The debut album by Mumford and Sons, Sigh No More, is quite simply one of the most brilliant albums I have ever heard. Other than that very serious statement (one which I have pondered over for the past) I cannot figure out what else accurately captures the mood of this album. Far and away this has already become the album to beat for 2010 (and yes, I know it was released in 2009 in the UK, but as I’m currently based in the USA this will officially be on my list for 2010).
I’m struggling with how best to summarize an album that is beautiful, poignant, and brilliant throughout quite literally every single track. It’s an album so good, so compelling, it prompts me to go back to my old ways of burning copies of CDs and literally forcing everyone I know to listen to it from start to finish. It’s an album that is so well constructed that I’ve listened to it now about nine times and I honestly cannot figure out which two songs best represent the talent and craft that is apparent within each track.
For reference the following statements say nothing about the actual sound of the band, the type of music the create, but it’s the easiest way for me to explain how . This album reminds me a lot of the debut Third Eye Blind album in that every sing song is well crafted and worth listening to. This album reminds me a lot of Funeral by Arcade Fire in that the scope of the entire album is so epic and so moving you’re compelled to start it over again and again and again. This album reminds me a lot of Is This It by The Strokes in that the first time I heard it all I could think to do was to immediately run around forcing everyone I know to listen to this brilliance. This album reminds me a lot of The Weakerthans and Cloud Cult in that every song is infused with inventive storytelling. This album reminds me a lot of Sufjan Stevens in that the composition and frequent use of layered crescendos adds to the overall impact in a way that is genuinely smile inducing, foot bouncing, simply joyous fun.
mp3 : Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
mp3 : Mumford and Sons - The Cave
Perhaps the best way to sum up how I feel about the Mumford and Sons album Sigh No More (amazon) (itunes) is this; if I could I would force everyone who visits The World Forgot to download the entire album and listen to it before being allowed to visit any other website, go outside, or take a restroom break.
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I think this song is out to get me. I remember vaguely watching this band play late one night on Letterman. And although they seem to be a random collection of hippies and vagabonds there was something about the oft repeated refrain of “home is wherever I’m with you” that held my attention. I mean basically, this track which hails from the 2009 album Up From Below (amazon) (itunes), is the epitome of the modern indie folk classic. There are two singers, male and female, whom sing in a throwback call and response style of vocalization. There’s more whistling than an Andrew Bird album. There exists a musical break about ninety seconds into the track that would do the trumpet segments in Sufjan Stevens songs proud. They even take a break in the middle of the song to talk over the musical background. To be honest I’m not sure there’s a stereotype that they missed.
mp3 : Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home
Now all they need to do is drop the “and the Magnetic Zeros” from their name and they might be a respectable group.
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The other day I wrote a bit about French Canadien artist Coeur de Pirate and claimed that she was a bit like all the good parts you love about Regina Spektor minus all the annoying songs you don’t appreciate quite as much. Well that got me thinking about another artist that I would file under the same heading. Bosque Brown’s latest album Baby (amazon) is full of songs that may, at times, reference the trademark sound of artists such as Coeur de Pirate and Regina Spektor, but there is another layer to front woman Mara Lee Miller’s sound. This album has some absolutely stunning moments of pure American folk in it and it’s worth listening to every song.
mp3 : Bosque Brown - Went Walking
mp3 : Bosque Brown - This Town
On Went Walking, possibly my favorite track on the album, Mara sings with an overtly melancholic moan that is equal parts depressing and alluring. I love the repeated line “I am coming home.” This Town, track number nine on the album, is a bit on the lighter side and I think it showcases the folk roots of Bosque Brown. For those of you familiar with other artists here on TWF I think Bosque Brown would make an excellent live pairing Josh Garrels or Zach Williams {or both}.
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If you wanted to build The Boy Bathing from scratch you would start with a healthy dose of lyrical brilliance akin to the stream of consciousness style favored by Bright Eyes. Then you’d take equal parts Sufjan Stevens, Josh Ritter, and Page France to add flavor, depth, and character. Finally you’d throw in some female vocals from Broadway Hush and maybe a bit of Band of Horses and you’d end up with what might be the best indie folk album of the year. Oh, and let’s not forget to add a dash of Elliot Smith to the mix {and throw in a tribute song to boot}.
