TOP 13 ALBUMS OF 2013 ~Michael Ari

 

1.  Paul McCartney – NEW

(Hear Music/Virgin EMI)

Classic Maca yet New. Need I say more? Is there anything he puts out that isn’t an instant classic?

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-deluxe-edition/id694874649

  

2.  Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork (Matador Records)

The recipe of hard rock we’ve been waiting for. A record that could have come out anytime in the past three decades with sounds of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/...like-clockwork/id630719740

3.  Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends

   (Atlantic Records) Producer Danger Mouse (Gorillaz, Beck) knighted this project with his special touch giving this indie rock band the edgy, polished sound to set it above the rest.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/evil-friends/id613557623

  

4.  Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2 (Aftermath/Polydor/Interscope Records) 

Arguably the greatest rapper of all-time and certainly the greatest selling…Marshall Mathers does not disappoint with his lyrics, performance, and array of special guests to join the party: Rhianna, Kendrick Lamar, Sia, Skylar Grey, Jamie N Commons, and Nate Ruess of Fun. – Plus it’s enough music for two albums.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-marshall-mathers-lp2/id731721132

  

5. Deer Tick – Negativity

(Partisan Records)

Veteran musician/producer Steve Berlin of 20-year band Los Lobos jumped in to produce edgy, rustic, analog, garage-rock sounding indie band. Pop celeb Vanessa Carlton makes an appearance with a debut to her Americana ways. This is a must listen…easily one of the top albums of the decade.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/negativity/id673670821

6. Charles Bradley w/ the Menahan Street Band – Victim of Love

(Daptone Records)

Sweet funk, soul, and emotion pour out of the voice and music of Charles Bradley and the Menahan Street Band. Bradley is easily the James Brown of today and the label Daptone Records…the Motown Records of today. Bradley was discovered just a few years ago at a NYC club by label exec Gabe Roth. He’s 65 years old. He now tours the world playing to crowds in the thousands!

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/victim-of-love/id601275442

7.  Rhye – Woman  (Republic Records)

Polished electronic pop or electronic rock by Canadian/Danish soul duo. It’s slower moving, yet captivating. It’s more of a down-tempo Daft Punk…it even competes with Daft Punk’s new release, just less electronica. It feels romantic.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/woman/id598779766

  

8.  Pokey LaFarge – Pokey LaFarge

(Third Man Records) – Pokey may have the sound of an American Roots band from the 40s, but it’s truly authentic and original for 2013 with sounds of swing, jazz, and rag-time blues. Dressed in suits, wearing instruments like the harmonica, washboard, cornet, trombone, saxophone, and clarinet…this album is like no other. It’s through-and-through original, entertaining, and poetic, and, it didn’t hurt its success to put out the vinyl on Jack White’s Third Man Records.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pokey-lafarge/id649571576

9. Ewyn Collins – Understated

(AED Records)

A classic 70s rock sound from a Scottish alternative rock musician whose garnered all-star status in multiple decades of success including 4 Top 100 albums in the UK. This album hits home with its lyrics and simple folk rock…a sound that is timeless.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/understated/id619011507

  

10. Aaron Neville – My True Story (Blue Note Records)

An autobiographical doo-wop album by a multi-platinum Grammy winning legend of New Orleans…an album that features other legends like Mick Jagger and Greg Leisez Produced by acclaimed The Rolling Stones producer/bassist Don Was. It’s perfect.

 Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-true-story/id716247944

 11. White Denim – Corsicana Lemonade (Downtown Records) – a perfect album of garage rock, blues, psychedelic rock, and rock n’ roll. Produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/corsicana-lemonade/id690074006

 12. Mallu Magalh– Highly Sensitive (Sony BMG) – A native of Brazil and singer of the world, Mallu Magalhães has catchy, up-beat indie rock/folk songs that remind you of other female singer/songwriters like Regina Spektor, Aimee Mann, and Fiona Apple. Her style is original and catchy. A refreshing album, perfect for the R&R of the holiday time.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/highly-sensitive/id715023640

 13. Hanni El Khatib – Head in the Dirt (Innovative Leisure) – dirty, raw, edgy, fun rock n’ roll that takes you on a rock journey from screamy moments to relaxed-yet-rocky times…an album and new artist that’s stirred up a lot of buzz this year with a record that is brilliant and makes you feel raw and dirty! Oh yah, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys produced it.

