"Cellar" by Lemon Sea

 

We extend a warn welcome to Seattle singer-songwriter Natalie Lew. Recording and performing as Lemon Sea (named after local sea slugs), she released the Close Up EP last year. She now has signed to Luminelle Records and release a new single titled "Celler". It is a dense dreampop song that reflects the composer's love of horror films. We look forward to more from this talented lady.

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Various links for "Cellar"

Luminelle Records

Jazmine Mary - The Licking Of A Tangerine

 

Some days are fast, and some days are slow. Due to a current (and, I hope, temporary) injury, this Sunday is a slow day. Thus, it is a perfect time to brew my best coffee beans, settle in near the fireplace, and cue up some music appropriate for the moment. The selected album is The Licking Of A Tangerine, a February release by Jazmine Mary. The project of New Zealand-based Australian singer-songwriter Jazmine Rose Phillips who formerly performed as Him, she crafts enchanting and somewhat darkly-shaded songs that combine folk and dream pop sensibilities. Her voice is remarkable and dynamic, and her delivery is impeccable. The songs unspool leisurely at, well, a perfect Sunday morning pace.  All in all, a fine debut album that is starting our day on good notes, and we are interested in what Jazmine Mary may have for us in the future.

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“Hot & Heavy” by Lucy Dacus

Here’s a great new track from Lucy Dacus, with a wonderful, emotionally affecting video. Her voice carries the first part of the song, and as strong as it is, her voice could carry the whole song. But there’s good country rock band playing behind her, and the song’s mixer, Shawn Everett, is smart enough to leave her voice up at the top of the mix, so you follow her all the way through. It’s really well done.

 

 The album is Home Video, and it's due out in June on Matador. She recorded it in Nashville at Trace Horse Studio. She shared a few thoughts about the song: “I thought I was writing ‘Hot & Heavy’ about an old friend, but I realized along the way that it was just about me outgrowing past versions of myself. So much of life is submitting to change and saying goodbye even if you don't want to.” Listen, read more or preorder at the site below: 

Lucy Dacus - Home Video

Paul Bergmann - The Other Side

Paul Bergmann has released 12 albums, but from what I can tell, none of them sound like The Other Side, his latest release, out now on Diggers Factory. In fact, hardly anything I've heard sounds much like The Other Side. It is strange, wonderful and in places, beautiful. The contrast between Bergmann's drawn-out, drawled and distorted vocals and the dreamlike instrumental backing creates music that requires some effort to take in, and the effort is rewarded. Initially, I found this record frustrating, but ultimately, it has become a favorite, because there is just so much going on, so many layers, and so much built-in contrast. Here is the title track, "The Other Side":

   

 In different places here, I hear echoes of two of my very favorite singer-songwriters - Richard Buckner and Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse). It's nice to have music like this, that reminds you of what is possible with a little variation on rock instrumentation and some imagination. Here is "Oh, My Love", sort of a takeoff on the story of Rapunzel: 

   

Most of the vocals are not mixed in order to make the lyrics easily decipherable. Some of the instruments overlap and require repeated listens in order to distinguish which is which. And the best thing about this record is that the talent and creativity on display here absolutely reward repeated listening - you may hear different snippets each time, and your impression may shift, or, as in my case, your enjoyment of the music will grow. There are short lead-in numbers like “Change from the Rust” and “Blue Hearts”, and there is a 7:45 track about halfway through called “Homeward Bound”. The variations in track lengths and atmospherics sort of simulate a trip with short and longer legs. There are references throughout the lyrics to forest, fauna (another track is “Diamond Fawn”) and fairy tales. The impression is of life as a trip through a sort of enchanted forest, and even though it seems to end in dissolution (last track is “Rust From the Change”), the trip is absolutely worth repeating.

  Paul Bergmann website

New Guitar Pop Tracks - “Promises I’ve Made” plus 2 more by Andrew Gabbard

 We’ve written about the Buffalo Killers here before - always have liked their laid back psychedelic rock, and I’m not surprised at the quality of Andrew Gabbard’s pop instincts on his solo work. This track is a tribute to Emitt Rhodes, one of Andrew’s musical heroes. 

