Deep Elm Records did a promotion a while back where for one dollar, they'll send you a random CD from their catalogue. This is the one I got, and I love it. I've never been able to find anything about this band, but the album is filled with great Wurlitzer driven jams, jangly guitar songs, and lyrical gropings after spiritual truths.
Standout track: Returning to the Scene of the Crime
The Shedding - what god doesn't bless, you won't love. what you won't love, the children won't know
I found this in a record store in Chicago, and all I know of it is what's written on the sleeve, and that's that this record is the product of one guy with a lot of horns and too much time trying to replicate birdsongs. The result: half an hour of terrifying noise-jazz. If you're into that sort of thing, you'll love it.
(no standout, as the entire record is more of a continuous experiment)
Adam Arcuragi - Soldiers For Feet
There are plenty of singer-songwriters out there that aren't getting the recognition they deserve. Mr. Arcuragi here is one of them. Soldiers For Feet is a five track EP that continues the old country tradition just as well as Phosphorescent does, complete with religious and historical references a la Sufjan Stevens and harmonies lush enough to make the Fleet Foxes get a little jealous.
Standout track: The Belgian
Efterklang - Parades
The most recent full length from a Danish band that hasn't quite made it across the pond yet. The orchestration is absolutely beautiful, with melodies and counter melodies and percussion fading in and out of an atmosphere of gorgeous melancholy. At times incredibly epic, and other times, incredibly hushed. And they have complete mastery of both extremes.
Standout track: Maison De Reflexion
The Good, The Bad, And the Queen
If you were let down by the most recent Gorillaz record, maybe you'd prefer mastermind Damon Albarn's other side project, a colaboration with former members of the Clash and the Verve, as well as one of the most admired afrobeat drummers of all time. While it lacks the variety and genre-mashing that marks Gorillaz' records, you'll find plenty of Albarn's trademark detached, aloof vocals, and a great chill record.
(admittedly, I haven't listened to this record enough yet to notice a standout track, but the opener, History Song, and the single, Herculean, are both good places to start)
Loney, Dear - Loney, Noir
While not entirely unnoticed (you may have already heard plenty about Loney, Dear...he is on SubPop Records), I'm really surprised that, in this musical atmosphere that loves polyphonic chamber pop AND do-it-yourself one man bands, Loney, Dear isn't getting more recognition. While he's gone more toward an indie/house direction since this, his debut, record, he's the most charming here, and the instrumentation is more interesting (I don't think I've heard a bassoon on too many pop record besides this one). The real great thing about this record is just how many melodies are going on all at once in just about every song. Simply fantastic. Sidenote. Does Sweden even allow its musicians to not be super talented?
Standout track: Saturday Waits
Until next time.
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