Folk

(Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Jewel)

Nic Bommarito: Harp Fragments

Quiet and dreamy; makes you think of floating on a piece of cloud. When it comes to sweet and relaxing stringed music, then Nic Bommarito definitely is a must consider. Even though he might look like a college boy, he is actually a very accomplished artist, professional and of course, musician. His first release, Taciturn, has gained a huge following and has become an instant favorite among folk and post rock music lovers. For his recent release, Harp Fragments, there are subtle differences but the sweet melody as well as the beautiful melancholy is still ever present.

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.

Brian Lee and His Orchestra Vol II – Let Yourself Be Happy

Soulful indie rock music that can do wonders for you on a bad day. Brian Lee and His Orchestra is a three piece unit that creates sweet and relaxing indie pop music that washes away a bad day like salt after a heavy snowfall. With slightly gruff vocals and a smooth acoustic/electronic instrument work, Let Yourself Be Happy is a solid compilation that wins over the admiration of regular or new fans alike. Along with that traditional Nashville sound, great recording quality and obviously high quality production and promotion, Brian Lee and His Orchestra definitely has what it takes to impress listeners with their brand of indie folk rock.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rust by No, Really – Acoustic Folk Pop that Leaves You Wanting More

Sweet vocals laced with uncluttered instruments and emotional lyrics. If there's one thing you'll notice about No, Really right off the bat is that the vocals are extremely sweet and easy to listen to. Rust compiles 10 soft, electronic folk songs with mournful melodies and revealing lyrics. It's a brand of folk pop that's easy to love without even trying. No, Really's soft melodies will make you look back to your own heartaches, joys and sadness. All that from a girl from Tennessee with a guitar.