What Else Is There?

..:: Devendra Banhart - Für Hildegard Von Bingen ::..

While he’s probably most known for his 2005 hit, “I Feel Just Like A Child”, another favorite Devendra cut of mine happens to be the multi-part, folkie psych rocker, “Seahorse”. And although I don’t require every song to be an 8 minute transcendent journey, if I could levy just one complaint about ”Für Hildegard Von Bingen”, it would be that it’s just too short. The song creeps along quietly with delicate guitars and atmospheric chimes while Devendra tells the story of 12th century writer/composer/philosopher Saint Hildegard of Bingen and how she probably would have been an excellent MTV VJ if she happened to be alive today (or maybe more like 20 years ago. I’m not so sure that MTV even has VJ’s these days). If only it didn’t fade out so quickly at the end. Oh well, I guess we can always just hit the play button a couple extra times to make up for it.

..:: Kurt Vile - Girl Called Alex ::..

Kurt Vile was last seen when he dropped one of the best albums of 2011, Smoke Ring For My Halo, (which just so happened to include my 6th favorite song of the year, “Puppet To The Man”) but the guy must have been hard at work for the last two years because his latest release, Wakin On A Pretty Daze, is yet another step forward. The album is awash with liquid guitars and Kurt’s signature slacker vocals and while a case could be made for almost any song on here to be the favorite (including the almost title track ”Wakin On A Pretty Day”) “Girl Called Alex” just edges out the rest of the pack to be my stand out. Layers of soft guitars float in patterns while Kurt softly describes one of his idyllic relationship fantasies. There even comes a moment where he realizes words just wont cut it and his guitar inserts itself halfway through a thought.to do the talking for him. Then finally near the end, things slowly melt into a sleepy outro, as if Kurt knew we’d need a little help getting back down to earth.

..:: Phosphorescent - The Quotidian Beasts ::..

Matthew Houck is the man behind the Americana act Phosphorescent and his latest offering Muchacho contains some really moving stuff. The first single “Song For Zula” is filled with longing strings and practically overflows with beauty, but the seven minute “The Quotidian Beasts” is probably even better. Things kick off with Houck’s wary apprehension of an approaching (metaphorical?) creature while sad guitars and a forlorn piano slowly gain steam. But eventually the song crescendos into one big, living, breathing, gorgeous mess and as Matthew’s oohs finally start floating over the din, we realize it may be hard to find a way out of the chaos. Of course, by this point, who would want to?

..:: Jim James - State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.) ::..

My Morning Jacket has always been great at starting their albums with mysterious, moody openers — see “Victory Dance” from Circuital for a good example — and that trend continues on Jim James’ latest solo release. “State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)” is the kind of song I could see opening a festival set with such a potent, slow burning energy that concert-goers nearby would have no choice but to be pied piper’d over to their stage to see what was going on. Jim quietly begins the journey with just piano and his gentle voice, but then he drops a set of syncopated vowels along with a drum beat, bass (and even some triangle), and before we know it he’s got us all doing that rain dance together.

..:: Villagers - Judgement Call ::..

Villagers is an indie folk outfit from Dublin fronted by Conor J. O’Brien and the most immersive track on his latest album {Awayland} is “Judgement Call”. The song takes a scathing shot at the absurdity and close mindedness inherently found in religion. Why bother worrying about who you judge or thinking for yourself when the big man in the sky has your back? The pensive tone of Conor’s satire is compounded by a thick atmosphere that begins with a xylophone and a set of electronic blips but eventually develops into an enveloping orchestral sound. Just don’t be caught listening to this one by any believers, lest you yourself be judged.

..:: The War On Drugs - Come To The City ::..

File this one under: Road trip music. “Come To The City” is so full of wistful restlessness and discovery (with a touch of nostalgia) that I can’t help but think it was written in the passenger seat of a car while cruising past and small towns and farmhouses. The progressive folk rock jaunt is soaring, expansive, and singer Adam Granduciel sounds strangely similar to former bandmate Kurt Vile (but don’t worry, this is a good thing.) Definitely a song to keep around for the next time you feel like hopping in the car and driving as far as you can.

..:: Feist - How Come You Never Go There ::..

Everyone knows that breakups are good for music. (Anyone remember Beck’s Sea Change? Yeah, exactly.) So while it might feel rather heartless to be glad about Leslie Feist’s recent entrance into the ranks of the single and heartbroken, we can at least rest easy knowing that the world is probably getting some good new tunes out of the deal. “How Come You Never Go There” finds Feist blues-folk’ing as hard as she can. And even though her voice is laden with sorrow as she tries to piece together why her last relationship went south, it still seems effortless and even boasts a bit of swagger. Recommended for when you’re feeling slightly somber, yet determined to power through to the other side.

..:: The Antlers - I Don’t Want Love ::..

Worn out your copy of Teen Dream? Worry no longer, The Antlers are back with a new album and this time around they’re more Beach House than Beach House. The first track “I Don’t Want Love” is just soaked in lazy Sunday sunshine. Take care that your head doesn’t float away when the guitar first shimmers in at 1:07.

tUnE-yArDs performs You Yes You at New, Improved Recording

Merrill Garbus talks briefly on the name of her new album W H O K I L L before launching into a crisp live version of You Yes You. Drums click along swiftly as her voice and uke swing, snarl and serenade so deftly; it only further cements the song into my top 5 of the year.

..:: Man Man - Dark Arts ::..

The warpaint wearing troupe Man Man is back and they’re sounding as frantic and sinister as ever. On “Dark Arts” organ and bass stride along urgently and marimba mallets go flying through the air. Meanwhile frontman Honus Honus asks us if we can feel it between frenzied yelps. Don’t worry Man (Man), we certainly do.

Colin Meloy and friends are back and this time they’ve added a bit of country slant to their literary indie rock. Don’t Carry It is the first track off of their new album The King Is Dead and it features plenty of harmonica and fiddle. It’s very reminiscent of stepping out into a bright, sunny winter morning after weathering a long stretch of dark, snowy ones.