Elvis Perkins in Dearland – “Doomsday”
Posted by MattI can’t stop listening to Elvis Perkins in Deerland. Definitely one of the most underrated albums of 2009.
The Low Anthem – “This God Damn House”
Posted by MattMentions of The Low Anthem have scrolled across my glowing screen often as of late, but I sat oblivious to the band’s charms until last week. I happened upon their Lake Fever Sessions videos and now I am completely enamored. All of these videos are worth your time, but pay special attention to “This God Damn House.” It is something special.
With a menagerie of instruments–a beat up pump organ, a duct-taped baritone and a clarinet– the band creates a deceptively large orchestral-folk sound. It’s simple but full and comes with surprises. The organ’s foot pumps provide a strange but fitting rhythm that clicks just beneath the song throughout. And, the song’s last few bars take an ethereal turn when a pair of cell phones takes a whistled melody to another world.
Watch. You won’t be disappointed.
If you want more, check out the video for “Charlie Darwin” from the bands latest long player, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin. Another gem.
Molina & Johnson – “Twenty Cycles to the Ground”
Posted by Matt
Centro-Matic frontman Will Johnson has joined Magnolia Electric Co.’s Jason Molina for what will likely be the most understated indie supergroup of the year. The duo, under the name Molina & Johnson, releases a long-awaited self-titled LP next month.
Johnson’s aching melodies and weary delivery are at the forefront of the album’s opening track, “Twenty Cycles to the Ground.” But, Molina’s backing harmonies are a nice addition, providing levity by filling the crags in Johnson’s voice.
Molina & Johnson – “Twenty Cycles To the Ground”
Looking forward to hearing more from Molina & Johnson. The album is out Nov. 3 on Secretly Canadian.
Bowerbirds – “Northern Lights”
Posted by Matt
On “Northern Lights,” Bowerbirds take inventory of life’s simple necessities. At the top of the list are peace of mind, natural beauty and, most importantly, love–ideas that are plain in their presentation, but powerful in their message.
Musically, “Northern Lights” continues that inventory. The rhythm sways along with Bowerbirds’ proven instrumentation–an acoustic guitar, a basic drum beat and a few ornamental piano lines. Basic, but potent, when matched with Phil Moore’s lush vocals, especially as the song builds to its affirming peak.
It’s a wonderful song from start to finish, but the intoxicating refrain is what sticks to you: “All I want is your eyes/In the morning as we wake/For a short while.” The final line seems to come out of time, but falls into place at the last perfect moment.
Bowerbirds – “Northern Lights”
“Northern Lights” appears on Upper Air, out now via Dead Oceans. Bowerbirds are currently on tour.
J Tillman on Daytrotter
Posted by Matt
I think I owe Joshua Tillman an apology.
I picked up Vacilando Territory Blues months ago, gave it a few listens and lazily let it slip to the bottom of a growing playlist. It stayed there until last week, when I heard Tillman’s breathtaking Daytrotter Session, recorded in Austin during this year’s South by Southwest music conference.
The session’s four songs highlight what I like best about Tillman’s songwriting: his patience. He lets the right amount of space into his music, allowing his clear voice and emotive lyrics to do their work. On the Daytrotter Sessions, those spaces also let in the sounds of the room: a creaking chair and a singing bird outside the window. Serendipitous sounds that don’t distract, but in fact, give life to these recordings.
The session includes the alt-gospel “Master’s House”–for me, the highlight of Vacilando Territory Blues. It contains some of Tillman’s most potent lyrics, including the line “How easily the heart of man is tamed.” Indeed.
Daytrotter is a goldmine. You can download J. Tillman’s session and many, many others here.
Vacilando Territory Blues is out now on Western Vinyl.
