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James Vincent McMorrow is a Irish singer-songwriter whose Early in the Morning  album is full of the hushed intimacy that brought the inevitable comparisons to Bon Iver’s debut album (he even locked himself away for 6 months, though this time in a cabin by the seaside) but McMorrow sticks to a more organic arrangement. While Bon Iver’s vocal arrangement’s bordered on ethereal, McMorrow’s gorgeous twists and turns have the organic tenacity of an R&B soul man(he modeled his vocal stylings after Donny Hathaway, a man too few know) .  "This Old Dark Machine" boasts a great melody that could easily have been a Fleet Foxes or Mumford and Sons arrangement, but McMorrow wins the audience over with his sheer honesty. If it was all a marketing ploy, I’ve rarely seen it better disguised.

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“This Old Dark Machine"  is the sixth track on James Vincent McMorrow’s debut album Early in the Morning.

This Old Dark Machine- James Vincent McMorrow

I could say that for a man of 24 years, Blake Mills is wise beyond his age. I could say that the guitar work on here is exemplary of what he has to offer the world, filled with warmth and character and more interesting than many guitarists double his age. I could note that this intriguing pick of a cover, “Heart of Mine” from Bob Dylan’s ‘Shot of Love’ period echoes his confidence as a performer.  

He may not have all the commercial credit he deserves, but to any artist he’s on the top of their list, from touring mate Lucinda Williams, to Dawes, even Jackson Browne have been proud to share a stage with him. 

Chimes of Freedom, the Amnesty International tribute album composed of Bob Dylan songs, could thrive on the strength of this number alone amongst 75 other compositions, and we’re all the better for it.

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“Heart of Mine” is on the upcoming Amnesty International tribute album, due for release on January 24th

Heart of Mine- Blake Mills and Danielle Haim

I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little underwhelmed with this years music releases, not that there weren’t plenty of quality albums out there, but the trend seemed to be going a place that my ears didn’t want to hear.  Thank God for Lord Huron.  While I was trying to come to terms with the much lauded “guitar rock” that both Wye Oak and Real Estate boasted, Lord Huron went out and crafted the best guitar song of the year. (Also, when did opiate-laced vocals become so popular?) “Man Who Lives Forever” features a kaleidoscope of guitar imagery, from the buoyant picked intro to the slow burning swell of the low strung E that rumbles and hums in the background. For all the wrong steps that music might have taken this year, “Man Who Lives Forever” stands to correct them, and Lord Huron delivers with one of 2011’s best songs. Check out the video  from Rollo & Grady and below check out the free download.

Lord Huron – Man Who Lives Forever from Rollo & Grady Sessions on Vimeo.

Man Who Lives Forever- Lord Huron 

“Let There Be Horses” is the album ender from The Barr Brothers self titled debut record, which came out in late September of this year on Secret City Records. Though they fit into the all encompassing genre of Americana, The Barr Brothers keep it interesting with the instruments the members play ranging from hammer dulcimer and harp to pump organs and vibraphones to go along with guitar and drums. On “Let There Be Horses”, the band manages to fuse some soul into the arrangement with some sparse electric guitar work.  But front and center is some beautiful vocal harmonies and the age old tale of the one man’s struggle with powers beyond his control. Check out the story of how the band got together here  and download the song below.

Let There Be Horses- The Barr Brothers