Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Yael Naim has faced her share of trials, tribulations, and hang-ups in her short musical career, but with an ultra-successful Apple MacBook Air commercial and a surprisingly receptive French audience, Naim is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Spending her formative and young adult years in Israel, Naim learned Hebrew, French, and English as she studied at the Ramat HaSharon Conservatory of Music. Early on as a child, Naim dreamt of creating symphonic masterpieces, but never did she imagine that she would climb her way to the top of international music charts and find her way into the televisions and ‘souls’ of people all over the world. It is an odd balance that Naim is able to strike, mixing unique, contemporary female folk-pop arrangements with French, English, and Hebrew lyrics. Risking the possibility of being relegated to the ever-vague and career-dooming genre of “world music”, Naim has managed to elude these classifications.

By the sound of her self-entitled international debut, Naim has indeed found herself. Dually moody and magical, Naim’s graceful vocals float effortlessly over the minimalist yet accessible melodies of David Donatien. Her hit single “New Soul” is the obvious highlight of the album, featuring the happiest pianos, horns, and ‘la-la’s this side of the equator. “Pachad” [fear in Hebrew] is a slow jazzy number that will conjure up comparisons to Norah Jones, while “Shelcha” [I am yours in Hebrew] is a string-laden delight that is as inspiring as it is beautiful. Naim comes across so uncannily real and genuine that her songs listen more like an open diary than the product of complicated recording machines and the machinations of record executives.

Buy Yael Naim.

Listen to “Far Far” (4.8/5)

Listen to “New Soul” (5/5)

Jamie Lidell-er, Jim-is soon to be back with a new long player titled Jim. The artwork is absolutely breathtaking, and from the sound of Multiply, I just can’t wait! The album is due out April 29. Get psyched ladies and gentlemen!

Track listing:

01 Another Day
02 Wait for Me
03 Out of My System
04 All I Wanna Do
05 Little Bit of Feel Good
06 Figured Me Out
07 Hurricane
08 Green Light
09 Where D’You Go
10 Rope of Sand

I’ve always found it odd how polarizing Jack Johnson has been throughout his musical career.  For some one who has made it his aural mission to chill as best he can, I find it interesting that critics will often attack him for lacking substance.  Perhaps it is more so  the aura surrounding Jack that irks people than the actual music.  To imply Jack Johnson is somewhat of a lesser musician may not entirely be off base, but I contend that Jack isn’t putting himself on a pedestal either.

The point is to be able to appreciate him for his Jackness, being able to enjoy his music for what it is and not what one may think it should be.  And certainly Jack’s new album Sleep Through the Static is another paradigm.  While there is a noticeable shift in Jack’s approach on his latest LP, in some senses his updated style is a return to basics.  Simple hoppy pianos, soul-infused acoustic guitars, and always Jack’s soothing vocals make this album a sleepy classic but certainly not static.  Jack has also returned to extensive use of wordplay–what I always look forward to in his music.  Sleep Through the Static is a sonic delight, no matter what side of the Jack Johnson fence you’re on.  As for the critics–maybe it’s time to step down from your pedestal.

Purchase Sleep Through the Static.

Listen to “If I Had Eyes” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Monsoon” (4.6/5)  [**wordplay**]

Fresh out of the UK comes singer-songwriter Laura Marling with her debut Alas I Cannot Swim. Simultaneously moody and uplifting, Marling’s voice floats effortlessly through various ranges (impressive for a folk singer!). The lilting vocals over the string-coated sweetness of “Ghosts” provides a contrast to the melodic and prairie image-conjuring of “Tap At My Window”. With an album title like Alas I Cannot Swim, Marling seems to be connoting an ominous, pessimistic life-view, but each song seems to insinuate the very opposite. Each track is a proverbial wink from Ms. Marling, assuring us that in the end things really aren’t so bad.

Grab a copy of Alas I Cannot Swim.

