Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Thanks to my brother, Nate, for this one. M. Ward is playing two shows with the Boston Pops on June 26th and June 27th. Tickets range from $18-$85. The picture is of the first row seats. Just imagine M. Ward’s beads of sweat getting in your eye–it will be glorious! Should be a great way to kick off the summer and spend some quality time in Boston.

Listen to M. Ward “To Go Home“.
And if that hasn’t convinced you…
“Chinese Translation“
“Rollercoaster“

Jesse Malin is gradually making his way to the forefront of the indie, singer-songwriter scene. His latest record, “Glitter in the Gutter,” is a 13-song collection of up-tempo rockers and alt-country jems. Packed, too, with guest artists like Ryan Adams (who produced his first solo effort and played in The Fingers with Malin), Jakob Dylan, Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, and Springsteen. Check out an article NME did on the April 5th Springsteen tribute event here. Malin performed “Hungry Heart” with Ronnie Spector. Other performers included The Hold Steady (check out Malin’s myspace for a cover of his Hold Steady cover, “You can make him like you”), Badly Drawn Boy, Patti Smith, and Joseph Arthur. He has some upcoming dates in Virginia, Philly, Boston, and New York–go see him if you can!

I especially like the orchestration and harmonies of these two tunes…enjoy!

“Broken Radio (with springsteen)” (4.5/5)
“Aftermath” (4/5)

British collective Lucky Soul has certainly made quite a raucous in my iTunes over the past week. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with them too once you hear their retro-doo-wop oldies style. Lucky Soul ‘s debut album The Great Unwanted is nothing that is sonically original, but that’s not to disparage what they’ve put forth.

The Great Unwanted is like digitally remastered versions of oldies songs that were never written. The songs are carefully constructed and thoughtfully performed, that it’s hard not to appreciate the result. The lead songstress, Ali Howard, has one of the most enchanting, sweet, and entrancing voices I’ve heard. It’s not quite “cute”, as it retains this sense of power and fortitude. But certainly the songs achieve much of their depth from the vocals. The Great Unwanted is really just a fun album–not necessarily based on its content but rather on the feeling that the arrangements themselves exude. One listen to the piano-trippy, foot-tapping inducing “Get Outta Town!” and you can’t help but sing along. Or you might instantly fall in love with the Grease-like “Struck Dumb”. Really, this album can’t miss.

What are you waiting for? Buy The Great Unwanted.
Listen to “Get Outta Town!” (4.85/5)
Listen to “Add Your Light to Mine, Baby” (4.5/5)

Live blogging has been all the rage in the blogosphere, so I’ve decided that I’m going to live blog the new album Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs (out in Europe already, due out April 10th in US).

[Queuing up the compact disc]

“Pink Light” (Track 1):
She’s got an interesting voice, can’t quite put my finger on it. The beat is kicking in now, and with some pretty awesome rhythms. I can’t resist the subtle clapping, and the guitar riff paints this under-the-stars image. Okay, she’s got me hooked……….

“Don’t Lose Yourself” (Track 3):
A trippy drum beat with a grandiose piano background. It sounds like she’s singing with herself–as if she laced two vocal tracks. I’m not as impressed with this track as the first, but at least there’s a consistent sound. Not to say it’s all the same, but there’s something to latch on to…..

“Wandering Kind” (Track 5):
I automatically think Air upon the first chords of this song. The verses seem to be building to a pretty heavy chorus, but let’s see. Yep, I was right. The chorus really gives some life to this track. I’ve noticed that there is a ton of nature imagery in Veirs’ songs. I wonder if that’s on purpose. Certainly a catchy one….

“To the Country” (Track 8):
Alright, she’s bringing the strings out on this one. Oh, and now an angelic choir is kicking in. And her voice sounds transformed in this song–enhanced, as if she’s really feeling it. This track is certainly more downtempo than the previous ones, but it’s the most captivating and mesmerizing. Now we’ve got some neat drum rhythms and clapping again….Wow, this song can really only be described as magical. Oooohs and Ahhhhs for nearly two minutes–I feel like I’m swaying back and forth with choir. I want more….

“Cast a Hook” (Track 9):
Back to a faster-paced track, I think I have heard this song before in a compilation The Sound the Hare Heard. Let me check that…yea, that’s right. This song is also ‘hooking’ me in as well, another mesmerizing track. These songs really fill up space nicely-they’re nice and roomy.

Okay, so that’s it. You’ll have to buy Saltbreakers if you want to know more.
Listen to “To the Country” (5.2/5). Sorry, it broke the scale.
Listen to “Pink Light” (4.6/5)