Snow Patrol launched their latest album today and if you’ve been a fan of this band at all in the past - you’re going to dig this record. When my ears got a first pass on the album I could already hear the hits and tried not to think about the fact that I was liking it and that with the help of main stream radio, I would soon come to hear them everywhere. But that’s then, this is now.

The album is being released in two versions, the standard and the deluxe that includes multiple documentaries on the band and the process of putting the record together. A Hundred Million Suns is ten track of solid rockn’roll, the kind we’ve come to expect from the UK. Full of not the basic instruments but all kinds of keyboards, orchestrated sound and Gary Lightbody’s haunting voice.

Stand Out Tracks
Lifeboats - More orchestration than we’re used to from Snow Patrol on this track - really easy to sing along with.

The Golden Floor - I love the drums on this one. Part Marimba, part flamenco - all fun.

The film component

First Week of Term - this doc shows the group getting together to work out how the songs will be performed live for the tour (I personally can not wait to see that). The guys talk about some of the adjustments for the live versions and how they had to have Belle and Sebastian drummer Richard Coburn to join them live. They’ll also be playing multiple instruments and navigating a sea of equipment. Intermingled are 3 “music videos” of the group doing the songs live. Definitely worth watching.

Jacknife Lee Studio Safari - is an art piece that shows the band as they were laying the record down. I never get tired of seeing stuff like this. First person POV walking through the guys as they are playing, kids in the control room, and a great soundtrack.

Check out Snow Patrol’s website

I have a soft spot for singer/songwriter Sonya Kitchell. Her 2006 release, Words Came Back to Me was something that I really enjoyed and made sure I passed notes about. The record was young but the name Sonya Kitchell remained in my memory and was awaiting a future release. So when I received, This Storm I quickly snagged it from Dan and listened to it nonstop for the last two weeks.

The strength of the record is apparent. The production from Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, Peter Gabriel) helps highlight the beauty and breeziness of her vocals and adding strength and awe with her beautifully strong guitar playing. She was backed by Burns on bass and multiinstrumentalist Brad Barr and drummer (also brother) Andrew Barr (from the band The Slip). Kitchell is noted for the work she has recently done with Herbie Hancock and it’s evident on this record. There is a strong blues connection on the song “Fire;” the guitar part being standout and memorable. . Though the standout track (I find my finger hitting repeat) is the beautiful “Soldiers Lament.” The song is mournful and beautiful full of that almost unreachable desire being intertwined by the simple finger picking. The lyrics of “So Lonely” could be written from the perspective of any women who didn’t get married at the age of 22….

The album will be released September 5 between Decca/Universal and Velour Music Group. The record can be streamed also from her myspace. Make sure you grab this record from one beautiful female singer. It’s rare these days that you find a confident women not in a size two dress covered in a facade. Kitchell is a find. The honesty in her songwriting is evident. I love this record. I hope you do as well.

Make sure you Check out the track: For Every Drop

A few months ago I went to see these Appalachian boys play after stumbling upon the 2007 hit, Emotionalism . The energy and excitement for their songs are nothing but contagious, walking out my friend and I beamed as we walked down the lonely streets of LA talking about how much we loved their performance, lyrics, and felt a sense of togetherness because of this entertaining musical energy ball. So when I heard that there was a new EP floating around with the brothers’ new jams I was excited. But jams it is not, but a cozy rainy day lullaby. Very different than songs like Colorshow or Paranoia in Bflat Major. It’s like perusing an old family photo album, almost exposing the stories behind the snap shots of family lore and love lost of brothers Seth and Scott Avett.

The rainy day tunes are strong folk songs. Something to be craved and putting the stamp on the Avett Brothers as an American folk band that we will want to reminisce with the likes of Emmylou or Loretta. I think overall it’s almost the deep breath of alone time. Something to process inbetween tours and writing new records..

The Second Gleam (or written Gleam II) is worth the find, and if you are into digging the first Gleam EP, is worth the listen if you are in the mood for this stripped down acoustic based record.

My Brightest Diamond’s latest release A Thousand Shark’s Teeth is simply stunning. There is no way around the beauty of this record both musically and lyrically. Classically trained vocalist, Shara Worden, spearheads this outfit with multiple layers of strings, beautifully placed percussion, and the eerie reminiscing vocal stylings. The first thoughts of Worden’s vocals will take you to comparing it to Blonde Redhead or the rememberable soundtrack of 1998 film Great Expectations. You may also recognize her vocals from the new classic, Illinoise, from Indie weirdfolk musician Sufjan Stevens.

The record is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a dramatic tale pushing and pulling you through the waves of it’s grabbing lyrics and original music. I have been disappointed lately by many records feeling unoriginal and borrowing heavily from the Beach Boys or indie pop bands. My Brightest Diamond seems so fresh and original. Her voice is strong and captivating. The music brings you on a journey that lasts throughout the record. Doing a little bit of homework I have found that she creates her music by visually picturing the formation of the sounds, like their is a visual moving picture of how and what she will create. She wants to instill beauty and wonder and I think that is a task upon itself and I believe it was accomplished in this record. Her bio has said she was “Influenced by artists such as Tricky, French composer Maurice Ravel and Tom Waits, in addition to the star exploration themes of Anslem Kiefer’s paintings, the imaginary landscapes of photographer Robert ParkeHarrison, films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and Alice in Wonderland.”

