Archive for September, 2008

Vivian Girls – Vivian Girls

Vivian Girls

Cassie, Katy, and Ali, the Vivian Girls, debut album is re-released on the 10th Oct after the initial pressing of 500 sold out in seconds.

You can download a full live gig over at WFMU.

Vivian Girls – ‘Wild Eyes’ from the album ‘Vivian Girls

www.freewebs.com/viviangirls

MySpace

Nellie McKay – Get Away From Me

Nellie McKay - Get Away From Me

I can’t believe I haven’t posted about Nellie.
Shame on me.
This was her debut release in 2004.
Hugely entertaining stuff.

Nellie McKay – ‘The Dog Song’ from the album ‘Get Away From Me

http://nelliemckay.com

Wikipedia

Sandi Thom – Pink and the Lilly

Sandi Thom - Pink and the Lilly

This is the first negative post about an artist I have made.
I have been tempted before, oh so tempted.

Given Sandi’s launch using the web/casting and getting a record deal for her first album, I was on her side. The first album was ok, nothing special, but a decent voice and attitude.

I wonder if she will be the first artist to be born and then die by the power of the interweb.

This release truly sucks.
What a shame.
I wish her well, when she leaves Sony and gets back to her roots.

Wikipedia

Eliza Gilkyson – Beautiful World

Eliza Gilkyson - Beautiful World

Some more alt-country.
My first outing with Eliza, and very impressed I am.
A very infectious album, beautifully produced.

The big surprise is track nine, ‘Beautiful World’. Not country at all, just a killer chill track.

Eliza Gilkyson – ‘Runaway Train’ from the album ‘Beautiful World

Eliza Gilkyson – ‘The Party’s Over’ from the album ‘Beautiful World

www.elizagilkyson.com

MySpace

Wikipedia

Meiko Kaji – Zenkyoku Shu

Meiko Kaji - Zenkyoku Shu

Japanese actress and singer.
Best known in the west for her tracks used in the Kill Bill epics.
Check out her Wikipedia page to be amazed at her range of talents.

(Make sure to rent/buy/steal the Lady Snowblood movies 1 and 2 that she acted in ;)

Meiko Kaji – ‘Urami Bushi’ from the album ‘Zenkyoku Shu

Wikipedia

You can download a copy of this album here.

Ida Maria – Fortress Round My Heart

Ida Maria

Not usually my cup of tea this rock stylee.
But I really like this debut.

Ida Maria – ‘Oh My God’ from the album ‘Fortress Round My Heart

www.idamaria.co.uk

MySpace

Wikipedia

Sophie Zelmani – The Ocean and Me

Sophie Zelmani The Ocean and Me

Shy Sopie from Sweden has her latest album out right now.
It’s a real slow burner.
She caresses the microphone with her soft voice as usual, but the production and orchestration is more raw and upbeat than her 2007 ‘Memory Loves You’.

Sophie Zelmani – ‘Wait for Cry’ from the 2007 album ‘Memory Loves You

www.sophie-zelmani.com

MySpace (not logged on since July 2007, shame…)

Wikipedia

Rose Melberg – Cast Away The Clouds

Rose Melberg - Cast Away The Clouds

A lovely little album from way back in 2006.
It would be great to hear some more more from her.
Enchanting.

Rose Melberg – ‘Each New Day’ (live) from the album ‘Cast Away The Clouds

www.doubleagentrecords.com/rose

MySpace

Wikipedia

Jem – Down To Earth

Jem - Down To Earth

I know now why she has not done anything since her debut release from 2004.
Which I still adore.
The lyrics and voice are Jem, no question. Emotional, descriptive, sparse and totally spot on.
But the added years and orchestration make this release something to behold.
I love it.
You need it.
God bless Wales.

Jem – ‘It’s Amazing’ from the album ‘Down To Earth

www.jem-music.net

Wikipedia

iMEEM

Butterfly Boucher – Flutterby

Butterfly Boucher - Flutterby

The 2003 debut from Australian Bufferfly Boucher (yes, that is her real name).
Her second album is complete, but yet to be released for some reason. You can listen to it over on her MySpace page.

Butterfly Boucher – ‘I Can’t Make Me Love You’ from the album ‘Flutterby

www.butterflyboucher.com

MySpace

Wikipedia

Inara George – An Invitation

Inara George - An Invitation

The lead singer from the bird and the bee has teamed up with Van Dyke Parks to create an almost cinematic sweep of songs.

Inara George and Van Dyke Parks – ‘Tell Me That You Love Me’ from the album ‘An Invitation

www.inarageorge.com

MySpace

Wikipedia

Meiko – Meiko

Meiko - Meiko

Aww, a sweet first release.
Definately one to watch out for.

Meiko – ‘Under My Bed’ from the self titled album

Meiko – ‘How Lucky Were Are’ (Live) from the self titled album


www.meikomusic.com

MySpace

Wikipedia

Kerli – Love Is Dead

Kerli - Love Is Dead

A fabulous debut from 21 year old Estonian Kerli Kõiv.
Definitely in my top ten of releases so far this year.
You can hear a multitude of influences on the album but she creates a totally unique sound. Superb.

Five listens though, I am adicted. This is genius.

Kerli – ‘Love is Dead’ (Directors Cut) from the album of the same name.

www.kerlimusic.com

MySpace

Wikipedia

Carrie Rodriguez – She Ain’t Me

Carrie Rodriguez - She Ain\'t Me

A solid alt-country album from Carrie. The lyrics are as sharp as a pin.
Some of the tracks plod along a little predictably, but overall a good second outing for her.

Carrie Rodriguez – ‘Seven Angels on a Bicycle’ from her debut album of the same name

www.carrierodriguez.com

MySpace

Wikipedia

Emiliana Torrini – Me And Armini

Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini

Emiliana is back with a great new album. I adored her 1999 Love in the Time of Science and the 2005 Fisherman’s Woman. This release builds and improves on both. Excellent.
Be sure to check out her revamped website to get digital and physical versions.

Emiliana Torrini – ‘To Be Free’ from the album ‘Love in the Time of Science
(No vids available from her new album)

A great live video from a gig at Paradiso over on FabChannel

www.emilianatorrini.com

MySpace

Wikipedia