International music, Reviews

A Quick Review: The Duke & The King – Long Live The Duke & The King

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The Duke & The King: Long Live The Duke & The King (Silva Oak / Loose, 2010)

At first, I was really disappointed, but I’m starting to enjoy this more and more. I loved the debut album and gave it full five hearts. The debut was an extremely beautiful folk album that also had a little bit of soul thing goin on. The only problem with the new album for me is that the soul thing is starting to take full control. And even though most of these folk soul songs (like Hudson River or Have You Seen It? for example) are actually very good, I can’t get totally excited because it’s just not the kind of stuff I personally love. But don’t mind me. It’s my own problem that my preferred Simone Felice album wouldn’t contain anything else except acoustic guitar and Simone Felice’s voice. I just love that voice.

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The Duke & The King Website
The Duke & The King at myspace

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International music, Reviews

A Quick Review: Justin Townes Earle: Harlem River Blues

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Justin Townes Earle: Harlem River Blues (Bloodshot Records, 2010)

I’m a big fan of Justin Townes Earle, but I’m not as excited about Harlem River Blues as I would like to be. Not that there’s anything really wrong with Harlem River Blues. This is a really good country album, but I know this guy is capable of so much more. Justin is one of those guys who can probably write three good country albums in a year, but let’s not fall into that Ryan Adams syndrome. Even though the basic level of songwriting is damn high, it’s ok to wait until you have written enough of that really fantastic stuff for a full album. Midnight At The Movies was already pretty close to be that perfect album, but now it feels like he is playing it a bit safe. Maybe it’s a bit unfair criticism, because if some unknown singer-songwriter released this album, I might be over the moon. And despite everything I said, it’s still worth..

Justin Townes Earle Website
Justin Townes Earle at myspace

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International music, Reviews

A Quick Review: Possessed By Paul James – Feed The Family

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Possessed By Paul James: Feed The Family (Hillgrass Bluebilly, 2010)

After watching the whole movie The Folk Singer a couple of times and the scene where Konrad Wert sings the song Shoulda’ Known Better a dozen of times, I knew I had to properly introduce my heart to Possessed By Paul James’ music. A good place to start is his new album Feed The Family that came out just a couple of weeks ago (oh and the movie is stunning and extremely highly recommend to everyone. You don’t even need be a big fan of PPJ beforehand to enjoy it).

Feed The Family is a wonderful album that demands your attention. It’s almost impossible to use this as a background music, because this has more soul than the Hitsville box sets and it will cause a beautiful havoc in your heart. The man is singing his heart out and you better listen to what he has to say. This is passionate and pure music ranging from energic bluegrass blues to absolutely beautiful folk songs. It may not be the most easily accessible record of the year, but it’s certainly one of the most rewarding ones.

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Possessed By Paul James Website
Possessed By Paul James at myspace
 
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZnh1KbcHSs&w=480]

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International music, Reviews

A Quick review: Barb – Barb

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Barb: Barb (Yep Roc, 2010)

A gigantic disappointment. Liam Finn’s solo debut I’ll Be Lightning was/is a huge favourite of mine and worth all the hearts in the world. Nowadays Liam Finn is in a band called Barb and therefore I had high hopes that I would like this album. Unfortunately I just don’t. I red somewhere that this super group from New Zealand just booked a studio for a month before they had written any songs and it kind of sounds like they didn’t bother writing the songs in the studio either. I suppose you might find this thrilling if you enjoy weird and experimental pop music, but I’m a fan of simple pop music and for me this is just incredibly boring.  Ok, It’s got some nice moments  here and there (but not everywhere) and a couple of good songs on the latter half of the album, but I do hope this will remain as a side project and Liam Finn will make another stunning solo album in the not-so-distant future.

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