Daytrotter are spoiling us this year. We have already waxed lyrical on here about Low and Mountain Goats sessions and now Justin Vernon and Bon Iver have recorded a new session. You can download it here..
http://daytrotter.com/article/1359/bon-iver
and of course it must be fabulous. Mustn't it?
Hmm, well. First thing to say is that there are no new songs, covers or anything like that, just 4 songs from 'For Emma..'. I can't quite put my finger on what I don't like about this session. The vocals seem a touch higher than on record and don't fit quite as well and the songs are all given extended intros and/or outros which makes them lose their focus somewhat. Its all a bit jazzy.
But...you may disagree entirely. The session is there to download anyway.
Review of new Conor Oberst and Haley Bonar LPs coming soon.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Saturday, 26 July 2008
wonderful gig news
Tindersticks. St George's Church Brighton. 13th September 2008.
TracksandGigs will be in attendance!
TracksandGigs will be in attendance!
Friday, 25 July 2008
first impressions... Conor Oberst 'Conor Oberst'
TracksandGigs' interest in Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes has descended steadily as he has made the transition from indie-rock angst to warm alt.country. My enjoyment peaked with 'Fevers and Mirrors' and 'Lifted..', two epic records containing both ballads and those fantastic rock songs where Conor's voice would occasionally sound like it was about to give up the ghost completely. The last two albums have focussed more on country ballads, which were very pleasant and efficiently played but lacked the spark of old.
Therefore, I wasn't too excited about Conor's first 'solo' album, believing that it was likely to be an even more stripped down and mature affair. The self titled offering is streaming now at http://www.conoroberst.com/album/ and is released on August 4th and is....really quite good.
The first few tracks are certainly low-key and reminiscent of his recent Bright Eyes albums but from 'Danny Callahan', a heartfelt song about a dying child, things improve. 'I Don't Want To Die In The Hospital' is an old style Bright Eyes bar-room sing-along led by piano, 'NYC- Gone, Gone' is similarly enjoyable while closing track 'Milk Thistle' is a sparse ballad with more thoughts on life...and death.
There are certainly several acoustic ballads but some full band songs too and it doesn't really feel any more like a solo album than recent Bright Eyes records. I was surprised at how good this sounds.
Full review coming when we receive the album on a physical format! For now, have a listen at his website.
Therefore, I wasn't too excited about Conor's first 'solo' album, believing that it was likely to be an even more stripped down and mature affair. The self titled offering is streaming now at http://www.conoroberst.com/album/ and is released on August 4th and is....really quite good.
The first few tracks are certainly low-key and reminiscent of his recent Bright Eyes albums but from 'Danny Callahan', a heartfelt song about a dying child, things improve. 'I Don't Want To Die In The Hospital' is an old style Bright Eyes bar-room sing-along led by piano, 'NYC- Gone, Gone' is similarly enjoyable while closing track 'Milk Thistle' is a sparse ballad with more thoughts on life...and death.
There are certainly several acoustic ballads but some full band songs too and it doesn't really feel any more like a solo album than recent Bright Eyes records. I was surprised at how good this sounds.
Full review coming when we receive the album on a physical format! For now, have a listen at his website.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Hold Steady 'Bonus Tracks'
It is difficult to know why The Hold Steady would want to leave possibly the three best songs recorded for their 'Stay Positive' album to be bonus tracks but that does seem to be what they have done.
The 'Stay Positive' cd comes with 3 bonus tracks ('Ask Her For Adderall', 'Cheyanne Sunrise' and 'Two Handed Handshake'), whilst the vinyl only has '...Adderall'. This is clearly the wrong way round. The 3 tracks on the cd are actually merged into one eleven minute 'track', either to deter people from sharing the files or to make clear the separation between the album and the bonus tracks. Fair enough...the bonus tracks are better.
In many ways the three songs make a perfect EP. 'Ask Her For Adderall' is like 'Stay Positive' or 'Constructive Summer' but with better lyrics (i.e, no mentions here of "being down with it" or "we couldn't have done it if it wasn't for you"), Holly, Gideon and Charlemagne are all mentioned and it is a neat, catchy rock song that could have graced 'Separation Sunday' or 'Boys and Girls in America'. 'Cheyanne Sunrise' is a stunning bar-room ballad about the perils of getting older ("some things get much harder...some other things stay soft") done with style and humour. Finally 'Two Handed Handshake' is a joyful, pop-rock song with Finn dishing out some advice to 'the kids'. It is all done with a lighter touch than most songs on 'Stay Positive' and is far more enjoyable and less overbearing for it. Why they left these three songs off the album is anyone's guess.
The 'Stay Positive' cd comes with 3 bonus tracks ('Ask Her For Adderall', 'Cheyanne Sunrise' and 'Two Handed Handshake'), whilst the vinyl only has '...Adderall'. This is clearly the wrong way round. The 3 tracks on the cd are actually merged into one eleven minute 'track', either to deter people from sharing the files or to make clear the separation between the album and the bonus tracks. Fair enough...the bonus tracks are better.
