New music: Twain - I'll Be Fooled Again

Twain is the side project of Low Anthem multi-instrumentalist Mat Davidson, who has recorded a new album of beautiful, understated folk songs with the help of Ken Woodward (Annie & The Beekeepers) and Pete Pezzimenti titled Love Is All Around.  Davidson's pure voice and fingerpicked guitars alongside slide guitar, singing saw and bouncy rhythms give the songs a light, airy and almost tropical feel at times.  It's a wholly pleasing listen, introspective and fun at the same time - great for those times that you want something mellow but still uplifting.

One of the clear highlights for me is "I'll Be Fooled Again", a flat-out gorgeous rumination on loss and one of my favorite songs of the year.  Listen/download below and watch a beautiful live performance captured by Possum Den Productions.

Twain - I'll Be Fooled Again

The album seems to only be available by mail for now, but go to the band's myspace page for ordering details.

21 Favorite Albums of 2010: 12-16

12. Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame

Dr. Dog's music has always found a comfortable groove somewhere between The Band's rootsy-rock and The Beatles' more psychedelic moments.  Nothing on Shame, Shame, does anything to change that reputation, but why change a formula that works?  What has changed over time is the band's confidence on stage and willingness to commit that live, raw sound to tape as opposed to the more carefully-crafted studio creations that characterized their early records.  Indeed Shame, Shame follows that progression, featuring loud electric guitars, bouncy basslines and a swagger that translates directly to the stage - but the songs are the key.  At the same time ragged, poignant, anthemic - it's an album that begs to be played amongst friends, loudly.

Dr. Dog - Shadow People

13. Sharon Van Etten - Epic

Last year, Sharon Van Etten's Because I Was In Love was more or less an afterthought for me.  My mistake.  From the first time I heard Epic, though, I was hooked and instantly fell in love with Van Etten's intensely emotional songs and soaring voice.  I've called her songs "moody odes to love and loss [that] are best consumed late at night with a bottle of something strong" - but I'm now convinced there isn't necessarily a certain time or mood for these songs.  As music fans we so often find our pleasure in the pain of the artists, and this is surely one of those times - but as personal as these songs are, Sharon Van Etten turns the pain into something beautiful, something we can all relate to.

Sharon Van Etten - Don't Do It

14. The Head And The Heart - Self-Titled

The Head And The Heart's debut album kind of snuck up on me - after hearing a song or two a few months ago, it didn't fully hit me until a recent trip to Seattle (the band's hometown).  Since rediscovering it, the record has firmly taken root and earned its place on this list.  Folky, Beatles-esque pop is right in my wheelhouse so it's really no surprise that this makes the list.  The songs reflect the fact that the band is made up of a group of recent transplants to Seattle, touching on themes of exploration, the meaning of home and friendship.  On "Down In The Valley" they "I am on my way back to where I started" as the song builds on a shuffling beat and rolling piano.  One of many beautiful moments on this fantastic, and promising debut album.

The Head And The Heart - Down In The Valley

15. Delta Spirit - History From Below

Delta Spirit's sophomore effort History From Below was a long time coming, and one of my most eagerly-awaited albums of the year.  Following 2007's breakthrough Ode To Sunshine the band toured incessantly, building an increasingly rabid fanbase.  History From Below delivered on all of the expectations - expanding the scope of Matt Vasquez's songwriting and the band's guitar-driven sound.  The album blends social commentary with pure sun-soaked pop, ragged edges with swelling singalong choruses.  Still, the bands live show will blow away every studio cut - but that's more of a testament to their impressive live prowess than any shortcomings of the album.

Delta Spirit - Bushwick Blues

16. Joe Pug - Messenger

Joe Pug's Nation Of Heat EP was my first introduction to the singer-songwriter and his set at Newport Folk 2009 was one of the highlights of the festival for me - a single man on stage with just a guitar, harmonica and a few great songs.  His full-length debut Messenger features a fuller sound, adding electric guitar, pedal steel and a rhythm section.  His songs of relationships and personal struggles are delivered with the same plainspoken honesty - "How Good You Are" a tribute to his father, "Not So Sure" a reflection on a failed relationship, "Bury Me Far (From My Uniform)" an affecting plea sung from the perspective of a fallen soldier.  Messenger is a fantastic album from an exciting young songwriter - looking forward to hearing a lot more from Joe Pug.

