Delta Rae - Bottom of the River

Delta Rae, an Americana band band from Durham, recently released a really impressive and slightly spooky video that works quite well for getting into the spirit of Halloween. This song has a lot of gospel influences in it as they march to the river in chains while singing a cappella. It really is nothing short of fantastic and is one of those rare videos that actually enhances the song. I'm looking forward to seeing what else this band has to offer. Check them out on facebook too.

MP3: Delta Rae - Bottom of the River (extended version) 

Tyler Lyle - Medusa (: Persius :: Atman: Brahman)

So these three songs from Tyler Lyle are all sorts of awesome, which I was only able to find out after I managed to stop playing the first track on repeat. A few weeks ago some of my more folk music forward friends were singing his praises, I had a listen and I think I forgot to decide whether I liked it or not. Now, this different batch of songs is more urgent, noisy to just the right degree, and then there's cuss words, werewolves, and all sorts of monsters. It's utterly wonderful, a bit lonely, and feels just right for today and the uncertainty many of us are living with on different levels.

Tyler Lyle - Medusa (: Persius :: Atman: Brahman)

Tyler also wrote a note about where these songs came from and it is every bit worth reading on his bandcamp page where you can also stream and download (name your price) the three songs which are very much worth a few of your dollars. 

Dry the River - Night Owl

Dry the River, a london based band, has a grasp on a wide scale of sounds making them both accessible and highly intriguing. The first song "Night Owls" is a twinkling folk tune while the second song has more rock elements and some vocal acrobatics with a dramatic ending. Their sound is well layered with the additional help of string sections coming through at the right times. It's not the most predictable music and I think that's part of their allure that keeps you coming back for more. The band is touring Europe during the month of November. Find out more on their facebook page or website.

 Dry the River - "Night Owls" by Dry the River
 Dry the River - "No Rest" by Dry the River

[Video] Pickwick - Blackout

This video captures an a cappella performance by Pickwick at the Suzzallo Reading Room at the University of Washington. It sounds incredible and will absolutely make your day. Have a listen to the original version below as well. Stream/Buy the music on bandcamp if you haven't already. Seriously, why haven't you bought Myths yet?

Download audio from the video: Blackout (A Cappella version)

Pickwick - Blackout (Suzzallo Reading Room) from Tyler Kalberg on Vimeo.

 Blackout by Pickwick 

Dancing in the Graveyard Mixtape

King Melodies - Fog Over the Graveyard

Veronica Falls - Found Love in the Graveyard

Sick Figures - Graveyard Swagger

There were plenty of graveyard themed songs to choose from this year and it just so happened to fit right in this 16 song and 60 minute long mix.  The bands featured are worth a serious look especially ones like Jared Mees, Veronica Falls, Feist, Ravenna Woods, Radical Face, and Chad VanGaalen who all released terrific albums this year. If you want more ghostly goodness in song format, last year's Songs About Ghosts mix had some of my favorite songs on it and got played year round, download it here. Without further rambling, put on your best costume and go dancing. Bonus points for actually dancing in a graveyard. 

Stream on Spotify // Download ZIP

Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

Of Monsters and Men has been one of my most anticipated releases of 2011 since first falling madly and deeply in love with their song "For Finner" on a rainy winter's night many months ago. The Icelandic band released their debut album My Head is an Animal a few weeks before the Iceland Airwaves music festival where they received nothing but rave reviews. The album is not yet available in the U.S. but it'll be worth the wait. Their sound is consistently brave, warm, and full. The six piece band makes the biggest impressions during the songs in which they go from quiet and simplistic guitars and singing before erupting into a joyous burst of instruments and handclaps. I don't know if there is anything more affective or likable than that.  I give this album my highest recommendation.

Tumblr // Facebook // Twitter

Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks

Evening Hymns - Asleep in the Pews

Canada's Evening Hymns caught the attention of many with their 2009 debut album, Spirit Guides, a folk album that exudes a woeful kind of peacefulness. They are now offering their first single "Asleep in the Pews" from their upcoming album Spectral Dust as a free download on their facebook page. Following their recording of the album on tumblr was a wonderful grouping of pictures from a one room cabin in the woods in a middle of a snowy Canadian winter and it's easy to envision this first song coming from such a place. The album features members of The Wooden Sky, Ohbijou, City and Colour, and more. It will be released in spring 2012 in Canada on Shuffling Feet Records.

Evening Hymns - Asleep in the Pews

Cabin where Spectral Dust was recorded

Charles Bradley - The World (Is Going Up in Flames)

I have this problem that when I really and truly enjoy an album I tend not to write about it, so I really don't know why anybody reads this site when all the good stuff is missing. But I'm changing that and will be inundating you with everything I've loved in the past few months. I can't promise good writing, but I can promise words and phrases like "fun!", "danced in my underwear", and "holy crap, I loved this at first listen." So let's get going.

Charles Bradley - The World (Is Going Up In Flames)

Charles Bradley's No Time For Dreaming gets played every time it rains. It just feels right and has become a fast favorite. His voice is so warm, yet the songs are filled with stories and emotions from his years of struggle. You can feel it all in his songs that are belted out with all the soul he, or anyone for that matter, could possibly muster. Charles Bradley reminds us that the world is a far from perfect place, but this album is one of the most perfect things I've heard this year.
Website // Listen on Spotify

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine

This song alone fills my weekly quota of cloying saccharine sweetness. Benjamin Francis Leftwich's voice is what keeps me coming back to the gentle lull of his songs when I can't take anymore of the bitter and heartbroken songs that I usually occupy myself with. Much like his songs, I was unexpectedly surprised by the distraction this video provided.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine by Dirty Hit

Lucy Rose and Bombay Bicycle Club cover Video Games

Lucy Rose and Bombay Bicycle Club cover Lana Del Ray's "Video Games". I really don't care about all the fuss, accusations, and other buzz surrounding Lana Del Ray. All I know is this song got people's attention because it's good (ok maybe because of those lips too). It's a likable song and this is a likable cover by two bands I really enjoy on their own, so just listen.

  Video Games (LDR cover)

Daughter - Youth

It was just the other day I posted Daughter's songs "Landfill" and "Love", but the more I listen the more I need to insist that people listen to her two breathtaking EPs. I've been hesitant to call 2011 the year of breakup albums, but it's starting to look like my ipod is overflowing with gorgeous songs of love lost, and Daughter is no exception. Turn it up really loud, you can thank me later.

  Daughter - 'Home' (Taken from 'The Wild Youth' EP) by ohDaughter

Lykke Li - Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers Cover)

How could you resist listening to anything by Lykke Li? This cover is as simple as it should be and a good reminder of why everyone fell in love with her voice in he first place.

 Lykke Li - Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers Cover) by LykkeLi

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

First Aid Kit's last album The Big Black and the Blue was one of my favorites of 2010 which is why it is so hard to wait until January 24th of 2012 to hear the newest album. Luckily, we can finally hear the first single in full and it has that same dark beauty that made their previous release so entrancing. If you're smart and in the right city at the right time you can catch them on tour opening for Lykke Li in the US. You won't want to miss it.
 The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit

Girl on TV

Just wanted to test out the new ex.fm player and if people read this on Saturdays. It's a surprise song from the 90s. I bet you still know the words. Also, I'll be back more regularly and I've got a big announcement coming later this week. Stay tuned.

Girl on TV