I am my father’s son, I’ve never known when to shut up


So begins “Mama’s Eyes” perhaps the most heartfelt song in Justin Townes Earle’s catalogue from the fine Midnight at the Movies his breakout LP from 2009. There is such a painful and poignant honesty in Townes Earle’s lyrics that leaves an indelible mark on the listener. What Earle understands is that so much of who you are comes from how you grew up, what your parents were like, how they made an impact on you.  There’s his father, the famous Steve Earle, who abandoned his wife and son at a young age and perhaps due to the familial stubbornness, they “don’t see eye to eye” and yet for all his mistakes, his moments of weakness, that pain that he blames on his absent father, Earle is is mother’s son as well, he’s got her eyes, and her kindness in him. It’s a beautifully crafted song, and among the best he’ll ever write.

Mama’s Eyes- Justin Townes Earle 

On his latest LP Out of the Game, Rufus Wainwright has teamed up with producer-extraordinaire Mark Ronson (he of Amy Winehouse fame) and the result is nothing short of fantastic.  For years Wainwright, with his mournful pitch perfect warble, seemed like he had gotten the short shift with his producers, his voice too reedy on some recordings, too produced others. Ronson too had struggled to make an identifiable mark after his homage to 60’s soul with Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black. The strut is back in both of their steps here as Ronson gives plenty of space for Wainwrights voice to soar and bend in “Out of the Game” while the production flourishes; from the 70’s era Bunsen-burner guitar to David Bowie-esque arranged backing vocals fit perfectly.  Also be sure to check out “Jericho”, a tour de force of an arrangement that wouldn’t have been out of place on an Elton John album.

Out of the Game- Rufus Wainwright

Jericho- Rufus Wainwright 

While TV Girl’s The Wild, The Innocent, and The TV Shuffle is an album that is built off hundreds upon hundreds of samples, the singing is original and on “It Evaporates” they manage to evoke a blissful 50’s summer vibe a la Grease with soft harmonies and that romantic chord progression that makes you believe that you’re stuck in some Pleasantville town before sex ruined everything. Be sure to check out “Sweaters” one of those perfectly crafted songs that makes you wish it was longer than its running time (1:25).  You can find the entire fantastic album for free on Bandcamp as well.

It Evaporates- TV Girl
Sweaters- TV Girl 

Vacationer’s debut LP Gone is aiming to be a great summer album right down to the Instagram friendly artwork.  Yet what makes it more intriguing is its Generationals meets Pop Etc. (formerly The Morning Benders) sound, a sort of Con Law and Big Echo Part II if you will. On “Everybody Knows”, the album opener, the arrangement is chock full of summer pitched organs, warm guitar lines, vinyl atmosphere, and a hip-hop beat and vocals that veer from Vampire Weekend prep to surprising Beach Boys harmony. It’s not even far of a stretch to say that this could have been a single on The Avalanches’ Since I Left You album. Also check out the album’s title track “Gone” which builds off of some catchy percussion and features some blissful harmonies.

Everybody Knows- Vacationer
Gone- Vacationer

Listen If You Like: The Generationals, The Morning Benders, Vampire Weekend, The Beach Boys, The Avalanches