Comparing this four piece upstart with all of those established acts might come across as a bit pretentious but I assure you that each and every comparison is deserved. The lyrics on The Boy Breathing’s debut album, A Fire To Make Preparations {available July 15}, are amazing. In all honesty I’ve not been this impressed with lyrical storytelling since Sufjan’s Avalanche cascaded into my brain. Take a listen to these two tracks and you’ll see what I mean.
mp3 : The Boy Bathing - Thanksgiving (For Elliot Smith)
mp3 : The Boy Bathing - A Fire
The first track is a great duet that is sung beautifully and yet tragically at the same time. The second song, A Fire, is the proper close to the upcoming album and clocks in at just under a full six minutes. It is brilliant. It is epic. The lyrics tell a story that is universal while still being particular and filled with the minutiae that make a story interesting to hear. You’ll definitely want to pick this album up for your collection the day it goes on sale. From start to finish you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
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Jose Gonzalez’s latest album, last September’s In Our Nature (amazon) (itunes), is phenomenal from start to finish. It seems as if each week of 2008 brings me another excellent album whose launch date I missed during the last calendar year. Regardless of punctuality issues, this album is quite amazing. Jose is Argetinian by birth, now lives in Sweden, and yet he styles a type of modern brooding folk music isn’t necessarily anything but the pure channeled brilliance of Jose Gonzalez.
The album builds upon itsef throughout the thirty five minute run time as tracks become more complex and refined from the opener, How Low, to the magnificent and fitting closing track, Cycling Trivialities. Although any track from the entire disc would easily have proved the genius of Jose, I thought it was best to include the last track in all its eight minute glory.
mp3 : Jose Gonzalez - Cycling Triviality
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Marni Wandner from Sneak Attack Media deserves a lot of praise for her perseverance. Not only does she send out regular emails, of which I am a recipient, but she also mails me the occasional physical copy of an album regardless of whether or not I reviewed the previous album {or dozen}. And now I’ve just realized I really have no idea as to the gender associated with the name Marni… so here’s to you, androgynous Marni, thanks for the hard work.
On this occasion I had the privilege of opening a package containing the latest effort by Langhorne Slim. He’s a singer/songwriter bloke who, on this album Langhorne Slim & The War Birds (iTunes), could easily be cataloged alongside early Dylan, or present day contemporaries such as Josh Ritter, Paolo Nutini, and Zach Williams. It’s a mournful disc filled with love songs; some happy and some more downtrodden. Taken altogether this is a very cohesive effort that moves with an assured pace from the brief and quick opener, Spinning Compass, to the melancholy closing track, Hummingbird.
mp3 : Langhorne Slim - Spinning Compass {removed by request}
mp3 : Langhorne Slim - Hummingbird {removed by request}
mp3 : Langhorne Slim - Rebel Side of Heaven {added by request}
This has easily been one of my favorite albums thus far in 2008. I know it’s rather ridiculous to say that seeing as how there’s no way to know, come end of the year, what albums will have staying power month after month. But I’d be willing to bet that come the end of the year I’ll still be listening to this disc as much as Cloud Cult or MGMT. {I’d also like to point out that Langhorne played a show just last night with Josh Ritter. I think pairing him with Zach Williams would be equally beneficial}.
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It’s raining where I am today. And I’m glad that I was up late last night to catch AA Bondy preforming the title track to his album American Hearts (iTunes), which is being reissued on Fat Possum Records on April 15, as he closed the show for Conan. The album is filled with rainy day folk anthems.
mp3 : AA Bondy - American Hearts
mp3 : AA Bondy - Killed Myself When I Was Young
mp3 : AA Bondy - Rapture (Sweet Rapture)
mp3 : AA Bondy - Hang Down Your Head (Tom Waits Cover)
For those of you who live out on the East Coast and are bored tonight or tomorrow evening you should make a solid effort to see AA Bondy play live. He’s playing with The Weakerthans right now and that would make for an amazing night of music. Tonight he’s at Pearl St. Club Room in Northampton, Massachusetts, and tomorrow he’s playing at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, New York.
