In exactly one week today Holly Miranda's debut album The Magician's Private Library is officially released. I'm so excited - despite having a digital copy of the release for sometime - I've already pre-ordered my CD and 12' vinyl copies. Having heard the album in it's fully mastered form I can safely say it's going to be high, high up on my best of 2010 list. Usually I can remember how and when I heard about a particular artist, but with Holly, the memory escapes me. All I know is that since discovering Brooklyn based Holly Miranda, I've been eagerly awaiting an official physical release for what seems well over a year. And after she signed to London's last year, the wait is - thankfully - almost over.
The Magician's Private Library, produced by TV On The Radio's Dave Sitek, beautifully showcases Holly's master penmanship. Each song weaves a rich tapestry of sound; from rumbling basslines, parping horns (courtesy of Antibalas) and haunting string sections (thanks to Marques Toliver) as well as acoustic and electric guitars, minimal beats, vintage organ and appropriately used samples. Each song is feather light and yet due to the layers and layers of sounds, carries weight about them that makes them memorable, touching and just really. Quick catch up on some recent releases.SHOUT OUT LOUDS - WORKSwedish Stockholm sensations the Shout Out Louds get to work releasing their third full length studio recording.
Shifting the tempo down a gear has made Work a slightly more relaxed affair than their debut album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff and is more in keeping with the style they went for on their sophomore album Our Ill Wills.Although Work is short on rocking anthems, it compensates with punching drums and growing grooves entwined with beautiful string arrangements. Definitely a strong stand alone album which grows with every listen.Download MP3 ♫VAMPIRE WEEKEND - CONTRAIn my opinion, popular chic New Yorkers Vampire Weekend are overhyped. Their unique brand of indie surf rock was refreshing on their debut Vampire Weekend, but has become slightly more annoying on their follow-up Contra. Saying that, a couple of songs set themselves apart by being less 'in your face' and less 'trying hard to be alternative', namely 'Taxi Cab'.Overall, it deserves a listen. You'll either love it like the majority of hipster kids, or stick with more genuine conterparts such as band Ra Ra Riot.Download MP3 ♫LAURA VEIRS - JULY FLAMEBacktracking to her roots with more of a gentle country folk feel, Laura Veirs' July Flame - a collection of mostly downtempo tracks - is layered with delicate guitar parts, fragile harmonies and soothing string arrangements.
It's an accessible album which would be perfect for listening to whilst soaking up the sun on a grassy meadow, and may have been a more appropriate release in the height of summer, instead of wintery January.July Flame however, is stripped of radio worthy catchy pop/rock she included on previous releases Year Of Meteors and Saltbreakers.Simple and quality relaxing folk music, but possibly not the strongest album in her discography.Download MP3 ♫. Almost 10 years ago when I was at the impressionable age of 16, I heard about an amazing musician who had released one album and then drowned tragically during the making of his second.
Shout Out Louds Our Ill Wills Rar Album
While on my regular trawl through the shelves of HMV drivel, I came across this album on sale and bought it on a whim. That night I sat in the corner of my darkened room, wrapped in my duvet and stared at the wall while it played. Dramatic though it may sound, my life was forever changed. That album was Jeff Buckley, Grace. Since his death, his popularity has constantly grown. His cult status however, remains intact. People who dislike Jeff Buckley seem to be few and far between.
His mother has released ongoing albums featuring demos, live, rare or unfinished tracks and covers. His songs have appeared in movie soundtracks and yet rarely seems to get radio play. In ten years, his albums are the ones I will always go back to and feel amazed with every listen, just like it was my first. I love his music and poetry so much I even have his lyrics tattooed on my back.Quite a few people have attempted to cover Jeff Buckley tracks but perhaps a handful have done him even 50% justice. Saying that, here are a some of my favourite attempts.