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Like last year, I came across a huge number of new songs and new artists. There were some that were very good, and some that were well worth forgetting. Here's my favorite new discoveries of 2008:
Bombadil
These guys out of North Carolina play a mean live act. There's energy, lots of hand-eye coordination and some very good songs. While not quite out there as an indie group such as the Decemberists, these guys have a quirky nature to their songwriting that really makes them stand out.
Bon Iver
Excuse my gushing about Bon Iver. He's easily one of the best new artists of this year, and has a fantastic indie-folk sound. More later.
Civil Twilight
I first came across Civil Twilight when their song Human was featured on House, MD. These guys have a good alt-indie-rock sound with plenty of energy and beat behind the lyrics.
The Fairline Parkway
These guys have a light touch when it comes to lyrics and sound. Their first album, A Memory of Open Spaces was catchy and didn't fall into most of the normal sounds that I tend to listen to. It's not quite folk, not quite rock, but something inbetween. Perfect for driving with the top down.
Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers
Findlay Napier recently formed the Bar Room Mountaineers with a neo-scottish folk sound that explodes with subtle energy throughout their songs with a distinct modern flavor. I'd love to see them live sometime.
Goodtimes Goodtimes
Franc aka Goodtimes Goodtimes has a strong hand at the guitar. From the opening notes of his first album, Glue, there's a strong rhythm and a set of brilliant lyrics.
Helen Lawson
Helen Lawson's sound seems to be strongly rooted in her home country of England, with a rich history of folk, which she really draws upon here. Her debut EP, Crossing the Bridge is light, soft on the ears and lyrical.
Jon Regen
Regan has released latest album, Let It Go, which is strongly reminiscent of the sound of Marc Cohn. He wouldn't sound out of place in a jazz lounge, and according to the frequent updates I get from him, he's touring strongly.
Let It Go - Jon Regen
Joseph Arthur
Arthur isn't new to the music scene, but he is new to me. His recent album Could We Survive caught my ears, and he carries a strong alt-country/folk sound with him.
Kat Flint
Flint has a new album coming out, Dirty Birds, and she has been on my radar all year as a strong female vocalist. Her voice is solid, guitarwork firm and her lyrics gold.
Matthew Ryan
Ryan is another new artist to me, but he's been around for a little while now. He sings with a gravelly tone that really reminds me at times of Tom Waits (not quite as harsh). His new album Matthew Ryan Vs. the Silver State is a subdued, somber album that sounds fantastic.
Natalia Clavier
Natalia Clavier's album Nectar is a downtempo affair that has a fantastic, smooth sound to it out of South America. There's energy and emotion here, all wrapped up in a fantastic sound.
Oren Lavie
Lavie has released a wonderful album that he recorded himself. Hailing from Israel, his song Her Morning Elegance caught my ears off of a commercial, and the rest of the album has the same unique sound and lyrics that set that one apart.
Sarah Siskind
Sarah Siskind came to my ears via Bon Iver, when he covered one of her songs, and later sang with her. She's gotten another album on the way in 2009 that is something to keep an ear out for. She reminded me a lot of a favorite of mine, Sara Wheeler, but with more depth and drive to her songs.
Tina Dico
Tina Dico is another girl who's worked with Zero 7 before (Sia is also well know for her work here) Her latest album, Count to Ten is a fantastic listen in alt-pop music with some real talent with lyrics and melody here.
One of my favorite 2008 discoveries, Jon Regen, has written in with a couple updates. He's back from his European tour and is planning another that will kick off in July:
- July 19 2008 8:00 PM
GRIZANE FESTIVAL Griziane, Italy - July 20-28 2008 TBA
LA GHIRONDA FESTIVAL Puglia, Italy - September 25-27 2008 8:00 PM
PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ CLUB London, UK
I'm guessing that there will be more added to this.
In the meantime, you can download the title track to his latest album, Let It Go, for free from his website.
Let It Go - Jon Regen
Jon Regen, whom I've talked about before, is currently out on tour in Europe. Here's a track from Vienna, the title track from his latest album, Let It Go. This is a pretty good live version. Hopefully, he'll be touring in the US - I'd love to see him live and in person.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
May 31 2008 8:00PM
LA NOTTE BIANCA UNIVERSITARIA Cesena, Italy
July 19 2008 8:00 PM
GRIZANE FESTIVAL Griziane, Italy
July 20-28 2008 TBA
LA GHIRONDA FESTIVAL Puglia, Italy
September 25-27 2008 8:00 PM
PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ CLUB London, UK
Let It Go - Jon Regen
This month's had a bunch of really good new songs and releases. There was a lot of really good stuff this month:
View from the Root [Album]
The Adam Ezra Group has rapidly become a favorite of mine, ever since I saw them last December with Carbon Leaf, and again when they returned a week later. They've recently come out with their latest album, and it's a step up for them - they've really refined and strengthened their sound and have produced a really good record. Flyin' is a nice, laid back song that just feels right, and Katie is another fantastic song from them with a great beat and rhythms. My review is coming soon.