Joe Pug - Messenger

New music: Porcelain Raft - The Back Of My Eyes

Porcelain Raft's dreamy bedroom-pop is the work of London's Mauro Remiddi.  The songs that comprise three EPs (all available on his website and bandcamp) are hazy vignettes that veer between psychedelic and electronic - perfect music to get lost in on a snowy day.

Porcelain Raft will be at Great Scott with Tennis and Holiday Shores - definitely a can't-miss show - tickets available here.

Sample "The Back Of My Eyes" below...

Porcelain Raft - The Back Of My Eyes

Middle Brother album gets release date, tracklist (with live mp3)

Note:  updated with album version of "Me Me Me" from Middle Brother's forthcoming debut, available here.

Word of a collaboration between Delta Spirit's Matt Vasquez, Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith and Deer Tick's John MacCauley surfaced months ago.  The indie folk-rock supergroup, originally dubbed MG&V, will go under the name Middle Brother.  The group's debut record will drop March 1 on Partisan Records - see the tracklist below, along with an mp3 of "Me Me Me" from the Paradise last March (Deer Tick). (Updated with album version).

Daydreaming
Blue Eyes
Thanks For Nothing
Middle Brother
Theater
Portland
Wilderness
Me Me Me
Someday
Blood and Guts
Mom and Dad
Million Dollar Bill

You can preorder the album here.  No east coast tour dates listed yet, but I expect some to be announced soon - as soon as I hear anything I'll be sure to let everyone know.

New music: Auld Lang Syne - Christmas Eve (Writhing Days)

Rochester roots rock band Auld Lang Syne has released a Christmas song for the holiday season.  The 10 minute epic isn't your average jolly, festive Christmas song, which is exactly why I love it - a slow dirge complimented by piano, sleighbells and Timothy Dick's deep baritone. Those familiar with the band's music (and if you aren't, you should be) will find the sound reminicent of some of the tracks from 2009's excellent Midnight Folly. Sit around the fireplace with your hot, spiked drink of choice and take it all in. 

Watch the video, or stream/download the mp3:

21 Favorite Albums of 2010: 17-21

17. Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues

Justin Townes Earle had a bit of a rough 2010.  First a freak injury caused a last-minute cancellation of his set at Newport Folk, then Earle found himself in the headlines when he was arrested after an alleged outburst in Indianapolis.  However, 2010 also saw the release of the country-folk troubadour's third album, Harlem River Blues.  Earle's music has always reflected a gritty, urban take on traditional country, but Harlem River Blues takes it right to the streets of New York.  A variety of influences from rockabilly to honky tonk to folk and blue-eyed soul keeps things fresh.  Harlem River Blues is mature album from a man that is starting to make a name for himself beyond the shadow of his father.

Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues

 

18. Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone

Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy may sound like an odd pairing on the surface - the legendary gospel-soul singer and the indie-folk-noise troubadour don't really have all that much in common, right?  Well, while stylistic and age differences may separate them, the love of song and story unites them.  Tweedy contributed two new compositions, including the instant-classic that gives the record its name, and lovingly curated and produced the rest of the album.  Staples, still a dynamic liver performer, continues her late career renaissance with a gorgeous, invigorating album of spirituality and hope.

Mavis Staples - You Are Not Alone

19. Pepper Rabbit - Beauregard

Pepper Rabbit's Shakes/Clicks EPs were some of my favorite discoveries of the early part of 2010 (originally self-released in 2009).  The work primarily of multinstrumentalist Xander Singh and percussionist Luc Laurent, the songs feature eclectic instrumentation - vibraphone, banjo and woodwinds to name a few. Each song feels like a precious, perfectly-realized indie-pop vignette.  Beauregard, the band's debut LP was released in late-October, recycling the tracks that I already knew and loved, while adding two (excellent) new songs.  The release was a bit anticlimactic for me, given that I knew most of the songs already, but I can't ignore this as one of my favorite releases of the year - pure indie-folk-pop bliss.

Pepper Rabbit - Harvest Moon

20. Peter Wolf Crier - Inter-Be

When I first heard Peter Wolf Crier's debut Inter-Be I assumed they were a standard 3 or 4 piece band.  Then, when I found out they were a duo, I skeptically assumed that their sound was the result of overdubs and studio trickery.  Then I saw them live and was amazed to see two guys alone on stage, faithfully reproducing the complex sounds from the record with nothing more than electric guitar, drums and a variety of pedals.  The songs themselves are simple folk tunes, often featuring falsetto vocals and Brian Moen's deceptively complex percussion.  The result is something like a more percussive Bon Iver. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys, but until then, Inter-Be will be spinning often.

