Caroline Reese & The Drifting Fifth - Tenderfoot JA

Well 2017 has well and truly gotten started and as par for the course, I have been away from doing this blog for quite a while now. So you could call this a comeback but that seems to hold a lot of responsibility for me that I wouldn't feel safe solely keeping on my shoulders. Like a blind date, lets just keep things casual and simple. So without further ado, here we go with what I have been listening to this January. It was relatively slow starting, but by the end of it great albums were being churned out faster than I could've possibly listened to them. You can see what I've been listening to here.

The Proper Ornaments // Foxhole

My third pick of the month is the mellow sounding sophomore LP from the London boys. Previous to this record, I hadn't heard of these guys, and that surprised me because their indie pop rock scene is something I actively try to stay on top of, including upcoming acts etc. Foxhole as a whole ranges in sounds, from the orchestral instrumentation to the more sombre vocals and stripped back guitar. It does bare bones really quite well, almost playing the less is more angle at certain times and pulling it off quite superbly.

   

Courtney Marie Andrews // Honest Life

At this point is where Americana took over my life in a big way. The album by Courtney Andrews was released around August last year for the rest of the world (don't hold me to that statistic) but was only just released this month in the old UK. Better late than never is the phrase I am going to stick to with this one for a small piece of mind. Anyway, Courtney is yet another youthful artist that is incredibly prolific, always creating top quality music at quite a powerful rate. Honest Life is a LP filled to the brim of brilliant tracks that show her talent as a songs-woman in terms of vocals as well as writing ability seeing as she personally wrote all of the tracks herself. And that fact shouldn't be as surprising as it is in today's world.   

Caroline Reese & The Drifting Fifth // Tenderfoot

It may not be much of a surprise after my last choice but my number one is another Americana banger. But gone are the bare vocals and plugged in is the foot stomping electric guitar. This is the fourth full length release for Caroline Reese and second with the incredible Drifting Fifth backing her up. On Tenderfoot specifically, Reese and the band do a great job mixing the emotionally powerful lyrics with complimenting yet still up beat guitar and drum parts. I guess that is one of the main reasons I have listened to it so many times this month. It always finds a way to soundtrack my life in ways I wouldn't have expected it to even fit. Enjoy one of the singles 'What I Did' below.

Arthur And The Invincibles - Cash, Gold & Radio Controlled

It has been a long time coming but now it has arrived... a new AATI EP. Entitled 'Cash, Gold and Radio Controlled' it is a 4 track strong release that comes across as punchy as you like. The lead single 'Reaper' (below) is a jagged little number that does sway more on the morbid side of life that wouldn't be out of place sound-tracking some morally twisted fairytale.

The rest of the EP keeps things fresh by straying to the sunnier side of the street. Party For Two being a relatively straight up romantic song, well as close as you would want AATI to get. Jangly indie pop with catchy choruses. Nuff said.

If PFT is the night before, then Rock, Paper, Scissors is for sure the morning after. Anthemic with ease, this track is my personal favourite off of the whole EP. Driving guitar riffs and drum lines make the track flow by with charm, plus the addition of great, ear worm worthy lyrics make this number a clear soon to be crowd favourite.

This Time Next Year is short shortest song coming in at well under the 2 minute mark, but it is easily the most powerful. Strong, strong vocals and simple yet energetic drum/guitar work will keep your head nodding and feet tapping well into the 10th or 11th relisten.

Be sure to buy a copy at all good music purchasing locations and love the EP for yourself.      

Shy Nature - Eyes So Cold ILIYLI

Jeff Rosenstock AS

// Jeff Rosenstock //

Jeff, 34
Long Island, Last Album Release Oct '16

About Jeff
A NY born boy with a great drive for all things alternative. Throughout his career to date, Mr Rosenstock has gone from strength to progressive strength. His time with the bands Bomb The Music Industry! and The Arrogant Sons Of Bitches through the mid to late 00's was in no way lazy, releasing upwards of 6 LPs collectively with the bands and in his (what I can presume little) spare time starting the first donation based record label Quote Unquote Records. QUR has been steadily releasing brilliant music ever since its creation, from bands such as the amazing Hard Girls which I am a recent and extremely grateful convert to.

