Casual Listening
Extra!
Dantesco – Pagano (metal)
A bel canto operatic singing style would seem the polar opposite of the guttural shouting that passes for singing on most metal albums, but if you think about it, opera and metal aren’t that far apart. Melodrama, pretense, Vikings – I’m surprised someone hasn’t thought of this before. These mythic odes are in Spanish, adding to the mystique.
Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
Casual Listening will be on vacation next week
Sixpence None the Richer – My Dear Machine (rock)
The latest salvo in the “pay what you want” download movement, this EP is worth the suggested $4. Catchy melodies in an ethereal voice over ambling rock with Christian overtones. You can find this and many others at a cool site called NoiseTrade www.noisetrade.com. You can preview samples, and then name your price to purchase albums. 90% of the proceeds go directly to the artist, which is about 80% more than they usually get.
Miss Leslie and Her Juke-Jointers – Between the Whiskey and the Wine (country)
Great honky-tonk and western swing in a classic vein. Lewis’ powerful alto delivers a set of heartbreakers that echo the sound of the great Hank Williams.
Drakkar Sauna – Wars and Tornadoes: Drakkar Sauna Faithfully Sing Songs of The Louvin Brothers (country)
A loving (louving?) tribute to the classic country and gospel duo that was the musical godfather of the Everly Brothers. Shining harmonies with guitar, mandolin, and fiddle revive sweet songs of yesteryear.
Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands – Live (bluegrass)
Sizzling bluegrass picking that benefits from avoiding the recording studio. Great live energy that reminds you of being at a good summer folk festival.
In the blog: Dantesco
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.
Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
! Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis – Two Men With the Blues (jazz)
An unusual feat of musical alchemy produces pure gold. These two may seem an odd couple, but remember that Nelson is the songwriter of "Crazy," one of the most memorable jazz standards of the last 50 years. The band is a new Hot Seven - guitar and harmonica swagger over piano, drums, upright bass, and saxophone, with Marsalis giving a command performance in the role of Louis Armstrong on trumpet. The resulting style lives at the crossroads of Dixieland and delta. This album is tops among recent releases in any genre.
McCoury reconstructs a depression-era soundscape, complete with recorded excerpts from Franklin Roosevelt’s fireside chats. This is a populist album about hard times, set to fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. In addition to McCoury, there are contributions from other country notables such as Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, and Patty Loveless.
James Intveld – Have Faith (country)
Honky-tonk revival. Intveld is a student of the “Bakersfield Sound,” a counter-current in country music known for tight songwriting and acrobatic pedal-steel guitar. Intveld pulls it off with flair.
Beck – Modern Guilt (rock)
Is there such a thing as a bad Beck album? His trademark slacker singing style floats on an array of beats and samples, provided by DJ Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley fame. Nothing revolutionary here, but a great creative ride.
Gaelic Storm – What’s the Rumpus (Celtic)
Your friendly neighborhood Celtic bar band. Fiddle, accordion, pennywhistle, and lots of group singing.
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.
Casual Listening
Extra!
Los Lonely Boys – Forgiven (rock)
This is a good rock-and-roll ride. Hendrix-inspired guitar work, with spot-on vocal harmonies, and an occasional South-of-the-border spice. A cover of Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m a Man” captures the spirit of where this band is at.
South – You Are Here (rock)
Released several weeks back, I just caught this today. Fragile songs, extensively arranged, give this group a sound that’s richer than your average brit-pop youngsters.
Casual Listening
a review of cool new music
by Jeff Pinzino
* The Locos – Energía Inagotable (ska)
Horns and guitars balance frenetic, party-spirited songs en español. Third-wave ska fans will have a ball with this group.
Craig G and Marley Marl – Operation Take Back Hip Hop (rap)
These guys were recording ten minutes after the birth of hip hop, and more than 20 years later are trying to redirect an art form they feel has spun out of control. They’ve added in the multi-layered production style that’s evolved since their early days, and pull in guests such as KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli among others. As much a manifesto as a comeback album.
A true-blue American rock record for the 4th of July. Power chords and hook-driven tunes give you a perfect excuse to open up the t-tops on your Trans-Am and rock out.
Adron – Adron (folk)
Bossa Nova channeled through a next-generation American songwriter. Adron’s voice has a pinch of Nora Jones and easily shuttles back and forth between northern and southern hemispeheres, resulting in a smooth, mellow mood.
Nels Andrews – Off Track Betting (rock)
Andrews conveys a deep
Kofi – Rocking Eternally (reggae)
Top-shelf contemporary reggae. Kofi’s expressive vocals are easy to love, and a mostly electronic background works to drive a slow, urgent groove with an occasional dose of dub psychedelics.
In The Blog: Los Lonely Boys, South.
* highly recommended
! highest recommendation
Check out the blog at http://casuallistening.blogspot.com . To subscribe or unsubscribe, or just to say hi, send an e-mail to jeffpinzino@gmail.com.
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