Peter Wolf Crier - Crutch and Cane

21. The Wooden Sky - If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone

Wondering why I chose to include 21 albums in my list?  Irony?  Indecision?  An unhealthy obsession with Blackjack?  None of the above.  It was because I just had to include one album that was officially released in 2009, but I did not discover until 2010.  The truth is, this album would have been in my top 5 had it been released this year.  Think of this as a top 20 list plus "the one that got away".  The Toronto-based band writes folk songs that are accented by electric guitars, keyboards, percussion.  There are moments that are downright bombastic, others whisper-soft.  Like the best of Josh Ritter and Delta Spirit all in one - plus, they put on a fantastic live show.  It boggles my mind that these guys are not huge yet.

The Wooden Sky - (Bit Part)

Honorable mentions - some other albums we loved this year

Phosphorescent - Here's To Taking It Easy
Beach House - Teen Dream
Futurebirds - Hampton's Lullaby
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record
Crusaders of Love - Never Grow Up
Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
The Head and The Heart - Self-titled
Reigning Sound - Love & Curses
Anais Mitchell - Hadestown
Chief - Modern Rituals
Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Harlem - Hippies

The Remains - Don't Look Back live at the BMAs

THE highlight of the 2010 Boston Music Awards for me was seeing The Remains.  Though I wasn't around when the band was in their heyday, I've loved their songs for years and always felt they were criminally underappreciated -- even in their hometown of Boston.  While people probably think The Standells (a bunch of Californians) are Boston's greatest garage rock band, The Remains seem mostly forgotten.  So, it was a fitting if-overdue honor when The Remains were honored as Hall of Fame recipients at this years BMAs.  After accepting their award, the band took the stage and played a set of lost classics to a packed crowd.  40+ years later "Don't Look Back" could take on a very different meaning, but Barry Tashian and crew were clearing having a lot of fun onstage reliving the glory days, and their excitement was infectious.  I had chills seeing a band that until a few weeks ago I never thought I would see live.  Enjoy the following video shot at the BMAs by our friends at Kitchen Sessions:

New music: The Head and the Heart - "Down In The Valley"

I've been in Seattle for just over 12 hours and it's been quite a whirlwind.  Last night I found myself sitting in a bar around 5am Boston-time, listening to Curtis Mayfield and talking with a former member of a band that I was assured I "had to check out".  The band's name was The Head and the Heart.  A few short hours later, after some much-needed sleep, a strong cup of coffee and The Head and the Heart's "Down In The Valley" eased my hangover.  A mix of bouncy Beatles-esque pop with a folky edge, pop sensibilities and enough gruffness from Josiah Johnson's to avoid getting too cute.  The songs are carefully written, expertly arranged and lovingly executed - a fully realized piece of art, not your average debut album.  Not breaking any news here, the album has been out for months -- in fact, I'm pretty sure I had listened to a few tracks before now, but for some reason this just sounds perfect today. Enjoy "Down In The Valley" below...

The Head and the Heart - Down In The Valley

The Head and the Heart will be at the Paradise on February 19 with Dr. Dog.

New music: The Low Anthem - Ghost Woman Blues

The Low Anthem's Smart Flesh is high on my list of most anticipated albums of 2011.  Oh My God, Charlie Darwin was probably my favorite album of 2008 (pre-Nonesuch rerelease), and from there I discovered What The Crow Brings Home, another near-perfect album of simple folk songs.  The band has yet to release a bad song, and that trend continues with "Ghost Woman Blues", the first track off of Smart Flesh.  The song may sound familiar from live shows over the past year, but the album version adds stately piano chords to compliment Ben Knox Miller's pure vocals. 

The Low Anthem also have a string of tour dates scheduled to support Smart Flesh, including a few of local shows.  The band will play the gorgeous Old South Church in Boston on March 4th - a somewhat ironic yet perfect venue for the band.  They will also be at Mass MoCa in North Adams on March 5 and Portland's SPACE Gallery on March 7.  Presale tickets available through thelowanthem.com starting Monday.

The Low Anthem - Ghost Woman Blues by visible voice

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