I should start making those year-end lists, but I still have a few dozen 2014 releases that I haven’t featured at all. Some that even might appear on those lists. So I try to shortly go through some of them before writing those lists later in December.

This first one is a very current favourite actually, because I just got fully into this She Keeps Bees album that is out in Europe On BB Island. It might not be something that I usually listen to, but thankfully I gave them a chance, because this is rather excellent on all accounts. I find that certain hypnotic beauty of the album 8 Houses irresistible. This song and video Owl is a perfect example.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyTKyFlos1w]

She Keeps Bees Website

Bear Medicine from Lexington, Kentucky brings us music for traveling to the moon. The new album The Moon Has Been All My Life has been on the playlist for a month or two and I’m liking it a lot. Here are two fine examples of their beautiful sounds, Blood In Common and Sevens.

Bear Medicine Website

And last but not least. Something brand new. If you are dedicated follower of onechord.net instead of fashion, you are well aware that I’m a big fan of Paul Otteson. This guy just has the loveliest voice and is always able to write amazing songs. His new band Faux Fawn just released their new album Lonesome Loon. This one sure goes to darker side of things as well, but still I often find myself just adoring the warmth of their sound. But in a way that dark vs light contrast works wonderfully. You can stream/buy from Bandcamp. This is the opening track Lover’s Curse.

Faux Fawn Website

I should start making those year-end lists, but I still have a few dozen 2014 releases that I haven’t featured at all. Some that even might appear on those lists. So I try to shortly go through some of them before writing those lists later in December.

Adam Carroll is a Texas-based songwriter and definitely a mighty good one. Otis Gibbs introduced him to me years back on his guest post at ninebullets, if my memory serves me right. His new album Let It Choose You has gotten a lot of air time in this household and I should have written about it months ago. This is the awesome opening track Bernadine.

Adam Carroll Website

We haven’t heard of Chase Fifty Six (or at least I haven’t) since their really good Allatoona Rising album back in 2010. However, Chris Stalcup has a new project these days called Chris Stalcup and The Grange. Their album came out in April, 2014 and should have gotten recognition back then. But better late than never I suppose, if we start celebrating cliches. This is Eastern Stars from the album called Dixie Electric Co.

Chris Stalcup and The Grange Website

Michael Rank and Stag is also a group that should have a thing or two to say to the lazy blogger who is writing this. I’ve been listening to their last three albums, enjoyed each and every one of them, but have never written a single word about them. This North Carolinian is a really prolific songwriter and he has released these three albums during the past two years. His 2014 release is called Deadstock and these are Idle Hands and Little Late For Me from that album.

Michael Rank Website