Andrew says, "Emitt wrote the book on homemade albums. His music endlessly inspires me to create. ‘Promises I’ve Made’ is a personal favorite of mine - I had to do it. Recorded at home. Emitt Rhodes forever!”

 

 And here are two earlier tracks - I’m getting caught up on Andrew’s recent solo activity and glad to share it with you; as he says, it’s “made at home with love”. "Instant Trancer" is one he calls an ode to his daughter, a sweet song. Really like the way he layers the vocals on the chorus and the guitar effects:

 

 Finally, his 2021 New Year's song - "Wake Up, Brother" - a song of hope and a call for change, with what I hear as some echoes of some nice 70's Laurel Canyon psych folk rock a la Dennis Wilson:

Andrew Gabbard on Instagram

Colemine Records

Sunny War - Simple Syrup

 

Simple Syrup, by LA-based artist Sunny War, is a masterpiece of folk rock. I’m just knocked out by her talent as a writer, player and arranger. Sometimes the guitar leads, sometimes the voice - the interplay is wonderful and haunting. An example of that is the track “A Love So True” - her voice and her guitar playing swing so nicely, you’ll find yourself swinging, nodding and tapping along:

There are more aggressive, electric tracks, like "Mama's Milk" - obviously Dylan-inspired. She straddles the folk/rock acoustic/electric divide nicely, as Bob did during the mid-60's run which included the iconic "Subterranean Homesick Blues". Speaking of which, check out this wonderful video, directed by Particle Kid, aka Micah Nelson:

 

 

 There’s an emotionally affecting track about a friend of hers, a young homeless veteran who calls her when he’s in jail; the title says it all: “Deployed and Destroyed”. This song really go to me. Again, her beautiful fingerpicked guitar under these lyrics: 

“You’d believe in angels if you heard him sing 

He’s got a gift only hardships bring 

He’s been called a man since he was a boy 

Fought for Uncle Sam and they left him 

Deployed destroyed”

What a writer! Check out the whole album -- she is definitely an artist to watch.

Sunny War Bandcamp

Sunny War website

"Hang Tough" from Lilith Ai

Lilith Ai has seen a lot of life.  Born in London, she ran away to the United States as a teen and lived on the streets of Queens, New York.  Back in the UK, she is starting to make a name for herself as a singer-songwriter with a powerful voice and a gritty, urban perspective.  The two-song "Hang Tough" will be released by Lo Recordings.





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REVIEW: Waxahatchee - Ivy Tripp

Ivy Tripp is the third album from Alabama native and former indie/punk rocker Kate Crutchfield, recording and performing as Waxahatchee.  All of us have to, or have had to, go through the various stages of growing up, finding out who we are and becoming at peace with where we are at various stages of life.  What Crutchfield brings to the table is a talent for looking critically at where she is and distilling pieces of it into well-formed songs.  For me, the appeal is in the sincerity of the observations, the soaring but innocent-sounding vocals and the solid songwriting.  The tempos vary from the more stately pace standard with singer songwriter work and crunchy rockers.  While my personal taste favors that latter on this album (although the lovely ballad "Summer of Love" is my current number one), I think all of the songs are well-done and the balance among the various styles works well.  My personal favorites are "Under A Rock", "Poison", "La Loose", "Air", "Grey Hair", and "Summer of Love".

The album presents an intimacy and airiness with makes it appealingly accessible.  We can understand Crutchfield, but we also and fell for her and cheer her progress.   In the final analysis, this is an album to showcase the vocals and lyrical prowess of the artist, and she is more than up to the task in both respects.







Crutchfield was assisted by Kyle Gilbride and Keith Spencer of the band Swearin' in recording Ivy Tripp, and all three share production credit.  The album is out now via Merge Records on vinyl, CD, and as a digital download.

