I am often skeptical when I get a stack of records and think will some of these be records be something that will be something I actually really love. This record has blown me away. It’s smart, thick, and full of life and astute understanding of everyday life.

the more I think about it the more I think it’s like the National meets Grizzly Bear. Smart independent rock meeting beautiful percussive harmonies. To me It’s like a step up from the National and and a step left from the constructed chaos of Grizzly Bear. I honestly can’t stop listening to this record.

The first song entitled “Melectric” has to be one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in quite sometime. I love songs that almost encapsulate desire through what I like to call a tug of war method. It pulls you in and out until you it just breaks and bursts. Sign me up. Let me tell you I haven’t stopped listening since I heard it on Sunday. I can also tell you that I might drive to Chicago just to see them play.

This is a project from Brent Knopf from Menomena. For the Ramona Falls project, named after a childhood hiking trail on Mt. Hood, Brent collaborated extensively with musicians in Portland and New York. Performed by Brent Knopf, Intuit includes guest appearances by 35 friends (including members of The Helio Sequence, Mirah, and Talkdemonic, etc.).

You can stream the whole record: HERE.

DOWNLOAD the track “I Say Fever”.

SEE them on tour….
8/21 – Los Angeles [The El Rey]
8/23 – Costa Mesa [Detroit Bar]
8/25 – San Francisco [Café DuNord]
8/28 – Seattle [The Crocodile]
8/29 – Portland [Doug Fir]

9/9 – Minneapolis [The 7th Street Entry]
9/10 – Madison [The High Noon Saloon]
9/11 – Chicago [The Chopin]
9/12 – Cleveland [The Beachland Tavern]
9/15 – Boston [Great Scott]
9/17 – NYC [Piano’s]
9/18 – Brooklyn [TBA]
9/19 – Philadelphia [Kung Fu Necktie]

In the last year my life has kind of flipped upside down and I have found myself in the state where my drivers license told me where I reside. Which means I am in suburbia for just a little while longer. Which means I now have a library where I can actually check out books (for awhile there I lived in different states, never long enough to change my address, hence no library card.

This new library has an amazing collection of music. One that makes my jaw drop a little and wish that their ‘alternative’ section was my own personal library. So I am going to go back in time a bit. Listen to records that I always wanted to hear but there were many moments I couldn’t afford. ahhhhh….the beauty of the library!!

First installment:

Love is All: A Hundred Things that Keep Me Up All Night
Most favorite record that I will probably go and purchase soon. It was so fun. So delightful. The record was released late November 2008 so it slipped through the radar as I obsessed over best of the year lists, which the unfortunate November release gets stuck in between the cracks. Dancerockpop jams! Love it. Have to have it and I hope you do as well.

The Silent Years: The Globe.

This is a local Detroit band with band members of bands of my past that I just loved. Since I have been home I have seen them a few times and have really enjoyed myself. This record definitely didn’t disappoint. Fun, beautiful questions, slow though not boring. Here’s a little taste.

Liam Finn: I’ll Be Lightening.

This Record was released in 2007 and I have had a couple of tracks floating in my itunes. The whole record is lovely and I was lucky to give it a whirl but it’s not something I have missed since returning to the library. It was nice but forgettable.

Black Mountain: In the Future.

Let’s Just say this was my least favorite of the bunch. Known as retro-psych the record was released early 2008. It was guitar solos without much substance. I didn’t finish it. I returned it without thinking twice. I kind of forgot about it until I went through my list and remembered what i was up to!

So there are the four reviews of records newer and older. I have another large stack that I am slowly wading through. Enjoy!

I have been lucky to come back to Detroit (I used to live in LA) and stumble upon music (and people) that shake you. Deastro is the brain child of Randolph Chabot. This record is my favorite summer jam already. I have played some of these jams at a party and the dancing automatically happens. (I also had a little girl throw a little rock fist in the air!) The record is a smart blend of 80s new-wave, hints of classical influence, and smart beats that makes you wonder how one guy could put this all together. Record label Ghostly International has put out such a good record with little guy. The lyrics are so personal. They seem to touch on love, loss, and the quest to understand a God that almost seems unknowable. It is smart combination of live drums, guitar, and synth blending. I absolutely LOVE this record. It’s so smart both musically and lyrically.

