Colin Meloy, frontman for indie folk-rock group, The Decemberists, released his debut novel last year. It is the first book in his Wildwood Trilogy that he has created with the mother of his child, award-winning illustrator Carson Ellis. It is a very impressive, if somewhat predictable, first novel from an artist who has already made his name as a musician first. Meloy created a new and exciting world with Wildwood, one that I will be happy to venture through again. I could do without the whole “machines are bad/nature is good” lesson that was thrown in there a couple times. It’s not that I disagreed with the sentiment, it just felt a little trite. Even before reading his debut novel, I knew that Colin was a marvelous wordsmith and a great storyteller. I really enjoyed his writing style and his decision to utilize his extensive vocabulary to the fullest despite it being a children’s novel. The first installment in the Wildwood Chronicles
was a great read and I highly recommend it. I expect even greater things from the 2nd book in this trilogy.
And in the off chance you have stumbled upon this site having never heard The Decemberists, take a listen to one of my favorites from their debut release Castaways and Cutouts.
4AD and Jagjaguar have teamed up to bring us a unique acoustic session of songs from Bon Iver. The recording features Justin Vernon and his Bon Iver band-member Sean Carey on piano and vocals. These stripped down versions are a fun alternative to his usual multi-layered orchestral performances. The session includes several songs from last year’s self-titled sophomore release, “Hinnom, TX”, “Wash.”, and “Beth/Rest”, one from his Blood Bank EP, “Babys”, and a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s classic heart-breaker “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. What’s amazing about this performance is how full a sound these two still manage to create in a “stripped down” session. I really enjoyed hearing Sean Carey, step out of his usual backing role and take the lead on a few tracks. I think that their version of “Beth/Rest” that closes the session was the highlight for me. I loved this song from the get-go, but I fully understand why many people were turned off by it’s cheesy 80′s feel. The album version sounds like it should be included in the closing credits of John Hughes film, but that is part of why I love it. But I don’t know how anyone could not love this version of the song, captured here at in it’s purest form, just Vernon’s voice and a piano.
Recorded in AIR Studio‘s Lyndurst Hall back in October, this is quite the treat.
Indie Folk-Pop quartet, Horse Feathers is set to release their fourth album, Cynic’s New Year, via Kill Rock Stars on April 17th. Had I been aware of this release earlier, it surely would have made my Most Anticipated Albums of 2012 list that I released last week. Their 2010 release, Thistled Spring, was one of my favorite albums of the year that I have continued to return to time and again. Take a listen to the first single from the new album below.
One of the best pop albums of 2009 is available for free on Noise Trade for the next several days. Aim & Ignite, the debut album from fun., is a seriously fun record. They decided to give away the album in anticipation of the release of their sophomore record that comes out next Tuesday, which I listed as one of my Most Anticipated Albums of 2012. Fortunately for you and me, the anticipation part is over. You can stream the entire album below. Please don’t listen to this epic album on your crappy laptop speakers. At least bother to put on some decent headphones. I have listened just once through and I am already in love. Well don’t just take it from me, go ahead and listen to the album for yourself. Oh and don’t forget to go download Aim & Ignite here.
Colin Meloy, frontman for indie folk-rock group, The Decemberists, released his debut novel last year. It is the first book in his Wildwood Trilogy that he has created with the mother of his child, award-winning illustrator Carson Ellis. It is a very impressive, if somewhat predictable, first novel from an artist who has already made his name as a musician first. Meloy created a new and exciting world with Wildwood, one that I will be happy to venture through again. I could do without the whole “machines are bad/nature is good” lesson that was thrown in there a couple times. It’s not that I disagreed with the sentiment, it just felt a little trite. Even before reading his debut novel, I knew that Colin was a marvelous wordsmith and a great storyteller. I really enjoyed his writing style and his decision to utilize his extensive vocabulary to the fullest despite it being a children’s novel. The first installment in the Wildwood Chronicles
