The blog has been pretty much on hold during the spring and therefore I still haven’t written about some real treasures that have been released during the first half of 2015. Robert Chaney’s new album Cracked Picture Frames is one of those treasures. This London-based folk troubadour has written extremely convincing album. It’s not really an album that I listen to on a daily basis, because it doesn’t work as just background music. You really need to pay attention, but that’s only a good thing. We already have more than enough of that zip-a-dee-do-dah filling the airwaves. So every now and then it’s good to just focus on the song and listen when a gifted folk musician tells you a dark story. Robert Chaney is a brilliant songwriter and storyteller. The whole album is gorgeous, but these two below really take my breath away. This is songwriting of the highest order. The Cyclist and The Ballad of Edward and Lisa.

Robert Chaney Website

A big favourite during the week has been the debut album by Great Peacock. I wrote about the earlier EP a year or two ago. It has taken them a while to finish the debut full-length, but now the wait is over and Great Peacock from Nashville, Tennessee are ready to create a beautiful harmony-filled havoc in your heart. Making Ghosts is an excellent album and something that will stay on my playlist for a long time. They say it’s pop music with folk tendencies. So it’s kind of like made for me, because I’m a fan of melodic pop, who has drifted more and more towards folk/country/americana during the years (therefore the word pop still stands proudly on the subtitle of the blog). Making Ghosts was released by the forever lovely label called This Is American Music. They know their stuff and I can highly recommend pretty much everything they’ve released during the last few years. This is Church Bells from Making Ghosts. Listen to/buy the whole thing on that Bandcamp page.

Great Peacock Website

I wrote a little about this one a few months back, but the whole beautiful thing wasn’t out then and therefore a reminder is in order. Portland-based singer-songwriter Hip Hatchet aka Philippe Bronchtein has a new album out and available. It’s called Hold You Like A Harness and it’s mighty good. This one is Tacoma Bound, one of my own favourites from the new album. Check out and buy the whole thing on his Bandcamp page.

Hip Hatchet Website