Thursday, December 29, 2011

Burn The Bowery's: 'Favorite Albums of 2011'


So it's that time of year again, LISTS! Where we get to look back and reflect on the music that excited us over the last 12 months.
So I'm going about things a little different this year, I had a clear cut favorite album, the one I definitely listened to the most, but the rest I'm going to just list in alphabetical order. Maybe it's a cop out, but to me there really isn't much of a difference between let's say my number 4 and number 15, or number 7 and number 19, it all depends on mood, place and time really, right? At least that's what I'm sticking to. So without further rambling here's my favorite 20 albums of 2011.
Thanks always for stopping by and Happy New Year to everyone!!







1) We Are Augustines- 'Rise Ye Sunken Ships'
Far and away my most played album of the year. For as heavy and gut wrenching as the subject matter (mental illness & the death of singer Billy McCarthys brother James) the album has an undeniable uplifting spirit and sense of hope. I look at it as a love letter of sorts to those we've lost. Favorite tracks include, "Headlong Into The Abyss" "New Drink for the Old Drunk" and the albums centerpiece, "Book of James."

  Headlong Into The Abyss by We Are Augustines


Heres the best of the rest in alphabetical order:

 Aunt Martha- Norway, ME
One of my favorite finds this year. A magnificent folk/acoustic album, simple and intimate. Almost everyone I played this album for has fallen in love with it. Some of my favorites include, "Harlem" "Nassau" and the highlight of the LP for me, "Blue Buildings." Also stay tuned for a future 'Field Recordings' session we shot with Tim from the band to be posted real soon.
  Aunt Martha- Blue Buildings by burnthebowery 


The Black Keys- El Camino
Might not be a better straight up Rock n Roll band around right now. With a simple formula of whaling guitars, drums, and old fashioned catchy hooks, nobody's been as consistently good as these guys the last few years, and El Camino didn't disappoint. Favorites for me included, "Gold on the Ceiling" "Mind Eraser" and "Lonely Boy," which also might have nailed the best video of the year honors for me.




Blind Pilot- We Are The Tide
For their stunning track "New York" alone this Portland band deserves to be on this years list. The song was by far one of my favorite tracks of the year, and the bands second LP saw them not only expand band members but broaden their repertoire.
Favorites included, "Half Moon" "Keep You Right" and the aforementioned, "New York."




Bon Iver- Bon Iver
Hard to believe believe Justin Vernon lived up to the hype machine following his debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. Not only did he live up to the hype, he surpassed it with a phenomenal more intricate sophomore effort. Favorite tracks include, "Calgary" "Michicant" and "Holocene."
  Calgary by boniver 

The Bony King of Nowhere- Eleonore
Super talented young songwriter out of Belgium, lyrically and musically wise beyond his years. Fell in love with his debut in 2009 and his sophomore disc, Eleonore sees him expanding on his folk sounds. Already big in his homeland, I'm waiting for him to break overseas. For now a hidden treasure, favorite tracks include "Sleeping Miners" "Going Home" and "Some are Fearful."
  The Bony King of Nowhere - Going Home by Rockoco

Caveman- CoCo Beware
A solid a debut as any this year. This local NY band sounds like they have been playing together for years, as the album flows effortlessly from one song into the next. Irresistible hooks, versatile sounds, a must listen if you haven't heard it yet. Some of my favorites include, "Old Friends" "My Time" and the chilled out track, "Thankful." 
  Caveman - Thankful (2011) by EmergencyBroadcastSongs





Dan Mangan- Oh Fortune
An earnest and powerful voice out of Canada. This is Mangan's third album, but the first I really became familiar with. The discs  opening track, "About as Helpful as You Can Be..." is a perfect intro to the LP with it's grand orchestration and slow building beat leading up to Mangan's raspy growl. Other favorites are "Post War Blues" "Oh Fortune" and "Rows of Houses"
  Dan Mangan - Rows Of Houses by artsandcraftsmx 


James Vincent McMorrow- Early In the Morning
If I was forced to pick a number two album this year, on most days this debut from Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow might have been it. The disc contains about half a dozen of my favorite songs of the year, including, "If I Had A Boat" '"This Old Dark Machine" "Down The Burning Ropes" and the simply beautiful, 'We Don't Eat."
  05 We Don't Eat by jamesvmcmorrow 


Jessica Lea Mayfield- Tell Me
An underlooked sophomore effort, which sees the young 22 year old growing as a writer and singer. Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys produced both LP's, and this one sees a bit more in slickness and production. If you love folk & Americana type stuff Mayfields voice is one of the best around. Favorite tracks for me were, "Somewhere in Your Heart" "Tell Me" and "Our Hearts Were Wrong."