Buy here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/head-in-the-dirt/id665461104

~Michael Ari

CD REVIEW: I KNOW LEOPARD "ILLUMINA"

           

Nothing can shed light on a new band more than releasing a listenable solid EP. I Know Leopard is shining in my eyes as I listen to their EP Illumina for the third time. Vocal and musical harmonies softly bounce upon the ear drums, while still maintaining the necessary hard edge. If The Shins, Arctic Monkeys (minus the British accent), and Death Cab For Cutie had a baby, I Know Leopard breathes. But before little infant I Know Leopard could record this EP, he had to grow up and find his identity as a full grown band first.

 I Know Leopard can be compared to many bands, but they have a great unique sound. In the end this EP doesn’t deserve a comparison. “Illumina” by I Know Leopard deserves a listen.

-Daniel Callan


Stand Out Track: "She"

http://www.iknowleopard.com
https://www.facebook.com/iknowleopard

CD REVIEW: SOUTHTOWNER DEBUT EP

Genre: Country: Country Rock
From: Upstate NY

Country music should always tell a story. When country is done right it plucks at your heartstrings, now whether these strings connect to tears or joyous thoughts it is up to the song writer to direct us.

Southtowner’s debut EP sticks to the story telling roots of Country. The overproduced mainstream country music playing on the radio hopefully will continue to decline, so music like Southtowner’s can make country a creditable cross-generational genre again.

Country as a genre had turned into a very interesting split between its roots, and a pseudo pop genre made for profit. Southtowner is a band in the effort to bring country back through storytelling a catchy sound. Whether you want to remember, remind, or reminisce Southtowners Debut EP is one that the whole family will take pleasure in.

Favorite song: Now that Emma is Here
DAN CALLAN

BUY NOW: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/southtowner
https://www.facebook.com/southtowner
http://www.southtowner.com

Video Premiere: Sherman Baker - Ducks In A Row

REVIEW: Poe Boys: A Baker's Dozen: 13 Poems and Tales by Edgar Allan Poe

Something different for your ears today a little Edgar Allan Poe...

I recently came across a CD called Poe Boys: A Baker's Dozen which is simply 13 Poems and Tales by Edgar Allan Poe. It's an audiobook, co-produced by Scott Colburn and Richard B. Panzer, recorded and edited by Scott Colburn, and narrated by Richard B. Panzer. 

Edgar Allen Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career. 




I remember being made to read him in high school therefore I never really wrapped my head around it. Then again in a Lit class in college at that point I was able to see what his world was all about and found myself wrapped up in his mystery. 

This narrated disc was daunting! I remember reading "The Haunted Palace"  because I heard it was nearly impossible to comprehend. Kudos to the choice of narrative voices that were chosen on this disc. I felt drawn in even more to the stories merely due to the voices!

If you have never done POE this is a great place to get hooked!
"Never to suffer would never to have been blessed" - Edgar Allen Poe




KJM

http://www.amazon.com/Poe-Boys-Bakers-Dozen-Poems/dp/1492373346

CD REVIEW: Leo Welch - "Sabougla Voices"

Leo Welch - Sabougla Voices
Release Date: January 7, 2014                                 

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

Label: Fat Possum Records/Big Legal Mess

Gospel Blues Debut Album by 81 year old Mississippian Leo Welch. The story of his discovery is amazing. The music is special. The album is one of this year’s best, among all genre's, exceeding all expectations.

The phone rings at the Oxford, Miss.-based label Big Legal Mess. An intern tells the caller, “Oh, we don’t really do blues here anymore.” One of the company’s principals overhears this and grabs the phone. On the other end of the line is one 81-year-old Leo “Bud” Welch from Mississippi’s Calhoun County. He’d heard about the label that brought you Junior Kimbrough’s First Recordings, Jack Oblivian, Reverend John Wilkins, Water Lairs and Bishop Manning and the Manning Family, and he wanted to know if there’d be interest in recording his debut album of downhome gospel and blues. It was then that Big Legal Mess’s Bruce Watson invited him to come to the office and play a few tunes. He was signed on the spot…as the story has it.

Even after further research into Gospel, I'll be the first to say, my roots are not in Gospel. I've been touched by Gospel singers and music, but not brought up with it. However, my roots are indeed in soul. No I'm not referring to soul music, but the human soul. Leo Welch's Sabougla Voices touched my soul.

