This week has seen two of my most anticipated albums for months leaked (Beirut and the Dark Was The Night compilation). Yet strangely, as wonderful as both of these releases are it has been two other albums on high rotation. First, I've always been enjoyed Marissa Nadler's music but here new album Little Hells is simply outstanding; it's rare thing, in my opinion, that an album can be both haunting and warm. The second album (A)spera by Mirah took me about three listens before I really became swept up in it. While Mirah words still have the tangible and haunting appeal that have always drawn me in, the orchestration compliments songs as a parallel. The reason I raise this point is Alela Diane's new album To Be Still fails where (A)spera succeeds. Typically I am fan of all things fiddle, mandolin, cello, violin, etc., but, To Be Still's veneer looses the texture that makes Alela Diane's songs authentic to me (and for that matter, also my dear friend and former co-radio show host Math Dance). Anyway, I put two tracks off her Daytrotter sessions at SXSW which remain my favourite recording from Daytrotter. With the release of the new Bierut Ep (which I will probably post about at some point soon) I was reminded of Olenka and the Autumn Lovers who I discovered a couple months ago and I'm going to throw them in the mix because for the life of me I cant figure out why they dont have a bigger following. Sadly, I only have the demo version of 'Flash In The Pan', but their myspace has some other tracks streaming that drift between leonard cohen, polish and balkan waltzes, and the sound of shuffling feet in a library. Also, I may take Olenka Krakus as my muse, or vice versa, but I digress... Anyway, two tracks from the Dark Was The Night compilation I put in at the end of this mix as they seem to fit the general theme I'm going for, so decide for yourself as it is late and I have to present to a seminar class tomorrow and figure out a lesson plan (neither of which I have started)....
- Marissa Nadler - Ghosts and Lovers
- Marissa Nadler - The Hole Is Wide
- Mirah - Generosity
- Mirah - The Forest
- Alela Diane - To Be Still (SXSW)
- Alela Diane - White As Diamonds (SXSW)
- Olenka & The Autumn Lovers - Flash In The Pan
- Blond Redhead & Devastations - When The Road Runs Out
- My Brightest Diamond - Feeling Good
(change xx to tt)
image credit: http://listimpone.blogspot.com/
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