Peggy Sue – Fossils and Other Phantoms

August 27th, 2010  |  by Max Jacobs  |  published in female vocalists, folk, folk-rock  |  no comments

To say they sing love songs wouldn’t be quite accurate. Songs of love lost describes their music better. But even that phrase suggests a focus on depression or sadness. Rex and Klaw certainly discuss those themes, along with regret and longing, but the two also express a beautiful understanding of love; one that acknowledges the joy and comfort it can bring while also accepting the unpredictability and inevitability of its demise.

Sufjan Stevens – I Walked

August 27th, 2010  |  by Jason Grishkoff  |  published in folk  |  5 comments

The five minutes of “I Walked” is heavy on the percussion, a bit of a new approach to Sufjan’s typical folk-pop. To be honest, I’m pleasantly surprised. I believe wholeheartedly that band ought to evolve and adapt, and I was a little disappointed that his EP didn’t do too much of that. Here, however, we’re finding ourselves presented by something completely different. What’s your take?

Volunteer Pioneer – EP

August 25th, 2010  |  by Jen Verzosa  |  published in experimental, folk, folk and acoustic  |  2 comments

Volunteer Pioneer is like the mutant hybrid of an acoustic Wolf Parade off psych meds and a harp-plucking, freak folk pixie Joanna Newsom that shut-up. (No offense.)

Geographer – Animal Shapes

August 20th, 2010  |  by Jennifer Kahn  |  published in experimental, folk, indie pop  |  4 comments

Geographer first caught my attention with the bright synths and lush, floating vocals in the single “Kites” off their EP Animal Shapes. This is a band that wants to take you on a journey and explore new territories of sound; even the band’s name, Geographer, suggests this kind of musical wanderlust.

Chris and Thomas – Land of Sea

August 12th, 2010  |  by Hannah Simon  |  published in acoustic, americana, folk  |  2 comments

Chris and Thomas’s 2006 album will make you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire somewhere in the American Southwest. What sets them apart from other acoustic folk bands is their lyricism and delicious harmonies.

Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss

July 31st, 2010  |  by Taylor Fife  |  published in acoustic, americana, folk, folk-rock, indie rock  |  4 comments

After years of being dominated with varieties of twee, freak folk, and singer-songwritingy mellowness, independent music finally dealt with the oversaturation of acoustic guitars and harmonicas by shifting heavily into synths and sampling. Synthpop/chillwave/dancepop has had a pretty good run at this point, but the latest release from Denver’s Nathaniel Rateliff might be just enough [...]

The Delta Shamans – Antebellum

July 23rd, 2010  |  by Kathlee Cleveland  |  published in acoustic, americana, folk  |  4 comments

I stumbled across Delta Shamans while weaving through shitty music videos on You Tube. I gotta say, Antebellum took my breath a bit. Each of the songs are amazing, with a wide range in tonality, but still remaining incredibly close to its folky roots.

Junip – Rope and Summit EP

July 14th, 2010  |  by Jess Alatorre  |  published in acoustic, folk  |  1 comment

While Junip may be most notable for the fact that Jose González is a member, the band has a sound that’s considerably upbeat (when compared to his solo work). This is no doubt due to the rounding contributions of Elias Araya (drums) and Tobias Winterkorn (organ, synth). Junip’s tender sounds walk the line of experimental, but the sounds never quite make it to edgy. While there’s not necessarily any lightening up on the use of González’s voice, one will hear a greater emphasis on his hums in sync with the other instruments, perhaps alluding to a rockier side, but still heavy on the early-morning-acoustic-folk-ambiance feel.

Here We Go Magic – Pigeons

May 3rd, 2010  |  by b aiken  |  published in experimental, folk, indie rock  |  1 comment

Pigeons, taken wholly, is an interesting piece. It definitely crosses genres, somewhat dramatically, and almost feels a bit disjointed. However, each song has a little something different, which certainly makes for a fresh listen. All in all I can’t say that I love this album, or this band, but it is in deed good music and deserves legitimate respect from the community.

Preview: Villagers – Becoming a Jackal

April 15th, 2010  |  by Jess Alatorre  |  published in acoustic, folk, indie rock  |  7 comments

Villagers’ debut album, “Becoming a Jackal”, is almost at our fingertips and the blog world suggests it has become one of 2010’s much anticipated releases. The songs of Villagers are the brainchild of Conor J. O’Brien. His lyrics read like poetry; the words could stand alone and still be art.