Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

As Andrew Bird continues to put together songs for his new album (from the looks of it, it won’t be out till possibly later this year), he is blogging the songwriting and album-making process for the New York Times.  In his first post, he discusses how he drafts up melodies first, and then comes up with the vocals.  It was surprising to hear that a lot of the time his vocals aren’t meant to reflect himself per se, but rather it is a coincidence that they happen to do so.  So go ahead and check it out.

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

More coverage of Andrew Bird on CSV.

So what’s been burning up the blogosphere this week?

Swedish label Labrador  (excellent label) has a track from The Sound of Arrows called “Danger” (4.7/5).  It’s pretty darn catchy!

The return of the Flat Duo Jets with the single “Rawhide” is a real delight as well. (Thanks to Local Vertical)

She & Him is also starting to heat up, after we mentioned them here a couple weeks ago.  Coincidence? Most definitely.  She & Him–”This is Not a Test“

Everybody’s favorite Nordic journalist turned musician, Tobias Froberg, is back with another album after his sensational Somewhere in the City. Froberg has also been working with half of Peter Bjorn and John, Peter Moren–I know, this is all getting a little overwhelming but try to remain calm. Froberg’s new album Turn Heads is due out April 15, and is looking to be a real wonderful album by the sound of the following track:

Tobias Froberg - Just Behind a Brickwall (4.8/5)

The indie rock quartet Quiet Life out of New London, Connecticut is making some splashes with their unique jazzy blues riffs, variegated with serious rock sensibilities that make their debut album Act Natural a minestrone delight.  You can see the different bits and pieces that come together–the country folk influences felt through the banjos and the harmonicas throughout the album.  “Niantic Bay Blues” is exactly that, showcasing the band’s knack for white-collared blues.  “Sweet Smile” is an achingly sweet country rock ballad, with the vocals coming through like a sweet toothy grin on a Sunday morning.

On “Leah”, the band sings “We were young, yeah” and indeed they are.  They’ve got some way to go in terms of polishing their sound and their affect.  But the bottom line is that Act Natural is something distinctively and uncommonly enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to what Quiet Life has got in store for the future.

Grab a copy of Act Natural.

Listen to “Niantic Bay Blues” (4.7/5)

Listen to “Sweet Smile” (4.7/5)

With finals behind me, I’ve had the chance to catch up on some of the music that’s been in the queue for a while. One album to which I was excited to listen was that of Toronto’s Forest City Lovers. Haunting Moon Sinking has got all the appeal of the new(ish) Canadian folk scene, with fresh and intriguing vocals and irresistible hooks and melodies. As they state themselves, they’re 75% Capricon, 50% left-handed, and 100% friends. Indeed, this light-hearted approach to music is reflective in Forest City Lovers’ sophomore LP (third overall release), and is thoroughly enjoyable. Be sure to grab yourself a copy of Haunting Moon Sinking.

Listen to “Orphans” (4.6/5)

Listen to “Don’t Go” (4.8/5)

The new long player from Brooklyn folk singer-songwriter Nels Andrews Off Track Betting looks to be a deliciously entertaining collection of music.  Be sure to grab a copy of Off Track Betting when it comes out!

Pre-order Off Track Betting.

Listen to “Butterfly Wing” (4.7/5)

Listen to “Dollar and the Dream” (4.8/5)

Out of Madison, Wisconsin comes quartet The Box Social with their debut long player Get Going. The Box Social’s remarkable pop sensibilities and infectious guitar riffs make them a band that seems on the brink of indie stardom (that just seems funny to write). Despite Get Going being the band’s virgin release, their sound is surprisingly accessible and their vocals articulate. Most of the songs on this release don’t top the 3:20 mark, providing a collection of concise, direct tunes that drone on but don’t fall short.

Perhaps this seems like a point that may seem overdone, but the production qualities of Get Going are certainly impressive. The guitars and drums come across very crisp, while the bass is pronouncedly welcoming. It is obvious that this quartet has been playing with each other for some time, or at least their impeccable timing would imply so. Ultimately, Get Going is a fun record–it’s not going to break boundaries or somehow open your mind to some other wordly concept. But to expect that is foolish in the first place.

Grab a copy of Get Going. And courtesy of 4 Ohm Entertainment:

Listen to “Big T” (4.5/5)

Listen to “Hot Damn” (4.7/5)

Personal favorite: “Galoshes”–>they have a song named after galoshes!

Yes, the grammar doesn’t match up, but you probably figured that out by now. Yes, this duo of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel is a lot more Deschanel than it is Matthew Ward. But neither of these are really any indication that She & Him’s debut Volume One is not a pop-folk gem.

M. Ward takes the role of musician and harmonizer more than lead singer-songwriter, while Deschanel enchanting vocals synchronize perfectly. Volume One is a captivating mixture of romantic bluesy-folk and unabashed cheery 70s pop. Deschanel’s range is remarkably wide, offering these collection of songs a certain depth and texture. These songs don’t come across as overproduced nor do they sound lo-fi, but there is a particular organic sound to the album. The slow riding “You Really Got a Hold On Me” is wonderfully contrasted with the optimistic “Sweet Darlin’ ” and the dynamic, progressive “This is Not a Test” really grant She & Him an indescribably charm.

Grab a copy of She & Him’s Volume One (cheap!)

Listen to “Sweet Darlin’” (4.9/5)

Listen to “This is Not a Test” (4.8/5)

I know I know. Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago has received a great deal of attention since its release in February (it was actually self-released last year, but Jagjaguwar picked it up this year). But I am so infatuated with this man whose real name is Justin Vernon, and who sounds like a magical combination of the earnestness of Chris Martin and the gentleness of Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), that I simply cannot let this album go without making any comments.

I suppose For Emma, Forever Go is more of an EP than a full length album, but Vernon’s approach seems so intensely particular–as if he is thinking so carefully about each and every word he sings. He carefully laces his own vocals over rich guitars, imparting a sense of some contradictory calming urgency. “Blindsided” pulls in the listener with its melodic overtones, but then charges the listener with “Would you really rush out / for me now?”. And in the end, there’s an inescapable desire to do so. “Skinny Love” is a falsetto delight, showcasing Bon Iver’s unique vocal range. To be honest, Bon Iver rarely misses on this album–the album’s only real flaw is the sparseness in the number of tracks. But I have an inkling that this is not the last time that we’re going to hear of Justin Vernon.

Have yourself a listen to For Emma, Forever Ago.

Listen to “Skinny Love” (4.9/5)

Listen to “Blindsided” (4.8/5)

Chicago indie rockers The 1900s (not to be confused with Glasgow’s The 1990s) released the long player Cold and Kind, and I’ve been meaning to review them for a while. Playful pop, with hints of psych-rock and heavy doses of golden AM radio riffs, Cold and Kind is a thoroughly scrumptious delight. True, I have a soft spot for Chicago bands, but believe me when I tell you that this album is as deliciously sweet as it is earnest.

With Andrew Bird-like titles like “Acutiplantar Dude”, I was already hooked. But then “Georgia” came drifting through the speakers–a gorgeous string arrangement and a wonderful harmony that will have you “jumping for joy Georgia” along with ‘em! The trippier, Beck-meets-Allman Brothers (what!!?) “Two Ways” is a guitar-heavy ditty with wonderful lead vocals. Though I’m not ready to grant them credit for the whole 20th century, I will give them their due for Cold and Kind.

So go and grab yourself a copy of Cold and Kind!!

Listen to “Georgia” (4.9/5)

Listen to “When I Say Go” (4.7/5) **from www.the-1900s.com**