2008-09: Amy Kuney, Iron & Wine, Samantha Crain, Jeff Hanson, Wall-E, Black Keys, Imogen Heap, The Walkmen
Lots of great music coming out this fall. This is what I’ve been listening to so far… If you have Rhapsody, click HERE for the playlist.
Amy Kuney – Bird’s Eye View
I would put her in the same sphere as Katie Tunstall and Brandi Carlisle - except her voice is so different, but in a good way. I dig the lyrics in the songs too. “Thank You For Last Night” is superb. The album is great, and so is her version of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida: Click Here!
Iron & Wine – The Creek Drank the Cradle
It’s not a new album, but I’ve been listening to it ever since I saw Iron & Wine at Lollapalooza this year. What a great sound – I feel like I’m in the South in an old field house watching the sun set over cotton fields every time I listen to this band.
Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers – The Confiscation EP
Folk music today just doesn’t get any better than this. I love this girl’s voice and sound of the band. It’s amazing how someone can write such deep, disturbing lyrics but also sing the soothing and oddly uplifting melody on songs like ”The River.”
Jeff Hanson – Madam Owl
Great songs. Great voice. Great sound. I still can’t belive that it’s a guy singing the songs. Weird, but great music.
Wall-E Soundtrack – Thomas Newman and Others
Wasn’t a HUGE fan of the movie. But I’ve been listening to the soundtrack just because it’s something different. And it’s great.
Black Keys – Attack and Release
Along with Iron and Wine, I also got to see this duo at Lollapalooza. They were probably the best act I saw. The guitarist is incredible. I’ve been enjoying this latest album of theirs. It’s full of blue-eyed blues, classic rock riffs, and garage band grunge.
Imogen Heap – Speak For Yourself
Her real name is Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap. What were here parents thinking? Luckily she became a pop singer. You might recognize her voice from her prior band, Frou Frou. They had a hit song, “Let Go,” on the movie Garden State. Anyway, I came across her solo stuff from a Saturday Night Live skit. They parodied a clip from the O.C. that used the song “Hide and Seek.” Check out the skit: Click Here! As for this album, I can’t get enough of her voice and the beats she uses.
The Walkmen – You And Me
Yes! A perfect album from a great, versatile band. They channel the Strokes, Bob Dylan, and Cold War Kids on this sparse but flawless creation.
Honorable Mentions:
Even though I didn’t like the entire album, there are four AMAZING songs I have to mention from two artists:
Teitur (from “Stay Under The Stars”): Don’t Want to Wake You Up, Louis Louis
Ane Brun (from “A Temporary Dive”): Song No. 6, Rubber & Soul
