Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

On my ride into work today, I popped in what is becoming one of my favorite albums for this summer. The album "Gorilla Manor" is by Local Natives, an indie band from Silver Lake, LA. Their sound is perfect for the summer, as it incorporates ambient vocals and heady guitar riffs. A really good pop album.

Listen below to "Gorilla Manor" in its entirety. My favorite tracks are "Sun Hands," "Wide Eyes," and "World News":

The Tallest Man on Earth

I have been interested in singer-songwriters lately, particularly those that are blending their sound with classically trained composers, such as Nico Muhly. There are countless folk musicians out there, fusing their mellow, introspective temperament with the austere and complex harmonies of up and coming “post classical” composers. However, I want to talk about one who is not doing this.

Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, known as The Tallest Man on Earth, has been sticking to a more raw and simplistic folk-revival. Although he is obviously a super talented and complex musician, he has embraced a pure approach to his music, opting not to collaborate with others and instead to stick with what works: his captivating voice and his guitar.

Some of his guitar riffs sound like those done previously by Harry Taussig or Bert Jansch, showing that he has taken a lot from both American blues and English folkstyle, but his voice is something new to me. His voice, along with his impressive guitar skills, are a complete package. I guess some people think he is trying to emulate Bob Dylan. I just think I like him better than Bob Dylan.

Here is a great track, "The Wild Hunt," from an impressive album that he just released "The Wild Hunt:"

New Jonsi Album!

Jonsi, the front man from Sigur Ros, has released a solo album "go" and is hitting the road to tour.

Here is the album in its entirety for online streaming, enjoy!

Debashish Bhattacharya and Bob Brozman

Hello All -

So, I stumbled across the following musicians - quite serendipitously, I might add - while listening to my favorite late night music show "New Sounds" with John Schaefer on WNYC. I had been looking into slide guitarists earlier in the day and craving some slide guitar music, only to discover two new incredible guitarists.

Bob Brozman, a strange guitarist who seems to have bounced around the world and played with musicians on practically every continent, spent a little time in India with India's preeminent slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya to record a very unique album.

They recorded one track in particular that makes my hair stand on end: Tagore Street Blues.

I highly recommend a listen below:

New Ariel Pink: "Round and Round"

Check out this new tune from Ariel Pink. Reminds me of the soundtrack from Whit Stillman's "The Last Days of Disco," but with a touch of optimism:

Horse Feathers New Album

While I am in the mood of posting some quiet and beautiful songs, I am going to share another tune that is rather striking. This one is "Thistled Spring" off the new album "Thistled Spring" by Horse Feathers, due to release next week.

Enjoy...

Sarah Siskind

Thankfully a friend pointed out Sarah Siskind the other day, and this song is blowing my mind.

Enjoy.