Filed under: music | Tags: album, Matthew West, music, Never Going Back to OK, Switchfoot, The Afters, The Fray
The Afters prompt me to ask the question, “Do you ever wonder if there are competing band names in correlation with each other?” For example, aside from The Afters, are there bands like The Befores, The Durings or The Latent Memories? With that said, The Afters arrive almost on time to be noticed within the current Christian pop radio soundscape (with songs like “Myspace Girl” and “Tonight”). With their production, haircuts and matching coats, these guys give the appearance of a group desperately trying to be on your radio. However, for what they are, if it’s your thing, you could do much worse than download this band. Check for yourself.
Worth a listen, if you like: The Fray; Switchfoot; Matthew West.
Song Highlights: Tonight.
Filed under: music | Tags: bluegrass, music, music review, Nickel Creek, Punch, Punch Brothers
Punch Brothers are a couple of fistfuls of indulgent modern bluegrass. Fronted by Nickel Creek band member Chris Thile, the band delves into what traditionalists call “experimental bluegrass,” treating the compositions like jazz and three act plays, at once. The group can boast one of the cleverer album covers I’ve seen in awhile, which is almost enough for me to like them no matter what. Be prepared for the indulgence though, as four of the songs alone account for about 40 minutes of the album. Check for yourself.
Worth a listen if you like: Nickel Creek, modern bluegrass, Blue Merle, etc.
Filed under: music | Tags: country, Eric Durrance, I Lost it All, music, music review
Eric Durrance makes a run for most depressing album of the year. He attempts this by adhering strictly to the governance of the “yet-to-be-overdone” country music concepts of breaking up, hard luck (but being topped by Vietnam War veterans), suicide, familial death, job loss, car crashes, cancer, complete human misery, etc. One of his two “change of pace” songs adds a driving rhythm, but nonetheless, is about divorce — It’s All Over but the Crying. However, he at least sounds pretty good for all the bad he’s singing about. Check for yourself.
Worth listening, if you: want to commit suicide … or have your problems put into severe perspective … or really want some country songs about life being hard — that you can tap your toe to …
Filed under: music | Tags: Goldfrapp, music, Seventh Tree; Bat for Lashes; Nya Jade; Kate Bush; Supr
Goldfrapp — is that an Olsen twin on the cover? No! It’s Goldfrapp — in her best retro (70s, early 80s) album cover photo pose (complete with Napoleon hat and background nature setting basked in a setting sun). With that out of the way, when many outside fans think of Goldfrapp, it’s probably of dance beats and the Miami Heat soundtrack (mojito movie edition). This identity is not to be found here. The artist moved to the country for a bit to record this album and you won’t find many beats to sweat to in dark fiesta rooms. I’ve noticed the duo is getting a lot of comparisons to Kate Bush for this album, but I’m thinking it’s more ”Carpenters meet synthesizers” … with a penchant for happy-sounding song titles (i.e., Clowns, Little Bird and … um … Happiness, to name a few). Check for yourself.
Worth listening, if you like: (the much better) Bat for Lashes; Kate Bush; Nya Jade; Supreme Beings of Leisure.
