Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Everybody’s favorite Jimmy Tamborello side project (no, not James Figurine) Dntel has just release a new album Dumb Luck. To those of you who read this blog on a daily basis, Dntel might seem an odd choice. With my electronic days behind me, it often takes a pretty darn good electronic album to make it to the blog (not that we’re that big time anyhow, but there’s got to be quality control).

Anyhow, Dumb Luck is less clicks and clacks, blips and bleeps and more dreamy pop that reminds me of genre-mate Milosh. Muffled scratchy noises (almost sounding like a Didgeridoo) take background to many of the songs, and psychedelic raspy vocals simply drift over the fragile melodies. I would be lying if I said I loved the album in its entirety–there are certainly tracks (i.e. the middle ones) that are lacking, but this album hits more than it misses. “The Distance” is simply a fantastic song with a great Sunday-on-the-beach feel to it. “Rock My Boat” is the most Postal Service-esque song on the album, but it lacks that particular pop quality to it that could make it a favorite.

Overall that seems to be the bottom line with this album–almost good enough to be a Postal Service imitation. I guess it’s an unfair label, seeing as that Tamborello is going to forever be tied to the mail carrier.

Either way, check out Dumb Luck.
Listen to “The Distance” (4.85/5)
Listen to “Rock My Boat” (3.8/5)

Lighten up, kids, grab a banana. Today, we’re talking about DIY (that’s Do it Yourself for all those abbreviation impaired) artist Emil Svanängen (I love the Swedes!) who goes by the name of Loney, Dear. Svanangen works out of a “very modest home studio setup, using a minidisc mic and a set of headphones to avoid disturbing his neighbors” (from his myspace). The result is a Postal Service-lite, featuring songs that range from achingly sweet to the folk-anthem-like arrangements. In his most recent release, Loney, Noir, Emil blends a delicate, fragile voice that manages to just float over the melodies. Upon multiple listens, I am struck by the lack of abrasiveness in the album–not to be mistaken for overproduction (it’s certainly more on the lo-fi side). The songs have this easy-like-Sunday-morning feel to them, much like those of the Postal Service, but there’s also a certain workmen’s quality to them. This is what music would sound like if a coal miner and a corporate secretary got together and hatched an album.

If that doesn’t do it for you, then maybe you just need to check out a few of the tracks. My personal favorite “I Am John” begins as a cute na-na-na lullaby that develops into a full-fledge electrofolk song that just seeps into the cavities of your body (maybe too much imagery there). And when the horns delicately come in, it’s just magnificent. Have a listen to “And I Won’t Cause Anything At All” and you’ll understand why I’m comparing him to TPS. [side note: Speaking of which, aren't those two due out for a new album soon? (Foreshadowing: Dntel)]

As you know, I’m encouraging a purchase here: Loney, Noir
Listen to “I Am John” (4.8/5)
Listen to “And I Won’t Cause Anything At All” (4.4/5)