Clouds Echo in Blue by Derri Daugherty
Derri Daugherty has come out with an absolutely beautiful album of sonic treasure. This is the first instrumental release for Daugherty (who also released a 5 song ep several years back). The music is rich, compelling and delicate. At times the soundscape is relaxed and reflective, with an ambience that feels quite pensive and brooding. He strikes a balance that straddles depth and delivery that offers back a genuinely comforting collection of songs. The trademark ring of his guitar is here in abundance. This is a welcomed release from someone who has defined the music of The Choir and consistently challenged the status quo as an artist. Jump in and get this in your collection! If you purchase the CD you get a signed autographed copy as well as an immediate digital download!
Songs of Heartland & Grieving by Bill Mallonee and Muriah Rose
Bill Mallonee has just released an amazing collection of songs that really detail what he and his wife, Muriah Rose, have been playing out on the road since they became a duo. There are fan favorites on this album as well as newer material off of some of the recent WPA collections that Bill has been releasing at an incredible pace. This is a live recording except for the one new studio track at the end titled “Neon Passes Through.” This is a top notch live show as well, obviously a soundboard recording with excellent and crisp sound. One of the highlights here is Muriah’s song “Grace Notes” which she pulls off flawlessly and beautifully about halfway through the record. This is a must have for any fan of Bill’s, or it is a great introduction to someone just discovering his music, or reintroducing themselves to his music. Mallonee is a treasure chest of amazing songwriting; he has a gift and talent that continues to offer up portraits of Americana and heart wrenching tales of transparency and life. Jump on over to Mallonee’s bandcamp page and support independent music!
Unfortunate End by Kissing Cousins
This four piece (all girls) band, fronted by Heather Heywood, is one of my favorite acts on the Velvet Blue roster. Their latest ep is titled Unfortunate End and according to the bands bio it is about the demise of 4 different female protagonists. This release is dark and brooding, with the juxtaposition of Heywood’s sensual vocals accompanied by the heaviness of the music and the subject matter. There isn’t anything else quite like this. Musically Kissing Cousins remind me of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds because of the southern gothic feel and the lyrical storytelling that puts you right in the middle of the songs. You can feel the darkness, the heaviness, and the desperation. This is an amazing follow up to their full length, Pillar of Salt. The progression is pleasing in all its somber and darkened glory.
Let’s Go For A Ride by Upside Down Room
Old-school punk rockers Upside Down Room are finally back with a new ep. If you thought they broke up or called it quits long ago – think again! They were just laying low for a while. Their newest ep has six songs total, with two older songs re-recorded and four new songs. And yes, the re-recorded songs are different from the originals – you’ll be able to hear the difference right away. In fact, there seems to be a slightly different sound throughout the entire ep. While UDR has retained much of their signature sound, they have also managed to change it slightly, too. The only word I can think of is “gritty.” I don’t know the technical term for it, but the guitar tones sound grittier to me… and I really like this change. TV Baby was a great ep, but something about it concerned me. Now I can see that I was starting to think that all UDR releases were sounding similar. Not that this was totally bad since I loved their sound but I know some fickle fans will check out if things start repeating. They changed that a bit with this new ep – enough to sound new and fresh but not so much that they would alienate long time fans. It’s kind of like when you run into an old friend that you haven’t seen for years and find out that they are even cooler than they were. You like the changes but are glad they kept the things that made you friends in the first place.
Numb Reborn by Klank
Third time is the charm… right? Saying that would actually imply that the first two times were not that great – but that is not the case with Numb…Reborn by Klank. Numb was first released independently in 1999 and then updated a bit and re-released in 2000. Now in 2010 we have Numb…Reborn. At first, I was going to skip getting this because I already had the other two versions. Then I saw that you could listen to it online thanks to Bandcamp, so I thought I should at least give it a run-through. But now… I am just going to have to get the 3.0 version. It is worth it. What exactly has changed? Most of the songs from 1.0 and 2.0 are on here, minus the remixes. But you are given four new songs that are killer as well as some cool remixes. Jim Chaffin himself plays on three of the new songs, with Mike Phillips and Larry Farkas each making an appearance on one new song each. The new disc is worth it for these new songs alone. But the older songs sound better than they ever have. I’m not sure which ones were re-recorded or whatever, but they all sound great. Klank is one of the top industrial/metal/in-your-face/dance bands out there – so if you love the genre then you have to check this album out. I can’t wait to hear Urban Warfare when it is completed. Also can’t believe I waited over a year to check out Numb…Reborn.
