A bit of pop music for a change and more things I’ve grown to adore during the past month. Well actually this didn’t really need to grow on me. It was pretty instant between me and Anthonie Tonnon. Here’s what happened. A guru of mine, Darren Hanlon put out the album on his label Flippin’ Yeah Industries, which is a high recommendation. So I wanted and needed to hear what this New Zealand-based songwriter had to offer. The man turned out to be a mighty fine songwriter. I think he gets this a lot, but the songs definitely fall in the same ballpark as Jens Lekman and The Magnetic Fields. I count that as a very good thing. Anthonie Tonnon. He’s the guy. This is Mt. Cargill from the new album.

Anthonie Tonnon Website

Staying in the same corner of the world, but moving on to Australia. Fraser A. Gorman’s new album Slow Gum has been out for a month or so and has been getting some great reviews. I’ve heard some good songs from it before, but I’m really listening to the whole album for the first time while writing this little blog entry. His americana-tinged pop tunes surely fit quite nicely to this late night. This is Never Gonna Hold You (Like I Do) from his new album.

Fraser A. Gorman Website

Here’s another one that’s been on heavy rotation for the past month. I’ve stumbled upon the name The Roseline, several times in the past, but didn’t start listening to them until this summer. A good thing I finally did, because their new album Townie is really good. It’s full of very enjoyable and highly melodic alt.country & americana. There’s a bit of Ryan Adams in there as well, which is probably a bit lame comparison (not meaning Ryan is lame. He is awesome, but comparing alt.country bands to him is often lazy and lame). Anyway, here’s one of my favourite tracks on the new The Roseline album. This is Selfish Heart.

The Roseline Website

Erin Rae and The Meanwhiles will be releasing a full-length album next month and based on these early outtakes the release date can’t come Soon Enough. The two songs that have surfaced so far are both absolutely gorgeous. Especially this amazingly beautiful song called Monticello. I could listen to this singing all day long. So good.

Erin Rae and The Meanwhiles at Facebook

The new Kent Goolsby & The Gold Standard album No Substitute for Handsome came out on the 7th of July. I’ve been digging this a lot during the past month. The songs are the finest Kent Goolsby has written and the record has certain old-timey charm that’s completely irresistible. This is a wonderful song Outskirts of Love from the new album. Extremely highly recommended.

Kent Goolsby & The Gold Standard Website

Next up is The Deslondes from New Orleans whose self-titled debut on New West Records is filled with truly enjoyable down-to-earth country soul. I wasn’t entirely sure after just hearing the song The Real Deal and I’m still not completely into that song in particular. Thankfully pretty much everything else is rather awesome, so I don’t have any complaints. It’s a mighty fine album as a whole. I especially dig these slow-paced ones that almost seem lazy and effortless, but still somehow find my heart faster than I can say “bad analogy”. This is Slow Down Soul.

The Deslondes Website

I’ve been enjoying this album by Brack Cantrell during the last couple of days. He is from Denton, Texas and that’s pretty much everything I know about him. Ok, I’ve done some research and found some stuff under the name Glass Caverns that also sounds mighty good. Anyway, this new solo album is called Glancing Blow and it’s available on his Bandcamp. Indie rock meets psych pop and a bit of ambient soundscapes as well. This is the excellent first single Corpus Christi.

The whole west coast Beachwood Sparks, The Tyde etc thingy is very dear to me. I’ve listened to all those bands a lot. The self-titled Beachwood Sparks album is one of my all time favourites and songs like The Reminder and Canyon Ride will always be a part of who I am. Therefore I’m really interested about Brent Rademaker’s new group GospelbeacH. It’s pretty much an all-(should-be)star cast otherwise as well. Neal Casal, Kip Boardman, Jason Soda, Tom Sanford and apparently also power pop guru Nelson Bragg making guest appearances. The album Pacific Surf Line is out later in the fall on Alive Records, but here’s the first outtake Sunshine Skyway.

GospelbeacH at Facebook