Listen to “Tap At My Window” (4.9/5)

Listen to “Ghosts” (4.7/5)

Chicago veteran alt indie-rockers Manishevitz have never made kosher food sound so good! Their new long player East to East is an entrancing collection of songs that span experimental rock, bluesy jazz, and some downright funk. Imagine if fellow Chicagoans Califone had taken up fell-fledged rock music–indeed, this is what they’d sound like (you might not believe this but as I looked up the band I found that Joe Adamik of Califone is in the band!!). Intriguing vocals and even catchier guitar riffs make East to East an incredibly captivating and digestible album that will have you mimicing the Dylan-intonated stylings of Ryan Hembrey.

But perhaps what I enjoy the most about the album is the presence of the tenor sax that gets dispersed throughout. “Eiji” is a wonderful dreamy track, with a simply magical elongated instrumental part featuring drizzling pianos in the high range and a seductive sax to complement. “Information Thunder” seems like a more upbeat B-side from Califone, now bursting out of its cocoon into the lovely confines of your ear. Or have a listen to “Southside Hours”, a dramatic experimental symphony with that lovely sax leading the way. Stop lallygagging–go and get your copy of East to East.

Listen to “Eiji” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Information Thunder” (4.6/5) (might want to fast-forward 50 secs )

The Washington D.C. native Ben Sheehan delivers with a total minimum of pretense.  He seems so completely comfortable in his Soft Landing that it makes me wonder if this could indeed be his debut.  Fresh out of Emory (an ’07 grad), Sheehan crafts an eclectic mix of soft funk and folk pop that is smoothly delivered but perhaps without any  real charge or urgency.

Don’t get me wrong–these are beautiful songs, laced with wonderful vocals and a variety of instruments from harmonica to horns.  But I suppose I’m looking for something more-this is almost the kind of music you’d hear in a salon or a doctor’s waiting room.  It’s unassuming, unabrasive–it’s really just too soft.  In the end, though, a few standouts like “Picture Frame” and “Or So They Say” really give this record some character.  But don’t take my word for it–check out Soft Landing for yourself.

Listen to “Picture Frame” (4.9/5)

Listen to “Photoshop Paradise” (4.5/5)

Reigning from Victoria, Canada, Cindy Davis brings some serious female singer-songwriter pop sensibilities to match her effervescent, soothing vocals.  Her debut album A Year or More is more like an EP with only 9 songs to show for this Canadian, but the quality of the tracks will have you saying “Eh!!” by the time you’ve finished listening.  While Davis does have a rather wide range, I’m more impressed with the way in which the vocals blend with the instrumentation.  It seems as though the instruments mimic her voice, take her lead.

A Year or More is a collection of rather radio-friendly ditties, from the ballads like “When I Try” to the more soulful “Where Am I?” to the more pop-like “Philosophy”.  While the album does not really transcend any musical preconceptions or explore new territories, Davis’ talent and her relative accessibility offer a degree of comfort and enjoyment.

Go and buy A Year or More.

Listen to “Where am I?” (4.9/5)

Listen to “Philosophy” (4.4/5)

Thao Nguyen has been making music for quite some time now, as the Virginian started plucking strings at the ripe age of 12. After various stints and attempts with relatively unknown bands, Nguyen has finally found her groove with her new band The Get Down Stay Down.

Well, Nguyen and the band have just released their debut album We Brave Bee Stings and All, a folk-rock gem that seems well suited for those introspective, easy-like-Sunday mornings. Nguyen’s gentle, petite vocals teeter on the edge of sounding cutesy and strained, but somehow she pulls it off with class. Perhaps that is a testament to her band, who supplies a fair share of lazy guitars (“Big Kid Table”), funky keyboards (“Geography”), and rolling drums (“Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)”). Ranging from off-kilter reggae (“Bag of Hammers”) to lifting sing-alongs (“Yes, Soon and Soon”), this album is a real pleasure.

So go grab a copy of We Brave Bee Stings and All.

Listen to “Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Big Kid Table” (4.5/5)