Archive for the 'New Album Alert' Category

Travel by sea - Days of my escape

Published
by
Geordie
on June 13, 2008
in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Folk, Indie and New Album Alert
. 0 Comments

Just got hold of the new album ‘DAYS OF MY ESCAPE‘ by Travel by sea.  Kyle Kersten and Brian Kraft live in seperate parts of the states, Kyle in California, Brian in Colorado. Now i’ve never been to either of these places but after looking on Google earth it looks like it’s quite a nice drive and i would imagine  this album would be the perfect soundtrack for such a journey. This is at times as sparse as that landscape (I’m guessing at the the landscape here as i’ve already admitted i’ve never been) but if they are trying to portray their distance  from one another and the landscape in between through their music then they have done a pretty good job. Fans of Mojave 3, iron and wine and Dolorean would enjoy. They have two gigs coming up in California at the O C Tavern on the 9th July and then The Scene bar on the 29th. Perfect music for the time of year but then it’s always hot in Cali right?

Travel by sea - Songs of warmth

Travel by sea - Let it all die down

 
 Travel by sea - Songs of warmth [3:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Travel by sea - Let it all die down [4:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Amos Lee - Last Days at the Lodge

Published
by
Trini
on June 9, 2008
in New Album Alert
. 1 Comment

AMOS LEE -

“Paul Simon and John Prine influence his Last Days”

I’m sitting in a hotel room in Nashville this past week and I come across a collectors addition magazine on performing song writers. How did I almost miss this? Amos Lee has a new album coming out on June 24, released on [Blue Note]. So I quickly began doing some research and alas I found some tunes. When asked about the album’s influence he states that it was strongly influenced by Paul Simon and John Prine. Amos responds, “I like the perspective his songs come from. There’s a certain wisdom there, something heartbreaking, but at the same time they make you smile. It’s as if they give you a beautiful blanket to lie on and feel OK while you’re dealing with the pain.”

The album title comes from a place close to home. It’s a little hotel with a lot of history. The Sportsman’s Lodge has been around for many years and recently was bought but investors who are “maybe” going to change it up. It’s such a historic place that I couldn’t imagine it being turned into a trendy hotel. I guess Amos felt the same way - “the title refers to the hope that the integrity of that hotel and what it means to people, survives. There’s an integrity to things that can disappear.”

The hotel has a long history of celebrity from Clark Gable and Spencer Tracey to Katherine Hepburn and more currently has been a favorite of those in the music industry…Tim McGraw, David Lee Roth, Brian Wilson— you never know who you might see at the pool. Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel is a favored hideaway for those in the entertainment industry and a place to call home while on the road.

 
 Ease Back - Amos Lee [4:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Listen - Amos Lee [3:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Say it ain’t So - Mark Berube

Published
by
Olivier
on June 9, 2008
in Acoustic, Alternative, Folk, Indie, New Album Alert, News, Rock and Singer Songwriter
. 0 Comments

Do you remember ? ‘Do you remember some warm september… one sunny afternoon…‘ I can’t resist dealing with a song called ‘Say it ain’t so’ and not evoke Murray Head. Murry Head ? One night in Bangkok ? ouch.. forget this one ! Prefer : Mademoiselle, Children only play (Do you remember…), Cocktail Molotov, Los Angeles, Never even thought, Last daze of an empire, Say it ain’t so, Joe… Well, Murray Head !

In a different style, but both inspired and talented, - and comparisons must being stopped here - Mark Berube as written down his own ‘Say it Ain’t So’… and it seems that his new sister-album, from his magnificent ‘What the river gave the boat‘ ; ‘What the boat gave the river’ - which is not a clean catholic concept - is already recorded, and will be available around august / september.

In the meantime, listen to this fabulous ‘Say it ain’t so’ recorded live @ the Cultch in Vancouver and check Mark Berube’s myspace page to listen to couple tracks from his forthcoming album : ‘Yesterday’s Halo’, ‘Flowers on the Stones’, ‘Minus 17′ are already rated 5 stars on my itunes library : singular symphonies oscillating between chamber pop and folk ; powerful lyrics ; an accurate sense of the melody ; and above all a blessing talent for sharing his music !