Now lets get into the proper juicy stuff, his 3 solo releases; I Look Like Shit, We Cool? and WORRY (pictured chronologically below). ILLS and WE show the honing of his craft, each LP growing in style and finesse, taking whats brilliant and carrying that forward. His latest release which came out just last October was how I first got to find out about his music, mainly by the track Festival Song which popped up on the ever current KVRX. Keeping all the Pop-Punk goodness from his previous releases and delivering just short of 3 minutes of bouncy, passionate tuneage for your ears. One of the lead singles Blast Damage Days is featured below so be sure to check it out. Overall WORRY shows that his talent is no where close to slowing down and I'm 100% behind wherever he chooses to go next. Keep up the good work!

  

Conor Oberst - Ruminations OA

October has been a hectic month to say the least, with a lot of stuff going on and a lot of good music being released. One thing is for sure, I could happily keep going on with my October playlist for a few more weeks at the very least. There just seems like there was a lot of brilliant releases that all deserve a lot more time. Any who, as i'm writing this I am already well into the new months stuff so lets begin before we get a little too ahead of ourselves. Check out the whole October playlist HERE.

Slothrust // Everyone Else

This album came pretty late to the party but boy did it make an impact. Mixing the heavier grunge sound with soulful vocals and the occasional noodle on the guitar for good measure. For me, it plays the pop/rock line of balance well without being watered down or coming across overly produced. It manages to keep a gritty edge whilst still accessible to the newcomer or average rockin' fan.   

Dan Layus // Dangerous Things

Only one of a small handful of good Americana releases this month but DT shot it's way into my number 2 slot with almost effortless ease. Dangerous Things is Dan Layus's first LP under his own name but has produced 4 strong albums with his time in Augustana. DT is also helped along beautifully by The Secret Sisters who share their magic on just under half of the tracks. That kind of harmony works only too well as I hope you find out for yourselves. 

Conor Oberst // Ruminations

And finally, the slugger that takes first place is Conor Oberst at his folksy finest. Kicking off with Tachycardia which wouldn't sound out of place as the rousing track in a secondary school theatre production. The thing that the track (video below) and the rest of the album as a whole does is showcase how talented he is as a multi-instrumentalist. Playing a mixture of piano, guitar, harmonica and whatever else he has sneaked in there, he seems to be a talent at whatever he chooses to put his hand too. Overall, the LP flows with such effortlessness with each track being a chapter in a story that you can just as easily dip in and out of. Be sure to check it out! 

Two Door Cinema Club - Bad Decisions YTV

We are as of this second, well in to October 2016 and you definitely wouldn't have guessed it if you have just finished watching my number one video for this week: Bad Decisions by Two Door Cinema Club. It is filled to the brim with all of the Neo-Technic referenced goodness that the 80's had to offer. A variable pick and mix pouch from classic movies, video games and more. And what better way to soundtrack this than a synthy electronic belter that grows to include some wailing banshee guitar lines. Safe to say, since Friday I have listened to this track 50 strong times. Enjoy!

Lucy Dacus - No Burden SA

What a month, what a selection. It kicked of with Angel Olsen and Jamie T, ventured through The Head And The Heart and Deap Vally and finished up the month with Public Access T.V. and Wyatt Blair amongst many others. September had some absolute corkers and you can check out my whole playlist HERE.

Kicking off my top 3 is Writing Of Blues And Yellows by Billie Marten. Due to a Google Music cock-up, I initially listened to the deluxe version of the album in a mixed up order and heard the alternative version of Milk & Honey before the released single version and I have to say I think it is better than the original, so now it has a permanent spot starting the introduction to the album. The LP as a whole has quite the mellow vibe with the odd occasion heading to the more haunting side of life. And lest we not forget this is just the debut and I think Billie is going to continue to rise as a great musician and songwriter. Check out the video for simply poetic Bird below.

In the second spot is the man, myth and or legend Mr Jamie T with his 4th release Trick. As a fan of all of his previous work, I was unsure what to expect with this new release but I knew it would be exciting and potentially more experimental that his previous. He did not disappoint that is for sure. Straight from the first track Tinfoil Boy (video below) there is a dark tone which goes throughout the LP with abrasive instrumentation and strong, powerful lyrics that all take from a variety of genres to make an interesting mixture. I was pleased that there were the lighter more cheery tracks in there with the likes of Tescoland and a couple of my personal favourites Robin Hood and the epic Joan Of Arc. If you haven't listened to Trick yet, where have you been!   

