Steven Hefter aka St. Even released a fine new album last month by the title of Spirit Animal. With an orientation quite ripe to serve as the sound for your seasonal change Spirit Animal moves under the instruction of strong folk song, good movement, plucked string and other sonics, and an innate reason to be. The record was recorded with Jake Kelly (Kimya Dawson) at Materials To Outlet Studios in Portland, Oregon.
http://www.facebook.com/SaintEvenMusic
http://www.dustbinrecords.com/
A while back Melbourne, Australia two-piece Big Scary released four EPs dedicated to the seasons, and now they’ve been compiled under the title of Four Seasons. All in all this is a moving work with the premier episodes showcasing vibrant acoustic frames, especially on tracks such as “Hamilton” that are sure to have many recalling Jeff Buckley’s stirring vocals. At a few stops Big Scary shake up the momentum by opting for electric trouncing rock runs and punchy vocals. Both charming and engaging throughout, Four Seasons is bound to exact an emotional connection on any listener who falls victim at all to this fine release.
On the subject of instrumental rock bands I’m a hard sell as I generally gravitate towards classical and jazz if I wish to go sans vocals. Furthermore, I’ve been bored one too many times by multiple guitarists playing the same riff in to submission as if they were somehow nearing the philosopher’s stone. Having said all that, and I could say more, I’ve played this Adebisi Shank album many many times and am always entertained by the aural distance it travels. From chaotic and maniacal to reprieves of out-there tropical and elsewhere, there’s always a sense of something going on here. Nice.
“International Dreambeat”
“Genki Shank”
http://www.sargenthouse.com/
http://www.facebook.com/adebisishank
http://adebisishank.com/
Following up their nice working EP, Good Old Horse, Gwyneth + Monko returned last month with further strains of folk and a new self-titled full length. Gwyneth Moreland’s home grown accents come by way of song and singing and are paired well to the end with Michael Monko’s accompaniments on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. See if this your destination with a listen to two tracks from the album situated below.
Fans of guitar rock, subsequent jams, talk of town & country, Black Crowes, Hendrix, and what occurs between, should find themselves at home with the new Stockholm Syndrome album Apollo. The band includes Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools and singer/songwriter Jerry Joseph and this is their first release since 2004.
http://www.stockholmsyndromeband.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/ssyndromeband
Sounding more like a band and less of bedroom introspection, Seattle based singer/songwriter Eric Elbogen recently released his latest album as Say Hi. Um, Uh Oh is suffused with the personal meditations we’ve become accustomed to on past releases, only this time the stance is far less withdrawn. In plain speak the album is a solid listen that neither bores or wastes time. Listen to “Devils” or stream the album here to get your own vision.
By far one of my favorite January new releases is Destroyer’s Kaputt, out now on Merge Records. On this latest outing Dan Bejar bakes an after dark city romance enlightened by brass injections, certain underlining groove, and a lyrical flow that completes the album as his best work yet. The proof is in the playing, so get a sense with the title track video and a dose of “Chinatown”. Enter through the exit and exit through the entrance when you can.
Kaputt
http://www.myspace.com/destroyer
http://www.mergerecords.com/
Portland by way of Boise trio System and Station returned a little while back with their newest full length, A Series of Screws. It all opens with “Pain Pills,” a shadowy acoustic number with a seesawing rhythm and tinted vocals that sometimes remind of Perry Farrell. Electric guitar sparks start to fly by the time second track, “Pardon Me”, rolls around with crunchy fire brimmed notes that swirl and cultivate a powder keg atmosphere. Throughout there is a sense of immediacy with the music owing much to the abundant attention holding melodies. It rocks and its catchy, what more do you need? A couple tracks are below to see what you think.
“Pain Pills” mp3
“Pardon Me” mp3
http://www.latestflame.com/
http://www.myspace.com/systemandstation
Bloomington, Indiana trio Waxeater have a debut titled Sleeper which fits nicely alongside early to mid-nineties Touch and Go bands like Tar, Jesus Lizard, and friends. Dirty vocals, strychnine guitar pulses, and steady drums bring a strain of punk/hardcore that will have some remembering exactly what they never got from pop happy melodies and current buzzbands who brag about smoking weed (as if that’s rare). Get a sense with a couple of tunes here.
http://www.latestflame.com/
http://www.myspace.com/waxeatermusic
Fops is Chadwick Donald Bidwell of Ral Partha Vogelbacher and Dee Kesler of Thee More Shallows and their album, Yeth Yeth Yeth, stands as one of my favorite late season releases. The record opens with a driving pulse as if burrowing through some inner earth or strangely fantastic alternate aquatic world all done up in synth and atmospheric density. Throughout there’s a compelling draw of movement and ambiance along with a kosmische influence that shows itself in varying degrees.
“Solid Copper Huntress”
“Maple Mountain”
Yellow Jacket Corpse
http://www.myspace.com/fopsyethyethyeth
http://www.monotremerecords.com
Talk of Delta Blues, love, Western Swing, whiskey, tequila blues, and Texas is just a little of what to expect from this new best of Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez collection. A rustic, dry, and dusty backdrop sets the stage for what some refer to as Americana, though more astute ears will discern this collection as higher shelf stuff. Along with four solid new tracks, The New Bye & Bye features Taylor hits – “Angel of the Morning” and “Wild Thing,” performed with Greg Leisz and guitarists Bill Frisell and Buddy Miller. Dive in and get a little dirty, this one will get you to feeling and thats really the only reason to listen.
Chip Taylor + Carrie Rodriguez Fall Dates:
Nov. 19 – New York, NY @ The Living Room
Nov. 20 – New York, NY @ The Living Room
Nov. 21 – Turner Falls, MA @ The Shea Theater w/ Carrie Rodriguez
Dec. 1 – Austin, TX @ The Cactus Café
Dec. 2 – Austin, TX @ Cactus Café w/ Carrie Rodriguez
Dec. 3 – Houston, TX @ Mucky Duck w/ Carrie Rodriguez
Dec. 11 – Wellsville, NY @ Wellsville Creative Arts Center
http://www.trainwreckrecords.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chip-Taylor/40438231724
Fans of things like Flaming Lips, Syd Barrett, and the space between should find safe haven with Echo Orbiter’s latest album, Euphonicmontage. This work travels from the grounded kaleidoscopic to mind dripping psychedelic lines held up in wise fashion by slightly twisted pan-technicolor orchestrations.
“Mouth of an Incomplete Twin”
“This Worm In Rigor Mortis”
http://www.myspace.com/theechoorbiter
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Echo-Orbiter/111988475479101?v=desc
http://twitter.com/#!/echo_orbiter
