In early 2008, I fell in love with New Zealand indie-pop-rock sensation Brooke Fraser’s second album, Albertine. I played it everywhere – in my house, in my car, even outside while I fertilized my lawn. I enjoyed its honesty and pop flavor; songs like “Shadowfeet” and “Albertine” were among my favorites of the year. What … Read more
Photo Credit: Sarah Law Last month, we released our early “Best Of” lists for you to enjoy. Of course, lists like these are always changing. Case in point: We hadn’t heard What Lasts, the fantastic new album from These United States. It’s a dark album, written in the shadow of lead singer Jesse Elliot’s near … Read more
The boys who make up the New York City band, Harper Blynn, truly represent the melting pot that is the greatest city on earth. For our second installment of 10 to Spin, the band’s summer playlist does the same, melding genres, jumping decades, and crossing borders. From quirky Mexican lounge music to of-the-moment indie rock, Harper … Read more
“As if I didn’t know that/ As if I didn’t know my own bed…” I heard this song for the first time in years last week, and damn, it hit me hard. I thought of how great a songwriter/musician Paul Simon is, and how he might even get overlooked at times. I thought of how … Read more
Everyone! This song! I can’t get enough, I keep going back to the YouTube video (below) for this new single by Born Ruffians. It’s been about 3 years since this Toronto, Canada group has put anything out, but they’ve crafted something extremely special and will be releasing it soon. I could describe all the different … Read more
Song Preservation Society is comprised of three friends: Trevor Bahnson, Ethan Glazer, and Daniel Wright. Their brand of folk is streaked with Golden State sunlight and has been compared to the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, The Band, Fleet Foxes and Father John Misty. Together with just acoustic guitars and a charming stage presence, the … Read more
Just a wild prediction here, but Paul Simon’s Graceland will most likely influence bands and artists for many years to come. Personally, I would be hard pressed to name 25 or 30 better albums, and Simon’s not even necessarily one of my favorite musicians. It’s just that Graceland is almost a perfect work of art. … Read more
Photo by Rachel Demsick Annie Stela’s songs have made me cry once or twice. In the enormous stash of sad songs that is my iPod, Annie’s “Breathe Through” and “Swallowed Snakes” hold top spots on the cry-o-meter (if she’s reading this, I’m sure she’s laughing her ass off right now). In fact, I’m surprised I … Read more
Earlier this year, Abigail Washburn hit us hard with her second solo album called City of Refuge; it’s been called a “a sublime marriage of old-time and indie-pop,” and rightfully so – it was recorded with a new cast of characters, including My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel and The Decemberists’ Chris Funk. It certainly takes … Read more