I’ve decided to change the format of this page. Since I don’t regularly update this as a “chart” I am going to list here music on my iPod from lesser known artists that I think should be better known.
For Emma, forever ago, Bon Iver
It is hard to say much else than, “wow” about this album. This is easily one of the best records I have heard in a long time. The instrumentation is simple acoustic. Although this album isn’t officially released until next month, it is available now on eMusic for some reason. You can hear a few tracks at their Myspace page. Justin Vernon’s “intense falsetto” voice will grab your attention.
Places Like This, Architecture in Helsinki
This Australian indie pop group sounds like they love to have fun. The song “Heart it Races” first caught my ear. Maybe it is the steel drums and other world music touches mixed with pop. It may be the most infectious, head bobbing song of the year for me. I have read their live shows are a hootenanny. “Hold Music” is the B-52’s “Love Shack” meets Dee-Lite’s “Groove is in the Heart.” What a combo. Let me know what you think.
Olden, 16 Horsepower
Calling 16 Horsepower “alternative” or even “eclectic” makes it clear how cliche’ those adjectives have become in categorizing music. I doubt you have heard anything like the warbling lead vocal of David Eugene Edwards nor the lyrics he writes for this Denver band. Edwards and 16 Horsepower is spooky in a backwoods, fire and brimstone prophet kind of way. And I do mean that in its most respectful sense. Olden is a nice place to start with this productive group. It is a collection of earlier material. The song “American Wheeze” actually opens with a Jews Harp. If you like what you hear on this album, also listen to their 2002 release, Hutterite Mile.
Hello, Dear Wind, Page France
This album has a very Sufjan’ish feel without the elaborate instrumentation. “Chariot” and “Jesus” are worth the price of admission. Don’t let the earthy message dissuade you. There is some deep beauty here. It may require a few listens to start to sink in and get to you.
Post-War, M Ward
The best yet from neo-american folk singer/songwriter M. Ward. Chinese Translation is a great track. If you get a chance to see the cartoon video it is excellent as well. You can find a free download of the video at iTunes under the “Edge Music Videocast.”
I’m loving Page France as well. Glad to see you’re an M. Ward fan. I haven’t been able to get enough.
M. is da man. I almost went back last night and took out my off handed comment above about the latest album being his best yet. Some of his earlier recordings (Green River and Hi-Fi to name a couple) rock my world.
Have you seen the video for Chinese Translation? It looks like Mr. Mr. Miyagi playing the guitar.
Yes, I have…very cool.
what do you make of a band that is on paste music podcast but not on emusic OR itunes?
oddway is the band
That is an odd way to get your name out there! Ha. I like their sound. Pretty straight forward rock with an interesting female lead. From the looks of their website Paste just stumbled upon them and put them on the podcast. They need to get on eMusic as I am sure more folks will be looking for them after Paste featured them.
Who the heck are these artist?!
Ummm…they are Page France and M. Ward…?
Glad to see 16 Horsepower on here. I’m a big fan of Edwards, both in that incarnation and as Woven Hand. You’re right: the lyrics he writes are stunning.
One of my ‘favorite’ lines: “Every knee will bow. And knees will be broken for those who don’t know how.”
Sometimes I wonder if 9/10 of the Christian life in the here and now is learning to bow the knee to the only one worthy of such obeisance.