Best of Myspace Music
I have quite a bit to write about again this week-The Album Leaf, Bert Jansch, and I’ll be going to see Frida Hyvönen later tonight. Basically, about a thousand photos behind. It’s daunting but Jansch was especially nice and my guess is that Frida won’t come around again for awhile being that she is from Sweden.
Camille and Alexander McGregor are Ponies in the Surf and the way their vocals work together-his perfect tenor and hers so wispy and soft make even the most miserable mood better. Just listen to their perfect song “Ventricle.” I actually own their full length album Ponies on Fire which I would recommend buying but I hadn’t looked at their myspace page. Beautiful music headed to us from the America’s NE quadrant….hmmm…I’m assuming that means they might have made a few friends with lobsters. Most songs are very soft and folksy but check out “Another Mind” for a faster pace. They seem to be a well kept secret but might not be for much longer as one of their songs is set to be part of an upcoming Wes Anderson film and we all know he has the best soundtracks known to man.
2. Foreign Born
Grizzly Bear, who recently had all of their equipment stolen, sent out a bulletin talking about a couple of bands one of which was Foreign Born. I wasn’t sure what to expect as the page loaded and I saw they were categorized as Ambient/Psychedelic/Jungle but wow what a rich sound from “Union Hall.” From the songs posted, I don’t really agree with the ambient part..they definitely have more of a rock sensibility. Very nice and full sounds from LA. Something special here and you just try not to tap your feet while listening to “Into Your Dream.” The vocals on “Letter of Inclusion” also reminded me of Echo & the Bunnymen
Have you ever wondered what Weezer would sound like had they been born in Sweden? Wonder no longer because I am now enlightening you to the fuzzy pop alternative sounds of the Swedish Polar Bears from Karlstad. I’m not sure if there are lingonberries in Karlstad but there is certainly a good band.
Oh…and I mean when Weezer was good.
4. Lowood
Another Swedish band that incidentally my friend Matthew told me about. Nice lo-key voice for lead singer Therese Johansson which is just a little bit like TracyAnn Campbell from Camera Obscura and at times a touch of Hope Sandoval It’s less pop oriented and more folky for sure. “A Melody” even has an Edith Frost sort of feel to it. Drift around listening to these songs on snowy days this winter.
5. Jon Woode
I have a theory about Jon’s without h’s. There’s my friend Jon and he’s great but also think of it-Jon Brion I’ve never met a Jon or a Jonathan I didn’t like. Anyhow, Jon Woode from London requested my friendship this very day and I knew I would like his music when I saw that he had a tribute banner to John Peel (another John I like even if there’s an h there.) And, of course, like all great singer/songwriters, he cites the best influences like Neil Young, Jeff Buckley, and Simon and Garfunkel. And also, he posts bulletins about starting a new relationship with a mandolin. Make room in your heart for this one.