi
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I saw Zee Avi at an outdoor street festival in San Diego a few years back, you could hardly hear her sweet melodies over the loud shouting coming from an adjacent stage. It was so hot I thought I was going to melt into a puddle on the pavement. On Avi’s new album she has grown quite a bit, her sound is more focused. Her jazzy, soulful vocals are blended with a folksy bluesy melody that is a breath of fresh air. Possible contender for a spot on my year end list? I think so.
The Book Of Morris Johnson – Zee Avi
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