Artist of the Day: Barton Carroll

Barton Carroll is likely to have had a hand in something you heard before, though you may be unfamiliar with his name. He's toured and/or recorded with a number of folk-rock bands such as Crooked Fingers, Azure Ray and Dolorean - and now he's got a sizable catalog of his own material, including his latest and fourth album, Together You and I. This is the first I've heard from Carroll and I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed, especially by his songwriting, which is sometimes emotive and personal, and at other times clever and witty, but always evocative. Highlights include the story of young love, "The Poor Boy Can't Dance," a tale of a younger brother's jealousy, "Shadowman" and the hilariously clever "Past Tense," though each of the songs add to the album's remarkably charming nature.

The ten tracks of Together You and I make for an enjoyably old-fashioned folk record that should definitely appeal to more than just genre junkies like myself, and at a pay-what-you-want price at his website, I recommend picking it up to give yourself an introduction to the considerably talented Barton Carroll.

MySpace

Adam Arcuragi's road to Joy

Adam Arcuragi is a talented folk singer-songwriter from Philadelphia that I was given the heads-up on recently. I'm passing on the good word to you because I've been impressed by Mr. Arcuragi's new album I Am Become Joy, set for release next week. He's got an endearingly rough and sincere edge to his poetic musings that immediately caught and kept my attention for the last couple weeks. His musical style is simple and follows a well-traveled path, with his acoustic guitar as his most common companion, but Arcuragi's music is a more than worthy addition to the folk genre. Joy is his second release, but if you - like me - haven't heard him before, it will serve as an excellent introduction.

The title of the new record might imply a sunny and well...joyful musical disposition, but the songs seem to be dealing more with the process of finding happiness and redemption than the achievement or possession of those same qualities. Arcuragi's tunes are sometimes lonely and melancholy, occasionally upbeat and optimistic, and most often some compelling combination of the two. Though the focus here is squarely on the storytelling, Arcuragi compliments his world-weary voice with some subtle, but welcome, instrumental flourishes like slide guitar, backing vocals, and the occasional horn selection. Both the simple, guitar/vocal numbers and the more fleshed out arrangements are enjoyable, and the small amount of variety goes a long way to providing some depth and overall listenability.

It's difficult to pick favorites from I Am Become Joy, but I recommend the earnest opener "She Comes To Me," the jangly, upbeat "People & Private Music," and the more subdued "The Guns that Bring the Morning Home." Check out MySpace to hear some tunes, or head over to laBlogotheque to see Adam and company perform several songs live and acoustic - which is really a treat. I'll post one below to get you started, the excellent "Bottom of the River" from the new album:

ADAM ARCURAGI - The bottom of the river
by lablogotheque

From Belgium with love: Hitch

Belgian rockers Hitch are only recently making some waves in the U.S., but the band already have five albums under their belt, making them anything but new to the more hardcore side of the indie scene. Their hard-hitting brand of rock brings to mind The Paper Chase (it was actually mixed by John Congleton), who's record I just recently reviewed, but I also hear bits of The Jesus & Mary Chain and I'm sure those of you more familiar with the genre could probably fill in plenty of your own RIYL's. The band's new album, Clair. Obscur, is raw and urgent, using rough guitar riffs and edgy vocals to create a noisy, unpolished sound that makes for some great moments on the record and has served as a good introduction to Hitch.

Hitch keeps things fairly straightforward for most of the record, using brief blasts of punk energy with noise rock riffs for an explosive effect. Openers "Art Nouveau!" and "Carbon Wheels" set the tone, all spiky guitars and sharp percussion under singer Mich Decruyenaere's unhinged, shouted vocals. Occasionally, the band takes a stylstic detour, like the gloomy "This Is Where It Ends" or the bizarre, spoken-word tune "The Day Kid C Bit The Dust," but the music generally follows the pattern established by the first few tracks. Though many of the songs on Clair. Obscur are fairly brief, the record ends with the six-minute "Burn This Place" and the seven-minute "The Paper Beast," two of the better cuts that give Hitch more time to show off their ability to combine ambient and shoegaze elements into their more upbeat and immediate hardcore sound.

