More Music from the Inbox, 02 May 2013: The Rest, Air Marshall Landing, Sam Marie & Country and More
By Scott Jones (@Drifter_INDI)
Artist: The Rest
Album: Seesaw
“Who Knows,” this featured track off their recent LP, is part of a seemingly growing number of songs whose music videos provide an excellent backdrop to the music and lyrics in question. Look closely and pay attention. There’s a sense of feeling happy that something once considered a problem is a problem no longer. And, who doesn’t like hugs? Really, now! These Hammertown guys certainly do!
Sounds like: Victory and relief through a melodically earth-shattering ka-boom.
Link/Listen/Watch:
Artist: Air Marshal Landing
Album: You Used to Be Me
Trying to be a hero isn’t always the smartest route to take; just ask poor Matt Simmonds. He pulls such wonderful double duties as lead vocalist/cowboy in an old silent western epic (Little Town) who tries to save a damsel-in-distress by the name of Cory, who is tied to railroad tracks by a dastardly drummer named Graham, whose snare is amped up to allow the listener to hear he means business. It’s all a matter of opinion what kind of movies or TV shows you grew up on as a kid. To tell you the truth, I was pulling for Graham because his handlebar mustache just rocks. Pity.
Sounds like: A tragic tale of heroism gone wrong; set to tight beats.
Link/Listen/Watch:
Artist: Sam Marie & County
Album: Lacktown
In this selection, entitled “I Got You (Little Darlin’)”, the gravelly-voiced tones of Sam Marine, combined with the not-so-typical alt-country/folk songwriting from the lovelorn point of view, makes for a truly enriching cruise in a drop-top ride. It’s all the more potent at night, because don’t most of our more interesting reflections on ourselves take place after the sun goes down, in a car?
Sounds like: Blue Rodeo meets Mellencamp on a long, dark stretch of road.
Link/Listen/Watch:
Artist: Cool Ghouls
Album: s/t
So these guys, they bring this ‘60s garage vibe with them, like the Sonics from Seattle, or the Troggs from the UK. The Cool Ghouls have a kind of mentality that made bands like these so vicious, but a nice laid back feel a la Sir Douglas Quintet from San Antonio or Manassas from San Francisco. Garage-country rock? Definitely an interesting mesh of differing qualities worthy of a spin.
Sounds like: Mellow aggression. Or aggressive mellowness.
Link/Listen/Watch:
Artist: Bibio
Album: Silver Wilkinson
The man has a penchant for recording many of his songs outdoors, creating a truly dynamic atmosphere that his style can simply not be confined to an indoor setting. The twelve-string acoustic guitar present on this track (“A tout l’heure”) only adds to the vast feel of the music within its natural, sunny surroundings. And with elements such as garden shears and a watering can incorporated into his music, he may also be the only musician with a green thumb that actually CONTRIBUTES to the record!
Sounds like: Mark Cullen unplugged.
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