The Old is New Again It seems entirely odd to me that I would have lived through the 70’s, musically, and never have heard or even been exposed to Nick Drake. Yet, while driving to work the other day and listening to “The Loft” on SiriusXM radio, I heard for the first time One Of These Things First. It grabbed me enough that I had to take my eyes off the road long enough to push Info and see who this artist was. I filed it in memory and Googled it at first opportunity. Sure, I’ve heard references to Nick Drake…
Read MoreLet’s be clear: I love the addition of string instruments to otherwise pop, rock or folk tunes. There is more depth, more mystery and that is particularly true of Murder By Death and No Oath, No Spell from the September 2012 long-player Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon. In this stripped down performance featuring only band mates Adam Turla (guitar) and Sarah Balliet (cello) you get a taste of that richness, sans Matt Armstrong (bass), Dagan Thogerson (percussion) and multi-instrumentalist Scott Brackett….
Read MoreRich, orchestral vocal harmonies blend with just the right touches from the instruments to bring you Get Some Scars, the title track from Lux Lisbon’s latest (March 2013) EP. This is a band that is all about the vocals-and they shine! Lux Lisbon could easily go acapella if they wanted to, but just because they could doesn’t mean they should. The instruments are finely played and beautifully mixed. They add texture, emotion and their own beauty. Lux Lisbon’s story is brought to…
Read MoreI’ve been waiting for what seems like a long time for a decent video for Ramona from Night Beds. Finally in February 2013 just as the long-player was being released, this live in the studio session became available. Sirius XM radio’s The Loft has had this song on rotation for awhile and each time I’ve heard it I’ve been amazed by its quality, diversity and singability. Country Sleep is the long-player in question and may break out Night Beds for the talented band…
Read MoreUpdate: The video for this track is no more. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I like the video for Desert Bird from one of Spring’s Skull alter egos Louise L’Amour, but I love the music. Retro literally oozes from the pores of this song. The website describes the six-song EP, Cowgirl Slop Pop (February 2013), where Desert Bird is from as “loosely influenced by Ennio Morricone’s ‘Once Upon A Time in the West’ soundtrack, 1960′s surf, pop, and girl groups, ‘Gunslinger’ era Bo Diddley, and vocal music” which I can definitely hear. There is little information to be found on the…
Read More