Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk (Shangri-la)
Yes!! Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Conor Oberst & Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes) and M. Ward make beautiful music… together! Folksy, harmonic, complex themes. If you didn’t like Bright Eyes’ early “whiny/emo” phase (which I personally loved), have no fear. Sure there are love songs, but Conor continues to mature and here everyone contributes equally. More basic, guitar-driven ballads (ish?) with the emphasis on folk.
Yes: 11, 2, 15, 4 ….
No: 10
Details Details - Details Details EP
Seth Williams (Details Details) makes electronic music that is danceable but will not give you a seizure. It’s auto-tune in moderation, melodic rather than glitchy, and alternatingly upbeat and contemplative. Details Details should win some converts who would not otherwise delve into such computer-dominated waters. The lyrical content is more varied than the average techno-dance repetitiveness that is taking over the airwaves. Plus, he gave a superb show at Guilford not long ago! A solid EP and hopefully a precursor to bigger things from an upcoming artist.
RIYL: Metro Station, Owl City
Yes: 5, 1, 2, 3
No: [none, all FCC clean]
Orenda Fink - Ask the Night (Saddle Creek)
Serious music from a seriously good songwriter. Her early work with Azure Ray is the same kind of “stripped-down acoustic guitar with female vocalist,’ but as the write-up says, this is much more Southern in a bunch of ways. The influence of more traditional folk is clear. Generally on the slower side, but never mopey (I didn’t even find “Why is the Night Sad” to be particularly whiny). There are some quicker tunes too: “High Ground,” “Sister” (a waltz). A very consistent effort; every track deserves a listen and Ask the Night functions very well as an album.
Yes: 4, 2, 1, 6, 3, all
NO: [none, FCC clean]
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