“Growing Up Is Strange” from Rupe gently spun in my ears this week. The acoustic guitar began our journey, before dry almost electronic or programmed drums come in, again, gently. They’re solid and hold down the song nicely. There’s an ominous synth or organ hiding in the background of this song for the entire duration. It’s a beautiful hum and white noise that carries you through. “I never thought I’d see the day when you would call me back” gently streams from the vocalists throat. How can we SEE a call? Its environment I say, and this track is heavy with it. There’s a climax or crescendo that sweeps across the track as more layers of guitar and keys join the journey. The electric guitar glides in and out, making you swoon for more. Not really much bass in the mix, but you don’t miss it. It’s there, just light. The build holds steady and just as you’re about to go full in, the song ends leaving you wanting more. I suggest a second listen as the journey is quite fulfilling. Don’t let its gentle side fool you, this is a solid tune, very groove laden. Would recommend.
Thursdays With J.R. – Rupe
Friday 5×5
Brevity is next to levity and we keep it frothy with these brief write ups on new music from Jimmy Beach, Alex Hellcat, Retrograde Conversations, Marmalade Mountain and Sound Science after the jump.
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Friday 5×5
Today we got five on it with new songs from Justin Lacy, The Oozes, Nemo Lakes, Cam Be with Peter Jericho and Max Bien Kahn after the jump.
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Friday 5×5
Holy hell, is it Friday again already? Time keeps on slipping, but this music does not. Check out our micro-reviews of new music from MOWESBY, Jake La Botz, Adee Gershon, Shrill Carder and Robert PM after the jump.
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Friday 5×5
Today we keep it tight for you daddy, with only a few words about new songs from Jeff Hulett, Yvan Poisson, The Lovelines, Red Mecca and Romain Gutsy after the jump.
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The B-Side: Shelterheart
As anyone who has been following music for the past 20 years knows, there is no shortage of indie folk out there. From the whispered to the rambunctious and every variation in between, it is ground well covered. What a delightful surprise it is then when a song like “In Photographs” arrives wearing the tell tale trappings of the genre but also transcending them. Falling on the expansive and orchestral side of indie folk (Jim James, Bon Iver, etc…) Shelterheart gives us a sound that is at once familiar and comforting but also original enough to float up above the din of a thousand other groups working the same sonic field. I guess a simpler way to say that is to say that when a song is good its good and that’s all there is to it. You just feel it on a different level, and “In Photographs” hits that mark.
Friday 5×5
Today got five on it for new tracks from Battle Ave, Dreaming of Islands, Saloon Dion, Daisy Glaze and Nate Heller featuring King Isis after the jump.
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Tuesday Tip-Off: Sarah Walk
As much as we applaud adventurous and genre bending/breaking songs on this blog, it’s not always necessary to reinvent the wheel. Especially when the wheel is as exquisitely crafted as this one is. “Same Road” by Sarah Walk may be in some ways a straight forward singer-songwriter ballad, the kind we’ve heard a million times before, but it is anything but common. There is a simple perfection to this number that reminds us why this is such a well worn genre, because when its this good there’s just simply nothing quite like it for pushing certain musical and emotional buttons.
Play Listy For Me – Americana, Folk & Roots Vol. 5
Back from our vacation in the Smoky Mountains, but still feeling that vibe, so here’s a playlist to get you on our level.