Album of the Month, International music

Album of the Month: John K. Samson – Provincial

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Oh my. I should already be selecting the next album of the month and I still haven’t found the time to write about this magnificent album. So a few quick words about this masterpiece.

Canadian John K. Samson is one of my favourite songwriters. He is best known as the frontman of the mighty The Weakerthans. I’ve pretty much loved everything they’ve ever done and their last three albums have all been on my top 10 albums of the year lists. Provincial is his solo debut and it is equally amazing. The only minor “bad” thing about it is that the fans already know several of the songs by heart, because they’ve been released on two EPs beforehand. I wouldn’t have minded hearing twelve brand new John K. Samson originals. Not that it is a big deal, because a) they’ve been re-recorded b) are important part of this provincial concept c) are simply just way too awesome to be left out.

Without further ado, here’s a couple of stunning songs from John K. Samson’s solo debut. If you are looking for literate folk / indie rock of the highest order, it really does not get much better than John K. Samson and/or The Weakerthans. This album will be tough to beat in the album of the year contest.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhzguOsr7WI]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/30524442″ iframe=”true” /]

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International music, News

Elephant Micah – Louder Than Thou

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New Elephant Micah album Louder Than Thou is out and available. Ok, you have to wait a few more weeks for the vinyl, but digital album is already available as name-your-price download. I need to decide whether to buy the vinyl or pay something for the download. I feel way too guilty to just enjoy this beautiful record for free. Elephant Micah is magnificent and has released several lo-fi folk masterpieces. If you are into people like Mark Kozelek and Jason Molina, you really should be listening to Elephant Micah as well. Louder Than Thou isn’t his easiest album to approach. At least for me, because I’m not used to spend my afternoons with 6-7 minute long folk songs. However, this guy is such a talent that he can sell a long experimental folk tune to a fan of simple pop songs. This one below is the first single If I Were a Surfer. listen to the rest of the album by hitting that bandcamp link. And do check out his amazing back catalogue.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/26585762″ iframe=”true” /]
 

Elephant Micah Website
Product of Palmyra at bandcamp

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Finnish music, News

Tolbiac – Kaupunki

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Tolbiac is a genius. Kaupunki is a new a song by Tolbiac. I fell in love with it about 23 seconds after I started listening to it. Hit play and try to beat my record.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/35373390″ iframe=”true” /]
 
And here’s a few months older treasure Elokuussa.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/24343728″ iframe=”true” /]
 
I don’t know about you, but I think these are some of the best Finnish songs I’ve heard during the recent months. Tolbiac is definitely on to something and I hope he keeps on writing songs like these two beauties. Now where are my old Kaseva and Leevi & The Leavings albums? I feel like listening to them now…while waiting for new Tolbiac songs.

Tolbiac at Soundcloud

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