The record can be streamed at the Asthmatic Kitty website or her myspace page.

The record is a strong record, beautiful, layered, and all around hopeful. It’s dramatic and daring with a soft kisses touch. Worden’s vocals are some of the best out their for your listening pleasure. A sure talent that needs to be listened to.

My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges took my by a but of surprise. The earlier release, Z received critical acclaim and this new record definitely has me talking as well. The record runs in and out of 70s rock, Prince esque vocal bursts, and stripped down ballads that are more sweet than make one want to roll the eyes.

The record is strong. At first it’s a little intimidating and moments where I wonder where these songs took their roots and how they ended up together on the record. It’s a fun record taking a number of twists and turns. It’s fun that each song represents a different influence. The 70s rock bands, the vocals of Prince and Wayne Cohen (the Flaming Lips), doo-woop, soul, and soft songs that James Taylor or Paul Simon could easily have written. I think the record shares the beauty of mystique. It’s not easy to pin down or figure out exactly but that’s what I enjoy about this record and enjoy most about this band.

With the disappointing boring release of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida it’s nice to know that bands are willing and able to explore musical genres and styles. I like when a record makes you go back and give it another go around. Evil Urges begs you to do this. There seem to be an erasure of boundaries of what is cool and what shouldn’t be done on this record. It is strong and worth being heard and then reheard.

All that being said the record is smart and accessible. I had it playing with my father around and he wanted a copy (my dad is great but music is not his thing). The hard working rock band will be on tour this summer. If they are in your town you must check them out. I hear they are even better live.

Summer/Fall 2008 Tour Dates:
8/15 - Nashville, TN - Riverfront Park
8/16 - Louisville, KY - The Great Lawn @ Waterfront Park
8/18 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
8/19 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove
8/21 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8/23 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
8/24 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s
8/27 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theater
8/29 - Miami, FL - The Fillmore Miami Beach
8/30 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
8/31 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
9/3 - Washington, DC - Constitution Hall
9/4 - Charlottesville, VA - Charlottesville Pavilion
9/5 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
9/6 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
9/19 - San Francisco, CA - Greek Theatre
9/21 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
9/23 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theatre
9/24 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
9/25 - San Diego, CA - SDSU Open Air Theatre
9/27 - Portland, OR - McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
9/28 - Seattle, WA - McCaw Hall
10/2 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
10/3 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
10/4 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
10/9 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
10/10 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

Just a few weeks ago I went and saw and wrote about The Watson Twins at Amoeba Music to promote their sophomore full length, Fire Songs. As noted earlier the Twins first were noticed when there backing vocals accompanied Jenny Lewis’ Rabbit Fur Coat. This record is soft and inviting a treat to hear more than just faux country backing vocals, but the full strength of voices and talent from these sisters from Kentucky.

Fire Songs is built around the sisters ability to find ways to utilize their vocals that bring out the gifts and talents of both Chandra and Leigh Watson. The strong opener, “How I Am to Be”, that is a smart, xylophone based, fun pop song. The rest of the recordt is rather stripped down and their are strong (and some weak) moments of slow, and dreamy. The songs have the potential for you to grab a man (or a lady) and sway slowly to their harmonious collection of originals and the cover of The Cure’s, “Just Like Heaven”. (Sidenote: This may be the best song on the record. Maybe it’s because I have loved this song since my childhood or maybe because I love when people cover a song and give it their own interpretation). I am a sucker for a lap slide and it is used nicely throughout the record.

Overall Fire Songs is a good follow up post Lewis. I hope they continue to make records and find a niche that continues to highlight the beauty of their voices and acknowledge who they are and who they will continue to become. If you are interested in hearing the record, check out the websites and click the moth entitled “Media”, from here you can stream the whole record.

I love Mates of State and yet the last time I listened to their records was years ago. So when I received the newest release, Re-Arrange Us, it was like visiting old friends. Continue Reading

Beauty and grace are offered yet again from sigur ró. It bursts with joy and sorrow. It is loud and crashing, ear grabbing and heart clenching. The beauty being offered is from the fifth full-length entitled, “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust.” Translated in English it means “with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly.”

The record begins playfully with a song entitled “gobbledigook.” Continue Reading

Ok, ok, so after already being heralded as potentially the best new band of 2008 by Spin Magazine, another article on Vampire Weekend may not exactly be on the cutting edge. Continue Reading

Bon Iver is the work of Justin Vernon. A year ago after breaking apart from his band DeYarmond Edison, Vernon went to his parents cabin in Wisconsin to hibernate for the Winter. However, his creative instincts could not be sedated. Vernon ended up writing and recording in marathon sessions. The result of which is a masterpiece called For Emma, Forever Ago. Read the full story here. Continue Reading