Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

While not a part of the Fingerlings series that Bird has released in order to showcase his live talents and satiate his fans’ desire for more material, His Birdness has released another collection of live, unreleased, and works-in-progress EP entitled Soldier On. Some of these tracks I was able to hear when Bird came to Northwestern last May (”Sectionate Cities”) while others are completely new to me (”The Trees Were Mistaken”). The EP points toward a more extroverted Bird, as the listener finds him playing intricate melodies with his trademark loops.

Overall, it just impresses me the way that Bird has no preoccupations with releasing rough drafts of his music. But what impresses me even more is that he will go back and refine these songs for an album–he’s not afraid to reveal his imperfections. He illustrates to the listener (or at least to me) that the artistic process is a humbling one. And despite all the success he has had over the past few years, he has no qualms in acknowledging that he still has work to do, a mission to fulfill.

Pitchfork has a review here on Soldier On.

Listen to “Sic of Elephants” (4.8/5)

Listen to “How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On the Farm” (4.7/5)

I know I have been a tad missing in action as of late-my sincerest apologies. Schoolwork (i.e. Biology midterm) has made my life a little hectic, and so once this week concludes I should be back in action.

But for now:

Citizen Cope - Let the Drummer Kick (4.8/5)

Enjoy!

As Canadian indie label Arts and Crafts continues to churn out entertaining and talented acts, I become more and more impressed with the rock sensibilities of our neighbors to the north. In his sophomore release, Jason Collett hones his penchant for unique folk-pop anthems and delivers them coated in catchy guitar riffs and choral crescendos. While his debut Idols of Exile focused a little more on more charging, rock-ier songs, his newest effort Here’s to Being Here takes the urgency out of his music. He seems most comfortable serving up delicious rolling guitars and Dylanesque vocals, allowing the momentum of the songs to carry the various ditties to their peaks. By letting the tracks take on a life of their own, Collett ends up infusing them with more than he ever purposefully could. Indeed, Collett has returned from exile and he’s here to stay. So Here’s to Being Here!

Go ahead and get your copy of Here’s to Being Here.

Listen to “Roll On Oblivion” (4.9/5)

Listen to “Out of Time” (4.8/5)

David Mead- “I’ve Been Fighting for Your Life” (4.6/5)

Gipsy Kings- “Djobi Djoba” (4.9/5)

Legend has it that leader of Photon Band Art DiFuria picked up his favorite astrology magazine one day, Welcome to Planet Earth, and read about a “band of photonic matter” that will envelop the Earth and change consciousness forever. That was 1994. And the psychadelic-pop obsessed DiFuria and company have returned from their other worldly sounds to deliver Back Down to Earth.

Certainly more accessible than any previous release, Back Down to Earth features the assistance of 8 different musicians coming together to create a golden AM radio sound (”Just Between Me and You”) that teeters along the line between delectable sing-along pop tunes and downtempo psychedelics. This is an album for fans of Apples in Stereo and/or Of Montreal (two of CSV’s favorites), so be sure check out Back Down to Earth.

Listen to “Just Between Me and You” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Thinkin ‘Boutchoo” (4.6/5)

Indie folk-blues-roots-eclectic rockers the Mountain Goats are set to release their brand new album Heretic Pride on February 19th.  Their label 4AD has kindly posted a free track from the new album “Sax Rohmer #1″.  The album is supposedly going to be based on “mythical creatures, imaginary cults, and slasher films reveries”–sounds right up their alley.  Enjoy and look out for the new album.

Listen to “Sax Rohmer #1” (4.5/5)

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As you may know, Cat Power is coming out with a new long player in only a couple weeks. With that in mind, some rough cuts from the new covers album Jukebox have leaked. From the sound of these two tracks, “New York” and “Ramblin’ Woman”, Chan Marshall seems to continue to be doing what she does best–laying down some downtempo, delicious rhythms with her amorphous vocals slowly filling your speakers, your ears, and your mind. Maybe it’s overload, but check ‘em out. Be sure to look for the real release of Jukebox!

Listen to “New York” (4.9/5) Taken down upon request.

Listen to “Ramblin’ Woman” (4.7/5)  Taken down upon request.

We’re going back in time—way back—today with The Wild Magnolias.  A lesser known soul-funk-roots outfit from New Orleans, The Wild Magnolias sure do know how to lay down those phat beats.  Distinctive in sound, dynamic in instrumentation, and damn good in vocals (I had to keep the alliteration going), The Wild Magnolias are sure to delight you.  So with that, go and get Life is a Carnival.

Listen to “New Kinda Groove” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Handa Wanda” (4.8/5)

For some funkified retro-soul, you simply must have a listen to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings’ latest 100 Days, 100 Nights. There’s nothing that really sets these tunes apart from those in the 60s and 70s, but all I’m asking from a soul-funk-motownesque album is some catchy grooves, some infectious backup chorus shouts, and most definitely a great horn section! 100 Days, 100 Nights delivers on all fronts, as Sharon Jones and company consistently impress on every track. Take a listen to cheery, upbeat “Tell Me” and experience perfection. The sultrier, sexier “100 Days, 100 Nights” mixes blues and soul with even hints of samba. The southern bayou “Be Easy” and the CCR-esque “Keep On Looking” give the album greater variety and volume. No misses here, so be sure to check out 100 Days, 100 Nights (only 7.99!).

Listen to “Tell Me” (4.9/5)

Listen to “100 Days, 100 Nights” (4.7/5)

Australian chanteuse Clare Bowditch has recently released The Moon Looked On, proving again the theme of 2007: women can rock! Bowditch’s voice isn’t necessarily so unique, but the manner in which she uses her somewhat familiar vocals in a unique context makes The Moon Looked On deserving of a good listen.

This is not another case of bubble-gum pop, or import idolization; Bowditch is actually a talented singer-songwriter. She easily swings from brooding, stringed arrangements (”Peccadilloes”) to fun, upbeat, percussion-heavy tracks (”Your Other Hand”) to sassy, bluesy songs (”When the Lights Went Down”). A peculiar talent from down under, Bowditch joins the ranks of a rising class of skilled singer-songwriters sprouting up from Oceania. So make sure to check out Clare Bowditch & The Feeding Set’s The Moon Looked On. Currently, this album is only out abroad, but you can get yo’self an import or try ebay.

Listen to “When The Lights Went Down” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Your Other Hand” (4.6/5)