I don't believe I've heard much music originating from Belgium, but Hitch are certainly proof that some good things are happening there. To hear some of Hitch's latest tunes, head over to the band's MySpace page or check out their homepage for more info.

Recommended Artist: Auld Lang Syne

I was fortunate enough to be introduced recently to the music of Auld Lang Syne, so now I'm passing the good word on to you because this is a group people should know (and love). The New York-based band is comprised of Timothy Dick, Mike Bushen, Joe Bushen, Jonathan Miller, Tim Gallogly, and Dick's wife, Kathy, and though they just recently released their first album, the music speaks of a much higher level of maturity and depth than you'd typically find on a debut. The album, entitled Midnight Folly, is an earthy folk-rock record filled with emotion and darkly beautiful lyrics that cut right to the soul. The songs are heavy with heartbreak and sorrow, and the music slowly paced, but the whole experience is full of a musical intensity that is absolutely captivating, making for one of my favorite folk albums of the year thus far.

Through the nine songs of Midnight Folly, a variety of styles and approaches are presented, yet everything feels cohesive and connected. Opener "Long Ago" is a gritty rock number, featuring low, growled vocals sounding something like a combination of Nick Cave and Jim Morrison, while personal favorites "My First Soul" and "Where My Fortune Lies" are weary, yet somehow uplifting folk ballads. The group also throws some twang into the mix with "Four Rivers" and "Rusty Prayer," two lonesome cuts that channel the feeling and energy missing from so much of modern country music. Throughout the album, the band consistently hit the mark with the instrumentation; plenty of guitars, piano, harmonica, accordion, and the occasional string arrangement keep the often lengthy tunes from becoming too tired or samey. The real focus here, though, is the songwriting, which is remarkably compelling in its downtrodden, world-weary way.

Auld Lang Syne definitely deserve your attention, so check out the band on MySpace to hear a good chunk of the new record and also head over here to read a brief interview with the band.

Recommended Artist: The Devil Makes Three

If you didn't know better, you might swear The Devil Makes Three's new album, Do Wrong Right, was a re-release of some country folk band's late 1950's hit record, but the group has only been around for the last seven years or so. Their infectious, fresh take on what they call 'vintage American blues' makes this drummer-less trio out of Santa Clara, California (of all places) worth checking out, and their new album has been a great introduction for me. Guitarist/frontman Pete Bernhard, stand-up bassist Lucia Turino and guitarist Cooper McBean effectively channel their old-school bluegrass and folk influences into an impressive collection of twelve songs, with a sort of raw punk attitude giving the music a compelling edge.

If you haven't already, you should download the opening track, "All Hail," which I posted previously. The song should give you a good idea of the band's signature style, complete with rustic production qualities and Bernhard's cleverly sharp lyrics that are often sarcastic and always witty, but contain a remarkable amount of insight as well. Other highlights from the new record include the trouble making title track, the dark, sinister "Help Yourself," and the hillbilly rocker "Aces and Twos." Also, check out the trio's MySpace page to hear some tunes both new and old or head over to their site for more info.

Recommended Artist: I Was A King

If you're the type who scours the Internet for the latest and greatest indie bands, chances are you've come across Norwegian pop-rockers I Was A King. But, if you've managed to miss them thus far, I'll be glad to introduce you. The band, led by vocalists Frode Stromstrad and Anne Lise Frokeda, has been around for a few years and generated almost universal critical acclaim for their noisy, catchy pop sound. The quintet's collaborations alone should attract attention, as their self-titled sophomore album includes work with Sufjan Stevens, Danielson, and Ladybug Transistor, among others. However, it's the band's gloriously messy and unique pop presentation that really impresses, making the 31 minutes of their recent record a brief, but fascinating, musical experience.

