Last year I downloaded Kollaps Tradixionales after learning that Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra (referred to as A Silver Mt. Zion for brevity) contained many of the same musicians as influential Canadian instrumental rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Because of two bands’ close ties, I also expected A Silver Mt. Zion to make instrumental music. Needless to say, my first time through Kollaps Tradixionales was a little jarring. I wasn’t expecting to hear singing, let alone Efrim Menuck’s nasally, off-kilter vocals.

Initially, I did my best to ignore them, treating them as if they were just another instrument. Over time the vocals grew on me, but it took a while. Ironically, they are now my favorite part of A Silver Mt. Zion’s music. They contain so much emotion and complement the mood so well that the music just wouldn’t resonate as strongly if they were absent.

The lyrical content is fairly abstract but often conjures images of consternation, alienation, and frustration. Yet buried beneath all the gloom and despair lie the seeds of hope. Consider, for example, the following lyric from “The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes”: There’s beauty in this land / but I don’t often see it. This lyric can be read countless different ways, but I interpret it to mean that we rarely take time to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds us.

Below I’ve posted three tracks I think serve as a perfect introduction to this amazing but (somewhat) intimidating band. The first is “The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes,” one of the band’s most melodic and accessible songs. It also contains some of their best lyrics (see above). The second track is “Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag),” which grabbed a spot on my Top 15 Songs of 2010 list. And the third is the epic “Mountains Made of Steam” from Horses In the Sky, currently my favorite Silver Mt. Zion album and a great place to start if you like any of the songs posted below. Enjoy!

• A Silver Mt. Zion – The Triumph of Our Tired Eyes
• A Silver Mt. Zion – Kollapz Tradixional (Thee Olde Dirty Flag)
• A Silver Mt. Zion – Mountains Made of Steam

PS – If you’ve seen the movie 28 Days Later then you’re probably familiar with Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s music. Their song “East Hastings” provides an incredibly chilling soundtrack to one of the few horror films I like. I highly recommended checking it out!

When I first learned The Everybodyfields had broken up, I was pretty bummed. They were one of my favorite bands, largely responsible for opening my eyes (and ears) to the beautiful world of Americana. Sam Quinn’s nasally warble and Jill Andrews’ angelic croon were a perfect match. Together they recorded three amazing albums in the span of four years: Half-Way There: Electricity & The South in 2004, Plague of Dreams in 2005, and Nothing Is Okay in 2007. I was hoping for a few more albums but I’m definitely happy with the three they gave us.

I was even happier when I discovered both Sam and Jill were pursuing solo careers. Mainly because it doubles the output of music from two of my favorite artists. Also, I think the solo format better suits both musicians: their distinctive voices weren’t meant to share the spotlight. New material from both artists proves beyond a doubt that each is comfortable taking center stage.

Earlier this year Sam Quinn released his debut The Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships. Musically speaking, the album doesn’t stray too far from the sound The Everybodyfields perfected. In fact, Quinn may have dialed up the twang slightly. Fiddles moan, the lap steel whines, and the upright bass plods and plops. The music is instantly familiar and refreshingly authentic. If you enjoyed The Everybodyfields, you’ll feel right at home.

But as good as Quinn’s album is, Jill Andrews’ self-titled EP is even better. I’ve been listening to it religiously for the past 8 months (sorry for the delay in posting!). Normally I worry about wearing out an album if I listen to it too much, but this has yet to happen. Every time I queue up her EP, I fall in love with a different track. The six songs on her EP capture the full range of emotion during a break-up. There’s anger (“Worth Keeping”), bitterness (“These Words”), regret (“Sweetest In the Morning”), and resignation (“Always Be Sorry”). While still rather twangy, Andrews’ music also has a bluesy feel to it. In other words, it’s completely devastating, but in the best possible way.

I’ve posted three songs below. The first is “I Can’t Sleep,” my all-time favorite track by The Everybodyfields. The second is “Hello,” the opening track from Sam Quinn’s debut album. And the third is “These Words,” one of the many highlights from Jill Andrews’ self-titled EP.

• The Everybodyfields – I Can’t Sleep
• Sam Quinn – Hello
• Jill Andrews – These Words

PS – Jill Andrews is currently working on new full-length album entitled The Mirror. Check out this site for more details and to support her project.

I usually try to avoid comparing bands or musicians, but I feel like there’s no way I can talk about Will Johnson without mentioning Jason Molina. The similarities are just too overwhelming.

