Grand Archives

Given my love of all things 'Band of Horses' and of Sub-Pop releases in general, the recent news that ex-BoH member Matt Brooke's band Grand Archives were releasing a new album on that very label had me quite excited.

And what do you know - it's lovely! Check our their myspace to hear the tunes.

Also, if you pre-order the new release online from Sub-Pop before the 19th of February (like me) you get a free, limited edition 7" on white-vinyl featuring alternate versions of “Sleepdriving” and “George Kaminski”. Bonus.

listen : Grand Archives - Louis Riel.mp3

Some wonderful covers to finish your week

I was over at I guess I'm floating the other day and found these great covers from some of my more recently adored artists (Jens Lekman and Josh Ritter) of two of my all time favourite artists (Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen)

Have a listen to Jens doing Paul:
Jens Lekman - You can call me Al (cover).mp3

and Josh almost becoming the boss:
Josh Ritter - The River (cover).mp3

They got me thinking about some of the other standout covers of these two artists in my memory.
These are my favourites. What do you think? Any other additions?

Paul Simon (or Simon and Garfunkel) covers

Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple - Bridge over troubled water (cover).mp3

Grizzly Bear - Graceland (cover).mp3

"The Boss" covers

Aimee Mann and Michael Penn - Reason to Believe (cover). mp3

(thanks to Heartache with Hard Work for the link - I am having trouble accessing my own file)

Heather Nova - I'm on fire.mp3

A slightly shaky but still fabulous video of the ever amazing Jarvis Cocker doing State Trooper

Basia Bulat - Oh My Darling

Am positively obsessed with this right album now.


Listen to Snakes and Ladders.mp3 - possibly one of my songs of the year,
then go and get the album - the whole thing is fantastic.

Doveman - With my left hand I raise the dead

so. damn. beautiful.....

listen to Happy.mp3
this is music for serious chill out sessions. (think chris garneau)
check out videos from the new album here.

Nina Nastasia

"Nina Nastasia's rare gift of a voice is an intimate, winged presence that is able to either freeze or melt your heart, that can powerfully soar and twist, or brush ultra-gently against you, suddenly summoning goose bumps."



Regretfully I missed this amazing talent when she and drummer Jim White were touring in Australia, but I hope she can return soon because I am completely besotted. From the first sweet, clear notes of I've Been Out Walking to the final deliberate message of I Come After You Nina holds you in a spell of gentle strength. There is an undertone of sadness, or resignation, of no longer believing the fairy tales, but of moving on steadfastly and resolutely despite this. The line in Our Discussion when she sings "I don't believe in the power of love, I don't believe in the wisdom of stone...." speaks volumes of the whole mood of this record. This, to me, is not an album of dreams, but of reality and coming to terms with the changes that reality involves.

Beautifully expressive, honest and intimate, this is an album full of meaning....whatever that may be for you. Musically it is quite sparse showcasing simply Nina's lyrics along with Jim's drumming. However, everything sounds so very deliberate and crafted that it achieves a real depth and impressive impact. Sometimes murmur quiet and whispery, sometimes loud and fraught with frantic drumming, it takes you through many journeys of emotion and feeling, despite the album's short length of only 33 minutes.

Listen to
Our Discussion.mp3
Late at Night.mp3

Jens Lekman

New to me this week, the latest release from Jens Lekman (on Secretly Canadian)

I saw Jens mentioned on another site and was sold by the Magnetic Fields comparison.

This album is swingin', melodic, orchestral pop from someone who seems to be the Swedish darling of the indie pop world. The Magnetic Fields influence is there (on track 1 you will think you're listening to the same voice), but Jens overall seems much lighter and less intense (and perhaps a little less satisfying) than Stephin Merritt. Still, this is good stuff. He even manages to make a break up song sound goddamn upbeat and happy.

Listen to Friday night at the drive-in bingo.mp3 to get ya smiling on this not so smiley Tuesday.

Iron and Wine

More good news!

New album coming from Iron and Wine called 'The Shepherd's Dog'

Initial listens suggest more of the same beautiful, deep and yet understated melodies of his previous releases, but somehow even more satisfying. Sam Beam seems to be moving away from his lo-fi roots and building a more polished and deeper sound and as much as I've loved everything he's put out, this is really good stuff. The best kind of music to ease me into another Monday.
(More impressions to follow.)

Listen to Boy with a Coin mp3 through Sub Pop records.