The album's surprisingly diverse results came as the result of only a three day recording session, and the music definitely has a raw, loose feel to it that I find quite appealing. Pop tunes like "Step Aside" and "Golden Years" have infectious melodies topped with layers of rough guitars, clanging piano, and a host of other instruments that stop just short of 'noise rock,' but still add interesting textures and details to the songs. There's almost too much going on here to keep track of, but it's amazing that the group can fit so many ideas into 15 very short tracks without feeling completely unfocused, and even when they occasionally get a bit obtuse, the music is still fun and frequently great.

Other highlights include "Stay Warm," which opens with some country-tinged strings into a gloriously bouncy, upbeat verse, "California," an appropriately sunny 57 seconds, and "Norman Bleik," perhaps the most fully-formed song here (and one of the longest at almost three minutes), a jangly retro-influenced tune that's instantly likable. It's hard to really pick favorites, though, and I imagine everyone will have their own with so much variety to be found. To get better acquainted, head over to their MySpace page or to my earlier post for a couple downloads from I Was A King.

Recommended Artist: The Five Corners Quintet

Long the preferred genre of many a hipster, music geek, and...well, serious musician, Jazz is often considered the kind of music that everyone SHOULD listen to but nobody actually DOES listen to, which is a shame. I'll admit, as much as I say I enjoy jazz music and respect the musicians, I don't often sit down with a classic Duke Ellington record just for kicks; I'm usually too busy trying to get to the next big indie rock thing.

Still, when you're introduced to a band like Helsinki's The Five Corner's Quintet, it would be a real shame to just let them slip by. The group's refreshing take on traditional 'dancefloor' jazz is immediate, fun, and classy, an experience certainly worth having even if you're not fanatical about the genre. Their new album, Hot Corner, is comprised mainly of instrumental numbers, with Teppo Mäkynen (drums/bandleader), Timo Lassy (sax), Jukka Eskola (trumpet), Mikael Jakobsson (piano), and Antti Lötjönen (double bass) all contributing their solid musicianship to make for a thoughly enjoyable 45 minutes. Opener "Hot Rod" starts things off with a groovy bass line and some fantastic horn work, while "Skinny Dipping" relies on stellar drumming by Mäkynen and gives Jakobsson time for a great solo. Later on, the group gives us another pair of standouts, the funky, upbeat "Shake It" and the 70's groove of "Easy Diggin'."

The record features a number of cuts with vocalist Mark Murphy, who lends his stylish voice to liven up the mellow "Kerouac Days in Montana" and the darkly romantic "Come and Get Me." His presence shakes things up in a good way, though the group shine particularly bright when left to their own devices. Hot Corner is the kind of album that should have a particularly broad appeal, as jazz music goes anyway. The songs are varied in their tempo and intensity, and the group hits the perfect balance of a classic jazz feel and more expansive, progressive arrangements, so the record feels fresh and new without ever becoming unnecessarily abstract. Put simply, this is music made to be enjoyed by anyone and everyone.

Head over to the band's MySpace page to hear half of the new album and give these guys a chance, I'm willing to bet you'll be glad you did.

Recommended Artist: The Waking Eyes

The Waking Eyes are a Canadian pop rock quartet who released their sophomore album, Holding On To Whatever It Is, last year. The group is led by frontmen Rusty Matyas and Matt Peters, who share vocal duties in addition to playing both guitar and keyboards, with Joey Penner on bass and Steve Senkiw on drums. The boys play infectious pop music that is genuinely exciting and as much fun as anything in recent memory, with hooks simply packed into each and every tune.

