Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks

March 8th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in folk-rock  |  1 comment

Frightened Rabbit are receiving infinitely more mainstream attention than they did back in the post-”Midnight Organ Fight” days. They placed top of my albums of 2008 list at a time when their rallying Scottish folk-rock had barely brushed the top of the blogosphere. Now, a week before the release of their third album “The Winter Of Mixed Drinks” – they have taken the title of the most streamed artist on the UK Myspace charts.

Sean Hayes – Run Wolves Run

February 25th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in folk, folk-rock  |  4 comments

There’s something undeniably raw and emotional in the voice of Sean Hayes. There’s also something unquestionably raw about the instruments that backup Sean Hayes. Together, their sound is phenomenal, and it’s not just because this isn’t what I usually listen to. His new album, Run Wolves Run, to be released on March 16, showcases both the traditional, slower-paced melodic ambivalence of his prior records, and a newer, more actively band-like repertoire.

The Devil Makes Three – The Devil Makes Three

February 8th, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in bluegrass, folk-rock  |  3 comments

I know what you’re thinking and don’t worry, this sounds nothing like country. It’s more of a rustic, dusty, bluesy scenario than what you might be used to. The song writing is absolutely fantastic, especially the lyrics. On this album (their first), there exists a very abstract piratey feel reminscent of Rain Dogs by the great Tom Waits.

Bahamas – Pink Strat

February 3rd, 2010  |  by hannahsimon  |  published in acoustic, folk-rock  |  1 comment

I couldn’t help but smile the first time I heard Bahamas LP Pink Strat. Though it was a rainy day in San Francisco, as I listened to the dreamy tunes of Afie Jurvanen, I was transported to summer bliss. You see, Jurvanen is a Toronto musician who doesn’t let the cold Canadian winters into his songs. He’s spent the last few years playing piano and guitar with popular Canadian bands like Feist, Jason Collett, Howie Beck, and Hayden. Bahamas marks his step into a summery, solo-artist spotlight.

Laura Veirs – July Flame

January 30th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in female vocalists, folk, folk-rock

The title track “July Flame” is one of those immediately hypnotic tracks that is a bit unsettling, with haunting lyrics like, “ashes of a secret heart falling in my lemonade”, one can’t help but become addicted. While immediately drawn to certain songs, upon repeated listens, each track manages to worm its way into your head and heart. This is the first truly flawless album I have come across in 2010, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to inaugurate what is sure to be a great year of new music.

Capybara – Try Brother

December 20th, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in folk-rock, indie pop  |  1 comment

I’m tempted to conclude that banjos are the “coolest” thing to include in your lineup these days. But that’s misleading. Rather, it’s more appropriate to say that some good old-fashioned multi-instrumentalism is in fashion. Take Capybara, for example: these four guys quit their respective jobs in Brooklyn and Portland to cram into a van and travel through the deserts of New Mexico and up the coast of California. They packed xylophones, pianos, drums, etc. etc. etc. The result? A kickass mish-mash of folk-rock, folk-pop, indie-pop, you name it.

Drew Stiles – Drew Stiles

December 10th, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in folk-rock

smash together matt costa and jason mraz and throw in a little beck, and you’ve almost hit this sound on the head. but wait, hold on tight for the misery of elliott smith! unfortunately, in the end, the shortcoming of this album appears to be just that: the tired-nature of these slower, sadder elliott-esque songs. what elliott smith was able to do with downright depression cannot, and should not, in my opinion, be attempted by others.