Here is an artist that seems to revel in acoustic sweetness. London’s Robin Grey (MySpace) invites you into his coffee shop friendly world on his latest release. I Love Leonard Cohen is a four-track EP so splendid Mr. Cohen himself should be more than honored to have such a talented fan. Anyone looking for a fun-filled depressive state, look no further. Read More »Robin Grey: I Love Leonard Cohen [Album Review]
I’m always wary of songs that have the word “Jesus” in the title. Growing up, my family attended church only a handful of times and the reasoning behind it was that we didn’t like to be preached to. It’s not that we didn’t believe anything – a common misconception of the non-believer or agnostic. It’s just that we have our own idea of what higher power means, whatever that may be.
Read More »Club 8: Jesus, Walk With Me [Album Review] 
Pleasant solo acoustic folk acts are a dime a dozen, but few ever break the tradition of mediocrity to reach out and above the others as they fall. Immediately, one has to think of Will Oldham and his empire of monikers. But Oldham will not reign supreme forever. Quickly approaching his trail o’ dust is David Karsten Daniels (MySpace), thanks to his — dare we call it epic — 2008 folk release Fear Of Flying. Read More »David Karsten Daniels: Fear Of Flying [Album Review]
Thomas Peter’s brainchild Cantaloup offers a vibrant and enduring stimulus with the distinctive release, On A Hill Not Far Away; it is a record engorged with antiquity, and sounding like voices in the background of a beautiful European mountain. For anyone under the impression that Germany only breeds strange techno/metal artists, you are in for a rude awakening with this one. Read More »Cantaloup: On A Hill Not Far Away [Album Review]
Written by Fense
As I’m listening to Eleanor Murray, I’m thinking an interesting thought. Could this be the sister of Devendra Banhart? Her voice quavers as she sings, much like his does so often. Her music is folk (though it lacks much of the World meets 70s Folk-Rock). It is also amazingly catchy for a genre often stale and… err… flaccid. Read More »Eleanor Murray: For Cedar [Album Review]
Written by Fense
The Smittens (MySpace) fit the darker side of indie pop, a side not often heard but easily welcome. Their chord progressions are filled with minors and, while ultimately upbeat, the songs are not nearly as cheerful. This rings as true on “The Interstate” as it does on “Half My Heart Beats”, a song that is undoubtedly more upbeat and cheerful, but one that also includes several of the aforementioned darker elements. Read More »The Smittens: The Coolest Thing About Love [Album Review]
Written by Joshua Britton
Sound the mighty, holy trumpets for Teru’ah as they return with Mad Kids in the Holy City, their follow-up to 2006’s Calvin Names the Mountain. Teru’ah is Mike Cades, residing in Brooklyn, and John Killeen, who lives in Asheville. Finally firmly planted in their respective cities, the stability has provided the duo with a clearer vision for this album and, therefore, finely-executed tracks again reminiscent of 70’s soft rock, early 80’s punk and the 90’s alternative scene the two grasped a hold of in order to survive through the decade. Their first effort out, while produced together in Maryland, was a collection of songs mainly performed entirely by each of them alone, save for some overdubs and a few live takes. This LP, however, found the two writing alone but collaborating on every song via mail or visits, and inviting many more people to contribute drums.
Read More »Teru’ah: Mad Kids In The Holy City [Album Review] 
Contrary to what many much older than myself would believe, the best instrumental music is typically reserved not for the classical genre. It’s a mash of classical with… something else – be it electronic, folk, or whatever. Sure, there are some more contemporary exceptions, like Kaada and the epic Johnny Greenwood (I’m thinking his score for There Will Be Blood here). But the mashup allows for something a bit more unique, typically. Read More »Le Mépris: Le Mépris [Album Review]
Written by Fense
I initially had difficulty classifying this album. After all, Dandelion Gold is both a label and a collective of musicians — would it then be a label compilation or a blend of songs by the collective and thus titled as such? While I ultimately chose the latter, I later altered it to reflect the individual musicians within. The artists that make up Dandelion Gold consist of experimental masters like Johnny and Ola of Cock and Swan, as well as other underground favorites like Olie Eshleman and Tectonic Plates. Read More »Dandelion Gold: Sampler Volume 1 [Album Review]
Written by Fense
It begins with static, not quite white noise, maybe feedback. Gradually, decipherable sound fades in, but the original noise remains. Combined, “Heavens On Ice” is numbing, a drone blessed with the prickly icicles of a hazy winter morning fog. Then it morphs into… something… say, something along the lines of a less psychotic Wolf Eyes, but just as far out in space. Read More »The Present: World I See [Album Review]