Holding On To Whatever It Is is the kind of album that has a radio-friendly vibe, but remains intelligent and exceptionally executed throughout. Put another way, this is a record that's about impossible to hate and very easy to love. Songs like the groovy "Get Me To The Doctor" and the earnest rocker "All Empires Fall" feel familiar and follow a fairly standard alternative rock template, but they're so catchy and well-written that it doesn't matter much. "Clap Clap" is funky and danceable, "Masters of Deception" is both sinister and cheesy, and "Boyz and Girlz" mixes bizarre electro-rock with a sunny pop style. Throw in a few ballads, like the folk-inspired "Wolves at the Door" and the lonesome "Pick Up Your Number," and you have a record that admirably covers quite a bit of pop territory without feeling too scattered.

The Waking Eyes combine a wealth of influences and styles, using electronics, strings, horns, harmonica, and more to flesh out their remarkably entertaining tunes that make Holding On To Whatever It Is one of my favorite new discoveries. These guys seem to be flying quite under the radar, at least in the U.S., and that's a damn shame, so check them out on MySpace, or head over to their website where you can download "All Empires Fall" for free if you sign up for their mailing list.

Recommended Artist: Quiet Company

Quiet Company is an indie rock band from Austin led by former (and brief) Eisley band member Taylor Muse that just released their new album, Everyone You Love Will Be Happy Soon. The band makes infectious 90s-esque piano-rock packed with melody and a positive outlook that makes the record's 15 songs a great soundtrack for ushering in sunnier days and warm summer nights.

Songs like the first single, "It's Better To Spend Money Like There's No Tomorrow Than Spend Tonight Like There's No Money," and "Our Sun Is Always Rising" are power-pop tunes with bouncy piano lines, jangly guitars, and Muse's musings (har!) on love, life, and happiness. Throughout the record, he takes few detours, turning up the volume on "The Beginning Of Everything At The End Of The World," adding a little twang with slide guitar on "On Modern Men," and presenting a fuzzier, noisy pop sound on "How To Fake Like You Are Nice & Caring," but the strength of the album lies less in variety than on sheer energy and melody. Occasionally, the band take a break for a ballad, as on the gentle, acoustic "Red & Gold" or the sparse, instrumental piece, "When I Am Empty, Please Dispose Of Me Properly." Even then, the tunes are fairly saturated with pop-oriented, sugary goodness, which might be too much for some listeners to handle. It's so likable, however, that you're much more likely to have a tough time turning it off.

Everyone You Know Will Be Happy Soon is a fun, breezy record, a blast of sunshine in a world that could certainly use some, and Quiet Company are a band that deserve some attention from your ears. Check out Quiet Company on MySpace, head over to their site where you can buy the album for a respectable seven bucks, or look below for their music video for "It's Better To Spend Money Like There's No Tomorrow Than Spend tonight Like There's No Money."

Recommended Artist: Soft Targets

Florida natives Soft Targets aren't exactly new to the indie scene, but it's quite possible that they've slipped under your radar thus far, which is a shame. The three-piece group released their excellent sophomore album, Heavy Rainbow, near the end of last year, a followup to their 2005 debut, Frequent Flyer, which is also worth a listen. Their sound starts with a classic indie rock template and adds instrumental flourishes (strings, horns, keys) as needed to enhance frontman Jesse Corry's emotionally charged lyrics and distinctive tenor voice. It's a winning formula that the band have refined from their first album to last year's more mature, focused effort.

What makes Heavy Rainbow such an interesting and engaging listen is Soft Targets' ability to provide a new twist on a familiar format. The difference can be mostly attributed to Corry's detailed, offbeat stories and his unique sense of melody that keeps the music from becoming too comfortable or relaxed. The band compliment his style with constantly shifting tempos and dynamics, resulting in songs that keep your mind at attention and offer more than a few surprises. "The World Looks Bigger Now" slides smoothly from a low-key verse to a funk-inspired chorus, "So Long, Baby Burns" goes from earnest and sincere to sinister and back again, and "Sirens" rides an arpeggiated key riff and some silky falsetto vocals in a refreshingly strange pop tune.

Soft Targets are certainly a band worth your time, so check them out on MySpace to hear a few tracks from each of their albums, or head over to their website for news, lyrics, and other info.