This album is authentic, sincere, and poetic. Lyrically he speaks everything you would expect to hear in a church. Musically, well I guess you'd expect to hear it in a church too, but let me tie this into modern music. I see Leo Welch finding a home in today's music space and playing to all ages including the "hipsters.” Musically, Track #1 "Praise His Name" hooked me immediately with its rock n' roll blues vibes and #7 "Somebody Touched Me" is a dancy gospel jam with sweet and sincere female backing harmonies. 

I put this in between Worldly African artist Bombino, blind Mali couple Amadou and Mariam, and gospel feel of Mavis Staples (yes I know they are different genders; that's not the point though, it's a musical comparison). I hear Dan Auerbach's guitar riffs layered in there. They aren't, but they could be.

This album is perfect for fans of Blues, Gospel, Americana, Rock n’ Roll, World music, and Soul...both Soul's...your soul and soul music. He closes the album with "The Lord Will Make A Way". It sums up the album. A miracle brought Leo Welch and Fat Possum together 81 years later, and we get to feel it!

~ Michael Ari

BUY at: http://www.amazon.com/Sabougla-Voices-Leo-Welch/dp/B00GHO302S
http://www.fatpossum.com
http://biglegalmessrecords.com/leo-welch-sabougla-voices-out-january-7th/

S.F. duo behind Sweet Felony

86in

Christa DiBiase and Amanda Guilbeaux were backup singers in various bands over the years; Guilbeaux also sang in Turbonegra, an all-female band that played songs by the Norwegian band Turbonegro.

The San Francisco duo decided to take guitar lessons in February and in June, after they had composed a half dozen songs, they recruited other band members.

DiBiase is the main songwriter and composer.

Lineup: Christa DiBiase, guitar, vocals; Amanda Guilbeaux, guitar, vocals; Mike Ingram, lead guitar; Hugh Caley, lap steel guitar; Carl Horne, bass, vocals; Jefferson Marshall, drums.

Was there a band you heard when you were young that inspired you to become a musician?

CD: I was blown away when I saw Van Halen the first time. I loved the sword dance that (David Lee Roth) did; he was jumping off the drum riser and swinging the sword all around. That's when I realized: You have to entertain on many levels and try to wow the crowd and draw them in.

How does living in the Bay Area affect your music?

CD: The people here are open-minded and diverse. They are into everything. I take the best of what I hear and mix it up. You aren't pigeonholed into being a certain genre. I like the blurred lines because you can truly make your own "sound."

Which of your lyrics best defines your band, and why?

CD: "Us Again." It was the first song that we wrote together. The song tells the story of a couple that has unbridled love for each other but gets caught up on the small stuff, which ultimately breaks them apart. It's hard to control a passion like that. We are a passionate bunch, and that's what makes for good songs.

How did you name your band, and what does its name mean to you?

CD: I met a guy with a beautiful female silver pit bull back in the '90s. He named the dog Felony. I thought that was so clever and cute. I love taking a word with bad connotation and turning it into something sweet.

Check it out: www.sweetfelony.com

Next gig: 10 p.m. Friday. With Sugar Ponies, Demimonde. $10. The Connecticut Yankee, 100 Connecticut St., S.F. (415) 552-4440. www.theyankee.com.

- Tony DuShane, bandwidth@sfchronicle.com

ARTIST OF THE MONTH REVIEW SHERMAN BAKER

ARTIST OF THE MONTH REVIEW
SHERMAN BAKER

SHERMAN BAKER
By Bruce J Maier

When I first heard this record by Sherman Baker it struck me as warm and familiar,  bringing me in yet something was strange enough to keep me listening. We've all been told that less is more but I believe there are other times when more is right. Such is the case with the deep tank reverb used on the album’s opening track The Knave which contributed a bit of a wash-out like the way some of the old Columbia recordings of Simon and Garfunkel’s voices were produced and of which I always loved. To accompany his voice Baker uses a steady rhythm on the low strings of the guitar to carry all the beat of the song’s intro while he weaves his melody in and out of the empty spaces and then, much to my joy the guitar tracks start to build with the drums and Bass coming in at the precise moment of perfection and I think I’m hearing a song that Al Stewart (Year Of The Cat) could have written back in the late nineteen-seventies. Not a bad way to start off a good record and I’m not implying that the song lacks originality at all. In fact most everything we hear today has pretty much been done before but the genius plays out by how we use the colors in the crayon box of music doesn't it? There are only a few notes in our musical scale yet there are millions of ways to sequence them, and Sherman Baker does a fine job arranging them his own way.

