Music Spree

Music Spree

It’s been a while since I’ve posted (2 days short of a month) so I figured it is time. I’m in my bi-monthly music buy/download frenzy. Last weekend I visited our friendly "House of Records" in Eugene (amazing shop) and picked up 3 CD’s and downloaded one album at home. Where to begin… I’ve been in a bit of a folk mood for the past two weeks. Simon and Garfunkel, Kings of Convenience, Iron & Wine, ect…. Two of these CD’s continue this trend, being Calexico and Iron and Wine's joint venture of In the Reins and Josh Ritter’s new release The Animal Years.

Josh Ritter | The Animal Years

In a way similar to Ben Folds maturation in Songs for Silverman the Animal Years really shows how Ritter has ripened. His lyrics have grown from simple story telling to rants ranging from religion to politics. The best example of this, and my personal favorite off the CD is Thin Blue Flame which I had the honor of seeing live when he opened for The Frames last fall. The song is a phenomenal piece lasting 9:38 long with eccentric variation in volume and speed. Overall the CD is impressive and in my opinion competes successfully for the title of his best work to date over The Golden Age of Radio.

Calexico / Iron & Wine | In The Reins

What is there to say about Iron & Wine? Anything they put out is worthy of praise and a listen. In The Reins is no exception. Calexico adds an impressive blend of country and Hispania. Who would think I would like a CD with a steel guitar in EVERY SINGLE SONG! Well I confess it, this album has hooked me to several listens a day, albeit it is an EP with only 7 songs. There’s really not much I can add, if you are familiar with Iron & Wine you know what to expect and Calexico really adds a relieving variation.

Band of Horses | Everything All The Time

To be honest I don’t know how to describe, review, or account this album because quite frankly I don’t know how I feel about it. It definitely has a fresh sound while ironically sounding a bit like Led Zeppelin at the same time. Funeral, the flagship song is truly a beautiful song. Nothing I can say can make you understand this fact, only listening can. I leave this review short; you can decide your opinion.



Calexico | Garden Ruin

I had never heard of Calexico prior to their tour with Iron & Wine, which I sadly did not see. The day after I purchased In The Reins however, I felt compelled to hear their independent work. That was a good decision. Just as with In The Reins I am hooked, there is an interesting mix of familiarity and freshness in their sound. They have a soft folk likeness to Iron & Wine, a bit of country, and a flair of Hispanic flavor with occasional lyrics in Spanish. Overall they have a likeness of Iron & Wine intertwined with Santana, which surprisingly is not a bad sound.

Overall 4 great albums. My final CD of this spree, Canada's sisterly quartet Pony Up's self titled EP is in the mail and should arrive this week. Here are some links

Thin Blue Flame | Josh Ritter
Sixteen, Maybe Less | Calexico / Iron & Wine
Funeral | Band of Horses
Roka | Calexico