  Our Hearts Are Wrong by Jessica Lea Mayfield 


Matthew Ryan- I Recall Standing as Though Nothing Could Fall
Is it possible to get better with each album if this is album number 13??  I've been a fan since way back and his lyrics, insight and sincerity never cease to amaze me. There might not be a better songwriter around that connects with the struggles of the everyman. Some of the discs favorites for me are, "The Sea" "All of that Means Nothing Now" and "The Spinning Room."




Other Lives- Tamer Animals
Fantastic debut from this Oklahoma 5 piece, that even caught the ear of Radiohead's Thom York, helping the band secure an opening slot on some tour dates. You can call it cinematic, orchestral, grand, with great harmonies, some favorite tracks include, "Landforms" "For 12" and the epic title track, "Tamer Animals."

  Tamer Animals by Other Lives


Radiohead- The King of Limbs
Speaking of Radiohead, KOL is an album that consistently grew on me throughout the year. Was a little underwhelmed at first but with each listen I found more and more to like, and little intricacies to discover. Some of my favorites include, "Codex", "Lotus Flower" and "Morning Mr. Magpie"
  Radiohead - Codex by mariocon 
 
Real Estate- Days
An impressive sophomore effort from this NJ band. Fun and jangly guitars, great melodies, takes you back to an endless Summer type mindset. Some of the best tracks for me include, "Green Aisles" "Younger Than Yesterday" and the super catchy single,"It's Real."
  Real Estate - It's Real by DominoRecordCo 

The Rural Alberta Advantage- Departing
A real breakout album for the Canadian band. I loved '09's Hometowns and this one seems to serve as a perfect companion piece. The band plays with a passion and an energy, that bleeds through to their music. Some of my favorites were, "Under The Knife" "Tornado '87" and the manic and intense, "Stamp"

  The Rural Alberta Advantage - Stamp by Mvidito


Siskiyou- Keep Away the Dead
Another favorite out of Canada, the band recorded in a small town of 350 people, and the LP's mood takes on the desolate locale. An intimate disc, filled with quiet, gentle arrangements. Favorites included, "Where Does That Leave Me" "Fiery Death" and the great slow building anthem, "Twigs and Stones."
  Twigs And Stones - SISKIYOU by Constellation Records 


Soley-We Sink
Former member of Seabear, this Icelandic singers innocent voice contrasted by her dark and intense lyrics create an undeniable mix. I love all the lo-tech arrangements throughout, the homemade clicks and clacks, the quirkiness and charm the record exudes. My favorites included, 'Smashed Birds" "The Sun is Going Down II" and "I'll Drown."

  Sóley: I'll Drown by morrmusic


The Twilight Singers- Dynamite Steps
Greg Dulli is an all time favorite, from his days fronting the early 90's outfit the Afghan Whigs, to his latest. Everything he does is gold in my book, and his bands newest work doesn't disappoint. Dynamite Steps might have the closest resemblance to some of that  old 'Whigs sound, with tracks, "On The Corner" and "Last Night In Town." Other favorites include, "Get Lucky" and the beautiful, "She Was Stolen."
  She Was Stolen by Twilight Singers 



The War on Drugs- Slave Ambient
I was a huge fan of their debut disc, 2008's Wagonwheel Blues, and the Philly band picks up right where they left off creating a killer wall of sound. Mixing elements of folk, rock and psychedelics  frontman Adam Granduciel creates a sonic soundscape that would make Phil Spector proud. Some of my favorites from the disc include, "Brothers" "Come to the City" and the hyper track, "Baby Missiles."
  The War On Drugs - Baby Missiles by The Line Of Best Fit


Wye Oak- Civilian
I'm always amazed when listening to this band that they are only a two piece. An album that can go from intimate, quiet and moody to loud and aggressive in a heartbeat. Some of the LP's favorites were,
"The Alter" "Hot as Day" and the explosive title track, "Civilian."
  Wye Oak - Civilian by MergeRecords 


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Thursday, December 22, 2011

Burn The Bowery's: 5 Favorite Ep's of 2011

Every year when I try and compile my favorite albums lists I seem to overlook and omit all the great EP's that came out throughout the year. So this year I'm giving a little recognition to some good things that quite literally come in small packages. Here's some EP's that I had in heavy rotation this year. 