I found myself engaged in his song “ Highway Prayer “ with its arpeggiated acoustic guitar moving at a rapid pace against an ethereal sea of guitar-effect pads in the far background. It is soothing but not to the point of becoming a new-age meditation track by any means. The words of the poem are beautiful but sung softly so as to not be in your face unless you chose for them to be. Then I start getting into Baker’s head and his thought process as a producer; why he chose this, why that was left out – and realize the sheer artistry of the man.

There are several tracks on this CD that I really like for different reasons but most of all I favor the consistency that has Sherman Baker’s own brand in every melody, poem, arrangement and production. If I were to pick a personal favorite it would have to be We Grow Old because this song is sparse and quirky with it’s up-stoke rhythm and just a single voice setting the stage and slowly building the story. It then blooms like a sunflower of brightness and color with the drums and other instruments, criss-cross harmonies cascading and of course, that killer little slightly de-tuned upright piano that gives it a little Abbey Road charm. I don’t know that Mr. Baker is consciously channeling some Mr. Lennon or not, but it’s a very pleasant, touching and subliminal tribute to the man, or at least a style that the Fab One brought to the world so long ago with his Liverpool mates. So whatever the reason or motivation this is a great song!

Sherman Baker has proved in this self-titled release that he is a songwriter of substance and a very capable musician that I don’t always find combined in the music of today. See, I kind of think there are singers, songwriters, singer-songwriters and then a few of us other weirdo’s who not only want to paint the picture, we want to go to the store and mix the paint ourselves, maybe even make the canvas so that when the song is completed it’s our baby. There’s no one else to consult or to blame. When a record turns out this good though, we deserve to take a longer bow !

SHERMAN BAKER WEBSITE

http://www.damngoodtunes.com/Artist_Of_The_Month.html

Holiday Music already.... YES PLEASE... free holiday comp by 10 different artists!

http://www.xopublicity.com/xofortheholidays6.html
01 St. Cloud - "Bombay Beach Christmas"
02 Magnuson - "O Holy Night"
03 The Smoking Flowers - "Ho Ho Ho (A Bow and Nothing More)"
04 Piney Gir - "Every Day's A Holiday"
05 Here Comes Everybody - "Christmas in September"
06 Fred Roth Revue - "Reindeer Get Lonley"
07 Electric Shepherd - "Angels in the Grove"
08 Paper Tongues - "coming soon"
09 The Hague - "coming soon"
10 The Winter Sounds - "coming soon"

CD REVIEW: Tiger Darrow's new record, Aqua Vitae w/free MP3

Just shy of 21, Tiger Darrow’s career has already woven a fabric more intricate and interesting than that of artists who have many years on her. Most notably, Tiger opened for The Eagles, Edie Brickell, Erykah Badu, Loudon Wainwright, Zoe Keating, and Michelle Shocked, as well as composing for the Robert Rodriguez film, Machete.  She is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and singer/songwriter. Her third full-length album, Aqua Vitae, just came out a week ago.

There is no one box that could hold Tiger Darrow’s Aqua Vitae. The record feels like multiple genres cohesively combined, though Tiger herself considers her genre to be “alternative folk” music. With a similar sound and feel to ladies like Cara Salimando, Regina Spektor, and St. Vincent, Tiger’s personal style and voice come through clear and strong. Aqua Vitae makes it clear that Tiger has a gift for building a song. Her lyrics are visually stimulating and her varied vocals make them fantastically, audibly interesting too. Her vocals range from ethereal and tenuous, to powerful and precise, all of which can be heard layered within single songs.

There are a few stand out tracks on Aqua Vitae: "Lost and Found" bounces and flows charmingly, with a chorus that backs up its claim with a powerful drum beat. "Love Me Blind" adds a welcome harder and darker shade to the record, while “Home” is a simply just a beautifully poetic story you can’t refuse. Tiger is definitely onto something. With three albums and a world of experience under her belt already, it’ll be really interesting to see what’s next…

By Anna Leuning

Buy on iTunes

http://www.tigerdarrow.com       

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