Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

I apologize for the sparse posting as of late–I’ve recently come down with a nasty illness and haven’t really had the energy to write, post, or be surrounded by any type of noise.

I Guess I’m Floating has got a great ‘Thursday and Covers’ feature this week. Of Montreal and the Foo Fighters!

Pitchfork (yes, I know, Pitchfork) has got a great article on Sally Forth comics dropping indie band references. Nice.

ELO – Mr. Blue Sky….Check out this ensemble!

Ya heard right. 30,000 visitors to this blog since June 1st, 2006! And you know what that means. Awwwww yeah, a wonderful 10-track mix just for you! I’d love to hear some feedback about the mix, the content of this site, and anything else you can think of. I’m always looking for ways to make this site better for ye faithful readers.

Click on this link to download the mix “30K and Counting” featuring:

1. Born Ruffians – Hummingbird

2. New Monsoon – Eminence Front (cover of The Who)

3. Jose Gonzalez – Lovestain

4. David Gray – One With the Birds

5. Utah Carol – Ruby

6. Brett Dennen – Darlin’ Do Not Fear

7. Office – Company Calls

8. Blitzen Trapper – Wild Mountain Nation

9. Xavier Rudd – Better People

10. Suzanne Vega – Frank & Ava

I came across this video from La Blogotheque a while ago, and I can’t figure out why I never shared with you. For more of His Birdness, click on the label below this post that says “Andew Bird”.

Patrick and I most recently attended the Jose Gonzalez concert in Chicago (10/4), and perhaps there may be a review pending (but I feel that that just might be boring for you readers!).  Opening for Jose, though, was UK guitarist virtuoso James Blackshaw.  I noticed quite immediately that his instrumental guitar-playing didn’t match up with his seemingly boyish look or his nonchalance on stage.  Watching his blurring fingers, each one plucking the strings so effortlessly, quickly–as if each of his phalanges was operated by a different person.  And the sound produced by those nifty appendages was profoundly beautiful.

And so, as I prepare to go to sleep, I wanted to share a lullaby with you.  Sweet dreams.

James Blackshaw – “Running to the Ghost” (4.8/5)

Here’s a little special feature as I highlight artists and bands from the only nation that is also its own continent–Australia!

Artist to Know: Sia

You might know Sia Furler from her multiple stints with UK collective Zero 7, or perhaps you are well versed with her critically acclaimed debut album Colour the Small One. Sia is now preparing to release her sophomore release Some People Have Real Problems in January 2008, and from the sound of a few of the songs from the 14-track album, Sia is on her way to being annointed the queen of indie rock. Sia’s distinct voice, combined with her lyrical prowess and sense of humor,(see album title) make her such an interesting listen. Her vocals might not be the most graceful, but they certainly are captivating as she proves she’s got a knack for catchy rhythms. Whether it’s a pop ballad (“Day Too Soon”) or a folk-rock ditty (“Buttons”, “The Girl”), Sia manages to pull it off with substance and style.

Sia – Buttons

Track to Hear: Gotye – Learnalilgivinandlovin‘

Melbourne mate Wally DeBacker, known as Gotye, is actually the drummer for Australian rock outfit The Basics, but he also doubles as a retro-rock-lovin’ mixmaster/musician. His most recent release Like Drawing Blood reached the top of the Australian charts last year, but hasn’t succeeded in getting attention here in the US. The album is chock full of intriguing beats and wonderful vocals, and the lead track “Learnalilgivinandlovin’” is perhaps one of the most delectable tunes I’ve heard in years. This feel-good, motown track almost seems better suited for 30 years ago, but like fine wine, it is certainly more precious and delicious now. It’s about time we learned a little givin’ and lovin’.

Video to Watch: John Butler Trio – Ocean

Led by John Butler, this trio of amazingly talented Aussies has made quite a splash even in the US with their most recent album Grand National. John Butler also happens to be one of the most skilled guitarists in the world, and to prove it, just take a look at this video of him performing the song “Ocean”.

Show to See (for Chicago):

Who? Architecture in Helsinki

When? Doors open 6 PM, October 16, 2007

What? This Australian band is not in fact from the great country of Finland (as their name may suggest), but they do offer some incredibly exotic melodies and vocals. Sometimes I find them a tad eclectic for my tastes, but songs like “Red Turned White” and “Debbie” remind me of how fun music can really be.

How Much? $15

What Did I Miss: I haven’t had a chance thus far to feature all the great Australian artists and bands that I intended to tell you all about. So here are some one-liners about a couple more:

Xavier Rudd-Paul Simon clone, down to the voice and the reggae-folk influences.

