Stornaway

Tales From Terra Firma

4 AD

I’d given Stornaway short shrift on their debut, Beachcombers Lullaby, for the rather petty reason of not measuring up to Mumford and Sons, simply because I felt Mumford was a better example of modern folk/rock.  I’m taking that review back, and apologizing to the band. Considering what Mumford became, woozy, ear splitting romantics, Stornaway is now the best example of modern folk/rock I can give.

And the band has grown tougher, very gently displeased with what they see, but putting their best foot forward. A very wise move. The music is stronger. What seems flimsy on first listen is now sturdier, durable, and quietly rousing to listen to.  May this band have as much success as Mumford, and continue to grow. They’ve fulfilled the promise of their debut, and gone way beyond it.

http://www.stornoway.eu/ 

Andrea Weiss

Scanners

Mexico EP

Dim Mak Records

Scanners are a UK band that sounds like Arcade Fire, but if Arcade Fire was a folk band with Régine as the sole lead vocalist.  As Arcade Fire is a really cool band, I really dig Scanners reinterpretation which maintains their own sound and style--happy, smart, playful. You’re able to bop around the room to the music, which also means they’re fun to listen to.  A wonderful EP, and if you love Arcade Fire, you will absolutely love Scanners.  http://www.facebook.com/scannersofficial

https://soundcloud.com/dimmakrecords/sets/scanners-mexico-ep/s-68wUv

Andrea Weiss

DJ Spoko

Ghost Town EP

True Panther

I don’t feel entirely qualified to review this, as I know very little about house music of any kind. I did like the solemn tone of the music. You can dance to this, but because Spoko is South African, there is a lot more going on than just dancing. This is music to think to. The best example is “I Remember” (featuring G-Dog) where each lines starts off with “I remember, my Grandpa used to say…”  Then you realize they’re talking about Apartheid.  South Africa is a land of many great things, but never forget the past.

I’m not sure if “fun” is the best way to describe the rest of these songs, but Azange    (ft. Magaula & Puzuzu) Batauweng (ft. Kapa Kapa) are very upbeat, and “Sounds of our 4fathers” is a gentle way to bow out.  All in all, a very good English language debut from someone on a rapid rise, and may whatever he does next be just as good as this EP.

http://www.truepanther.com/artists/dj-spoko

Andrea Weiss

HEYERDAHL

ØEN  

Red Eye Transit

The debut album from this Oslo based band is shimmering, ethereal, warm flowing, smooth electro rock, that is somewhat haunting and dark. They write about events such as shipwrecks, people like widows, and ghosts, but in a way that is also hopeful. 

The band recorded their album in a lighthouse, amid gale force winds, fierce storms, and tremendous waves. That made them think of what Norway was before the country prospered, and of companionship, which is why the band sounds so hopeful, and why their music sounds so comforting.  A very good debut, one that should establish them in a big way in the US, especially since they are performing at SXSW.  I wish them much luck and success with this album that has much charm and wisdom. They show no fear in the face of overwhelming odds, man-made or nature based. 

www.facebook.com/hrdhl 

Andrea Weiss

Inc.

No World

4AD

The most enjoyable part about this album from the brothers Daniel and Andrew Aged is the music: sensual, sexy, mellow, smooth, old time R&B, with echoes of early Prince for the details. Enjoyable to hear, great if you want something to set a mood on a date. The problem is that the lyrics to these songs all too often fall into two categories, either “I want to put the moves on you,” or  “please sleep with me!”  Not enjoyable to hear, and it spoils the mood. Still, if you’re getting ready for a date, and want to get your emotions out, this album is good as any to do so, no matter what is going on with the lyrics. 

http://www.official-inc.com/

Andrea Weiss

Reason To Believe – The Songs Of Tim Hardin

Various Artists

Full Time Hobby

Hardin was one of the most covered artists of the 60s for his dark lyrics and stark music.  He died before his time, in 1980, after drugs had taken its toll on him. A new generation of musicians made him an icon once again.  Now comes a new collection of his songs by today’s indie artists that proves what a great songwriter he was.

All of these tracks have something to recommend them, but some stand out.  Mark Lanegan’s Red Balloon, shows how stark Hardin could be, with its tale of uncertain love. Alela Diane’s How Can We Hang Onto a Dream, is dramatic and sad. Okkervil River’s It’ll Never Happen Again, dark, depressing, Will Sheff sounding like he’s at the end of his rope. The Sand Band with Reason To believe, is almost cynical about whether to believe or not. Finally, Sand Fairies, If I Were A Carpenter, the darkest cover on the album, is lovelorn, heartfelt, but hopeful.

In these covers, Hardin’s music lives on, and shows that for all the hope and happiness that were the 60s, and 70s, the flip side was wondering if everything was too good to be true. Hardin’s music speaks to that, as do these covers.  Their uniform brilliance proves that Hardin was a songwriter for the ages, and whether you know his songs well, or are new and discovering them, this comp will do it for you,  for this is a very loving tribute to him.  http://www.facebook.com/FullTimeHobby 

Andrea Weiss

Caveman

In The City-single

Fat Possum

Over wonderfully shimmering, indie rock guitars, mid-range humming synths, and lovelorn singing, a sad tale emerges of someone who never finishes what they start, leaving the one who things were started with to sadly wait for them to come around again, whenever that is, when you live in the same city, but in a big one.   The angst never gets overdone, and the music provides an emotional counterpart, as it helps set the mood and setting.  Another winner from Caveman, whose self-titled album will be out April 2^nd, on Fat Possum Records. https://soundcloud.com/cavemanband/caveman-in-the-city/s-8U52G 

Andrea Weiss