Hey folks! I hope you all don’t think any less of me now that I am vlogging. It turns out, talking to yourself is very difficult – so I give the crazy people around my neighborhood a lot of credit for making it look so easy! This week brings with it a lot of great music from many different genres, so let’s get to it.
I have to admit, it was a bit jarring for me to try to review this album after being so obsessed with its first single, “It’s Only You, Isn’t It.” Where the single is like a hot bass lick to the face, most of the album’s 11 songs are much more toned down both instrumentally and in terms of Trullie’s vocal growl. I had built up an anticipation in my mind that did not reflect the finished product and was a bit let down at first. Now, my fourth time through, I’m finding new songs of which to be enamoured. “X Red” has the punk rock bass complete with hand claps and rebel girl swag that I need to put a smile on my face. “Caring” is one of my favorite songs on the album and, oddly enough, one of the more tender songs on the album. I think it’s because it has a hint of one of my favorite Britpop bands, Pulp.
I think this is going to be one of those albums that has a song for every mood. Just as we finish “Caring,” we go into the slow, deep and dark depths of “Madeleine,” a song that would make a great theme for Robert Smith’s Emo Prom Night (in the best of ways). Stream her album in its entirety over at Spinner. Also, that picture: me-ow.
I have been lucky enough to see Bonnie Raitt perform live and, if you’re looking for a legend, she is the real deal, my friends. That woman can give even the happiest of guitars the blues. Ms. Raitt also has one of those unique voices that is unmistakably hers, combining a bit of folk, blues and rock into a fantastic vocal dance. For you young’uns out there reading this who haven’t heard this woman sing, this album is a great intro and will also leave long-term fans with happy ears.
Apparently I’ve been really digging whatever reaches into the darkness of my soul and my Lydia Deets
freak flag wants to be flown in its own Pride Parade. If the idea of Siouxsie and the Banshees being remixed by Zola Jesus or Planningtorock is appealing to you, then like me, you will be thrilled. I’ve found, more than anything, that because these songs are complex in their layered sounds — they are best listened to with headphones that allow you to pick out each piece of the puzzle — it’s easy to miss how well they are put together when broadcast into the air. But as a whole, wow, are they tight. Stream the album over at Spinner and check out “Hundred Hearts” below, which opens with what I’d like to think is a special wink to Asia’s “Take My Breath Away.”
Holy crap does singer Stefanie Berecz have soul. This is less poppy than a lot of the Top 40 soul albums released over the past few years and maybe a bit more traditional or jazzy. Nevermind what I said about my dark mood, apparently I’m all over the map. From the irresistably great opener, “I Can’t Speak For You,” to the album’s great closing song, “‘Til It Went Wrong,” Gets Over You is a solid release that is easy to enjoy.
Back in the day, I had the biggest crush on Monica. Well, she’s still got it going on and to be honest, I feel like she hasn’t gotten as much of the exposure as she’s deserved over the years. It’s not that New Life is blowing my mind exactly, but it is consistently good, which is a lot more than I can say for some of the more over-hyped artists we’ve been spoon-fed over the years. So far, standout tracks include “Take A Chance” and both “Cry” and “Time To Move On” — which would make great songs for either a choreographed routine on So You Think You Can Dance, or a sex scene in Tyler Perry’s next movie about a man who is just trying to make things work for his family while Madea is still in jail. Those last two are fantastically cinematic and sensual — a word I hate using unless it’s as appropriate as it is right now.
Emily Wells‘ voice will creep up on you like an odd breeze in a closed room that tickles your neck and gives you the distinct feeling someone else is in the room with you. It’s not a bad feeling, but one that sets an obvious tone and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
She is a difficult artist to categorize, which isn’t a bad thing, unless you’re a writer trying to paint a picture for your readers. So, I will say, she’s a bit trip-hop, a bit spook-folk and would be a great soundtrack to any novel written by Kelly Link, who happens to be one of my favorite authors.
The debut album from these young rockers exceeds expectations and a lot of that, in my belief, rides on the powerhouse vocals of singer Emily Armstrong. Just as I say that, I want to take it back because the band’s sound as a whole is really enjoyable and the song structures are crafted well enough for someone normally disinterested in music as heavy as this to be able to enjoy it.
Honorable Mentions: Dinosaur Feathers, M. Ward, Pelican, Young Hines, Devin, Trampled by Turtles, Morgan Page, Datsik, The Black Seeds, Elliot Yamin, Amadou & Mariam, Newsies (Original Broadway Recording), Bassnectar, Counting Crows, Neal Casal.
In case you missed it, Florence + The Machine gave an incredible MTV Unplugged performance which is now available to purchase – but you can also stream the entire show right here.
Also be sure to check out the new video from Kat Devlin, the first official single from her REM Cycle EP.
We’ve also got a video from a new lesbian rock band on the scene, The Criminal Sisters. Here’s their video for “Bad Morning.”
That’s all for this week’s new music recommendations! Tomorrow, I’ll be bringing back my Weekly Women to Listen to column so be sure to check back in! As always, feel free to follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook or drop me a note with music suggestions or just to say hey girl hey.
