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Carloman - interesting medieval folk record

Valerie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:01:35 +0000

Occasionally it's good to branch out and listen to different types of music. My little branching out came in the form of Carloman. They describe their sound as pre-Baroque, medieval folk music. Indeed, when you listen to the record, you could feel as if you're gracing King Arthur's court or simply trapped somewhere in the 19th century with kings and queens.

Carloman is actually two people, namely Dominic Matar & Elliot Thompson. They're currently based in New York City and this dreamy, other-wordly compilation is their debut record.

Even if you aren't really into their sound, there' no denying that the guys have something different to offer and it's worth checking out. Greeting you as the opening track in the record is Song for the Sacrosanct (Part I & II.) The track is a slightly upbeat one that combines old school instruments, solid vocals and a jolly beat.

The third track, Oh My, is my personal favorite. It's a quiet and slow folk-like medieval love song that features electronic bits along with solid percussion and great melodic vocals. Other wonderful songs include Brine of Capricorn, Those Who Lead and March of the Beasts. This is definitely an album that's unique from your usual run-in-the-mill folk records.

If you're feeling adventurous, go ahead and take a listen. It's a bit tough to understand at first but eventually you'll see how their sound all actually works together.

Nick Rivera: Happy Song is a Happy Song - gorgeous and flowing electro folk

Valerie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:01:56 +0000

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Have a sweet spot for folk electronica music? Happy Song is a Happy Song by Nick Rivera is a compilation you should check out.

The man behind this musical project is Michele Sarti, an Italian singer/songwriter who has a gift for transforming various instruments and sounds into a whole menagerie of quiet beauty. His sound captures elusive and fleeting moments so perfectly that it's hard not to fall for it.

After years spent playing drums for a number of rock bands, Michele eventually sought more experimental and free form sounds. This led to rediscovering instruments like the French horn and exploring a more meditative, free-folk form of sound.

From a mix of acoustic sounds, the French Horn and spacey, synth sounds here and there; opening single Renee Luise starts the mini EP in the best possible way. It immediately immerses the listener in the weird but surprisingly relaxing sound of Nick Rivera. Despite the mish-mash of instruments, you still get a melodic and hypnotic set that's heightened by the artists' moody vocal work.

It's followed by title track, Happy Song is a Happy Song, which features the more folkish acoustic side of the singer. Again, the musician's capacity to create a concrete image and capture the essence of the tracks makes his sound even more worthy of a listen. Meanwhile, Butter in My Head is a bit more melodramatic with a touch of quirkiness. The vocals lends itself well to the song, adding another layer of interest to the already lush landscape of instruments.

The album is finished off with Horn Y Orgy, an instrumental piece that highlights the artists' love for the French Horn. It's a lovely track that caps the record in a fresh way.

With just four cuts, the EP is quite short. And chances are after you listen to it, you'll want to listen to more from Nick Rivera. Expect the sound to be quite different. There's a lot going on in each song but there's also a coherence and unity to the sound. Overall, this is a great EP to have especially for those looking for a new acoustic, free folk artist to love.

Questo opera è distribuito con licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 2.5 Italia.

Flights: Anywhere But Where I Am - melodic quiet acoustic folk

Valerie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:36 +0000

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If you're expecting some alternative punk duo to greet you when you listen to this record, then think again. What you'll find instead is a gorgeous blend of ethereal, folky indie pop sound that, well, sounds great as in-flight music.

The band is actually made up of duo Eric Hillman and Brian Holl. Gathering influences from bands like Broken Social Scene, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Bjork and Aqualung; the duo echoes off the same laid-back, melodic and sometimes eclectic indie folk as their influences.

Anywhere But Where I Am comes with 13 tracks and was released over at BandCamp on New Years Day 2012.

The Nashville, TN duo kicks things off with the song From The Lake To the Land. Starting serenely with simple guitars and a reflective mood, the track seems fit as a lullaby to a dark, dreary day. There's a slight haunting feel to it, much like exploring a lush forest in the early morning.

Meanwhile, title track Anywhere But Where I Am, is a personal favorite in the album. This one is a 3 minute instrumental piece featuring classical piano playing. It's a gorgeous track that sparks both a hint of sadness and fond memories. On the other hand, final cut, Fake Arms, combines simple guitars and Damien Rice-sounding vocals.

Overall, you'll find some great company with this album. All of the songs feel as if they live and breathe with you and would make the perfect soundtrack to your everyday musings.

The record is currently offered at a name-your-price option at BandCamp. Apart from the duo, it also features Charles Asch and Hitoshi Yamaguchi on cello and Ben Voce on violin. Take a listen and grab the download.

The New Mystikal Troubadours: Second Spring - psychedelic folk compilation

Valerie — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:01:08 +0000

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Made up of duo, Dave Gibson and Matt Persinzki; The New Mysitkal Troubadours will help complete your relaxing afternoon with its trippy and soothing folk sound.

