Country, Americana, Folk, Power Pop, Indie Pop
Do you want to buy a beautiful vinyl copy of Finnish indie classic Ystävät, toverit by Wojciech? If the answers is Yes or hell Yes, join this facebook group. If 150 people commits on buying the vinyl by joining the group, the label Plastic Passion (who also released the out-of-print CD back in 2004) will make it available on vinyl as soon as possible. This is Jäätehinen from this amazing album.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XXADWOAZY]
This new single Listen Up (If the World Is Going to Hell) was my first introduction to Seattle-based Red Jacket Mine. They’ve released two full-lenghts in the past (Lovers Lookout from 2009 was actually produced by one of my biggest heroes, Ken Stringfellow), so I’m joining the party rather late. However, I think I need to preview the earlier material as well, because I’m really enjoying Red Jacket Mine’s soulful pop music. “Curtis Mayfield meets Nick Lowe” says the bio about the a-side of the single. Now that’s a good way to lift the expectations extremely high. This is Listen Up (If the World Is Going to Hell):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9neR520ANo]
And this is the b-side Rosy Days (There’s a moment or two in here that makes think of Joe Algeri/Jack & The Beanstalk)
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/36965901″ iframe=”true” /]
Besides making great music, Red Jacket Mine’s frontman Lincoln Barr is also listening to great music. Lately I’ve been also listening to the artists he recommended on this Ardent interview. I knew Bahamas and Jason Collett beforehand, but Zeus, Peter Elkas and The Golden Dogs were new to me and I’ve really liked them. Especially Zeus.
The new album of the month is obviously Mörönsyötti by Viljami Kukkonen. This one really hit me hard.. or let me rephrase that.. this one hit me really softly. Mörönsyötti is a giant leap ahead of everything else released this year. I just love everything about it. It’s a kind, caring and warm companion that will convince you that even the longest night leads to daylight. I love the fact that an album that contains quite a high amount of musical instruments and extremely detailed arrangements can sound so small, heartfelt and warm. As I previously wrote, listening to Mörönsyötti for the first time was almost like a spiritual experience. It’s not soul, but it’s soulful inspiration. Soft americana colliding with the adorable side of Finnish 70s schlager. A magical and colourful piece of music. You may have noticed already, that I’m not good at describing the exceptional beauty and sincere warmness of the album. This is just what my world should sound like.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/34067102″ iframe=”true” /]
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/39044257″ iframe=”true” /]
Esa Linna recently released She’s Not a Human Being EP and now he made video for the song Piece of Me. There’s also a bit of great news concerning this release. The great Kool Kat Musik mail order will be distributing this in the states and they also have an exclusive bonus disc that contains 11 demos. Should be available sometime soon if not already. Click this to see the EP at Kool Kat Musik mail order
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZSBRKuF3l8]