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On RF Maston’s info page they explain his debut album, a self recorded, self mixed, self mastered, self etc., effort called The Future, as “a focused collection of timeless songs and hauntingly familiar melodies- combining dreamy bedroom folk with jangly indie pop, R.F. Maston has cultivated an original sound all his own.” I agree with the proclamation that this is dreamy bedroom folk and/or jangly indie pop but I draw the line when they claim this sound is uniquely his own. Now don’t read me wrong, I’m not knocking this sound, I’m just purporting that the reason it sounds hauntingly familiar is that if you’ve ever listened to Page France or Michael Nau’s solo work it’s a fair bet you’ve heard these sounds before.
Luckily for me, and hopefully for you, I really love the early sound of Page France {before Michael went off the nasal voiced deep end as of late} and this effort by Thousand Oaks based RF Maston is a good example of what plucky dreamy modern folk can sound like.
mp3 : RF Maston - The Future
mp3 : RF Maston - Two Eyes
I really like this style of music although it’s strange that both Micahel Nau {of Page France} and RF Maston both sing an almost too nasal tenor over the top of folsky kiddie indie rock {there really is no better way to genre define it}. Also, and totally unrelated, I think if you have a second you should head over and read the blip about how Bottled Water Drinkers are the New Smokers.
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After loving, some might say adoring, his break through smash hit Animal Years, my mind entertained massive amounts of skepticism when I heard that Josh Ritter was releasing a follow up to that critically and popularly loved album. Apparently that was coupled with the fact that I got his newest album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter (iTunes), at about the same time I got the newest albums by long time favorites Sigur Ros, Radiohead, and Shout Out Louds. Somewhere in that muck the latest Josh Ritter disc simply failed to make an impression.
Let me tell you about the wrong place to try and experience The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter for the first time. Imagine you have just driven to Florida in a rental car that now reeks of dudeness and cheeseburgers and in which you’ve spent almost a full twenty four hours. Granted you spent the night lounging in a hotel room, watching Discovery Channel miscreants blow things up {for science!}, and drowning your pathetic existence in a quarter gallon of ice cream mixed with a half bottle of Kahlua, but it’s still the same car that was known as your tomb on wheels. Do not try to experience Josh in this setting. Anything that goes on the stereo that isn’t at once familiar and sing along friendly is going to get a bad rap.
Instead listen to this album in a safe place where you’re comfortable and able to hear all the intricate melodies and rapid fire lyrics which fill The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter from beginning to end. Whether he’s idolizing his mythical love interest or talking about falling in love in a missile silo you’ll love every second of this indie rock folk treasure.
mp3 : Josh Ritter - The Temptation of Adam
mp3 : Josh Ritter - Wildfires
The Temptation of Adam is the aforementioned track that details falling in love in a missile silo. It’s a beautiful narrative and it rests comfortably as track four on the album. Wildfires hails from a bonus disc for The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter and it comes off sounding a bit like a b side {which it is} and a bit like a lost gem that only needs a little polish to make it on side one.
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I thought it was only fair to post about a rather obscure artist I referenced during yesterday’s post about Alexi Murdoch. I first met Josh Garrels back when I was trundling through school on my way to a degree in architecture. Back then {in the early 2000’s} Josh was known for his intensely personal live shows that seemed to have a warmth that transcended mere musical performance. He played shows all around the Mid West and found a passionate following wherever he went, with some fans logging hours and miles in the car just to catch another concert. What I remember most about those shows is how unassuming Josh’s stage presence was. He was the epitome of the everyman; that is until he opened his mouth to sing and took to plucking his guitar. It was then that you realized you were truly witnessing something special, something that would keep you warm on many cold nights to come. His live performance felt less like we were watching someone perform and more like you were witnessing a sacred celebration of music.