Second Spring is the second compilation from this Baltimore, Maryland duo.Their first self-titled album was released back in 2009 and garnered a positive response as well. Much like their first, this second album is mostly comprised of weird stringed instruments, trippy vocals and lovely (not to mention complex) melodies.

Both members of the band aren't exactly new in the business. Each member has his own career aside from the group; Matt plays at another band called The Agrarians while Dave also plays as a solo artist.

The first time you listen to them, you might find their music quite unusual. Their sound is eclectic; mixing various instruments, drones and very folkish vocals. Songs like, Second Spring, Another Wild Scene, and Fragment of a Classical Afternoon, perfectly encapsulates everything The New Mystikal Troubadours are about. Along with their signature psychedelic melting pot, the songs at times feel like borderline weird indie rock, the kind you'll hear from The Animal Collective and other experimental indie bands. It's this capacity to mix various interesting elements that make the band a must listen.

If you're not used to this kind of experimental soundscape, then it might take you a few listens to really appreciate the album or the songs. Second Spring is as enchanting as it is mystifying. Personally, I love how its so different. There's a big chance you'll end up sitting there lost in the sound as you take in everything from every direction. Definitely a great album to check out.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

Entertainment for the Braindead: Roadkill - sweet gypsy indie folk

Valerie — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:01:12 +0000

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Entertainment for the Braindead is a moniker taken on by Julia Kotowski, a one woman band hailing from Cologne, Germany. Roadkill is the 5th full compilation from the singer/songwriter/instrumentalist. Known for her gorgeous folk music, this latest album is no exception.

The record was born out of the artists desire to explore a new instrument, particularly the banjo. Playing with sweet reverie, her songs are filled with the beautiful strings of this country style instrument. Julia has been releasing music since 2007. Her first album Hypersomnia along with all her other releases are licensed under a Creative Commons and offered for free.

If you've listened to Entertainment for the Braindead before, then you have a pretty good idea on what to expect with this album. Staying true to her sound; the album greets you with gorgeous and dreamy woodland folk music. Julia creates a little haven for her listeners using her skillful banjo picking and her sweet, hypnotic vocals.

Opening with Sirens, this instrumental 2 minute track serves as a beautiful ode to her weapon of choice. The song itself has that gypsy folk vibe that reminds you of gypsies and nymphs laughing and dancing around a night campfire. It's a hypnotic and relaxing song that serves as a nice opener to the eclectic compilation. Other songs like Dry Wood and Relapse, feature Julia's gorgeous vocals accompanying the lovely instruments.

Out of the 10 tracks, my favorite is Vertigo. The song is a cute, laid back single that's reminiscent of the gorgeous countryside and of relaxing evenings spent with a loved one. Julia's sweet voice serves as a highlight for the track plus the lyrics are quite poetic.

Roadkill is an album you'll love to put on if you want something to soothe your nerves or if you just want to get lost in a land of gypsies and nymphs for a little while. You can grab the download for free over at Aaahh Records.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Moses Luster and the Hollywood Lights: I'm The Lion

Natalie — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:02:39 +0000

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If you are tired of all the clean cut pop, rock, indie sounds no matter how good they might be and instead crave for something entirely new, somewhat dark and rusty than I'm The Lion is here to help. The lyrics sing of "low life crooks, doomed love affairs and a haunted past", the music comes filled with strong drums, some electronic beats, and that good old hollywood orchestra feel, while the vocals bring back the ghosts of the classics such as Johnny Cash or Tom Waits with just a touch of Leonard Cohen. A sure keeper!

There is not a lot of information about Moses Luster out there, even though he has been a musician and a performer for quite a long time now. However, when reading about his career as a touring artist and a performer in an off strip casino in Vegas, the dark nature of the album becomes less of a surprise. As Arthur Brown from an Unclean Magazine once wrote: Moses will be forever tied to the dirty downtown casino in which I first saw him, and in some ways he still sounds like he belongs there, amongst the detritus of the city, but now his sound is tougher and more confident, his fire burning even brighter.

I'm The Lion by Moses Luster and the Hollywood Lights

Not all of the songs are top notch and as sorry I am to say this I did find myself skipping one or two of them, yet most made up for those tiny imperfections perfectly! So if it is the best what you are looking for before downloading this little gem, start off with the title track, I'm The Lion. The song is filled with wonderfully powerful drums and orchestra full of instruments that will surely keep you on your toes from the very first second. And if by any chance you are thinking of gathering all your strength to visit your boss and ask for a long overdue raise, you might just find some of the lyrics worth repeating a few times ("I'm a Lion, you are a lamb","feel the power of my roar, you the deer in my headlines") to feel more powerful and ready for action. There are many more tracks that are also worth your time, if you found that the music is right up your alley, these include Kingpin, Pyroclastic, and Some Day.

What is even more interesting is that in some unexplained way, if you listen to all of the tracks one after another, the album seem more like a soundtrack to a dark broadway musical.

I'm The Lion comes as a free/name your own price offer and is available from the artist's bandcamp page.