In alphabetical order:

Daughter- The Wild Youth EP

http://ohdaughter.bandcamp.com/

Frightened Rabbit-A Frightened Rabbit EP
    A Frightened Rabbit EP by Frightened Rabbit
http://frightenedrabbit.com/ 

High Highs EP

http://highhighs.com/ 

Pickwick- Covers/Split

http://pickwick.bandcamp.com/

Typhoon- A New Kind of House

http://www.wearetyphoon.com/

The Me In You- "Girl In Armour"

It seems like I've been on a kick lately of finding new music out of Belgium. A few weeks ago it was Yuko (read here) and now I recently found this one from a new Belgian band called, The Me In You. "Girl In Armour" is the bands first single off of their debut full length, which will see a release in the beginning of 2012 via Noisesome Recordings/EMI.



The Me In You on Noisesome HERE

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

There Will Be Fireworks: New EP out now, Full length due in 2012

This young Scottish band had a great debut back in 2009 with their self titled LP, featuring the epic tracks, "Foreign Thoughts" and "We Sleep Through the Bombs." The guys have been back at work in the studio and now were getting to see the result of what they've been up to. The band just dropped a new 4 track EP, Because, Because, and word is they will have a new full length to unveil in the first half of 2012. Check out some of the new material below. "In Excelsis Deo" comes off the EP, and "South Street" is a new one that we might see appear on their forthcoming full length.

  There Will Be Fireworks - South Street (demo) by wilcow 
    THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS In Excelsis Deo by ILL FIT 


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http://twitter.com/#!/twbf

The Head & The Heart: new song '"While You Were Gone"



I saw these guys live back in 2010 without knowing very much about the band and only being familiar with a song or two. I walked away from that show blown away and instantly hooked. 2011 was a big year for the group, they signed on with Sub Pop and saw their albums re-release, and steady word of mouth from their live sets saw them finally start to blow up.  It was nice to see the band getting some well deserved recognition, and I look forward to even bigger things from them in the New Year, with hopefully a new album in the works. Speaking of new material, they just posted this new track titled, "While You Were Gone" on their facebook page from a video shot in Seattle with The Ballard Sessions.

http://www.theheadandtheheart.com/
http://ballardsessions.com/

Friday, December 16, 2011

EMA- Past Life Martyred Saints

One of the things I love about this time of year is reading up on all the year end 'Best of' lists. Inevitably I'll find some great new music that I missed along the way this year. One such artist I've been catching up on is EMA. Erika M. Anderson is a South Dakota native who used to front the group Gowns, which she founded with her then-boyfriend Ezra Buchla. After a split, she released her solo debut earlier this year called, Past Life Martyred Saints, which manages to mix parts, indie-rock, acoustic, synths, and fuzzed out grunge & noise. The LP can be heavy & dark at times but it balances it's little moments of hope. What I love so far about this disc is she has a big bold sound, it's in your face, and she seems to go for it on every track, truly a dynamic performer. Looking forward to hearing and learning more about EMA.


Lucero: Announce new album in 2012, Map tour dates

This Memphis band might be the hardest working band in rock n roll. The band plays over 200 shows a year, and if you've ever seen one of their live shows you know they put all their blood, sweat, and tears into every note, and it's as fun and raucous a show as you'll catch. So I was pretty excited to learn this morning that the band just announced a new round of tour dates for the new year, that will coincide with the release of a new album this coming March 2012. The new disc will be their debut for ATO records (My Morning Jacket, Dawes, Alabama Shakes). Here's what frontman Ben Nichols had to say about the upcoming LP, ..."This record is Lucero doing what we do best. It's one part barrelhouse Rock & Roll and one part lonesome nights. The thing is, we are having more fun than ever playing both onstage and off and I think that shows on this album." That pretty much sums up the bands music right there. Check out all the upcoming tour dates over on their website HERE.




