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Bonnie 'Prince' Billy: Lie Down In The Light (Drag City)
- Will Oldham’s latest LP as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy features a
nice balance of quieter duets and balladry with more brisk pieces. With a very "live" feel, his
refreshing contribution to the American folk continuum blends generally sparse
yet potent guitars, hand percussion, touches of keys, fiddle, pedal steel,
banjo, clarinet and more. His tender,
softly sung vocals are supported and challenged by those of Ashley Webber. Beautiful.
Highly Recommended.
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Awesome Color: Electric Aborigines (Ecstatic
Peace) - The sophomore LP from noise rock trio Awesome Color is
a welcome second chapter in their spectral, heavy, blues-based rock
epic. From the fuzzed out - to the wah-wah, the pedaled guitar riffage
provides the incendiary sparks above the heavy bass, drums and organ grooves
and funky undertones. Raw vocals
proclaim “burn it down … do you feel the heat”, need I say more? Recommended.
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The M's: Real Close Ones (Polyvinyl) - Chicago quartet The
M’s deliver rock with a psychedelic twist. Clearly born of the 1970s, a decade where
styles like R&B, Country and British invasion were gently simmered into
heady album rock. Acoustic / electric
guitars, percolating rhythms, keyboard caresses and weightless vocal
harmonies are key ingredients – as spices of horns and strings are used
sparingly. Buy the gatefold, roll a
fatty and enjoy. Recommended.
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Daedelus:
Make It So [ep] (Ninja Tune) - Santa Monica, California
producer/ instrumentalist Daedelus (Alfred
Weisberg-Roberts) is a titian of experimental electro and left-field
hip-hop. Finding inspiration in French
house and Italo-disco, the joyful musical work is a
layered blend of that belies the sad, soulful vocals from Michael
Johnson. Its
easy to loose ones troubles on the dancefloor, and Daedelus holds the prescription. The single-track [ep]
features remixes from XXXChange (Spank
Rock), Moonstar, and Samiyam
(Flying Lotus). Daedelus' upcoming LP Love To Make Music To
is due in July 15, 2008. Find the
groove that suits your mood.
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Douglas Armour: The
Light of a Golden Day, The Arms of the Night (Social Registry) - The debut LP
from LA-based Douglas Armour blends flavors
on 1980s indie-pop into refreshing summery
confections. Things get started with
electro / organic percussion, funky bass, worldly guitar, electronics, and
keyboards. As things unfold, warm
Wurlitzer tones and acoustic guitars come to the forefront. Quirky, soulful vocals speak to sadder
subjects, but the music always shines.
Recommended.
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Presto: State of the Art (Concrete Grooves) -
Laid-back, neo-soul infused hip-hop from Los Angeles. Chris “Presto” Douglas’
third full-length album takes building blocks from the past, like live drums,
deep bass, samples and turntable action and combines jazzy saxophones and
quiet keyboards. A long-list of MCs (Raashan Ahmad, Fatlip,
Wayward Saints) and singer Kim Hill add vocals. "The perfect
laid back mood" (Urb).
Recommended.
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The Cool Kids: The Bake Sale (Chocolate
Industries) - Chicago
duo the Cool Kids are Chuck Inglish
and Mickey Rocks. They mix
Miami Bass, 808 boom-bap and minimal funk with
clever, witty humor that references their forefathers. Deep minimal beats and infectious hip hop
hooks revive ones belief in the future on Hip-Hop. Killer s**t – Highly Recommended.
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The Watson Twins: Fire Songs (Vangaurd)
- Though now Los Angeles based, the Watson
Twins (Chandra and Leigh) are from rolling foothills of Louisville, Kentucky. While developing their charming blend of
folk, country, and contemporary roots music – the duo worked with Jenny
Lewis, Rilo Kiley, Earlimart, and others. Their soulful harmonies grace nicely
performed and produced traditional based roots music. RIYL Lucinda Williams, Neko Case.
Recommended.
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Red Garland:
Soul Junction (Prestige) - Opening with the lengthy blues title track
"Soul Junction", pianist Red Garland kicks this November 15,
1957 session off in style. Not to
mention the memorable soloing from supporters John Coltrane and Donald
Byrd, plus steady rhythms of
bassist George Joyner and drummer Art Taylor. The ensemble is sparkling throughout. Engaging stuff, that’s Highly
Recommended.
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Ladytron:
Velocifero (Nettwerk) - Liverpool's Ladytron
return with their 4th LP, Velocifero. Dense, electro-glam with brooding undertones
and gleeful highs. As you peel back
the pounding, distorted drive, sophisticated references are revealed. Vocalists Mira Aroyo
(who even sings some in her native Bulgarian) and Helena Marnie add yet another dimension to the sound. Recommended.
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