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Merge Records page for Ivy Tripp

REVIEW: Mark Martyre - Red Letters

Eight tracks of poetic folk and Americana (or is it Canadiana?) comprise Red Letters, the new album from Toronto poet and singer songwriter Mark Martyre.  The themes are personal and reflective and the tone is warm.  The minimal instrumental accompaniment of guitar, bass, violin, piano and, at times, accordion allows focus to center on the true stars of the songs, Mark's words, and his gravelly voice.  Most of the tracks are downtempo, but Mark ups the pace for personal favorite "I Wasn't Born to Lose You" and the piano romp of "My Baby's Gone A Flyin'".

My personal reaction to Martyre's album is that, at its most basic level, it is about textures.  Certainly and most obviously, those textures include layers of various instruments and Mark's voice.  But the most lasting impact is the emotional textures created by Mark's words, aided by his inflection, and use of space and timing to underscore the emotions.  True artistry is the ability to use restraint to emphasize the depth of feeling, and that ability is quietly loud on Red Letters.

Red Letters was released on October 14, and is available as a digital download or CD at the Bandcamp link below.







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"Collar Up" from Kate Miller

Today we'd like to introduce you to 19 year old London singer-songwriter and art student Kate Miller.  Kate has a five track EP titled Neophyte coming out later this month via Karma Artists, and we think it deserves our attention.  Sample Kate's work with EP track "Collar Up" below.  The song is impressive, and the vocals are divine.



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REVIEW: Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards - Distance

With his gravelly baritone, Dan Michaelson may remind a listeners of Leonard Cohen or, perhaps, Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening.  It is a commanding instrument, but also, I think, a dangerous one.  A voice like that can become monotonous over the course of an album if the delivery isn't right and the songs don't have enough innate sparkle.  Fortunately, on Distance, both Dan and the songs are more than up to the task.

For this album, crafted in the aftermath of his divorce, Dan is exploring loss, heartache and related issues of physical and emotional distance.  There are emotional pleas such as "come on home I want you, come on home I need you" in "Bones", swathed in minor keys.  But hope, resilience and, most refreshingly, an absence of self-pity ultimately make this album a triumph of the spirit rather than a funereal dirge.  And while Dan and the Coastguards (I love that name) are in fine form musically, the real stars are Dan's unaffected delivery and the quality of his lyrics.  Happily, the production allows both to shine.  In eight tracks over thirty minutes, the first glance could suggest that this album is quiet and slight.  But my take is that Distance is proof that the true measure of a set of songs isn't in the decibels or running time, but rather in the power of the words and the conviction of the performance.

Here is the more upbeat showcase track "Burning Hearts" --






In addition to Dan, Dan Michaelson and the Coastguards are Laurie Earle, Horse, Henry Spenner, Gabriel Stebbing, Romeo Stodart and Johnny Flynn.  Distance is out now via London label The State51 Conspiracy.

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"Don't Marry the One You Love" from Laura Jean

"Don't Marry the One You Love" is the next single (and a public service announcement) from the upcoming self-titled album from Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Laura Jean.  The album, her fourth, will be released via Chapter Music on August 22, but this song is available now via the Bandcamp link below.  I think that Laura Jean's notable attributes include a wonderful voice, excellent songwriting and perfectly nuanced delivery, and this song is perfect example.



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"Burning Hearts" from Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards

Those who have followed Dan Michaelson's career may be of the opinion that songs of optimism and happiness don't come naturally to the British musician.  If so, they will be surprised by "Burning Hearts", the latest offering from Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards.  Grounded by Dan's compellingly gritty baritone, which happily reminds me of Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening, the song features a couple that resolves to stay together no matter what happens.  The positive theme is fused with an upbeat tune and a breezy, jangling arrangement, and if Dan isn't careful it may give him a reputation as a hopeful romantic.

"Burning Hearts" will be available August 4, while Distance, the new album from Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards, will be available August 18 via The State51 Conspiracy label.  The Coastguards for the recording were Romeo Stodart (bass), Henry Spenner (drums), Laurie Earle (guitar/piano), Horse (guitar/pedal steel), Gabriel Stebbing (cello), and Johnny Flynn (violin).



Previously, Dan was a member of Absentee, which released five country-tinged indie rock albums in the '00s.  Distance will be his fourth album with The Coastguards.