First, both men are prolific singer-songwriters. Each front or have fronted multiple bands: Will Johnson currently heads both Centro-matic and South San Gabriel while Jason Molina led Songs: Ohia before morphing it into Magnolia Electric Co. In addition, both men have released several solo records. All told, Johnson has around 14 albums to his name while Molina has over 16 (all released over the span of about 10 years). I don’t know about you, but I’m impressed.

And second, both men write remarkably diverse music. Johnson uses Centro-matic to pump out straightforward indie rock and South San Gabriel to explore more down-tempo material. Molina wrote somber, bluesy numbers under the Songs: Ohia moniker before heading in a more “alt-country” direction with Magnolia Electric Co. Both musicians’ solo albums are sparse, haunting affairs.

Despite these overwhelming similarities, Will Johnson and his two bands aren’t as well known as Molina’s. Which is a true shame because Johnson is immensely talented. I especially like his output under South San Gabriel: it’s perfect late night music. Random weird sounds and plodding beats from drum machines complement Johnson’s odd delivery and gorgeous melodies. It all sums to create a lonely, yet strangely comforting landscape.

I’ve posted my favorite track from each of South San Gabriel’s three albums: “New Brookland” from Welcome, Convalescence, “Stupid Is As Stupid Does” from The Carlton Chronicles: Not Until the Operation’s Through, and “The Arc and the Cusp” from Dual Hawks.

• South San Gabriel – New Brookland
• South San Gabriel – Stupid Is As Stupid Does
• South San Gabriel – The Arc and the Cusp

Are we in the midst of a singer-songwriter revival? Knee-jerk reaction tells me it’s not possible: a pervasive hatred of the genre has always existed among certain circles of critics. Never mind the fact that both singing and songwriting are inextricably connected to performing and recording, well, music.

So then why all the hatred? I think it has something to do with the format of the genre itself. To be considered a singer-songwriter you need: (1) a guitar and (2) a decent voice. Unfortunately, simplicity often (and erroneously) equates to stagnation. In circles of critics obsessed with finding the next genre-bending flavor of the month, genuinely good yet straight-forward music gets kicked to the curb. Honestly, when was the last time you listened to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah?

It’s interesting to note the large number of popular indie artists that could be labeled singer-songwriter but aren’t. Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird, The Mountain Goats, Cat Power. There’s almost a stigma associated with the genre.

Which brings me to my true problem. Because of this critical marginalization, I am only now starting to appreciate the music of Josh Ritter, the quintessential “singer-songwriter.” Hailing from Idaho, Ritter’s style reflects his mountainous surroundings. From hushed acoustic ballads to rollicking barnstormers, he embodies both dark, secluded ravines and vast, wind-swept praires.

The four tracks posted below sample several albums. “Wings” is a haunting lament; “Idaho” a gorgeous a capella hymn; “The Temptation of Adam” an apocalyptic love story; and “Still Beating” a bittersweet tribute to rejection (Happy VD everybody!).

If we are in the midst of a singer-songwriter revival, Josh Ritter is without a doubt the standard-bearer.

• Josh Ritter – Wings
• Josh Ritter – Idaho
• Josh Ritter – The Temptation of Adam
• Josh Ritter – Still Beating

Not included in the list above are the incredible “Girl In the War,” the epic “Thin Blue Flame,” and the gorgeous “Baby That’s Not All.” The reason for this is simple: I’ve already posted these songs on my site here and here.

Cat Power’s Chan Marshall is like fine wine. Not so much that she gets better with age (which is certainly true – each consecutive Cat Power album has garnered her more and more critical praise). Instead, I argue that the older her material gets, the better it sounds.

I think working backwards through her catalog has lead me to this conclusion. The dark, moody music of Moon Pix, Myra Lee, What Would the Community Think, and Dear Sir is truly mesmerizing.

Interesting story: A few weeks ago, California got hammered by a monster storm. It brought 11 feet of snow to parts of the Sierra and packed winds in excess of 75 mph. One thing I really miss about the Midwest is lightning and thunder, which Pacific storms don’t frequently produce. The last time I’ve heard thunder in California was back in 2001.

As I sat that morning in my apartment marveling at the storm, I listened to Moon Pix, a great rainy day album. The song “Say” (posted below) even features a recording of rain and thunder.

What happened next was hard to believe. As I sat listening to “Say” the heavens above slowly split open with a bellowing crack of thunder. It had nearly the same tone and length as the recording in the song. At first I thought it was the song, but I soon realized it was out of place. Needless to say, it was a great way to start the day.

