Houston-based songwriter Robert Ellis is a long time favourite of mine and New West Records released his new self-titled album in early June. I was a little bit wary at first though, because this new one has a bold production and it’s sonically adventurous with jazzy vibes, string arrangements etc. Normal person would probably say that this is a good thing, but I’m a real lo-fi twat and therefore I had some doubts. I still gave it a chance to win my heart over, because I didn’t want to be the guy who starts throwing those dreadful over-produced punches. Yeah, I know that I’ve been that guy. I’ve been that guy several times during the existence of this little amateurish blog. However, I knew Robert Ellis is phenomenal and someone capable of making this work in such fashion that even the narrow-minded pricks like yours truly would get on board. That was a correct assumption and in the end the adventurous and innovative arrangements turned out to be one of the biggest strengths of this genre-blending break-up album. A very impressive album that doesn’t play it safe. I would so love to see a Robert Ellis live concert sometime soon.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGtUMfI_1N0]
Robert Ellis Website

The Felice Brothers is a band I used to love, but somewhere along the way I lost track. I was especially fond of Tonight at The Arizona and the self-titled album, but after that my interest slowly faded. I’m back on board now though, because the few outtakes I heard from their new album The Life in the Dark sounded so good to me that I went and bought the vinyl. This probably won’t hit my top 10 for the year or anything, but it’s still a damn good album full of captivating songs and I’m even thinking of whether I should take a boat cruise to Sweden next February, if their tour doesn’t reach Finnish shores. This rugged lo-fi sound of the new album is also a perfect fit to these gorgeous folk stories and narratives. It’s difficult to understand why such a magnificent piece of music has gotten a lot of lukewarm reviews. This one is the great opening track Aerosol Ball from Life in the Dark that is now out and available on Yep Roc.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlGZ5o4XwvY]

This video below is still my favourite The Felice Brother moment. Impromptu live version of Her Eyes Dart Round from 2007.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BZQ6iuJ2kM]

The Felice Brothers Website