Josh Garrels never signed a record deal, although he was rumoured to have been offered a few, choosing instead to take his time and release albums when he wanted. Taking a few years between studio sets to refine his live shows, start a family, and generally be best friends with everyone he met. {The most delicious rumour I’ve heard yet is that he’s working on a new disc}. In 2002 he self released Stone Tree, and it is a solid album that rambles from pure acoustic folk to an eclectic blend of hip hop based soundscapes. He later recorded a live album, Underquiet, and in 2006 he released his second proper full length with Over Oceans (iTunes). What I remember most, though, were the easy smiles, friendly hugs, and gregarious attitude that permeated the before and after of each of his songs. I truly hope he gets the music bug again, Josh Garrels really is something special.
mp3 : Josh Garrels - Fire by Night
mp3 : Josh Garrels - Going Home
mp3 : Josh Garrels - Restless Ones
Fire by Night hails from his most recent LP, Over Oceans, while the other two tracks are taken from his debut full length Stone Tree. I must note that it was largely Josh’s live shows {I must’ve seen him play at least a dozen times during my college days} that led me to pick up the guitar and begin playing myself {well, that and my endless pursuit of the ladies}.
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Lately I have seen a rash of patients presenting with the general symptoms of excessive amounts of boredom appearing in the early stages of many a late evening party. After careful research I have determined this general malaise to be brought on by an overdose of bands who borrow acronyms from television technology and music tracks whose titles are often followed by a parenthetical phrase. Luckily a cure for this party sickness has been found in the form of a cheeky band from Minneapolis who refer to themselves as The Battle Royale. Their latest album, Wake Up, Thunderblade, is the perfect dose of dance pop and pure folk that is sure to cure any and all party killers from here until the afterlife. Careful with your dosages, though, as too much of The Battle Royale has been proven to provoke uncontrollably giddy dancing, chilling out, and relaxing all cool.
All nonsense aside I probably would have loved this band simply for entitling one of their tracks Hollercopter. I honestly laughed just reading that word out loud. Seriously, try saying Hollercopter in your best Schwarzenegger accent and you’ve got the beginning of a great party already.
mp3 : The Battle Royale - Hollercopter
mp3 : The Battle Royale - Wake Me Up
Although these two tracks present the more danceable version of The Battle Royale their album is rife with acoustic folk goodness as well. In some artists this clever dichotomy would be bashed and much maligned but with The Battle Royale it feels as if you’re really getting the best of both worlds.
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Broadcast 2000 is the creative fruit of a very talented multi-instrumentalist named Joe Steer. He creates, records, and masters all of his own music in his very own flat/studio in north London and I must say that this boy has the touch. I would easily list him alongside acts like Beirut, Sufjan Stevens, DeVotchKa, and the more folksy {not so tribal} days of Paul Simon. And I put him up with these artist not simply because he shares a similar folk infused theme in his music, but because the raw and unabashed talent is so apparent on every single track of his debut EP, Building Blocks (iTunes), which is set to be released soon although it is already digitally available on iTunes. Listening to each of the tracks makes you feel as if Joe had the most amazing amount of fun recording it, and ultimately that’s the mark of great music, when you can pass on emotions that transcend mere lyrics and melodies.
mp3 : Broadcast 2000 - Pep Talk
mp3 : Broadcast 2000 - The View
This little outfit easily tracks as one of the artists that I’m most interested in hearing from in the future. I get this euphoric feeling of fun when I listen to his music and I only cringe when I think how long it could be before a proper full length can be recorded. As a last note I would like to point out that on this debut EP Joe Steer combines cello, double bass, guitar, ukelele, glockenspiel, banjo, various percussive items, and a lot of layered vocals {all tracks and instruments are his work} to make this little marvel of an EP.
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According to Franc Cinelli, who plays folk music under the name Goodtimes Goodtimes, his music is all about “telling stories and reaching out with a song and a strum… I write about whatever takes my fancy; the usual suspects apply; girls, that night when I couldn’t bite my lip and it got me into trouble, my mates, johnny cash, dance halls and love.” I would say that as an artist he knows himself fairly well. Although I think he should replace Johnny Cash in that sentence with the phrase “inventing the sound of a modern day, but still youthful, Bob Dylan.”