Bernard Fanning-Returning to the glory of golden AM radio, Fanning sounds like a combination of James Taylor and The Dobbie Brothers.

New Buffalo-This Aussie’s voice floats effortlessly over beautifully crafted folk-pop arrangements.

Let’s get one thing straight, before I attempt to wax poetic about Devendra Banhart. I’m not going to refer to his music as a branch of some made up label “freak-folk”just because it makes it easier to classify Banhart’s music. The truth is Banhart takes influences from everywhere, from 50′s doo-wop to good ol’ fashion 70s rock to samba (he does seem to have a good deal of Latino roots in his music).Banhart’s newest release into his already rather large catalog is Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, a 16-track long player that characteristically hits many highs and only suffers from mild lows. Banhart never really writes bad songs–it’s really his prolific nature that gets in the way. When his great songs are put up against the simply mediocre, it starts to detract from the overall package. That said, there’s enough material on this album that could have been easily cut down to a more modest-sized, masterfully-crafted album.

Banhart flexes his rock prowess with his CSNY-like “Seahorse”, where towards the end he starts belting out like Graham Nash leading into a bridge that seems 35 years displaced. But even the comical “Shabop Shalom” is witty and entertaining, as he sings, “When I’m in a foul mood, I want to see you in your Talmud”. It’s that subtly appealing semi-sacrilege that Banhart carries throughout his music that makes him so gosh-darn appealing and yet grants him the “avant-gardeness” that has made him famous. Songs with the lollipop samba of “Carmensita” or the funked-out soulful “Lover” just seem to continue to make Banhart as laudable as ever.

Go and buy Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.

Listen to “Lover” (5/5)

Listen to “Tonada Yanomaminista” (4.8/5)

The Swedes.  Again.  I know-I can’t help myself.  But record label Labrador’s latest product is the bold-talkin’, sweet-playin’ pop collective Irene with Long Gone Before Summer.  Although the band’s sound is something more like  summery indie pop, Irene also teeters on a sentimental autumnal rock sound that seems to be ushering the fast approaching season of Fall.  And so, there doesn’t seem to be a better soundtrack for these days than the songs on Long Gone Before Summer, a colorful array of leaves that float effortlessly to the ground for us commoners to energetically collect and enjoy.  Irene’s vocals are somewhat B-52′s like, in that they lend a somewhat lighter mood to even the more serious tracks (see “Out of Tune”).  And for the most part, this debut long player is just an-end-of-summer delight to be enjoyed as that fading purple sun dips below the horizon of some Scandinavian seaside (say that 5 times fast).

So go and get yo’self a copy of Long Gone Before Summer.

Listen to “Little Lovin’” (4.75/5)

Listen to “September Skies” (4.6/5)

Want more?   “Baby I Love Your Way” and “By Your Side“

From the Swedish troubadour extraordinaire comes the video for “Sipping on the Sweet Nectar”, featuring Jens flying a plane. Wait ’til the end of the video–it’s worth it.

I’ve always had an affinity for Swedish – Argentinian musicians. By that, I mean I’ve always had an affinity for Jose Gonzalez, the soft-spoken Swedish – Argentinian who has been releasing his sleepy folk sing-a-longs for a few years now. His debut release Veneer was met with critical and popular praise across the globe, for his knack for acoustic rhythms, unique vocals, and his timely songwriting. Not to mention his collaboration with Zero 7 on Futures or his various side projects (see Junip), Gonzalez has consistently put forth thought-provoking, intriguing folk arrangements that bedazzle the listener with its deceivingly simple guitar hooks and infectious vocals.

And Gonzalez’s 10-track long player In Our Nature is no different in that sense. His sophomore release (if you don’t count the Stay in the Shade – EP) certainly has a less lo-fi sound to it, but the intimacy of the record is more pronounced than ever. Gonzalez seems to be whispering the Southern twangy “Abram”, accompanied by his patient, insistent questioning in the slightly more melodic “How Low”. But as masterful as Gonzalez has become at portraying darkness in this world, he is perhaps just as talented at highlighting the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. “Time to Send Someone Away” (originally recorded with Embee) is as cheerful as any song he’s written, while “Killing for Love” is the high-charged lead track that rhetorically proposes, “Will you let [your heart] burn for hate or compassion?” In the end, it seems that Gonzalez’s heart burns for compassion. After all, it’s in his nature.

Buy In Our Nature. Now!

Listen to “Killing For Love” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Time To Send Someone Away” (4.8/5)