In many ways the three songs make a perfect EP. 'Ask Her For Adderall' is like 'Stay Positive' or 'Constructive Summer' but with better lyrics (i.e, no mentions here of "being down with it" or "we couldn't have done it if it wasn't for you"), Holly, Gideon and Charlemagne are all mentioned and it is a neat, catchy rock song that could have graced 'Separation Sunday' or 'Boys and Girls in America'. 'Cheyanne Sunrise' is a stunning bar-room ballad about the perils of getting older ("some things get much harder...some other things stay soft") done with style and humour. Finally 'Two Handed Handshake' is a joyful, pop-rock song with Finn dishing out some advice to 'the kids'. It is all done with a lighter touch than most songs on 'Stay Positive' and is far more enjoyable and less overbearing for it. Why they left these three songs off the album is anyone's guess.
Monday, 21 July 2008
single of the week
All is fairly quiet in terms of new music at the moment. New releases tend to dry up around this time before it all goes absolutely demented in late September/early October.
But, this week's 'Single of the Week' and a single that you absolutely have to buy if you have somehow avoided this band is Fleet Foxes' 'White Winter Hymnal'. The best track on their debut album, this is a harmony filled, strange, twisted nursery rhyme that will be floating around your head for weeks after hearing. Its an incredibly vivid lyric and you will doubtless have your own little video for the song playing in your head while you listen. Or maybe that is just TracksandGigs. Anyway, buy it. The 'b side' is a non album track 'Isles' which is a lovely, hushed folk song. Absolutely, no excuse for not buying this single, out now on 7" on Bella Union or on iTunes if you must.
Lastly, just to say that I am incredibly jealous of anyone who saw Tindersticks at Latitude. They played 'Walking'....
But, this week's 'Single of the Week' and a single that you absolutely have to buy if you have somehow avoided this band is Fleet Foxes' 'White Winter Hymnal'. The best track on their debut album, this is a harmony filled, strange, twisted nursery rhyme that will be floating around your head for weeks after hearing. Its an incredibly vivid lyric and you will doubtless have your own little video for the song playing in your head while you listen. Or maybe that is just TracksandGigs. Anyway, buy it. The 'b side' is a non album track 'Isles' which is a lovely, hushed folk song. Absolutely, no excuse for not buying this single, out now on 7" on Bella Union or on iTunes if you must.
Lastly, just to say that I am incredibly jealous of anyone who saw Tindersticks at Latitude. They played 'Walking'....
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Denison Witmer
Denison Witmer is a TracksandGigs favourite. In the league of 'American acoustic guitar singer-songwriters' he is probably currently number one.
2005's 'Are You A Dreamer' was a superb album, deserving of far more recognition than it received. A set of songs inspired by dreams, memories and old photographs, it was a lovely, warm album to listen to and in particular the song 'Castles and Cathedrals' is just a brilliantly written ballad that everyone should hear.
He has taken his time over a follow-up, but then that album also took a while to come after the equally excellent 'Philadelphia Songs'. It seems that a new record is not far off anyway, it has been recorded and if you go to Denison's Myspace (link below) you can hear a new song called 'Carry The Weight'. Sung with Rosie Thomas, this indicates that Denison's work with Don Peris has led him to be even more influenced by the Innocence Mission than he was already. This can only be a good thing. Can't wait for the LP.
http://www.myspace.com/denisonwitmer
2005's 'Are You A Dreamer' was a superb album, deserving of far more recognition than it received. A set of songs inspired by dreams, memories and old photographs, it was a lovely, warm album to listen to and in particular the song 'Castles and Cathedrals' is just a brilliantly written ballad that everyone should hear.
He has taken his time over a follow-up, but then that album also took a while to come after the equally excellent 'Philadelphia Songs'. It seems that a new record is not far off anyway, it has been recorded and if you go to Denison's Myspace (link below) you can hear a new song called 'Carry The Weight'. Sung with Rosie Thomas, this indicates that Denison's work with Don Peris has led him to be even more influenced by the Innocence Mission than he was already. This can only be a good thing. Can't wait for the LP.
http://www.myspace.com/denisonwitmer
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
more on The Sleeping Years
very quick mention for a lovely, acoustic version of 'You and Me Against The World' by TracksandGigs favourites The Sleeping Years, which is streaming at their Myspace here...
http://www.myspace.com/thesleepingyears
Can't stop playing the album at the moment.
They are playing a support gig at The Macbeth in London on 22nd July. Am very much hoping for a London headline show soon. Dale?...
http://www.myspace.com/thesleepingyears
Can't stop playing the album at the moment.
They are playing a support gig at The Macbeth in London on 22nd July. Am very much hoping for a London headline show soon. Dale?...
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