Acoustic

(Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Dashboard Confession)

Robin Grey: I Love Leonard Cohen

Simple folk pop with a penchant for name dropping. Robin Grey creates lovely folk music, no doubt about that. I Love Leonard Cohen, is a 4 track EP released after his first full length debut, Only the Missile. His latest album is Strangers with Shoes and contains 8 folk acoustic rock tracks. Grey has a gift for creating a calm and pleasant atmosphere with his music. Influences from Leonard Cohen, Ani DiFranco and Bob Dylan reign supreme in his work. So if you love music from those artists, chances are, you'd appreciate this EP.

Secret Ocean: Kokoro No Furyoku

Dreamy acoustic folk pop in a Japanese wrapping. Secret Ocean is Hiroumi Takatsuka on vocals and he creates laid back acoustic indie folk rock. Kokoro No Furyoku is the Japanese singer songwriter's latest release and is filled with 11 acoustic driven songs. Seven cuts from the album is available for free download on Jamendo, but if you want all 11 tracks, feel free to help out the singer and buy the album at CD Baby or Amazon. Although he cites influences from U2, Coldplay and Del Amitri, they are not really as pronounced on the release where Hiroumi's prominent sweet vocals takes center stage.

Johannes Hopfner “Soft Night” – acoustic indie folk pop with a twangy European flavor

Acoustic indie folk pop with a twangy European flavor. Johannes Hopfner brings back indie folk pop with great acoustic guitar work in his Soft Night album. Songwriter, composer, and accomplished guitar player; Hopfner has been playing his favorite folk songs ever since he was 15. Soft Night features beautiful guitar work and enthralling often chilling vocal quality from the artist. Although his odd enunciation might annoy some, it works perfectly with each track. Most songs are a nod to the 70s and makes you wish you were in a commune or park somewhere, playing lovely music with your six string.

The Dada Weatherman – Mind Of Blue

Acoustic rock and folk blues that brings you the flavor of the South. The Dada Weatherman is a blues inspired acoustic folk rock music outfit headed by Jonathan "Zedadawaizeurman" (according to their Facebook account.) With a knack for catchy, blues inspired beats along with simple and poetic lyrics, The Dada Weatherman are simply fun to listen to. If you are looking for an eclectic mix of tracks done in great taste, then you might find it here. Mind of Blue is the band's latest album. Their previous releases includes the simple yet enthralling The Green Waltz and heavily acoustic and piano filled Earthquakes and Failed Mutations.

Mandate of Heaven – The Next Valley Over

Folk indie psychedelic act that mandates YOU listen. Central New York has certainly contributed their fair share of impressive musicians; yet, another band to add to this already long list is Mandate of Heaven. Essentially, the band was founded by Greg Pier, of which, he also serves as lead songwriter and singer. Pier is a multi-instrumentalist that plays almost all instruments in the group's recordings. Their music is a mix of indie folk pop with a touch of psychedelia. The Next Valley Over lumps together 11 acoustic driven melancholic sounds along with Pier's soft gruff vocals.

Talley Lambert – The Red Line of Hydrogen

Folk rock musician armed with skillful guitar work and emotional vocals. After spending time online looking for info on Lambert, I came up with a page on Jamendo and Last FM, nothing else. It's either this guy appreciates his privacy (frustrating for fans) or he simply dropped off the music scene altogether. If its the latter, then too bad because Talley Lambert can certainly evoke great emotion with his music. The Red Line of Hydrogen is the artists' first album and was recorded back in 1999, supposedly at the age of 17. Lambert is capable of creating modern folk rock music that definitely hits you right on the sweet spot. The Red Line of Hydrogen compiles 10 acoustic and very personal songs by Talley Lambert. Each track is guitar driven and recorded with passionate vocals that seems to resonate with heartbreak, loss or generally a sad reverie. The singer cites Jeff Buckley, Mark Knopfler, The Grateful Dead and Ani Difranco as among his favorites. The Red Line of Hydrogen is the artists' first album and was recorded back in 1999, supposedly at the age of 17. Lambert is capable of creating modern folk rock music that definitely hits you right on the sweet spot.

Beginner’s Luck by Lindalou and Michael Ryge – folk pop 70s music

70s style couple that loves to make folk music together. Originally released almost a decade ago, (2003) Lindalou and Michael Ryge's Beginner's Luck only became available for download in Jamendo two years ago. The album is a mixture of folk 70s rock and straight acoustic pop. It certainly makes you think of staying in some uphill grassland park somewhere, basking in the sun and enjoying nature. The couple has been creating music together for over 30 years. Songs on Beginner's Luck talk about their adventures and reflect their love for each other as well as their love for life. It's an honest, feel good 60s-70s folk music that will make you wish it was the flower era once again.

Cherrycoke “Acoustique” – simple & timeless acoustic guitar album

Melancholic music with sweeping guitars that induce a melodic reverie. Apart from a Myspace site and a Jamendo page as well as the fact that he's from France, there is hardly any information on Cherrycoke and his music. Acoustique creates dreamy and melancholic bliss that engages every acoustic lover out there. Music like this can be described as transcending the language barrier. Its simplicity is actually its beauty and its appeal. By not having any complex guitar work and essentially just "sticking to the basics," Cherrycoke creates appealing music that works.

The Black Atlantic – Reverence for Fallen Trees

Surreal acoustic folk pop that reminds you of being completely lost in the woods yet feeling happy. Groningen based group The Black Atlantic has finally released a full length album in follow up to their Send This Home EP. Released back in August 2009, Reverence for Fallen Trees has been receiving praises and great reviews left and right. Recorded and created in a log cabin somewhere in the Adirondack mountains, the album is a dreamy, fragile and sweet acoustic folk pop that makes sweeps you from your feet. All 10 tracks are crafted to embody harmonious vocals, sweet strumming and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Perhaps one of the most intriguing bands of the recent months, The Black Atlantic has certainly released an instant favorite with Reverence for Fallen Trees. The album title is a metaphor for "honor the dead" which was used in reference to the van der Velde's grandfolks who passed away in the year before the release of this album.