Featured, International music, News

Freschard – Shh.. & Ratboys – Aoid

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freschard

Uk-based label Wiaiwya will be reissuing Freschard’s Shh.. on yellow vinyl in July. Pre-order is up now.. and well.. you know the deal. It’s Freschard. So it’s absolutely gorgeous. In fact absolutely perfect. It will move you and it will be make you smile. Five hearts any day of the week. Extremely monstrously highly recommended. This is Monsters from this future classic.

Wiaiwya at Bandcamp
Freschard at Facebook

aoid

Not entirely sure do like that cover art or the name band of the band, but 100% sure that I love the music and that’s what really counts. Aoid by Ratboys is a wonderful instantly catchy indie rock album and listening to it makes me rethink my current status as a sad bastard, because here I am smiling like an idiot instead of making art out of self-pity. Especially MCMXIV, Postman Song and Tixis are so awesome. Almost like an overdose of entertainment. Aoid is now out on Topshelf Records.

Ratboys at Facebook

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Finnish music, Headline, International music

The best albums of 2015 so far

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My favourite weekend of the NHL season, the draft weekend is upon us. Therefore I dediced to make my own mid-season rankings of class 2015. I didn’t spend ages thinking about these and there’s a lot of stuff I haven’t even seen on the ice yet. So this might change a lot during the next six months. Of course at least that Howard/Moreland combo is a sure bet and pretty much like McDavid/Eichel. World class stuff that will stick around for a long time and you can’t go wrong with either of them. Anyway, here are some 2015 albums that I hold dear.

Top 10 International Edition:

barnaquite

1. Barna Howard – Quite a Feelin’

johnmoreland

2. John Moreland – High On Tulsa Heat

Still-Talk-Small-Houses

3. Small Houses – Still Talk, Second City

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4. Michael Feuerstack – The Forgettable Truth
5. Dawes – All Your Favorite Bands
6. Kalispell – Printer’s Son
7. Simon Joyner – Grass, Branch & Bone
8. Jake Xerxes Fussell – Jake Xerxes Fussell
9. Hip Hatchet – Hold You Like A Harness
10. Marine Dreams – Producer’s Wonderland

Top 5 Finnish edition:

viljami

1. Viljami Kukkonen – Jos rakkaus tapahtuu

topinyky

2. Topi Saha – Nykyaika

rollstonsswiss

3. The Rollstons – Swiss Time

—

4. Vähäsarja – Vähäsarja
5. Nicolas Kivilinna – Joka laulun laulaa vaan

Top 1 international songs:

Simon Joyner – Nostalgia Blues

Top 1 Finnish songs:

Topi Saha – Helsingin taivas

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Featured, International music

Leon Bridges – Coming Home & Woody Pines – Woody Pines

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bridges

The major labels quite rarely get things right, but always credit when credit is due. Leon Bridges sure is awesome and it’s a pleasure to listen to this smooth old-fashioned soul/gospel sensation. This is definitely worth all the hype. If I really want to nitpick (which I don’t), occasionally the overall style, execution and delivery of the song is a bigger pleasure than the song itself. But who cares if a song or two are not that amazing as compositions, if I still love listening to every second of the album. Well done Leon Bridges. This is Better Man from his new album Coming Home that is out now on Columbia Records.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgS_xob1x4A]

Leon Bridges Website

woodypines

More old-fashioned sounds, but from another angle. A long-time favourite Woody Pines from Nashville, Tennessee just released a new self-titled album. This one is out on Muddy Roots. So major label for Woody Pines is not yet a reality. Only in my dreams I suppose. Anyway, it’s a mighty fine album in the american tradition. Old timey roots music, folk, blues, ragtime combined with a small hint of modern flavours. Fabulous stuff and so damn enjoyable. Extremely highly recommended. This is Make it To the Woods from the new album.

Woody Pines Website

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Featured, International music, News

Darrin Bradbury, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Elijah Ocean

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darrinbradbury

A quick post about a few really good new EPs that are worth of your attention.

First there’s Darrin Bradbury’s new Story Of Bob EP that came out last week. I think it was Popa’s Tunes that first introduced this songwriter to me a year or two ago. I’ve been following him ever since and he is getting better all the time. This new EP is a very good release full of gorgeous storytelling. This is Bob from the new EP Story Of Bob.

Darrin Bradbury Website

aaronlee

I’ve posted this song before, but a reminder is in order because Aaron Lee Tasjan has a new EP Telling Stories To The Wall out there in the world and I still love this song. Everyone’s got an opinion, but I’m not sure do I really need one, because I fully agree with Aaron’s opinion in the end of this song. This is Living Proof from the new Aaron Lee Tasjan EP.

Aaron Lee Tasjan Website

elijah

This one is not an EP, but definitely worth a mention. Californian country/folk songwriter Elijah Ocean has released a couple of very good albums during the past few years. I’m not sure have I written about them, but it’s a crime if I haven’t. Anyway, he just released a double a-side digital single a while back and I really like both of these. This is I Left My One​-​Spot (Back at the 5​-​Spot).

Elijah Ocean Website

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