Thirty One Today - Aimee Mann
This song feels and sounds great, but it's depressing as hell. The guitar, keys, bass and vocals all work wonderfully today with a nice, seductive sound that's really propelled it to the top of my playlist.
Julian of Norwich - Bombadil
A Buzz, A Buzz - Bombadil
I covered these guys recently with a review of their debut album, A Buzz, A Buzz. They've got a really neat, unique sound with some fantastic songwriting that's really set them apart from a lot of other groups that I've listened to. Julian of Norwich and the title track, A Buzz, A Buzz are two of the best on the album.
Violet Hill - Coldplay
Coldplay's first single off of their upcoming album. It's pretty different from some of their earlier works. I like this sound, and I'll be interested to see what the next album brings.
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie's back with a new album and a wholly new sound. I have yet to hear the rest of the record at this time, but so far, I really dig it. I Will Possess Your Heart, I think will become one of their better songs, despite the drama from the fanboys on this one. Bands do change their sound. Relax, you will live to see another day.
Westward Bound - The Fairline Parkway
Nowhere to Be - The Fairline Parkway
These guys are new, and made a splash at the South by Southwest festival. My review of this album is forthcoming, but here are two of my favorite tracks from this album.
Let It Go - Jon Regen
The Last Song - Jon Regen
Regen is a new artist to me, and I love his Soul/Jazz sound that really resembles Marc Cohn's Walking In Memphis. This whole album is tight, full of emotion and really sounds fantastic.
Memory One - Lili Haydn
Satellites - Lili Haydn
Lili Haydn's also a new artist to me, although this is her third album. She has a nice, easy going style that's really set apart with the piano and violin.
John Adams Theme - Robert Lane
My new favorite show - I'm in love with history, and it's fantastic to see a television show get something to the public that's actually good. John Adams is a wonderful show about the founding of the US, and this theme song is just amazing.
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar - That Mitchell and Webb Look
This show just makes me laugh. This is actually a theme song for a reoccurring sketch within the show, but it's so slapstick, it's just hilarious.
Hideaway - The Weepies
I haven't listened to these guys extensively, but I'm adding them to my 'to listen' list because I'm really liking their laid back sound here. These songs are light, with a fantastic sound and some interesting lyrics.
Jon Regen seems to be a natural successor of Marc Cohn, of Walking in Memphis fame. Vocally and stylistically, they closely resemble one another - I'd love to see Regen do a couple of Cohn's songs as covers. There's also a hint of Sting / the Police (helped along by Andy Summers, from the Police on one track)
Let It Go is a wonderful album - it's full of depth, emotion and feeling from the beginning to the end. I've found it to be a very relatable album, with songs such as Photographs of You and I Come Undone.
This isn't an emotional dumping ground for Regen - there's a very dynamic feel to this album, and it covers a lot of ground, both with its songwriting and with it's feel. We have songs here with a lot of energy to some of the more downbeat ones, the type that bring out memories. Other tracks have a very old school sound to it, similar to some of the tracks that I listened to from the 60s and 70s.
What really strikes me is the piano work here. There's a really nice, familiar jazz feel to it, and he really knows his way around the keyboard - it's something that where a lot of artists play it, but I haven't really heard a whole lot who can play it at this level - it's very striking and sets the album and Regen apart from other male singer-songwriters.
The album isn't perfect - some of the songs are similar thematically and sound-wise that it's hard to distinguish them with casual listens, and at times, he does sound a bit too much like Marc Cohn - I had to really put a couple songs together and listen closely to make sure that I wasn't listening to the same singer. Fortunately, there's worse artists you can sound like.
I really got a kick out of this album - it's a good listen. I'm getting to the point where I'm overly critical of artists that I haven't heard of, who are asking for attention from the blogging world - it's very nice to be surprised and to come across an artist who I'll go out of my way to look for in the future.
Let It Go - Jon Regen
Finding My Way Back To Me - Jon Regen