The Collection by Elim Hall
Elim Hall was a fairly obscure alternative band that – believe it or not – was signed to Reunion Records in 1986. Their debut release Things Break pretty much sounded like nothing else that was on Reunion or any other major CCM label at the time. Their sound was heavily influenced by early U2 – and I don’t mean Actung Baby. This album was out before Joshua Tree – so think really, really early U2 (as well as other early 80s alternative bands). In 1990, the band released an independent cassette called Let It Thrive and then called it a day. Both of those albums were combined by the band and released as a CD-R collection in 2003 through their website. I recently contacted Glen Teeple and found that they do have some copies left. The packaging is a bit DIY around the edges, but you could probably honestly ship the whole thing off to a major label and have them manufacture it and it would look professional. Well – they might need to update some of the technology on the CD-ROM enhanced section – I have a hard time getting some things to open – but I could still see the video. This is a great obscure gem for those that like what was kicking around in the early to mid 80s underground. I can’t guarantee that it will be available forever – so be sure to grab a copy while you can.
Pistols and Pearls by Map
I think we have a knack at DTL for loving under-appreciated bands and artists. Josh Dooley of Map definitely counts as one of those. His song writing and guitar playing skills are genius. Don’t believe me? Think I am just being a silly fanboy? Well, now you have the chance to find out for yourself. Mr. Dooley has compiled 12 of his best tracks and made a free sampler called Pistols and Pearls. Available through his BandCamp page, you can listen online or download in any format you like. The songs were written over a nine year period, yet they surprisingly make a fairly cohesive album on their own. I burned a copy to listen to as I drive, and there are really only slight differences in recording quality that you would probably only notice if you listen to them too loud like I do. Style-wise, this is dreamy, melancholy alternative music that sounds like it was woven together more than played and recorded. These songs were released originally by Velvet Blue Music – so how could you go wrong there? New music is coming soon according to Dooley, so check out this compilation to see why you should be excited about that.
There Is No Tomorrow by Swarm Of Bats
Some of the names on this album might be familiar. Swarm of Bats is made up of four former members of Brandtson. But this isn’t your Daddy’s emo band. In fact, its not emo at all. Swarm of Bats is going for a garage rock apocalypse, and I think they might have accomplished just that. The music is energetic and fuzzy with a great swagger and attitude. I am loving some of the nasty bass lines being cranked out like in the song “Just Say It.” With song titles like “Zombies,” “(R U) Street Legal,” and “Neurotic City” – you know the band is out to have fun and enjoy themselves while taking you along for the ride. The band overall exudes a great chemistry that can be heard in every song. You can listen to the whole thing online or name your own price (even nothing).
Namaste Sate by Aradhna
The new album by Aradhna, Namaste Sate, is a work of beauty. Everything from the photography to the videos to the music comes together in one awe-inspiring package. How appropriate, since Aradhna means “worship.” For those unfamiliar with Aradhna, they are an original mix of Hindi language, English language, rock music, Indian music, guitar, sitar, and many other English and Indian influences. They successfully remove Jesus from the white churchianity-dominated mindset of so many Americans and skillfully introduce him into an Indian mindset. But don’t worry if you aren’t fluent in Hindi – lyrical translations are always a part of the liner notes for every Aradhna release. Even if you take away the translations, it would be hard to not get caught up in the mood of each song. Early Aradhna albums seemed to have more distinct lines between the rock parts and the mellow parts. On Namasate Sate, these lines are nearly gone – songs seamlessly transform from floating and acoustic to intense and electric and back again. This lends a more mature edge to the overall project. The swelling and subsiding of the music reminds me of walking along the streets of India in many ways – one moment you are in a quiet neighborhood where it seem like time is standing still, then you hear the loud street growing closer, then you are in the midst of a sea of people – caught up in the rush but not feeling any pressure to get anywhere. You just enjoy the ride. Which is exactly what I do with every listen of Aradhna.
De-Plumed by The Choir
The Choir strikes gold again. This surprise release was the second in 2010 for the guys in The Choir. It was not only eagerly welcomed by fans, but it is unlike anything you have ever heard The Choir guys do. I was surprised because not only is this a stripped down acoustic Choir offering, they also revisit songs from previous albums – which is unusual for them. Normally I’m not a big fan of bands taking songs from prior albums, doing them acoustically and packaging a new disc… BUT, this is very different from anything else of that nature. They didn’t just sing through these songs with an acoustic guitar, Hindalong still handles a well favored and minimal approach to the percussion, and they have also added Matt Slocum on the cello which really embodies the richness of the acoustic melancholy of these songs. Another nice touch is that they used Ron Lyon for the artwork again, as they had done previously on Burning Like the Midnight Sun. This has quickly become one of my favorite Choir releases, it is a must have for your collection.