Dr. Dog is no veterniarian extraordinaire, but rather a Philadelphian-based collective that crafts freakfolk (I hate the term, but it’s spot on) tunes that would be comparable to those of Devendra Banhardt. To be truthful, I had never really been aware of Dr. Dog until very recently, but I have been so pleasantly surprised by their new album Fate that I have to share my thoughts with you. This album is so excitingly fresh and decidedly different in its approach to folk-rock, and the character of this band comes across as clear as the production qualities. “Uncovering the Old” sounds like Thom Yorke and that band of his took up an optimisitic theme for once. “Hang On” disguises its soul influences behind a groovy piano riff and a banjo solo. “The Rabbit, The Bat, and the Reindeer” begins as a staccatoed beauty, but soon explodes into a stringed-backed masterpiece. There’s a lot here for all tastes and preferences, so have a listen to Dr. Dog’s Fate.
As you may well know, CSV does not highlight many hip-hop-oriented artists. In an effort to stay somewhat balanced, I wanted to highlight the new album from Hint Driven from Distractions. From what I can tell (including my own hopes), there is a good deal of anticipation for the first LP-follow up to Hint’s Portakabin Fever. Six years later, Hint’s style has deviated into a more danceable type of electro-hip-hop. “Keep Your Shirt On”, featuring the vocal stylings of Laura Vane, is an insanely groovy track. Vane continues to impress on “One Woman Army” as she sings over strong synths from the hand of Hint’s Jonathan James.
They’re just so dreamy!! But seriously, find me the human being that can resist the tempting Siren Song of The Clientele and I will show you a heartless (wo)man. That said, the third EP of a trilogic set That Night, A Forest Grew has been released, and there are some wonderful tracks to be heard. Here are two. Please enjoy.
Wade Alin and Lauren Cheatham came together in 2004 to combine downtempo rhythms and silky sweet vocals under the name Atomica Project. Add a drummer and bassist, and this full-fledged band comes across like Portishead….without all the dreariness. Despite the coldness that electronica often embodies, the songs on Atomica Project’s sophomore release Grayscale are dually warm and embracing. Cheatham entices with her come-hither vocals that reminds me of something so familiar, yet I can’t quite place it. And that’s precisely what’s so great about Atomica Project–the sounds are unique but comfortable. Bands like Naomi or Zero 7 come to mind when I listen to Grayscale, and it’s likely that these sentiments come to mind because of their comforting sounds.
Grayscale is a wonderful mix of electronically derived beats, complemented by more natural sounding melodies. This other-worldly sound brings the listener “Afraid” has a warm tungsten feel to it, with its organic rhythms and graceful vocals. The trip-hop track “Losing Sleep” features cacophonous claps and a wonderful drum-driven backbeat that is as smooth as it is scrumptious.
Not Dylan this time, but a neat interpretation of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Neptunes. It’s also featured on the trailer of the new movie “Righteous Kill”.
We’ve talked about anthems here on this website before, but this little ditty is something entirely different. If you’ve been watching the Olympics incessantly like I have, you may have heard a soul rendition to the Star Spangled Banner playing in the back of a Nike commercial about the USA Redeem Team. Well, ladies and gents, that’s Marvin Gaye singing with a soft R&B soul riff behind him!
Take a listen and get all patriotic inside (for our American readers) or at least gain some respect for Marvin!
The predictably unpredictable Beck Hansen (aka Beck) somehow, someway also churns out gold. And his latest LP Modern Guilt is no deviation from that standard of excellence. Though Beck is the master of altering his style from one album to the next, Modern Guilt has the same feel as The Information. The only palpable difference is that some of the songs have slowed down a bit–but don’t think that Beck has.
I’ve never quite understood, though, the cultish fascination with Beck. It’s probably because I’ve always been a rather superficial fan of his work. But I think I’ve finally figured out the allure. To be following, rooting for someone who’s so dedicated to his music and so open-minded to new directions, is a pretty awesome thing. And so as I queue up the Beijing influenced “Walls” with its wailing strings and addictive chorus, I gain a better understanding of what I am supposed to get out of Beck. The urgent, kowabungish “Gamma Ray” is just another example of how Beck can turn a rather simple riff into something intriguing. “Modern Guilt” brings back the basslines that were so ever-present on Guero (and to good effect!!) while “Youthless” is a snap-filled frock (funk-rock?) ditty.