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REVIEW: Jim Mize - Jim Mize

Jim Mize is a guy who's been a songwriter and part-time rock and roll singer for years, an Arkansas singer/songwriter who's apparently now, at 57, ready to become a full-time musician. He's had songs recorded (his "Let's Go Runnin'" was recorded by Blue Mountain on their album Dog Days), and has released three albums over the last 15 years, recorded in his spare time. But he never fully abandoned his career as an insurance adjuster, during which his keen perceptive powers and the time on the road gave him plenty of time to reflect, and plenty to write about. His voice is an impassioned yelp, part Tom Petty, part Springsteen and part Tom Waits.

Here's "Rabbit Hole" - a rollicking vocal workout with a ramshackle garage rock feel to the music:



There's honest emotion on this record - "This Moment With You" and "Eminence Kentucky" are frankly very pretty ballads, the latter with a Roy Orbison-meets-Memphis soul feel. And "Empty Rooms" is sort of heartbreaking, the tale of a marriage that's ended in the form of a description of the vacated house.

There's also hard rocking blues-inspired roadhouse music. With help from Fat Possum's Bruce Watson, Mize has assembled a hell of a band on this record - they raise the tempo and the temperature, and all the solos are like lightning. John Paul Keith, whose album Memphis 3AM was reviewed here, contributes some big, big guitar sounds (and what sound like some good harmony vocals) here. "Need Me Some Jesus" is a gospel-inspired rave-up, and "Eye to Eye" is good country rock with twangy guitar. The best song on the record is "I Won't Come Back Again", with its Hammond organ swells and what sounds like Mize's most inspired, desperate vocal.

Jim Mize at Fat Possum/Big Legal Mess Records

"First Love Song" from Laura Jean

Laura Jean's August album on Chapter Music will be self-titled, but isn't her first album.  And I don't know whether the first single from that album, which is titled "First Love Song", is really her first love song.  But it may be the most beautiful song I've heard this year.  Sparsely adorned with acoustic instrumentation, the focus is on the Laura's haunting voice, and the back up contribution from Norway's Jenny Hval.  In her past efforts Laura has demonstrated the ability to shine with both quiet and noisy numbers.  I'm not sure what mix of the two to expect on Laura Jean later this summer, but based on "First Love Song" I expect it to be very good.

If you like the single, you can order it from Chapter.




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REVIEW: Collin Herring - Some Knives

There are a lot of Texas singer/songwriters, and some of them are pretty good. Then there are some that are sort of transcendent. Guys like Willie Nelson, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely - and currently guys like Will Johnson and Rhett Miller. You get Texas in their sound, sure. Some well-placed pedal steel, a twang or cry in the voice, but there's more - you feel like everybody could get this, no matter where they live. I feel that way about Collin Herring now. His sound is distinctive: in his vocals I'm reminded of favorites like Steve Earle, Joseph Arthur, Ryan Adams, maybe Jeff Tweedy a little bit, and the playing calls to mind the lonesome guitar-centric country rock of Centro-matic and Jason Molina's Magnolia Electric Company.

Here's "Kicked Around":



That's Centro-matic's Matt Pence on drums and producing. That's Collin's dad, Ben Roi Herring on pedal steel. Herring plays the guitars and they brought in Jeremy Hull on bass. Herring, on their approach: "I like that the credits on this album are short. I like small groups. There was no 'that sounded good' and then re-recording it at a later date. We all just played our parts."

Here's "Psychopaths":



Herring has a way with a casual phrase, making his lyrics sound immediate, not labored-over - even though it's widely known what hard work good songwriting is, you get the sense that Herring is just throwing these things out there, because he's just that good. You know who else I used to feel that way about? Jackson Browne. And Herring reminds me of him, too.

Gosh, I hope I haven't oversold it. This album is terrific and it would be a shame if I overburdened the young man with expectations borne of my enthusiastic praise. Go check it out. Some Knives is out now (May 13).

