Country, Americana, Folk, Power Pop, Indie Pop
Janne Laurila’s solo debut Kultaisia pisteitä was released today 23rd of september by Ranka recordings. If you’re not yet convinced that it will be one of the finest finnish albums of the year, check out his songs on his myspace or watch these beautiful music videos below:
Janne Laurila: Kultaisia pisteitä
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iJLMkcPw1s]
Janne Laurila: Tauti ilman hoitoo (live)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBDoF7k_nhM]
John Doe & The Sadies: Country Club (Yep Roc, 2009)
John Doe and The Sadies joined forces to make this beautiful old-fashioned country album. Country Club has three songs by The Sadies and one by John Doe & Exene Cervenka, but basicly this is a cover album of old country classics. They cover songs made famous by legends like Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylong Jennings, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Tammy Wynette (just to name a few). The focus often seem to be on the country balladry, but uptempo numbers are there to lift your spirit if the idea of opening another whiskey bottle starts to become too tempting. Highlights include that John Doe & Exena Cervenka original It Just Dawned On Me (guest vocalist Kathleen Edwards adds some great female harmonies to the song), Kristofferson’s Help Me Make It Through The Night, Tammy Wynette’s ‘Til I Get It Right and Johnny Cash’s I Still Miss Someone. John Doe gets through the vocal duties very convincingly and The Sadies does a great job as the backing band. However, it would have been more interesting, if they had chosen more obscure country songs instead of well-known classics. The best thing about cover albums is that they might introduce you songs that you don’t know, but you don’t get much help from Country Club on that department. It’s still one of the better cover albums I’ve heard during the last few years and it does a good job as a pleasant sunday morning record.
John Doe at myspace
The Sadies Website
The Sadies at myspace
Rhett Miller: Rhett Miller (Shout Factory, 2009)
Rhett Miller is also the frontman of alt.country / rock outfit Old 97’s, but I’ve been more interested in his solo adventures as a pop singer-songwriter. I missed his debut album, but the previous album The Believer and this third self-titled album Rhett Miller are both very fine pop releases. Rhett Miller seem to be going into a bit more subtle, sophisticated and sensitive direction. Basicly this new album has less instant hit material than The Believer and it doesn’t rock as much (not that The Believer was a big rocker either, but it did have several maybe radio friendly but still rockin’ power pop tunes). Happy Birthday Don’t Die is pretty much the only real rock song on the new album. However, I think that’s only a good thing because that particular track is the only I don’t like on the album. I especially enjoy the latter half of the album. I think it contains some really wonderful mature, sensitive and melodic pop songs like Haphazardly and Lashes. There’s just some magical subtle beauty in the songs. This is not for those who want their pop delivered with rockin’ lo-fi aesthetics, but if you’re looking for beautiful mature pop music with a truckload of marvellous gentle melodies.. Then you know who to turn to.
