Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Sometimes there’s a good deal of ‘packaging’ that goes with certain records—the record company feels a need to hit you over the head with what that particular record is all about because you (the consumer) are not intelligent enough to figure it out on your own. Well Plug Research has continued to do this on behalf of Toronto’s now-budded abstract electronic musician Mike Milosh. Going under the name of simply Milosh, he has already released two well-received albums You Make Me Feel and Meme.  As the biline goes, the debut album was all about finding love and the euphoria entailed with that, while Meme was about lost love and starting over.  So what does Milosh say his new album is about?  Well he spent the past year in Thailand, and iii is about isolation and being away from the people and the things you love.

Just because Milosh’s music is more abstract than the norm doesn’t mean that there’s pretense on iii.  In fact, it’s the very opposite.  iii feels all the more accessible and welcoming.  Lush, warm tones seduce the listener, as Milosh’s unique vocal range flows effortlessly in the foreground.  His past two records have shown an artist developing a distinguished other-wordly sound, and iii only cements Milosh’s reputation as one of the eminent electronic musicians making music right now.  The bouncy synths are clean and crisp, and the percussions are catchy but not overwhelming–they ultimately create a dually disciplined and liberating atmosphere that indeed seems heaven sent.  “Remember the Good Things” is a magical confluence of courageous melodies and vocals that will have you entranced.  The softer “Another Day” has more of a lullaby feel to it in its own achingly sweet way.  So be sure to check out iii!

Listen to “Remember the Good Things”

Listen to “Another Day“

‘Cuchillo’ is Spanish for knife, or is it psychadelic folk rock?  The duo of Israel Marco and Daniel Dominguez coming straight out of Spain make up Cuchillo and their self-titled album is a complete delight.  Warm and chilling, soothing and contempletive, disciplined yet carefree, Cuchillo is a model for musical balance.  The band excels at the lyrically minimalist but sonically lush tune, gently dusting delicate rhythms off their fingers and spreading these morsels of magic to the masses.  Think Pink Floyd, with the modern sensibilities of the burgeoning Alexi Murdoch or the late Nick Drake.  It’s a weird combination, I admit, but I hear the influences vividly.  “Estricta Libertad” is a wonderfully harmonious rock ballad full of oohs and aahs laced over Spanish longing.  “Summertime in Sweden” takes on a less serious tone that’ll make this summer last just a little bit longer.

Get yourself a copy of Cuchillo.

Listen to “Estricta Libertad”

Listen to “Summertime in Sweden“

I came down this past week with one of the nastiest illnesses I can remember, and I’m still a little hesitant to say I’m fully recovered.  But nonetheless, here I am.  I apologize for the hiatus.  I came across this live version of Dylan’s famous “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and I just wanted to share it with you.  Consider this a peace offering….

Bob Dylan - “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall“

The smooth plucking UK instrumentalist James Blackshaw is out with a new album Litany of Echoes after a much lauded debut and EP.  I have to say that the effort here is a little lacking compared to his previous efforts but I wanted to give you a little taste of what this incredble musician can do.

Check out Litany of Echoes.

Listen to “Infinite Circle“

Straight out of Detroit, Michigan comes the eclectic pop gospel PAS/CAL.  Anticipation has surrounded this collective for some time now, but not until July 22 will PAS/CAL have officially released its debut LP!  Imagine fellow Michiganer Sufjan Stevens mixed with UK-Swedish rockers The Ark combined with a taste of Apples in Stereo.  It’s insanely catchy retropop music that shows an octet with an amazing grasp for grooves and rhythms.  But their discipline doesn’t mean that they take themselves too seriously. All the songs on their debut I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura (loving the slightly sardonic album title) are adventurously fun and engaging ditties–they possess an everlasting energy that would surely outduel the likes of cheerleading squads the world over.  So what are you waiting for?  Check out the songs below and get the album I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura!

Listen to “O My Cherry”

Listen to “Little Red Radio“

Coldplay has released a new single (that doesn’t quite top the one-minute mark) in honor of their tour launch.  Viva la vida!

Coldplay - “Death Will Never Conquer“

Usually, lasts are bad.  There is no more after the last.  But sometimes, just sometimes lasts are good.  Like last raps in baseball or last wishes with genies.  Amos Lee may not be a genie, but his Last Days at the Lodge is sure to be added to the list.

The smooth-talking, grade-school teacher turned incredible singer-songwriter, Amos Lee has churned out his third LP and the results are quite amazing.  Though Amos is only 30 years of age, his prophetic imagery, wisdom, and maturity are the traits of a much older man.  Not to mention that Amos does more than his share of justice to the biblical character with the same nom de plume.  The folk-blues instrumentation has always suited Lee well, but time has shown his songwriting to improve.  On “Better Days” Lee sings, ‘The darkness has always been / The world was born into a blanket of sin’ as he promises better days over a sunday morning guitar.  ‘All of my heartache was laughed away just like a clown’ is sung on “Ease Back” with a delicate banjo strumming in the background.

“Kid” would be an otherwise typical folk song if not for the wonderful vocals from Amos, which turn the track into one of the more memorable ones on Last Days.  The southern twangy “Street Corner Preacher” is a standout tune, as Amos illustrates that he’s picked up a few new rock tricks over the past couple years.  Amos Lee’s dynamicism is further portrayed in vocally flexible “Truth” and in the soulful “Baby I Want You”. The adventurous “Listen” features a harmonious mix of rolling guitars that complements Amos’ fiery tone.

Lasts (including last songs!) may bring sadness, but there sure is comfort in knowing that you can always press repeat with this one!

Go and get Last Days at the Lodge.

Listen to “Listen” (it’s only semi-funny)

Listen to “Street Corner Preacher“

UK rock-pop collective Good Shoes sound like the Converse crossover of The Strokes and Vampire Weekend.  The rhythms of both are heavily prevalent in their debut Think Before You Speak.  “Small Town Girl”, musically sounds like it was ripped from an Is This It? B-side, while the lazier “Wait” has the reggae influences that are becoming so ever popular in rock these days (see Vampire Weekend, Razorlight, etc.)  It seems as though Good Shoes should be a total formulaic indie hit at this time, but I think what keeps them back on this album is their overall inconsistency.  These songs don’t feel coherent, not to mention the lack of discipline on songs like “Blue Eyes” and “Everybody’s Talking”. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful debut for a band that shows a great deal of both talent and potential.

Grab a copy of Think Before You Speak.

Listen to “Small Town Girl”

Listen to “Sophia“

Sam Beam, a.k.a Iron and Wine, has released an EP Lovesong of the Buzzards full of what seem like B-sides from his excellent The Shepherd’s Dog.  Take a listen and see why even the bottom of the barrel for Iron & Wine is still the cream of the crop:

Listen to “Serpent Charmer”

Listen to “Arms of a Thief“

Just wanted to share a couple tracks with you on this glorious day:

The Invisible - London Girl

Ron Sexsmith - Brandy Alexander (Note: Sexsmith wrote this song for Feist, mind you!)

Toodles!