Collin Herring website
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"Book of Love" from Fraser A. Gorman

In "Book of Love", Melbourne's Fraser Gorman has written an outstanding song -- melodic, bluesy, and witty.  But the video is pretty damn great, as well.  It may be the only music video you watch this year in which the protagonist's sidekick is a pet chicken named Detective Greggs.  But as the chicken aids Fraser in finding a deeper understanding of love, we also are treated to assists from Fraser's band, the director of the video, and members of other Melbourne bands, including Courtney Barnett and her band.

The song is taken from Fraser's upcoming album, but it also is available as a digital download at the Bandcamp link below.  Yes folks, for one Australian dollar this infectious tune can inhabit your computer and mobile devices.  Can you resist?  Not if you are alive.






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Milk Records

"Sunday Morning" by Courtney Barnett and Billy Bragg

As fans of Courtney Barnett (here), Billy Bragg (here) and Lou Reed/Velvet Underground, we are pleased to share with you this video of Courtney and Billy joining to play Lou's "Sunday Morning".  The video is from an appearance on Australian show RocKwiz.



Courtney's website
Billy's website

REVIEW: Withered Hand - New Gods

Some of you looked at the title of this post and thought to yourself "hmm, Withered Hand, eh, this is either going to be some thrash metal group or some weepy emo stuff - has Scott run short of material?'  However, the truth is that Withered Hand, the performing name for Edinburgh's Dan Willson, is neither, and New Gods is an album that you really should consider owning.  Now.

Prior offerings from Withered Hand have tended to attract terms such as anti-folk.   But on New Gods Willson and his band of contributors have emerged as an energetic, melodically clever pop band, merging the lyrical talents of a first class folk storyteller with clear-eyed observational skills with the the pace, tone and melodies of pop.  There is wit, self-effacement, joy, loss, cries of the wounded loser, and tales of travels in America set over a Byrdsian jangle and Shins-level hooks.  And I have to give extra points to a man who scores a deal with Slumberland Records for an album with a song named after the label boss' own band (Black Tambourine) and featuring that band's lead singer, Pam Berry, on the track.  And Pam isn't the only notable to assist Willson with New Gods.  He also received contributions from Eugene Kelly (The Vaselines, among other projects), King Creosote, Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit and members of Belle and Sebastian.  The production is by the highly regarded Tony Doogan, whose other clients include Belle and Sebastian, The Delgados, Mogwai and Teenage Fanclub.

The album opens with the incredibly appealing "Horseshoe".  I think it is one of the songs of the year, and since it is Willson's favorite of the set, I'll credit myself with good taste.  The following track, the above-mentioned "Black Tambourine" is buoyant, sugary indie pop of the first order.  At this point of my first run through the album, the thought occurred to me that this music was generating the same same sort of excitement in me as did James Mercer's first few albums as The Shins.  The third song is the America-shaded "Love Over Desire", about the classic (and never-ending) struggle between love and desire.  Then Withered Hand launches into rock mode with the fast-pace "King of Hollywood", a song that always makes me want to climb into a car and drive with the song on loud and the windows down.

The pace and volume finally slow for the reflective and dreamy "California".  "Fall Apart" and "Between Love and Ruin" are note-perfect California guitar pop.  Country rock shoulders back into the set with "Live of Doubt".  The final three tracks, "New Gods", "Heart Heart and "Not Alone" take the listener on a bracing ride of reflection, joy and togetherness that quite appropriately has the feel of a well-deserved encore.

I suspect that you won't find many better indie rock albums this year; I know that I won't.





New Gods is out now via Slumberland Records in North America and FortunaPOP! in the UK/EU.

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Slumberland (US/Canada label)
FortunaPOP! (UK/Euro label)

Declan Welsh - Glasgow In The Sun

Glasgow In The Sun is collection of songs about Glasgow, as viewed through the keen lens of young Declan Welsh.   Young Declan claims as influences Billy Bragg, Alex Turner and Jarvis Cocker, and both that list and his distillation of their lessons have earned my respect.  His tunes are good, his delivery entertaining.  But the real gems are the manner in which he phrases his observations.  Sample the EP with "I'll Never Leave This Place".  If you like it, stream the entire album, or visit the Bandcamp link and own it

 



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