 
 Say it ain't So - Live at the Cultch - Mark Berube [5:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 
 Los Angeles - Murray Head [4:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Artist : Mark Berube
Label : none
If you love the sound of this piano song, you should also enjoy Arlan Feiles

Shearwater - Rook

Published
by
Olivier
on June 3, 2008
in Acoustic, Alternative, Folk, Indie, New Album Alert and News
. 0 Comments

I’m a long time fan of Austin Okkervil River and of their two dissidents, singer/songwriter Will Sheff and keyboard/accordionist Jonathan Meiburg who founded  Shearwater. Their new opus ‘Rook’ is available from today (3rd of June), almost (North Col, 11th track is only available from the LP version) fully streamable from their myspace player.

Don’t miss a single track ! The band really captured the best of their art !

 
 Rooks - Shearwater [3:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Band : Shearwater
Label : Matador Records
Where to buy : Matador Records
You should also enjoy : Camphor, Great Lake Swimmers

Aimee Mann - @%&*!Smilers

Published
by
Olivier
on May 30, 2008
in Alternative, New Album Alert, News, Rock and Singer Songwriter
. 0 Comments

Just a quick reminder for all of You Crazy Dreamers… Aimee Mann forthcoming album will be released, June the 3rd !

 
 Freeway - Aimee Mann [3:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love

Published
by
Trini
on May 30, 2008
in Acoustic, Folk, Major Label, New Album Alert and Rock
. 2 Comments

Not so new album release but it may be new to some of you. Laura sent me this a few months back and I’ve been playing him in my car for the last few weeks. I’m not even sure if you’ve already blogged about him but just in case you haven’t I wanted to since I can’t get his songs out of my head.

I’ve been in one of those funks lately so my taste in music has been slightly on the pop side not to say this is pop, but it most certainly isn’t Americana, so forgive me if this is not your cup of tea. I promise I have some good old Americana/Folk to post about soon. Thanks Laura for introducing me to City and Colour!

You can find their new video here.

“Bring Me Your Love” is City and Colour’s sophomore studio album. It evolves and adds layers to the sentiments in those vulnerable moments shared by Green on his original independent release. Co-produced by Dan Achen (Junkhouse) and recorded at Catherine North Studio in Hamilton, the first song “Forgive Me” opens with footsteps on a wood floor, the whirling of a nearby fan, and the rustling of Green picking up his acoustic guitar and sitting on a leather chair to perform on the former altar of this church-turned-studio. Every instrument used in the recording is “pre-loved”, vintage gear complementing the warmth and honesty of Green’s compositions - an intentional approach to capture the essence and intimacy of how records used to sound. Instruments and vocals were carefully recorded live off the floor, giving the songs depth and intimacy, and eschewing the cut-and-paste approach that is so common in today’s recordings. The album feels like a throwback to the days when an album’s thrills and beauty were found not just in exceptional songs and musicianship, but also in its blemishes and simplicity.

On MySpace

 
 As Much As I Ever Could - City and Colour [5:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Josh Geffin

Published
by
Olivier
on May 30, 2008
in Acoustic, Folk, New Album Alert, Singer Songwriter and Unsigned
. 0 Comments

Some of you have already noticed that I’ve got a last.fm account for about a year. I’ve subscribed an account only to get stats about artists I’m listening… and I’m not really addicted with everything dealing with community, and not convinced with their similar artists listing. But for the first time las week, I’ve finally found an artist that really matches my mood while listening to Colby Stead ..

A promising young british songwriter named Josh Geffin ! Promising ? Yes, Josh only released a single 4 tracks E.P. for the moment but what a collection ! A stunning debut, a perfect resume for any major label seeking to enlarge their acoustic songwriter catalog. Josh finger style acoustic guitar and delicate compositions remind me Andy Whittle. As usual, when each track is a pure wonder, here’s the intro song :

 
 Put Down the Gun - Josh Geffin [3:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Josh is currently working on his first full length, some pre-album demo tracks are available on his myspace page. Be sure we’ll update you with a release date !

Artist : Josh Geffin.
Label : none
Where to buy : CdBaby - Itunes
You should also enjoyed : Andy Whittle, Colby Stead