Thursday, December 15, 2011

New Video: Thieving Irons- "So Long"


Here on the blog we love all things Pela. It was sad to see the band split, but this year has seen some great new music rise up from three of the bands former members. Billy and Eric went on to form We Are Augustines, who put out a brilliant record, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, and former guitarist Nate Martinez started his new band, Thieving Irons. Martinez formed the group in 2010, and later that year released an album, This Midnight Hum. Thieving Irons is now readying a new album for 2012, and a few weeks back they put out a new single called "So Long." They just released a new video for the track directed by Micah Van Hove, which you can watch below or grab yourself a free download of after the jump.




http://thievingirons.com/

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Song of the Week: The Hill and Wood-"Vacant Spaces" ...show in Brooklyn Frid. 12/16

The fist thing that came to my mind when I heard the new album from The Hill and Wood was, damn why didn't I find this album just a few weeks ago. You see I've been making up my year end 'Best Of' list and I think this one might have found it's way on it had I discovered it sooner. The Charlottesville,Virginia based band dropped their self titled debut last month, drawing some comparisons to Wilco, and even Radiohead. The LP was a few years in the making as founder Sam Bush saw the band go through some lineup changes before finding the perfect fit. For long time fans it must have been worth the wait as the album is an impressive debut. The stunning opening track, "Vacant Spaces" sets the tone with a mix of simple yet intricate percussion, strings and synth, with Bush and Juliana Daugherty's vocals floating above. Give a listen below and stream the whole album over on the bands bandcamp page HERE.
And if your in the NYC area, the band will be playing a show this Friday night at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn, so you can check them out in person.

http://thehillandwood.bandcamp.com/

The Wooden Sky- New album in 2012 + hear their new Xmas song


One of my personal favorites, The Wooden Sky, just announced plans for their third full length album. The forthcoming LP titled, Every Child a Daughter, Every Moon a Sun, is due out February 28 on Black Box Recordings. Coinciding with the new album release the Toronto band will be heading out on an extensive North American tour spanning from February to April (tour dates below). The album was largely recorded at Montreal's famous Hotel 2 Tango studio with Howard Bilerman and Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, with additional recording taking place in various homes, churches and farms. Singer Gavin Gardiner had this to say on the new work, "everyone had their eyes and ears open searching for new textures to play with. ...What began as a simple collection of nine songs quickly ballooned into an 18-song opus; 13 songs ended up making the record. It did come dangerously close to being a double album."All I know is that if this one is anything like 2009's brilliant If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone we're in for a real treat. Stay tuned for more news about the LP and hopefully a new track being unveiled soon. 
In the meantime get in the Holiday spirit and check out the bands take on the Christmas song, "Christmas All Over Again" which is featured on the Ho-Ho Canada III Christmas compilation. You can download the whole album for free over on The Line of Best Fit.

  The Wooden Sky- Christmas All Over Again by burnthebowery

Tour Dates:
2/24 Ottawa, ON - Ritual Night Club
2/25 Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle
2/29 Charlottetown, PEI - Hunter's Ale House
3/1 Fredericton, NB - The Capitol Bar
3/2 Moncton, NB - Tide & Boar
3/3 Halifax, NS - The Seahorse Tavern
3/5 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
3/22 Hamilton, ON - The Casbah
3/23 London, ON - London Music Hall
3/24 Windsor, ON - FM Lounge
3/25 Chicago, IL - TBA
3/29 Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre
3/30 Saskatoon, SK - Amigo's
3/31 Calgary, AB - Palomino Bar
4/5 San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah
4/6 Los Angeles, CA - Silverlake Lounge
4/7 Sacramento, CA - Luigi's
4/9 Portland, OR - Bunk Bar
4/10 Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
4/12 Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore
4/13 Nelson, BC - The Royal
4/14 Edmonton, AB - The Pawn Shop
4/16 Regina, SK - The Exchange
4/18 Sault Ste Marie, ON - TBD
4/19 Sudbury, ON - The Townehouse
4/20 Toronto, ON - The Opera House
4/27 St. John's, NL - The Ship
4/28 St. John's, NL - The Ship


http://www.facebook.com/thewoodenskyfb

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Korey Dane-"Blue (Kids On the Weekend)"

Was recommended this one by a friend and I have to say it fits right in my wheelhouse. I've been on a real kick lately of guy/girl combo vocals and "Blue (Kids on the Weekend)" has some great harmonies. I don't know a whole lot about Korey Dane other than reading that the young 22 year old singer hails from Long Beach, California and his latest album, Loomer came out earlier in the year. I also just noticed that if you head on over to iTunes you can grab yourself a free download of his song, "Oh Louise."Give a listen below.