My absolute number Juan is No Burden by Lucy Dacus. An LP that flows with an effortless ease, beautifully narrated by Lucy herself. It truly seems like a collection of chapters taken straight out of her journal. Personal, heartfelt and emotional with the right amount of power when the track calls for it, No Burden pushes my personal feelings right to the brink of where they need to be without going too far and even more importantly, without sounding forced or false. Which might I add, can easily ruin an album. And yet another perfect example of a great debut LP with high expectations from me for where she is going to go next. Enjoy the smashing single below!

Public Access TV - End Of An Era YTV

October is here and I have been a slight bit absent of late mainly due to work commitments. What better way to enjoy the start of Autumn than cracking on with the long awaited debut from Public Access TV, and more specifically this track End Of An Era. Jangly guitar straight out of the metaphorical gate that is guaranteed to get your hips swayin' and feet tappin' if you are that way inclined. Plus the addition of catchy lyrics in the verse and chorus make for quite the addictive track that is part of an equally addictive album. Enjoy!

LVL UP - Return To Love Stream ILIYLI

Beach Slang - Younger Us YTV

In preparation for their upcoming LP release, Beach Slang have treated us to this cracker of a cover. Younger Us is a track originally by the Japandroids from way back in 2012. If you are knowledgeable of the original track, you will be well aware that this new version from Beach Slang isn't leaps and bounds different from the Japandroids original. Coincidentally, the main element that differentiates the two is the main reason I love this track. That factor is the vocals from one Mr James Alex, more down tuned and abrasive just how I like it, and hopefully you do to. Enjoy!

Kings Of Leon - Waste A Moment YTV

If there was ever a band I was desperately missing and didn't even know it, it has to be Kings Of Leon and this track Waste A Moment is the perfect first release. Great guitar sound as always and the classic Caleb Followill singin' drawl to know you are in safe hands. The perfect mixture of Americana roots rock and Indie boy rock. It guarantees to take me straight to the heart of Tennessee and feel like one of the gang. Lets hope for some more bangers from these guys. Enjoy! 

Scott & Charlene's Wedding - Don't Bother Me YTV

Off of Scott & Charlene's third album is this great track Don't Bother Me. Sing along grooves that seem to define slacker garage rock. The track seems to stay just under the energised level, despite the vocals ending up getting more and more frantic as the song goes on. One of my best bits from the video is the straight up Slash moment on top of a truck from the killer guitarist Jill Tucker. Also their album which was released last Friday ain't half bad either, be sure to check it out. Enjoy!

Dinosaur Jr. - Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not AA

August has passed by and left a trail of classic LPs in its wake.You can check out my full favourites HERE. Most honourable mentions go to Lydia Loveless, Dead Gaze, Field Mouse and Big Eyes because the top 3 was a close call between all of these guys: 

My third favourite is Impossible Dream by the uber talented Haley Bonar. At my first few listens I heard a great indie rock sound but after a while the power of the lyrics hit me, made me sit up and pay attention. With tracks like Called You Queen, you can really hear the quality of the songwriting alongside the talented guitar and other instrumentation. Just call me 'Mr Stupid' because this is only the first I have heard of her. Apparently she has been busy making 5+ other albums up until now that are a must listen to for me and most possibly you too. Check out the awesome Kismet Kill single below.

Second up is Katy Goodman + Greta Morgans Take It, It's Yours. That's right Katy from La Sera and Vivian Girls fame and Greta Morgan from The Hush Sound and Gold Motel. Together they have produced this chill LP of punk cover songs. My personal favourite tracks are Where Eagles Dare (originally by The Misfits) because they kept the great tempo to it and also the vocal contradiction of the dreamy sounding mildly offensive language, and Ever Fallen In Love (video below) which they turn into a haunting number with its simplicity and sparseness. They could almost be producing an incantation against an ex lover.   

And finally, Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not by Dinosaur Jr. I was expecting great things from these boys and they delivered in bucket loads with this LP. Released early on in August, this album is packed with tracks that are as good as anything I have heard from them in the past. Their quality in songwriting and producing has not changed and if anything, has improved with each release they have put out so far. They are one band I can 99.9% guarantee that I will love all their music to come. Stand out track for me for one is Love Is.... It is a bit of a ballad filled with emotion. Love It! Hear another instant classic Goin Down below!