Tag: mp3

In a time of retromania, Nick Waterhouse has the scene on lockdown, both updating the rocker with glasses look of Buddy Holly and the dapper sartorial style of Mad Men, Waterhouse’s debut LP Time’s All Gone echoes the early 60’s music scene not only with it’s classic album cover style, but with the gritty blown-out R&B concoction that made parents worry about the sexual willies of rock & roll.  Waterhouse doesn’t care if you decide to film from the waist-up though, he’s a man’s man, the one who steers away from clear liquors and revels in dark bars and whiskey shots straight up. For every part that Mayer Hawthorne is evoking he clean cut soul of Smokey Robinson, Waterhouse focuses on the dirty fuzz of R&B that the Rolling Stones called home, and at the ripe young age of 25, he’s only just getting started. “Indian Love Call” has that old school swagger straight from the start, the uplifting guitar, the cooing background vocals, the sabulous sax and a dark live sound. Be sure to check out his album opener, “Say I Wanna Know” as well.

 Indian Love Call- Nick Waterhouse

Say I Wanna Know- Nick Waterhouse

Time’s All Gone was released on Innovative Leisure Records on May 1st, 2012. You can buy the physical copy (both CD and Vinyl) here and find the digital version on iTunes here

You can find Nick Waterhouse on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter @nickwaterhouse

Maybe you’ve heard the Fruit Bats before, but in case you haven’t, try this game on for size. Step 1) Find a friend who likes The Shins, but isn’t obsessed, Step 2) Play this record, Step 3) Enjoy while friend tries to find these songs on iTunes from the Shins and instead finds the disappointing Port of Morrow album. Fun right?  Nevertheless, Fruit Bats have been a band that constantly flies under the radar with a similar sound to The Shins. Eric Johnson also majored in 18th century literature, so there’s that. Surprisingly enough for an English major with that small niche, Fruit Bats aren’t afraid of pop culture in writing, like the off the cuff mention of “Raspberry Beret” during this beautiful song “The Earthquake of ‘73”. Johnson is a man who loves the 70’s songwriting style but has the melodic sensibility of more modern music. It’s a sneaky little love song, but perhaps I shouldn’t say more. I’m also putting in “Lives of Crime” the album opener on Spelled In Bones.

The Earthquake of ’73- Fruit Bats 

Lives of Crime- Fruit Bats

Listen If You Like: The Shins, Michael Cera movies, Acoustic Guitars, 70’s Singer Songwriters, Lennon-esque vocals, People who have degrees in Literature, Pop Culture References

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