WRUV Reviews

John C. Reilly teamed up with Tom Brosseau and Becky Stark, one at a time, to create two folksy songs with each of them.  All four songs are produced by Jack White, and all four are simple and old-timey.  Reilly is mainly known as an actor, but he sang and played guitar in the Dewey Cox movie.  I suppose this album is his first attempt at music without the shield of comedic intentions, although it’s hard to tell based off of the album cover.

RIYL: Simple country songs

PLAY: 1

FCC: n/a

This album is warm, folky and refreshing. “An album that puts Dutch pop music on the map”, Unicorn Loves Deer is a feel good listen from beginning to end.  Utilizing the midwest and folky feel, Alamo Race delivers. Mostly acoustic instruments add to the overall feel of the album. 8 years since their last release, this change of sound could be compared to The Decemberists’ most recent release.

FCC Clean.   PLAY ALL

Unicorn Loves Dear <– IT WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR HEAD

Bittersweet indie folk from two Swedish sisters. With help from members of Bright Eyes and The Felice Brothers.
PLAY: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 ALL

RIYL: NEKO CASE, GRAM PARSONS, JUNE CARTER

Dark and pretty acoustic indie folk with vintage vocals, vibraphone, organ, marimba, synths, and marching drums.
PLAY: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8

RIYL: MARYSE SMITH, JOANNA NEWSOM

Swedish guitar-based 60’s-influenced acid folk similar to the “New Weird America/ Freak-folk” sound. Even at its saddest (“Don’t Drown in Sorrows” and “Keep the Sky from Falling Down”) somehow Olausson manages to exude a warmth that, if not cheerful, is quite intimate.  That warmth becomes more apparent wherever Olausson employs bits of melody to balance out his often atonal vocals.  Gently wobbling guitar patterns over stuttering drums gives “Riding on the Wind” a gently messy beauty.  “Neptune”s eastern-sounding classical picking and quiet organ brings in an exotic flair to the psychedelic ramble.  “Engraved Invitation” even sounds as it might have been originally been a syrupy love song – though perhaps one as heard on a warped record being played in a different room. - reviler.org
PLAY ALL: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
RIYL: DEVENDRA BANHART, NICK DRAKE, NEIL YOUNG
Jakob Olausson : Riding on the Wind by destijlrecs

Local VT artists donate their songs to a benefit compilation for Hurricane Irene. From Folk to Acoustic Singer-Songwriters to Alt. Country Rock to Female Pop vocalists. Artists include: Seth Yacovone, Lowell Thompson, Bow Thayer, Hotels & Highways, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Gregory Douglass, Edie Carey, Justin Levinson, etc.
PLAY: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11

This is a mellow listen with soft organ contributions from Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker’s keyboardist Benmont Tench.  Along with the organ, slide guitar gives it a slow country feel.  Adams had to take a two year hiatus from music due to a chronic and painful inner-ear affliction called Ménière’s disease, which apparently causes him to hear strange tones and fall over things.  Also, did you know he was married to Mandy Moore?  She is featured on track 9 “Kindness” along with Norah Jones.  So check it out. Mellow down to some of these…

Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 3, 9

RIYL: Whiskeytown, ray lamontagne

Long Love The King is a six song Ep from The Decemberists.  The tracks are outtakes from The King Is Dead recording sessions with the music being Indie Folk Rock/Americana.  Included is a Grateful Dead cover of Row Jimmy.  The Decemberists are the mainstream darlings of Folk right now which may turn off some people but these outtakes have a grittiness to them that eschews the mainstream.  Worth a listen.

RITD: Wilco

Tracks: 1,2,3,5

Debut from Brown Bird is titled Salt For Salt.  The music is Folk with hints of Devotchka or Beirut but also has a solid Bluegrass sound.  The album was recorded live eliminating any production that may soften this stripped down Folk sound.  In addition to Folk/Bluegrass sound are Gypsy/Eastern European influences adding depth and intrigue to the music.  This is a very engaging debut that carries a strong emotional force that gets your blood stirring and shakes the dust off your boots while you stomp and strut to the music. 

RIYD: Devotchka, Beirut, Gogol Bordello

Tracks: All Good

An Americana band from Canda, Ox delivers with their fifth release “Tuco”. The album is full of soft, sweet guitars and steady drum beats. Although most of the songs have a slow tempo (not that there’s anything wrong with that), they deliver an impression that is sure to stick with the listener. “Tuco” is an album to put on in the background after a rough day and relax to. I recommend a listen to anyone who is a fan of Americana or Alternative Country.

PLAY: 1,6,14

FCC: 2,8

RIYL: Wilco, Zac Brown Band

Listen to Ox on Myspace