http://www.koreydane.com/

Monday, December 12, 2011

Hear Two New Songs from The National

While out on tour The National were musical guests on CBC radio show Q LIVE in Toronto the other day, with the band playing live songs throughout the show. Among the set, the band managed to unveil two brand new unreleased songs called, "Rylan" and "I Need My Girl." And oh by the way they also invited Justin Vernon from Bon Iver on stage for a killer version of “Van­der­lyle Cry­baby Geeks.”
Watch below.





http://www.americanmary.com/
http://www.cbc.ca

Friday, December 9, 2011

Get to Know: Yuko

I had the chance to live in Belgium for most of 2007-09, and in fact it was while living overseas that I started this blog. Trying to find work and learn two new languages wasn't the easiest thing, and I needed a creative outlet, so BTB was born. While over there I had the chance to discover some new artists that I otherwise probably would have never found or heard. One of which was Yuko, who put out a great 2008 debut, For Times When Ears Are Sore. The project has been descibed as electonica, post-rock, ambient, folktonica, a pretty wide spectrum, all of which have some merit.
I just found out recently that the band is back with their follow-up to '08's debut with a new record called, As If We Were Dancing, which sees the band expanding on their already diverse sound. Here's what frontman Kristof Deneijs had to say about creating the new LP, "We kept making new versions until they felt right. But now it really is the record we wanted to make! It sounds as a huge cliché, but we actually needed the first record to be able to make this new one. I feel like we have closed a chapter, like the two records are one whole. We started out with nice, dreamy melodies that evolved into more danceable rhythms. Intimate and dreamy, the perfect mix of melancholic, yet still very lively tracks.”




http://www.yukotheband.be/
http://www.facebook.com/YukoBand

Soley- "I'll Drown" (live performance for KEXP)

Seattle radio station KEXP had the chance to set up shop at the Iceland Airwaves festival back in October. They broadcasted from their KEX Hostel and captured 15 of Icelands most talented artists, including one of my new personal favorites Sóley (Seabear, Sin Fang). I've fallen in love with her latest release, We Sink, a surreal lo-fi journey which features the standout track, "I'll Drown." As good as the album version of this song is, this live performance might even top that. Watch below and to see the rest of the performances you can go HERE.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

'Song of the Week': Down Like Silver- "Wolves"

This weeks 'Song of the Week' comes from the new Peter Bradley Adams & Caitlin Canty project, Down Like Silver. I first became familiar with Adams from his work in another great male/female vocal duo, called EastMountainSouth, which had a brilliant track called,  'You Dance." The pair split a while back, and Bradley went on to do solo work putting out three albums on his own. Now linking up with NYC singer/songwriter Caitlin Canty, Adams is back with, Down Like Silver. The pair just came out with a new self-titled EP. I heard their new track, "Wolves" last week, and it's one that has been on constant repeat ever since. Give a listen below or check out their gorgeous new B&W video for the track, which was directed by Jeff Martin.




http://downlikesilver.com/
downlikesilver on bandcamp

Bry Webb-"Rivers of Gold"


You might be familiar with Bry Webb from his work as the frontman of the Toronto band, Constantines. The band supossedly split up and now Bry Webb is out with a new album called, 
Provider. It's a bit of a departure from his previous band, which fell more in the indire-rock genre. Provider is a much more stripped down, almost folky affair. You can check out the intimate track "Rivers of Gold" below to get a feel for what the new album is all about.
  IF004: Bry Webb "Provider" by Idée Fixe Records 



Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Aunt Martha Covers 2Pac's "California Love"

I've been raving about the new disc from Aunt Martha, Norway, ME to friends, family, co-workers or just anyone who will listen. It's one of my favorites of 2011 and it's pretty safe to say it will appear on my year end list. In addition to the great LP the band is known for taking on and having fun with its share of cover songs, which you can check out HERE. The latest track they tackled is 'California Love" by 2Pac which they threw up n their Facebook page the other day. Check it out.


