When its time to get in trouble…we know just what to do
Band of Horse – Windows Blues
So I realized a wile ago that I have completely shifted gears in musical interests. Or, should say what I feel like hearing. Lately its been Americana, Alt Country(I feel cool throwing that title out), and more Indie stuff than ever before. I’m not really sure who to blame for this preference revolution. I can think of a few females, and a few breaks (both good and bad), but maybe I’m just getting old or something. Damn I hope that’s not it.
I’m always listening, reading about, and basically digging for new music and whatever else is cool that I can find. I’ll be the first to admit that while I’m open to all types of stuff, I also have pretty ingrained biases and am quick to judge. I’m working on this and hopefully one day I’ll get past it.
But for now it is what it is.
On that note, three cd’s I’ve been listening nonstop for a while now. I’ve talked about a couple of them before, but not really in any detail. They are listed in order of personal preference, but I wouldn’t be writing about it if I wasn’t already addicted, so that should count for something….right?
As always. My pick on poster art accompanying each artist.
Josh Ritter – Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.
Once again it was a love at first sight kind of thing. I have to give credit to All Songs Considered once again for this introduction. While Josh Ritter has been around for a while, I unfortunately was not in the know until just recently. I have wasted no time in covering the full catalog, and it definitely does not disappoint. I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t hooked by the ultra-catchy opening track, but that’s how it always happens for me. This cd is sort of like Rihanna in that it’s basically damn hot from floor to ceiling. I’d say this disk is a lover and a fighter with about a 50-50 split on up and down tempo tunes. He’s been constantly compared to Dylan and Springsteen, which wouldn’t normally fire me up all that much, but I think it’s the best of both worlds. I’m not going to tell you its flashy or hip, but its evocative and fun, which is what we’re all looking for anyways….right? Every track is a possible mix selection, so don’t even bother just listen to the whole thing.
Josh Ritter – Kathleen
Josh Ritter – Temptation of Adam. – Speaking of this song. I mean honestly, who doesn’t love the concept of living in a moment and wrestling with the choice between losing love or immortalizing it with a nuclear gesture.
Band of Horses – Cease to Begin
I’d compare this CD to a blind date that I had already planned on cooking breakfast for. I was in love with this album before they even made the trip up to Ashville to lay it down. Their first release, Everything All The Time, was nothing short of amazing and I just couldn’t see them running out of whatever magical fairy dust they use to create that sound. I think it could just be mountains of reverb, but I’m cool with it if it is. For me, this disk started where their last one ended, and went both backwards and forwards. The mellow became delicate, the rock became country, and to be honest I’m really not even sure how to describe the rest. It’s somewhere in between and beyond what came before, but grounded with the same amazing vocals and lyrics that are unique to say the least. I have all kinds of love for the fact that they returned from Seattle to their South Carolina roots and decided to stake out the woods of Awendaw in what I’m hoping will lead to some random SC shows. My favorite track on the album, “The General Specific”, seems to be about this very transition. Other tracks that will no doubt find their way onto mixes for my friends include, “Ode to the LRC”, and Cigarettes, Wedding Bands”. This is now at the top of my vinyl-to-buy list, as it should be on your damn-I-gotta-listen-to list. Artwork by Andrew Vastagh
Others Wrote:
Band of Horses – The general Specific
Kelly Willis – Translated from Love
Okay, so if you didn’t already know, I actually like country. Not all country, but it’s about the only radio I consistently listen to and it seems that possibly 20% of the genre is still pretty genuine. I think I’m attracted to it because it’s simple and not complicated, unlike everything else in life. This album just plain does it for me. Seducing me as if she was sitting next to me with just the acoustic, it’s not flashy but has soul, and it just has that genuine, not overproduced sound that I find contaminates a lot of mainstream country(though I don’t really consider this 100% mainstream). Her sound just seems a little too cool for Nashville, which is probably why it doesn’t come from there anymore. I find it so up front and honest, that I almost feel guilty if doubts even begin to creep into my subconscious. Possible mix tracks for me would be “Sweet Sundown” and “Losing You”. Artwork by The Butler Brothers.
Kelly Willis – Losing You
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