I've been a big supporter of the Tim Noyes led project Aunt Martha since finding them back in '11 sometime. Just this past week Tim released his first solo album titled, In Hands which still features his signature vocal stylings.
One of my favorites off the new disc is the track, "Lulu" which you can check out below.
Sorry the audio isn't great here folks. Solid tune nonetheless.
Tim Noyes of Aunt Martha is releasing his debut solo effort and he just premiered the first track "Saturday” via Relix.
Here's a little from Tim on why the album just has his name attached .... "Hey Friends. An album update for you. After a
lot of back and forth, what was initially planned to be the next Aunt
Martha record is going to be released under my name instead. This feels
like the right thing to do, partly because the songs...
sound different, but mostly because Brian and Garrett (the original
band of men) didn't play on them. Aunt Martha is the three of us, and
while I'm really proud of these new songs, I don't want to call them
what they're not."
The new disc will be titled In Hands and it hits stores this February 19.
Constantly touring and recording it's sometimes hard to keep up with all the new music pouring out of Tim Noyes' project, Aunt Martha. Just last week Aunt Martha unveiled three previously unreleased tracks collectively titled, '87'.
The three songs, "Brian Breathing" "Kelly Mitchell" and "Earthquake"
had all been around in some shape or form but had never seen a proper
release. Here's what Tim had to say about '87' .... "These are the first
recordings of these songs, but they were all written at different
points over the course of last year. One in Maine, one in Montana, and
one in the van on the streets of NYC."
Check out a live performance of "Brian Breathing" below or head over to their website to stream all three tracks HERE.
I got to know this band toward the end of last year and I've fallen pretty hard for everything I've discovered from the group, both new and old. There's an endless supply of music to find on their website w/ lot's of free downloads available, including a series of covers that Tim in the band puts out almost every Thursday for his Cover Thursday's series. The latest track to get the cover treatment is St. Vincents "Year of the Tiger." For a deeper look at some other tracks the band tackled, click HERE.
If you happened to catch our 'Best of 2011 list' (scroll down a few articles if you didn't) you know what big fans we are of the band, Aunt Martha. These guys have what seems like a never ending supply of new tunes, they put out 2 EP's and a full length in 2011, plus an album of covers if you want to count that. And most of it is available for free!! So the band kicked off the New Year in good fashion by giving fans another new set of songs to feast on, with their latest EP, La La Lonesome. You can grab that as well as all the other free stuff over on their website HERE, or just give your email address below to pick up the new EP.
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."
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."
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."
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"
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."
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
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.
I wanted to highlight another track off of the fantastic new album from Aunt Martha. Their latest, Norway, Me has been on heavy repeat the last several weeks and it seems like with each listen I have a new favorite song. This weeks song of choice for me is the gentle strummings & great harmonies of, "Blue Buildings."
If you head over to the bands website now you can stream the album in full, and also grab yourself all sorts of free downloads. If you haven't heard these guys yet, you need to check them out.
Just recently found these guys music, and it has me scrambling to scoop up everything I can by them. Check out the video they just came out with for the track, "Tompkins, Sq." Their new album, Norway, ME is out now and if you head over to their website you can grab the track as a free download, or pick up an extended version of the LP for only 5 dollars.
