Samantha Crain – Kid Face

samanthacrain

It’s already December and there’s still so many beautiful 2013 albums that haven’t been mentioned. One of them is definitely Samantha Crain’s latest album Kid Face. This came out in the states in February 2013, but will also see a UK/Europe in January 2014 on Full Time Hobby. I haven’t written about Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter Samantha Crain since 2009 and her debut full-length Songs in The Night. I already liked her music back then, but she has gotten significantly better during these four years. This third album Kid Face is her strongest recording and the one that really stands out. For example this song below Paint is just remarkable. This is great songwriting.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116511247″ width=”100%” height=”100″ iframe=”true” /]
 
And here’s a music video for the song The Pattern Has Changed

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGVDTaDY3aI]

Samantha Crain Website

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Stereo 8000 – Magnet

stereo8000

New Stereo 8000 album will hit the stores and our hearts in early 2014, but they are giving an early taste of things to come with a brand new music video. Duel by Anssi 8000 & Maria Stereo was a huge favourite of mine back in 2008. Therefore I’m really excited about the upcoming album. Magnet is just one song, but based on this gorgeous tune the forthcoming album is going to be another great one. The new album is out on Bone Voyage Recording Company in early 2014. Magnet goes like this.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJMnVfasno4]

Stereo 8000 at Facebook

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Jim Guthrie – Takes Time

guthrie

I’m not sure why I waited this long. I listened to this when it came out in the spring and liked what I heard, but I didn’t end up buying it back then. Now I finally did and oh my.. this is a thing of beauty. Toronto-based Jim Guthrie has created a heavenly piece of pop music. I suppose I can understand if someone finds this boring, but to me this kind of music is the sweetest work of art and Takes Time sounds so wonderful. Canadians just seem to make my favourite pop music this year. This Jim Guthrie album, The Heavy Blinkers’ Health and Corner Of The Eye by Marine Dreams are all fabulous pop albums. And also Woodpigeon and so much more. This is The Rest is Yet To Come by Jim Guthrie.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqHXsZ4L1QU]

Jim Guthrie Website

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Tragic Van – Paper Thin

tragicvan

Some new Finnish indie folk or finamericana. Tragic Van has just released their debut EP Paper Thin and you can stream/buy it at bandcamp. The man behind Tragic Van is Henri Seger. Pretty much all I know about him is that he made those Elliot Smith cover concerts a few years ago. Tragic Van’s debut EP shows that this young man can also write excellent own material. This is the title track Paper Thin.

Tragic Van Website

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