Category Archives: New Releases

New Stereophonics: Violins & Tambourines

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Earlier this week, news came out that my fave Welsh band, The Stereophonics, would be releasing their new album in early 2013 (not sure what this means for a stateside release). This in itself is cause for Krissie-celebration.  But it gets better…..

Along with the announcement of the forthcoming new album, they rolled out a video/mini-movie for the first single, “Violins and Tambourines.”  IT IS SO GOOD. I’m not much for videos – I think the music should be able to stand on its own.  However, with the ‘Phonics, the video only serves to augment the story.  Lead singer Kelly Jones, who directed this dark little mini-movie, has a knack for observing the people around him and capturing the little details, eccentricities and monotony of everyday life in his lyrics.  “Violins and Tambourines” is no different – except now, there’s a face that goes along with Jones’ story.  The tune is filled with undulating guitars, strings and a crescendo of percussion that catches you up in the seedy underworld constructed by the lyrics and Jones’ ever-brooding vocals.

 

The song and video have definitely whet my appetite for some new ‘Phonics…now I just have to hope that a U.S. release date doesn’t take until 2014!

More Stereophonics:  Web | Facebook | Twitter

Mum on Mumford

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Mumford and Sons

Hot-to-trot UK artists Mumford & Sons are everyone’s darlings…except mine. What’s wrong with my ears?

Last week, amid scores and scores of my music friends clamoring about the new Mumford & Sons release, Babel, I kept my mouth shut.  Why? I do not get the hype.  For someone who considers music her biggest passion in life, you’d think I would be ashamed to admit these things, huh?  I’m not.

I do feel like I’m just missing something, though.  What in the world makes people ga-ga over them?  [Aside: I also don’t get Muse, and I thought John Mayer was better when Clay Cook was writing his songs, so I guess I just have no musical sense whatsoever.]

It’s not that I don’t appreciate their talent – I do.  The dudes obviously have some serious chops.  But sometimes, the ear just love what the ear loves – and mine does not love Mumford. Call me blasphemous, I suppose, but I just don’t think they’re all that original.

That said, when word got out today that Daytrotter had a new Mumford & Sons session up with a cover of Springsteen’s “Atlantic City”…well, I had to go check it out.  It’s one of my favorite Bruce songs, and I can appreciate someone who does a great cover of it. If anything can make me love a band, it’s turning a Springsteen song into something new and original.  That’s how I caught on to The Hold Steady, after all. My love for Matthew Ryan blossomed upon hearing his cover of “Something in the Night.”  And I developed a new found appreciation for Ben Harper after he covered “My Father’s House.”

But alas, even Bruce love can’t help this cause.  The cover didn’t stir my soul.  I’m still completely loveless for Mumford.

Really, is there something wrong with my ears that I don’t get this band?  Someone help me out.

Friday Awesomeness: Free Track from The Rescues

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Songwriter powerhouse quartet The Rescues are prepping fans for their sophomore release with a free download of the new single, “Arrow,” on AmericanSongwriter.com.

L.A. songwriter supergroup The Rescues has been in the studio recording, and I know I’m one of thousands anxiously awaiting their new effort Blah Blah Love and War.  After seeing them live at Charlotte’s most intimate little venue, The Evening Muse, in 2009, I became a huge fan.  Four extremely powerful vocalists whose voices blend together to send tingles up your spine easily made it one of my favorite performances of that year.  Their 2010 release, Let Loose the Horses, was a finely-crafted work of harmonies and lyrical wonderment that just reinforced that live experience.

In anticipation of their upcoming release, Kyler, Adrianne, Rob and Gabriel teamed up with American Songwriter to give away a free download of their new song “Arrow.”  It’s a gorgeous song and has me salivating to get my hands on the new album. It is definitely worthy of the Friday Awesomeness!

DOWNLOAD “ARROW” BY THE RESCUES AT AMERICAN SONGWRITER

The Rescues are running a PledgeMusic campaign to record this new album and it’s not too late to contribute.  They’ve already reached their goal, but they still have some cool supporter packages available.  If you dig what you hear, think about chipping in!

More The Rescues:  Web | Facebook | Twitter | Download Let Loose the Horses on iTunes or Amazon for $7.99

Download Now: Jonah Smith, Little Known Cure (Pre-Order)

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Little Known Cure, Jonah Smith

A blues explosion from Jonah Smith with gorgeous songwriting and tremendous instrumentation.

If you’re into the blues, you need to drop what you’re doing right now and check out New Yorker Jonah Smith’s new album, Little Known Cure.  If the three tracks you get as part of the pre-order deal are any sort of preview of what the full album holds, it’s easily going to be in a hot contest for my Top 10 of the year.

Jonah’s no stranger to the music biz, having been out and playing professionally for a dozen years or so. He remains criminally unheard in my opinion, despite work with Relix Records and playing a slot at Bonnaroo in 2007.

I first stumbled on Jonah’s music in 2009 – randomly on iTunes, if I remember correctly – and wore out his Lights On album, which was released in 2008.  Found the music just in time for him to go into relative solo silence for a few years. Last year he emerged with a little side project called The Statesman with musicians that he has regularly played with over the years – Josh Dion, Scott Metzger and Ben Rubin (pick up that whole album for free here).

Now, finally, Jonah is back with this new record, and with the opening track of the pre-order, you know right away what you’re getting.  “Blues Sideways” says it all.  These three tracks dive deep with bluesy guitar, sexy percussion, and Jonah’s gorgeous smoky vocal. Try the back-alley, ominous soul of “Buzzing Flies.”  It’ll knock your socks off. By the time you get to the piano-rich stunner “I Came Here to Love You,” YOU will be in love with Jonah Smith.

Little Known Cure is out August 18th on digital outlets worldwide.  The pre-order includes physical CD option, as well.  $9 for digital only, or $13 for the physical CD and digital copy.

More Jonah Smith:  Web | Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp

Something New: Liam Titcomb

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I love all music, but if I had to pick a genre that was my “power alley,” it would be singer-songwriter every day of the week, and three times on Monday.  So I thought it only appropriate that before I got to sleep to head into Monday, I share one of my newest favorite musical finds – a Canadian fella named Liam Titcomb.

There is nothing more than I love more than the sound of a great singer and an acoustic guitar.  Liam’s lilting voice pulled me in immediately and I made fast work of downloading his Love Don’t Let Me Down EP – which led to me immediately pre-ordering his new album, Cicada, set for release on August 7th. Anything this man sings, I want to own.

I’ll have to do a bit more buying because Liam’s been doing this songwriting thing for quite some time – he was signed to Sony Canada at age 15!  Apparently, the Canadians are trying to keep him all to themselves…why am I just now hearing about this talented singer?  Sorry ’bout your luck, Canada.  I found your secret and I’m sharing it with the world.

Here’s a video of Liam performing one of the songs that is on the Love Don’t Let Me Down EP and that will be featured on the new record.  I think I’ve played it 100 times in the three days I’ve had the EP.  Here’s hoping it gives your Monday a little boost, too.

More Liam Titcomb: Web | Facebook | Twitter