The truth is that Beck fans are going to adore this album, and those that are apathetic probably won’t even pick it up. For the latter, the investment is small (no song is longer than 4:30) and who knows, Beck might mean something more to you than beer.
You know that excitement you get when you see a new album by a band that that always managed to please your ears? You know that disappointment when you find out that (as is custom) that new album just doesn’t cut it? Well, I certainly felt the former with Stereo MCs newest Double Bubble, and unfortunately I can’t say that I disagree with the latter sentiment either. The baggy-clothed, desheviled-white-rapper look is losing its novelty. The rhymes and the delivery are still there, and as catchy and intriguing as ever. But it is undeniable that the melodies are loose and incoherent, and that they are audibly lacking enough noise. Nearly each track starts out with an interesting hook, but nothing is ever built upon (I’m ending this sentence with a preposition, so so sue me). But there is just enough here to entice you, the remind you of the days of yore. “Show Your Light” sounds like Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” meeting the genius of a rapper. And the MCs show a little move in a different direction with the excellently soulful “You Got It All”. So check out Double Bubble, you may find that I am wrong.
Things have been a little hectic lately, and blogging just hasn’t fit in the way I’d like it to. That said, expect to see a good amount of posting starting in a couple of days from now.
Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream will serve as a blog for me to share my thoughts and musings, with a special emphasis on music. The music that will appear in this blog is for evaluation/sampling purposes only, and is designed to promote up and coming bands. Remember, if you like the artist(s), buy the CD! If you are the owner of a sound file and would like it removed, please contact us and we will kindly take it down.
Dr. Dog is no veterniarian extraordinaire, but rather a Philadelphian-based collective that crafts freakfolk (I hate the term, but it’s spot on) tunes that would be comparable to those of Devendra Banhardt. To be truthful, I had never really been aware of Dr. Dog until very recently, but I have been so pleasantly surprised by their new album Fate that I have to share my thoughts with you. This album is so excitingly fresh and decidedly different in its approach to folk-rock, and the character of this band comes across as clear as the production qualities. “Uncovering the Old” sounds like Thom Yorke and that band of his took up an optimisitic theme for once. “Hang On” disguises its soul influences behind a groovy piano riff and a banjo solo. “The Rabbit, The Bat, and the Reindeer” begins as a staccatoed beauty, but soon explodes into a stringed-backed masterpiece. There’s a lot here for all tastes and preferences, so have a listen to Dr. Dog’s Fate.
As you may well know, CSV does not highlight many hip-hop-oriented artists. In an effort to stay somewhat balanced, I wanted to highlight the new album from Hint Driven from Distractions. From what I can tell (including my own hopes), there is a good deal of anticipation for the first LP-follow up to Hint’s Portakabin Fever. Six years later, Hint’s style has deviated into a more danceable type of electro-hip-hop. “Keep Your Shirt On”, featuring the vocal stylings of Laura Vane, is an insanely groovy track. Vane continues to impress on “One Woman Army” as she sings over strong synths from the hand of Hint’s Jonathan James.
Not Dylan this time, but a neat interpretation of the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Neptunes. It’s also featured on the trailer of the new movie “Righteous Kill”.
The predictably unpredictable Beck Hansen (aka Beck) somehow, someway also churns out gold. And his latest LP Modern Guilt is no deviation from that standard of excellence. Though Beck is the master of altering his style from one album to the next, Modern Guilt has the same feel as The Information. The only palpable difference is that some of the songs have slowed down a bit–but don’t think that Beck has.
Grab a copy of 
You know that excitement you get when you see a new album by a band that that always managed to please your ears? You know that disappointment when you find out that (as is custom) that new album just doesn’t cut it? Well, I certainly felt the former with Stereo MCs newest Double Bubble, and unfortunately I can’t say that I disagree with the latter sentiment either. The baggy-clothed, desheviled-white-rapper look is losing its novelty. The rhymes and the delivery are still there, and as catchy and intriguing as ever. But it is undeniable that the melodies are loose and incoherent, and that they are audibly lacking enough noise. Nearly each track starts out with an interesting hook, but nothing is ever built upon (I’m ending this sentence with a preposition, so so sue me). But there is just enough here to entice you, the remind you of the days of yore. “Show Your Light” sounds like Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” meeting the genius of a rapper. And the MCs show a little move in a different direction with the excellently soulful “You Got It All”. So check out 
Listen to “