Aunt Martha - California Love [Cover] from Aunt Martha on Vimeo.

http://www.auntmarthaband.com/
Aunt Martha on Facebook 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Siskiyou- 'Keep Away The Dead'

I've spoken in the past about the band Siskiyou and their track, "Twigs and Stones." It got the nod for our 'Song of the Week' several weeks ago, but I wanted to delve deeper into their album. The band which is made up of former Great Lake Swimmers members Erik Arnesen and Colin Huebert released their new LP, Keep Away The Dead this past October. Huebert recorded in Mara, Canada a small town of 350 people, and wrote the base of the songs while Erik Arnesen was on tour, with the songs taking shape once the pair came together. I've heard the album get mentioned in the same breath as Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago and it's a pretty valid comparison in my opinion. The LP's mood  feels like it was made in a desolate locale, it is filled with quiet, gentle arrangements like, "Sing Me to Sleep" and "So Cold," and rich slow builders such as, "Twigs and Stones" and "Fiery Death." It's an album with many layers, moments of intimacy, a sparseness which could be highlighted by the sad and beautiful, "Where Does That Leave Me" which is my personal favorite at the moment.
With each listen you'll find another hidden gem. You can start listening by streaming the album below.

Keep Away the Dead - SISKIYOU by Constellation Records

http://siskiyouband.com
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Capybara-"Late Night Bikes"

Found this one in my inbox the other day and I'm really digging it. Capybara is a four piece made up of lifelong friends who slipped away from jobs and leases in Portland, Brooklyn, and Kansas City to come together. After their debut in '09 the band caught some buzz, getting a nod on Spike Jonze’s official mixtape for 'Where the Wild Things Are',  and they backed legendary cult songwriter Daniel Johnston at the inaugural Middle of the Map festival in Kansas City. The band is now readying their sophomore effort, Dave Drusky which is due out February 7th via The Record Machine. Check out the catchy first single off the upcoming disc called, 'Late Night Bikes" below.

Capybara- "Late Night Bikes" (mp3)


http://www.capybaramusic.com/

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Japanese Popstars - "Shells Of Silver" (Feat. James Vincent Mcmorrow)


If your a fan of Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow this one is a must hear. It comes from the UK electronic trio called, The Japanese Popstars and it was released earlier in the year, but the band just came out with a brand new video for the track. While most of the bands songs are uptempo dance/electro numbers they took things down a notch with "Shells of Silver." The slow electro beat mixed with McMorrow's falsetto is a spell-binding mix, watch and listen below.

  THE JAPANESE POPSTARS SHELLS OF SILVER feat James Vincent McMorrow by The Japanese Popstars  
http://www.jamesvmcmorrow.com/
http://www.thejapanesepopstars.co.uk/

Bowerbirds Unveil New Album plans for 2012

Raleigh, N.C. folksters, Bowerbirds just announced plans for their third album, The Clearing, which is getting a release on March 6 via Dead Oceans. The band recorded the new album in Wisconsin at Bon Iver’s April Base studio with additional recording taking place in their cabin in North Carolina.
You can preview the first track from the album, “Tuck the Darkness In” below and check out all their recently announced tour dates over on their website HERE.

The Clearing tracklist:
01 “Tuck The Darkness In”
02 “In The Yard”
03 “Walk The Furrows”
04 “Stitch The Hem”
05 “This Year”
06 “Brave World”
07 “Hush”
08 “Overcome With Light”
09 “Sweet Moment”
10 “Death Wish”
11 “Now We Hurry On”

Bowerbirds - Tuck the Darkness In by All Around Sound Blog

http://www.bowerbirds.org/

Thursday, December 1, 2011

'Song of the Week': Pickwick-"Blackout"

This weeks 'Song of the Week' comes from the Seattle, Wa. band Pickwick. Their song, "Blackout" is an oldie but a goodie, and I mean that in more ways than one. The track comes from their  March 2011 EP, Myths, Vol. 3, and it has an uptempo soulful, R&B vibe that would make Berry Gordy proud. I get the same feeling listening to Pickwick's music that I did the first time I heard the Afghan Whigs(who are an all-time favorite btw). Maybe a bad comparison because the bands sounds are vastly different, but I mean in the sense that they both are throwbacks and give a nod to the Motown sound without sounding like a ripoff, giving it a unique and updated spin all their own.
Give a listen to "Blackout" below, and check out the bands three other EP's over at their bandcamp.



http://www.facebook.com/pickwickmusic
http://pickwick.bandcamp.com/