So in honor of that amazing coincidence, and her forthcoming album Jukebox, out January 22, I’ve decided to feature Cat Power in this month’s Artist Spotlight. The six tracks posted below sample Myra Lee and Moon Pix and are all somber, bluesy, electric gems. Enjoy with a glass of wine?

• Cat Power – Top Expert
• Cat Power – Ice Water
• Cat Power – Still In Love
• Cat Power – Rockets
• Cat Power – Say
• Cat Power – Metal Heart

I’m afraid my “Southern Twang” Regional Mix failed to convey just how obsessed I am with The Acorn. Despite hailing from Canada, the band made the mix because their music transports me to a simpler time. You know, the whole thing about sitting on the front porch watching the sunset.

I stumbled upon The Acorn thanks to cokemachineglow’s often spectacular “No Big Hair” review section, which spotlights lesser known bands and serves up several mp3′s for consumption (this is also how I found out about Deer Tick).

Working backwards through The Acorn’s catalog has actually benefited me; over the course of two albums (The Pink Ghosts and Glory Hope Mountain) and two EPs (Blankets! and Tin Fist), the band grew exponentially. The songs posted below sample each recording (except Blankets!), with emphasis on their recent pinnacle Glory Hope Mountain.

The band’s music has an organic quality that makes it immediately engaging. The intros to “Glory” and “Heirlooms” alone inspire a sense of warmth and comfort. And then there are the actual songs, which feature gorgeous acoustics, innovative (almost tribal) percussion, and Rolf Klausener’s mesmerizing vocals.

Expect to hear about this band again at the end of the year.

• The Acorn – Blue Light
• The Acorn – Heirlooms
• The Acorn – Glory
• The Acorn – Oh Napoleon

As my blog quickly approaches the ripe old age of one, it’s fun (at least for me) to look back on my old posts. Nearly a year ago, I posted an article called My Top 5 Favorite Bands. A lot has changed since then.While I still consider all 5 of those bands to be among my perennial favorites, several amazing bands have since worked their way into my collection. I realize I’ve blogged about all these guys before, but I feel compelled to share once again why I love them so much. In no particular order, here’s the new list:

MONO: Music beyond words

I am still obsessed with this band. Despite having only 39 Mono tracks in my iTunes library, I’ve listened to them almost 800 times. It doesn’t matter what mood I’m in, I keep coming back for more. The track posted below is from their debut LP Under the Pipal Tree released in 2001. In it, you can clearly hear the band honing what will soon become its signature sound: layers upon layers of guitars soaring to climaxes so high you’re afraid of what’ll happen when it all comes crashing down. One of my favorite Mono tracks, period.

• Mono – The Kidnapper Bell

THE NATIONAL: Elegantly-wasted Americana

In all reality, The National probably should’ve made the list the first time around. Never have I heard a band combine beauty and sadness so effortlessly and yet so successfully (see “About Today” and “Slow Show” below). I’ve been listening to The National steadily for the past year, which I can’t say for too many other bands. And with the release of their excellent new LP Boxer, the band has proved without a doubt that they belong on this list.

• The National – About Today
• The National – Slow Show

THE WALKMEN: Inelegantly-wasted Americana

I never expected to like The Walkmen as much as I do. I honestly can’t explain what drew me to them, let alone what keeps me from ever wanting to leave. Maybe it’s the Dylanesque vocals, maybe it’s the drunken guitar pieces, or maybe it’s lines like this: “Don’t know what to offer you I’m only broke and lonely / And another one goes, and another one goes by / Sometimes when I walk outside I see it right in front of me and so / Bright.” Amazing lyrics to an incredible song, which is posted again for your convenience below.

• The Walkmen – Another One Goes By

MENOMENA: The absolute pinnacle of indie rock

Words cannot describe my love for this band. After seeing them live a few weeks ago, I can honestly say indie rock doesn’t get much better than Menomena. All three members are incredibly talented musicians; at the concert I quickly learned that they all share lead vocals and can play just about any instrument under the sun. Tracks from Friend and Foe rocked with even more intensity than on the album, while older material greatly benefited from the live setting. Below is the standout track (well, one of many) from their debut album I Am the Fun Blame Monster, whose title can be rearranged to spell The First Menomena Album.