Whatever your brain imagines he sounds like there is a certain irresitable joy to this music. There is something here that makes your head bounce and your heart identify with the sentiments even if you have no idea exactly what he is talking about. I feel as if this album is a part of an indie movie soundtrack waiting to be made. So grab your camcorders, your sunny disposition, and film something sad to go along with these musical gems. Regardless of my musings these tracks hail from his new album entitled Glue (iTunes).
mp3 : Goodtimes Goodtimes - Desire
mp3 : Goodtimes Goodtimes - Kids
mp3 : Goodtimes Goodtimes - Sea Shanty
mp3 : Goodtimes Goodtimes - Sunshine Sunshine
But really, aren’t there moments in Sea Shanty or parts of Sunshine Sunshine that he sounds hauntingly like Dylan? I also feel as if his voice sounds a bit like Paolo Nutini, in a good way.
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Today’s blog formula is simple. Zach has some new music on his myspace so I’m posting it here. Zach is a great guy {although we’ve never met} and he hangs around with great people {although I’ve never met them either} and they all play some pretty great music out in NYC {this I can attest to as Zach is brilliant, as is a guy he knows who goes by the moniker Wakey!Wakey!}.
There’s no long story here. There’s not even an anecdote. I am simply beginning to wonder if/when the rest of the world will wake up and take heed of the wonderful music Zach Williams puts together. Enjoy the music. Cheers.
mp3 : Zach Williams - Across the Bridge (Live at Rockwood Music Hall)
mp3 : Zach Williams - Got No Place (Live at Rockwood Music Hall)
This is what indie folk music should sound like.
If you like Zach’s style, and happen to live in or near to NYC, you can catch him live December 6th at The Knitting Factory. 74 Leonard Street, New York.
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About six months ago I received a promo packet in the mail about an upstart little band called Mumpsy. With a list of guest musicians as long as my arm, a concept album about three people who can’t decide who to love, and a sound I couldn’t define it sat on my shelf for quite awhile. To be fair it actually sat on my brother’s shelf for quite awhile. You see I used to live in China, in a place you can’t easily mail albums to, so all my promos and other materials were opened, scanned, ripped, etc., by my little brother who then emailed the goodies on to me. It just happened to be I received this album a few weeks before moving to South Korea and then two weeks after that I began the long journey home here to the Midwest. Anyway, in the ensuing travel, unpack, madness, life, I lost this promo album I had received. But now it is found.
Although the album is titled 3 People (iTunes), the band is seemingly made up of anyone and their brother, the signature sound of Mumpsy emanates from one central character, Jeff Ilgenfritz. And although this album is billed as a dance/rave mixture on his label’s website it is nothing of the sort. Jeff cleverly mixes together a certain style of sixties retro folk with upbeat, albeit acoustic, dance beats to create something akin to a modern day Kinks or Beatles sound. There’s a lot of room for play in the five song EP and each song casually nudges your head to nodding and feet to tapping along with the stories Jeff sings. Although the concept of the album, which is described at length in the album notes, falls a bit short the aural aesthetic of the disc does not. This is what solid new folk dance music sounds like. And if you’re confused just listen to these tracks.
mp3 : Mumpsy - Iowa City
mp3 : Mumpsy - You Glued My Broken Heart
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Recently Broc Stanage, possibly better known as the indie folk outfit Forgather, has been rereleasing some of his older material. I’ve taken to downloading his tracks and rehosting them on my blog as they’ll get a much wider ciruculation this way.
If you like good music you’ll love Forgather. Download and enjoy.
mp3 : Forgather - Turn Away
mp3 : Forgather - Cry
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Broc Stanage is the creative influence behind indie folk outfit Forgather. His myspace page is sparse, simple, and yet there is an elegance to be found in the minimalist nature of it all. And that’s really what defines his music. Simple stories, complex points of narration [on his latest song he portrays Meriwether Lewis writing letters to President Jefferson], and great acoustic folk sounds.
He sounds incredible, and with a proper studio and production Broc could easily fit in on such labels as Asthmatic Kitty or the newly formed The Apple Union.
mp3 : Forgather - Wallace Gentry
mp3 : Forgather - Song About A Dream
mp3 : Forgather - April 1995
mp3 : Forgather - Letters of Pardon
check out Forgather on myspace
check out the latest Forgather interview in Fort Wayne’s Journal Gazette
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