Posts tagged with "Quick Take"
LENI STERN
LENI STERN
Sa Belle Belle Ba
lenistern.com
Virtuoso guitarist Leni Stern continues to explore her fascination with the rich culture of the African continent, deftly blending vibrant rhythms, communal chants and exotic instrumentation with Western styles like jazz, funk and R&B.
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ROB MORSBERGER
ROB MORSBERGER
The Chronicle of a Literal Man
robmorsberger.com
On first encounter Rob Morsberger sounds like a Dylan wannabe, but the sharp air of defiance in the title track quickly upends preconceived notions. Morsberger’s literate songs are etched with irony (“Old Jolly Farm”), nostalgia (“Nebraska in Winter”) and recrimination (“Like Eating a Stone,” “Independent Movie”).
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THE GREEN PAJAMAS
THE GREEN PAJAMAS
The Red, Red Rose
thegreenpajamas.com
Hot on the heels of the recent reissue of their psychedelic classic Book of Hours, this new EP by Seattle’s Green Pajamas suggests they haven’t abandoned the MO they established nearly 25 years ago.
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JOHN DOKES With The GEORGE GEE SWING ORCHESTRA
JOHN DOKES With The GEORGE
GEE SWING ORCHESTRA
John Dokes Sings, George Gee Swings
georgegee.com
Newcomer Dokes’ smooth tenor combined with the big band sound of veteran Gee’s swinging orchestra brings to mind the classic collaboration between Joe Williams and Count Basie. The musicians create a rollicking set, their infectious exuberance easily bridging the generational divide.
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ANDREW COLE
ANDREW COLE
Why We Wonder
andrewcolemusic.com
Canadian Andrew Cole arrives fully formed, armed with instantly engaging songs, sumptuous arrangements and an emotional investment in his material. Finding common ground between Paul McCartney and David Gray, Cole scores a mesmerizing debut graced by a voice that effortlessly soars, and sentiments that are always fully felt.
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STRIPMALL ARCHITECTURE + Feathersongs for Factory Girls
STRIPMALL ARCHITECTURE
Feathersongs for Factory Girls
stripmallarchitecture.com
Though the songs do bear a psychedelic feel, the enigmatic quartet that calls itself Stripmall Architecture generally defies categorization. Rebecca Coseboom’s dreamy vocals compete with weird sonic elements and akimbo melodies, but the end results are consistently intriguing.
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MILAGRES + Seven Summits
MILAGRES
Seven Summits
myspace.com/milagresmusic
Milagres maintains a mysterious aura, a dark yet dreamlike sound that recalls the likes of the Moody Blues, Genesis, Ultravox and other cosmic contemporaries. Its debut finds the band fixated on a mountain-climbing theme, expressed through related tales of tragedy and intrigue.
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SARAH DASHEW + Where I Belong
SARAH DASHEW
Where I Belong
sarahdashew.com
QUICK TAKE + Dashew’s emotive vocals and lithe arrangements make Where I Belong a formidable follow-up to 2006’s much-lauded Jealous Girl. The catchy title track and haunting “Anywhere” and “Almost Here” find her channeling a variety of emotions while still creating a coherent whole.
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JENNIE ARNAU + Chasing Giants
JENNIE ARNAU
Chasing Giants
jenniearnau.com
QUICK TAKE + Jennie Arnau’s blend of vibrancy and vulnerability brings a fresh approach to Chasing Giants. Whether accompanied by the pluck of a banjo and a brace of fiddles (the cheery “For the Winter”) or simply ambling along contentedly (the assuring “Safe Tonight” and “No Guarantees”), Arnau is always appealing.
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ÓLAFUR ARNALDS + And They Have Escaped the Weight of Darknes
ÓLAFUR ARNALDS
And They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness
olafurarnalds.com
QUICK TAKE + This 23-year-old Icelandic composer casts a haunting spell. These brooding, overcast tunes meander at a sobering pace before finally gathering momentum and building into a series of sweeping crescendos. This is beautifully crafted neo-classical music, with an emphasis on mood as much as melody.
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The Rubinoos + Biff-Boff-Boing!
The Rubinoos
Biff-Boff-Boing!
rubinoos.com
QUICK TAKE + Billed as a children’s album, Biff-Boff-Boing! moots the distinction between camp and kids’ stuff with a nostalgic tone that carries echoes of both bubblegum and Broadway. The power-pop veterans’ own kooky creations fit seamlessly alongside beloved novelty numbers like “Boris the Spider” and “Sugar Sugar.”
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Eric Roberts + My Brazilian Heart
Eric Roberts
My Brazilian Heart
ericroberts.org
QUICK TAKE + Titles can be misleading: First, no, Roberts isn’t the actor of the same name. And while this six-song EP dabbles in the occasional tropical rhythm, it’s really more about mellow jazz. Roberts, an accomplished guitarist, mostly cedes the spotlight here to superb ensemble performances.
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Ruby James + Happy Now
Ruby James
Happy Now
rubyjames.com
QUICK TAKE + Ruby James makes a striking first impression on Happy Now, bolstered by the production work of Charlie Sexton. The album combines sinewy ballads, sultry vocals and sensuous hooks into a very inviting package. Newcomers to this burgeoning talent will be impressed.
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Dick 50 + Late Show
Dick 50
Late Show
facebook.com/dick50
QUICK TAKE + It’s reasonable to assume that the first “solo” set by Delbert McClinton’s backing band will be blues-based. It’s notable, then, that the band clearly doesn’t feel confined to any format on Late Show, with songs such as “Like You Did” and “2012” stepping far outside the roadhouse.
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Amy Cook + Let the Light In
Amy Cook
Let the Light In
amycook.com
QUICK TAKE + Having Alejandro Escovedo at the production helm of her new album is certainly an attention-getter for Amy Cook—but her own spirited vocals command respect regardless of his presence. Let the Light In is a compelling album full of tangled emotions.
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