• Menomena – The Strongest Man In the World

CAT POWER: The only cat I’ll ever like

I definitely consider myself a dog person, but Chan Marshall, with her gorgeous voice and haunting melodies, has struck a chord in my dog-loving soul. I seem to get a lot of feedback on my Cat Power posts, which leads me to believe many of you have already come to appreciate her music. So I’ll keep this blurb short, enjoy a terrific piano dirge from Moon Pix called “Colors and the Kids.”

• Cat Power – Colors and the Kids

Like most people out there, I love adore my iPod. It makes my 40-minute morning and afternoon commute tolerable. It also helps me get through those really slow days at work. In other words, I probably couldn’t survive without my iPod.

But despite my undying affection for anything Apple, I really don’t like their iPod commercials, and I especially hate how any featured track/band instantly becomes a hit. I will, however, give Apple credit for choosing music that is slightly off the beaten path, but most times I see the ad so often there is no hope for me ever liking the song again.

With that said, this month’s Artist Spotlight, Kings of Leon, found themselves featured in an iPod commercial a few years back. Luckily, I didn’t pay much attention.

When they released their 3rd studio album Because of the Times earlier this year most of the hype had passed, leaving only the band and their music. After listening to the song “On Call” a few times, I rushed out and purchased the album.

I know this isn’t very descriptive, but Kings of Leon are cool. That’s the best I can come up with. Because of the Times is full of big guitar solos and catchy hooks. This stuff is obviously meant to be played loud.

The band’s sound has definitely progressed over the years. While I enjoy their older stuff, I keep coming back to Because of the Times for its larger-than-life sound. I’ve posted three tracks below: “California Waiting” from Youth & Young Manhood and “On Call” and “McFearless” (such a cool song) from Because of the Times.

I really wanted to post the album closer “Arizona,” but if you like the three tracks below, just buy the whole damn thing, crank up the volume, and enjoy every second of it.

• Kings of Leon – California Waiting
• Kings of Leon – On Call
• Kings of Leon – McFearless

As is becoming routine, I apologize for the lack of activity on my blog. After a month or so of relatively calm waters, the hurricane that is grad school has finally gained strength, knocking me and my blog well off course. At the moment, I believe I’m in the eye of the storm, so bear with my if I don’t resurface for another few weeks.

But enough of that. I’ve been sitting on this month’s Artist Spotlight for quite some time. I started listening to them at the beginning of 2007 (thanks to eMusic), though I had known of their existence for several years. I’m just disappointed it took me so long to get into them.

The band is The Walkmen and they have a sound that’s difficult to categorize. The one thing I can tell you with certainty is that the singer sounds like Bob Dylan. Their older material reminds me of Interpol (but not really), while their latest stuff is very bluesy. You should probably just listen to the tracks posted below.

You may recognize the first song from a Saturn car commercial (which I never saw) that garnered The Walkmen a modest amount of attention a few years back – similar to how the VW commercial revived interest in Nick Drake (but not really). The second song posted is the stunning title track from my favorite Walkmen album, Bows + Arrows. And the last song beautifully closes their most recent LP A Hundred Miles Off.

• The Walkmen – We’ve Been Had
• The Walkmen – Bows & Arrows
• The Walkmen – Another One Goes By

PS – Don’t let the poor quality of this post influence your opinion of The Walkmen. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

“Time is near to come forward with whatever killed your spark”

I’ve only just realized that posting one song by each of my favorite bands was a gross injustice. Please accept my sincerest apologies and consider this post to be a supplement to my first Artist Spotlight.

There is good reason My Morning Jacket is my favorite band of all time. That’s right: they sit at the very top of my top 5 – no questions about it. Not only do they write incredibly affecting songs, but Jim James’ vocals are otherworldly.

Up until now, I feel like I’ve done the band an disservice. I’ve posted a few of their songs on my blog (“Strangulation,” “Phone Went West,” “O Is the One that Is Real,” and “Dondante”), but they can be difficult to digest without the proper introduction.

With this post, I hope to right this wrong. Listen to the songs below in the exact order posted, then hit up the tracks mentioned above for further listening (side note: “Strangulation” is my absolute favorite song of all time).

I sincerely hope that My Morning Jacket becomes one of your favorite bands. Despite the slight misstep that was the album Z, they are an incredibly-talented and inspiring band that deserves your attention.

• My Morning Jacket – I Will Be There When You Die
• My Morning Jacket – The Bear
• My Morning Jacket – X-mas Curtain
• My Morning Jacket – Tyrone