I don’t always think of Woody Guthrie when I listen to folk music, but I sure do with Jacob Thomas Jr. Teetering on that ill-defined line between roots country and folk music, Thomas has the uncanny ability of using finger picking to sooth …
Tag Archives: album review
We are the Willows – Picture (Portrait) – Thoughtful, WWII-themed, string-filled folk music
We are the Willows have a captivating sound, with gorgeous layered strings which are a bit more than the typical five piece folk outfit out today but still shy of a truly orchestral sound. Rather, the music feels like an intimate blend of complicated …
Hinterlands – Self titled EP – Amazing New Zealand folk duo
Words like “stunning” and “gorgeous” just seem to roll off the tongue when listening to Hinterlands, a folk duo from New Zealand, whose debut EP is nothing short of amazing. From the first listen, I couldn’t help but be stunned by their harmonies, …
Hiss Golden Messenger – The Lateness of Dancers
As you may well know, an interesting band name will get me every time. Hiss Golden Messenger avoided my attention for a long time because I have difficulty reading, but it’s now in the running for my album of 2014 with their stellar album, The …
We Were Astronauts – Artificial Light – Thoughtful mix of rock and pop
At some point in just about everyone’s childhood, there was a deep longing to be a professional astronaut. How many telescopes were sold under this youthful fantasy? Then one day, reality reared its all too responsible head and with its presence, killed your …
Elephant Stone – The Three Poisons – Experimental and disciplined international rock music
There are more than a few things about Elephant Stone that are unexpected. First, the band is an American sounding psychedelic rock band with heavy pop leanings. When I first listened to them I was instantly transported to the beaches of California with …
The Native Sibling – Letters Kept to Ourselves – Brother and sister duo make beautiful indie folk harmonies
A few years ago the Oh Hellos came out with an album full of mind-blowing sibling harmonies that soared up my end of the year list. I honestly never thought I’d hear anything like it again. Then last week in an ordinary day …
Bear’s Den – Islands – Dreamy folk that exceeds all expectations
We’ve been familiar with Bear’s Den for a while now, thanks to their stellar Agape EP. With the release of Islands, their debut full length album, we finally get to hear the guys in all their glory and it’s about time. These Brits have …
Max Gowan – Restless Heaven EP – Acoustic singer-songwriter like John Mayer and Ryan Adams
“Your body is a wonderland”. This solitary lyric is capable of eliciting a range of emotion from pop music wonderment, to eye rolling nausea. One thing that cannot be denied is how catchy – or infectious depending on your musical bent – this …
Adam & I – Self titled debut album – Intimate male-female duet feels timeless
This is one of those albums that will make you say “awwww.” It’s full of intimacy, whimsy, delight, joy, and some confrontation. The harmonies are uplifting, the song structures are enticing, and the whole thing just makes listeners feel better. It’s also very …
