26-10-2013: Album Rural Ghosts - City of Elms
Alongside Cantoo's Must-Have of the Month-album, there's one more record I've been listening to everyday since it was released on October 1st. City of Elms is the debut full-length by Rural Ghosts. First single "Eyes" was already labelled 'great' a few months ago and is still one of the highlights of this album, but it's surely not the only one.
I can't help being a Pearl Jam-hater, it's in my genetics. I've really tried to accept them, listened to all the albums and I've even seen them live last Summer. But I actually just thought everything else on the festival was better than Pearl Jam. Even the toilets. And the albums all suck aswell. For some reason this song gives off a huge Pearl Jam-vibe, with one extremely important difference: it doesn't suck! I play air-guitar to it on my bike, in the supermarket, standing on the coffee table, at the train station and in my office when no one's watching. Love it!
"Eyes" was on the blog a few months ago (but the link died..) and is still a great song. I may be really off here, but I'm pretty sure the cello was not this much 'in-your-face' in the previous version and I liked that a little better actually, there was more balance in the song. Still a great song, but it was a little better in my memories (maybe I'm just getting old..).
The instrumental "Vesuvius" is my starting point these last few days, I let it play from here and keep the album on for some time. I was talking abou air-guitar-ing earlier, this is 5 minutes of it. The cello and guitar work extremely well together and I truly hope this is a sound Rural Ghosts will be exploring a little further in the future. If you disprove of playing the almighty air-guitar (I risk never to be taken serious again after this review), air-drumming is also a great workout on this track, air-cello is a little beyond me and pretty much just wrong.
All and all, Rural Ghosts released a great debut full-length with City of Elms. It is truly, as I love to call these, a Great. Fucking. Record.
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25-10-2013: Track MAUSI - Body Language
Great new track by MAUSI. Addictive as hell, best played VERY loud on a Friday or Saturday-night, right before stepping out for some all-night-partying. Have a drink on me, I'll be working all weekend. Which is not all bad, as long as there's great tunes like this. Get a free download of their Autumn/Winter Collection including "Body Language" and a really cool cover of 1998 hitsong "Music Sounds Better With You" by Stardust, which I was instantly reminded of after listening to "Body Language". If this doesn't kick off your weekend, you're in trouble!
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25-10-2013: Track Future History - With Haste
Going through a little psych-rock phase these last few weeks, Future History's "With Haste" is just another fine song I've been enjoying at least twice every night this month.
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19-10-2013: Track Bear's Den - Isaac / Sahara
The Folk-hype is a few years old now and still going strong. Earlier this year I've introduced you to Sons of the East, this Saturday-night I would like you to listen to Bear's Den. Take about 5 minutes, click play, ignore the commercial & enjoy another great folk sensation on their way to their own little slice of greatness.
"Isaac" is a beautiful slow folk song. Nothing more, nothing less. Last month Bear's Den released a new song called "Sahara" from their upcoming EP Without/Within, set for release October 28th. Another beautiful song, a little faster, but still subtle and sweet.
Bear's Den is playing Amsterdam in a few weeks, there's no reason for me not to be there. Same goes for pretty much every Dutch reader out there; join me. Great music guaranteed!
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19-10-2013: Track Son Lux - Easy
This reminds me of old Dr. Dre-albums. And I still cherish those records. Best enjoyed extemely loud, while driving a car, using that oldschool bumper-thingy they used to do in the old hiphop-videos. Although I'm lacking just about everything from that description, I'm still heavily addicted to this. Great track!
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18-10-2013: Track Seagull - Ruby
Great, dark and haunting track by Australian band Seagull from their recently released 3rd album Ocean From Above. I love this song.
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17-10-2013: Track James Vincent McMorrow - Cavalier
New music from an artist that has taken your breath away for the last few years is always a challenge. I remember the second Fleet Foxes living up to the expectations, being the exception. When it comes down to James Vincent McMorrow I had no expectations actually. I don't know if more of the same would please me (probably not), but new paths in music might also be too much for me to take.
His new album Post Tropical is set for January 13 and "Cavalier" is the opening track and first single. After listening 7 times in a row I am still clueless. Love the voice, love the song. But it is very different. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. Actually, this song gets better everytime I listen to it.
Now that I'm listening to it for the 8th time, it's becoming clear: James Vincent McMorrow's new album is going to be another beautiful record. And I want to hear it. I want to own it. And I want to listen the shit out of it! In case you're feeling me, pre-order Post Tropical here.
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16-10-2013: Track Cattle & Cane - Pull Down The Moon / Have You Been In The Wars Again
New Cattle & Cane-single "Pull Down The Moon" is a fine up-tempo folk song with all the traditional ingredients. Harmonies, easy-going guitar strumming & and overall 'life is good'-feeling deeply embedded in the songs core. Good times all around with another fine release, following up on their addictive Summersong I Will Rise.
B-side "Have You Been In The Wars Again" is a whole different song. Pretty much how I prefer a B-side, giving the listener the opportunity to see two completely different sides from a band you or I may have just discovered. It's a mellow and dark song, slow pace and even a few strings in the background.
Combined this is a beautiful new release by this UK-based band around the Hammill-family.
These two fine songs make a great way to get to know Cattle & Cane!
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13-10-2013: Album O'Messy Life - Challenger EP
“Challenger EP” by O’Messy Life was released a few months ago on one of my favorite record labels and it’s such a great 5-track release. It’s intense music, constantly on the edge of breaking. It is a star release that is almost impossible to write down in words. I’ve been looking at an empty screen for an hour now, typing a few lines and deleting those lines right away. The songs speak for themselves and any attempt for me to describe what you are listening to, will be considered a waste of words. At least by me.
“Invincible History” is probably my favorite song. It’s sweet, but you can feel the energy underneath. It bursts out a few times and eventually comes pouring out completely. Exploding in raw energy, but never completely mental. My mind has been looking for similar artists, but so far it came up empty. This track is mesmerizing, insane, loud, addictive, beautiful, intense, rare, amazing and fanastic. And probably a lot more..
After 3 noisy songs the EP takes it down a few notches. The last 2 songs are moody, slow and dark. “The Rebel in Love” is the closing track and after wearing you down in the first songs this is a nice and delicate finish. I am, again, lost for words here. Which is a rare thing in my case. So let me just shut up so you can enjoy the songs to the fullest.
Worst ‘review’ I’ve ever written. Great fucking album. I should’ve just stopped there..
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