It's snowing...

i walked home through the swirling snow late last night (after our xmas party) listening to this. It was totally lovely.



(and watching Vashti Bunyan here reminded me of the recent passing of, the genius, Robert Kirby. RIP.)

10 for '09

Lots of records I thought might, haven’t made this list (Richard Hawley, The Gaslight Anthem, Steve Earle, Monsters of Folk, Dylan, The Lemonheads, Drive-by Truckers, Iron & Wine, The XX, Wilco, Lisa Hannigan), so although the industry’s f***ed, by all accounts, it’s been a good year for music in my book…

1. Richmond Fontaine - We Used to think the Freeway Sounded Like a River
They just get better, and the songs here sounded phenomenal live, at the Garage in September (best record sleeve of the year too).

2. The Duke & The King - Nothing Gold Can Stay
Brilliant debut, sounds like a '70s country-soul classic, but with lyrics about growing up in the 80s. Also very good live.

3. Mariachi El Bronx
Hardcore white LA punks do straight mariachi album, shouldn't work but does, discovery of the year (although worst record sleeve of this list, by a long way). Turn it up!

4. The Low Anthem - Oh my God, Charlie Darwin
Came late to this, warily, but it's fantastic and a real grower, a superb one-sitting-listen kind of album.

5. Vetiver - Tight Knit
You need to play this loud on a good stereo to get it's full effect - gorgeous songs, fantastic band, still haven't seen them live.

6. AA Bondy - When the Devil's Loose
Maybe not quite as great as his debut, but still a brilliant winter record. Again, one to listen to in a single sitting, probably late at night

7. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Rock and soul, recorded at FAME studios no less, and a step-up from his first post-DBT record.

8. The Felice Brothers - Yonder is the ClockStrangest of their albums yet, moodier and more diverse than the previous two, but still with its barnstorming moments. missed them live in October sadly (with support from AA Bondy).

9. M. Ward - Hold TimeAlways great - has the cover of the year on it, his version of 'Rave On', and some nice duets with Zooey Deschanel (sigh) and Lucinda Williams.

10. Backspacer - Pearl Jam
First album i've bought of theirs since Vitalogy – won’t claim it’s a classic, but it’s really pretty good and it sent me back to those first three albums.

The Best Festival in the world!

I'm off to see The Duke & the King at the Borderline tonight, and i just noticed that they've been added to the bill for this year's End of the Road Festival, at Larmer Tree Gardens in Dorset. I went two years ago, and trust me when i say it's the most brilliant and beautifully run festival you can imagine - 5000 people capacity, gorgeous surroundings, great bands and no corporate sponsorship. And it's almost a dream line up this year, including Steve Earle, Richmond Fontaine, Vetiver, Neko Case, Fleet Foxes and others, see the official website for more
(If i hadn't just had a baby girl i'd be there this year too!)

More of... Vetiver

I didn't see much mentioned in the new year previews to get excited about, but now hot on the heels of M Ward's album there's a new one from Vetiver, 'Tight Knit' is out on Bella Union on March 9th, for more info check out the band's website

EPs

I sometimes wonder if EPs are the music equivalent of short story collections (ie. they don't sell), but there are three just coming out that sound great (and would make fine stocking fillers come to think of it). Firstly the above pictured Cat Power's, which features (and it's quite a tracklist) the covers that didn't make her Jukebox album of this year:
1. "Auld Triangle (The Pogues)
2. "Dark End of the Street (James Carr)
3. "Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention)
4. "Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
5. "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) (Otis Redding)
6. "It Ain't Fair (Aretha Franklin)

Secondly, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan's, Keep Me in Mind Sweetheart (the title track of which was a stand out on their Sunday at Devil Dirt album). And finally Vetiver's More of the Past. I posted here a little whil ago on the joys of their album Thing of the Past, so i'm really looking forward to more obscure discoveries on this one (which was originally meant to predate the album's release).

Things i'm loving...

in the first of an occassional feature, i'm going to recommend albums that i'm enjoying, whether they be new or old. To kick us off is Vetiver's super fine covers album from earlier this year...



To be honest, I usually shudder at the words 'covers album' - all too often being contract fillers by bands about to be dropped - but Vetiver's album is a defninite and gorgeous exception. This was also for me one of those rare purchases where it was playing in the store as I was browsing and I had to ask what it was and buy it there and then. Eschewing the usual familiar alt/folk-rock covers (Dylan/Cohen/Young) this delves into rarer territory and as such allows the band and Andy Cabic's voice to really inhabit these songs. It's a bit like watching a film with great actors in you've never seen or heard of before. Probably the best known song here is Loudon Wainwright's 'The Swimming Song' - which, maybe not coincidentally, is also about the most faithfully rendered - but elsewhere there are real gems. The standouts for me are 'Lon Chaney' and the Michael Hurley penned 'Blue Driver' (which he takes lead vocal on), but the whole things is lovely, unusual and inspiring - music to lift the heart!