November 19, 2011
Scott Foley
Last week I included a link to a Alabama Shakes performance that I claimed might change your life. Musically, I stand behind my enthusiasm. With just four songs formally available, there's so much promise in this music. I'm in great company with this appreciation, as Zales (the Diamond Store) came out this week with a new ad campaign using the Shakes' "You Ain't Alone" to sell their humble wares. I suppose this is good news for Alabama Shakes, who will likely be able to parlay the newfound attention into at least four more tunes to which I can give some air love on R&B. I have no qualms about artists taking advantage of this kind of exposure. I'm just not used to having anything in common with Zales (the Diamond Store) ...
This week's Episode, let's herald the full length debut of Colorado artists the Lumineers. I remember a similar feeling when I first heard an advance copy of last year's best local release, Nathaniel Rateliff's In Memory Of Loss. Can't keep it to myself, but don't want too many others to get ahold of it. Like Rateliff and Paper Bird, early national exposure for the Lumineers came from the Illionois based Daytrotter site, which committed to broadcasting a short live set having only heard an EP and some industry buzz (CMJ and Paste). The Lumineers set up camp close to the world of folk music, but make a quick departure with group-sing choruses, Mumford-esque breakdowns and perfectly broken vocals. Plus, there's a cello, which is nice. The easy link is to liken the Lumineers to bands like Head & the Heart, Avetts and the aforementioned Mumford & Sons. The better approach is to simply let the new album breathe on your harddrive for a couple days. One of the year's very best releases (just sorta keep it to yourself for now).
... and maybe if they're lucky, the Lumineers will be getting a call soon from Jared (the Galleria of Jewelry).
* Joe Pug, "Unsophisticated Heart" Messenger (Lightning Rod, 10)
* Red Molly, "By the Mark" Light In the Sky (Self, 11)
* Mosey West, "Stone By Stone" Vaca Money (Self, 11)
* Hoots & Hellmouth, "Lay Low" Salt (Self, 11)
* Gregg Allman, "Midnight Rider (live)" Speaking Clock Revue (Shout, 11)
* Shelby Lynne, "Woebegone" Revelation Road (Everso, 11)
* Whiskeytown, "Don't Wanna Know Why" Pneumonia (Lost Hwy, 01)
* Longest Day Of the Year, "Radio Low" Turn Into the Ground (Self, 11)
* Boca Chica, "Dear Audrine" Get Out Of Sin City (Self, 11)
* Gretchen Peters, "Dark Angel" Hello Cruel World (Self, 12)
* Girls Guns & Glory, "Baby's Got a Dream" Sweet Nothings (Lonesome Day, 11)
* Los Straitjackets w/Raul Malo, "Black Is Black" Sing Along With (Yep Roc, 01)
* Madison Violet, "Emily" Good In Goodbye (True North, 11)
^ Lumineers, "Classy Girls" Lumineers (Self, 11)
* Kevin Gordon, "Gloryland" Gloryland (Self, 12)
* Sons Of Fathers, "Flatland" Sons Of Fathers (Self, 11)
* Doyle Bramhall, "I'll Take You Away" Is It News (Yep Roc, 07)
* Have Gun Will Travel, "Time Machine" Mergers & Acquisitions (Suburban Home, 11)
* Honey Gitters, "Hayesmouth" Poor Gitters' Almanack (Self, 11)
* Honey Honey, "Thin Line" Billy Jack (Lost Hwy, 11)
* Glossary, "Shoulder To Cry On" Long Live All Of Us (Last Chance, 11)
* Kathleen Edwards, "Mint" Voyageur (Rounder, 12)
* Old 97s, "4 Leaf Clover" Hitchhike To Rhome (Idol, 94)
* Deep Dark Woods, "Sugar Mama" Place I Left Behind (Sugar Hill, 11)
* Rev John DeLore, "Avenue A" Little John the Conqueror (Norlantic, 11)
* Atomic Drifters, "Go Go Go" This Ain't No Cowtown Vol 2 (ZetaKaye House, 11)
* Robbie Fulks, "Parallel Bars" Very Best Of Robbie Fulks (Bloodshot, 99)
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