Please check out the songs:
Kurgan Wave Number One,
Daniel Johnston Was Stabbed In The Heart With The Moondagger By The King Of Darkness And His Ghost Is Writing This Song As A Warning To All Of Us,
and The Shaded Forest.

I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Deastro is also heading on tour:
06/10 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
06/12 Brooklyn, NY – Studio B
06/13 Montreal, QC – Le Divan Orange
06/15 Cleveland, OH – Bside Liquor Lounge
06/17 Chicago, IL – Double Door
06/18 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Avenue Entry
06/21 Vancouver, BC – Media Club
06/22 Seattle, WA – TBA
06/23 Portland, OR – Holocene
06/24 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
06/25 L.A., CA – Spaceland

Tuesday marked the release of William Fitzsimmons 4th release and his 1st live offering. Fitzsimmons albums are all uniquely good on their own but live is where I think his music really flourishes. Based purely on the content of this music, it’s vulnerable and it’s never more vulnerable than hearing it recreated for a live audience. I had the chance to catch him live a few years ago at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA. He went through 7 songs and it wasn’t nearly long enough.

As for the release, Live from the Downtown Studios is 7 live versions of songs taken from his most recent “The Sparrow and the Crow” (which in itself, exists in a emotional heaviness that exudes connection – make sure you read the interview done about the album here). The song choice and the order is what I find intriguing – using the two “songs” as a framework of the album which the other songs are then hung from.

As most fans of his music will tell you – there are certain times when William Fitzsimmons is on repeat in the iPod. As much as I think the music once released becomes manipulated by the listener and normalized into our experinces – I’ll try not to put too much on the music.

Here’s my take:

I Don’t Feel It Anymore (Song of the Sparrow) – Sets a dark tone for the album to let you know what you’re getting into. Interestingly, William provides the vocal for both parts in the song. This is in sharp contrast to the album release where it was as if both parties in the relationship were working it out.

Goodmorning – I would say that this is the most hopeful song in the repertoire, I love the “You will find love, you will find peace” lyrics.

After Afterall – In it’s original release this song makes the transition from one album to another. Located centrally on this release with a haunting piano brings forward ideas of quiet resolve and the walking wounded in post relationship blahs.

If You Would Come Back Home (feat Rosi Golan) – This is my favorite track on the album. Williams’ voice dances with Rosi Golan’s throughout the song but at the climax of the song (begins at 2:50) the slight breaking notes of the vocal adds volumes to the music.

Maybe Be Alright – This song is full of regret with the invitation to change course. Some would say that the singer is being a doormat, others could call it the higher road post breakup. I call it coming to grip with the teetering reality of messy breakups.

You Still Hurt Me (feat. Rosi Golan) – I love the guitar flourishes in this track. This song seems to dance through a rough patch

Please Forgive Me (Song of the Crow) – This is by far the saddest song of the bunch. The admission of hurt and guilt and the burdens of past deeds. No mercy is asked for and maybe none is given.

Just yesterday I was taking to a friend about this music and while it’s highly introspective I don’t find it depressing. Is it a reminder of darker days, certainly. But when I hear it now I’m contemplative and love listening while I’m getting work done.

Live albums can be so hit or miss, especially because most are flavored with a ton of studio magic and that changes the DNA – I def recommend checking out this one. If you’re in LA July 25th – don’t miss out on William live at The Hotel Cafe

William Fitzsimmons Website

William Fitzsimmons on iTunes

Check out William on The Drop (click to play below – or download)

A new record out for Iron and Wine fans who can’t wait for the month before their new record to come out can be excited for Magnolia, the new record from the new band The Wooden Birds.

These birds constructed of wood is from the brain of Andrew Kenny, better known for his work in American Analog Set. This mellow record sets up to be a record you want to listen to when it rains or when the fall comes and you want to wrap yourself in a sweater.

To be honest the first couple of listens made me roll my eyes and run to my Iron and Wine records but I dug in my heels and thought well I think I will give it another shot. The lyrics are smart, funny, and some that make you ponder and wonder what might be going through to want to someone to choke. Slow guitars mixed with shakers, drum sweeps, and interspersed beautiful female harmonies.

The way the music is set it reminds me of riding on a train. The tracks moving underneath you taking you someplace you have been before. The beat throughout the record is repetivitive but you know you are getting somewhere rather than nowhere.

Tracks that are a must have: “Sugar” and “Hailey”

There is a great interview with Andrew Kenny found HERE.