10.) Josh Garrels - Love and War and The Sea In BetweenGarrels sings freedom songs, songs that often sound old, with elements of folk, soul, and the occasional spoken word akin to Ray LaMontagne or Citizen Cope. Yet the instrumentation and a grooving band keeps it fresh and intimate. He sings with a gruff folk drawl on this ambitious 18 track record, full of introspection, yet plenty of prophetic and spiritual tones. His acoustic guitar work is flawless, as the band layers smooth rhythms on top of infectious melodies with horns, strings, organ/piano, and even accordions. Every song is crafted with precision and beauty. The backup vocals ease in and out of his lyrical thoughts with haunting harmonies. Garnered with themes of forgiveness and peace, this album fulls up my whole being with unhindered hope. Give the first three songs a spin, and I guarantee you will get swept away in Garrels's sea. Did I mention that he released this amazing album for free? Download the whole thing here.
I have to admit that I've never been much of a Switchfoot fan. I understand their appeal, especially among Christians who want to like a Christian rock band who aren't all-up-in-yo-face about it (and who they can shamelessly share with their non-believer friends). I know this happens...I've seen it. But I digress. The point is, their new record exudes coolness, catchy hooks, memorable singalong choruses, and a lot of fun. "Vice Verses" rocks, point blank. Switchfoot chose to rely heavily on drum and bass this time around, crafting each song selectively to be rhythmically driven. And it shows, especially in the loud album opener "Afterlife" and the wonderfully disjointed "Selling the News." With their Christian roots, their lyrics rest on seeing the blessings among curses, and the dichotomy and trying to live an upright life. There is excitement about embracing this life to the fullest, and yearnings for grace and peace, all balanced over dirty guitar work and hard hitting chords. If you ever wrote off Switchfoot before, as I did, reconsider to check out "Vice Verses."
The Milk Carton Kids came out of nowhere and completely blindsided me in December. I love when an album so unequivocally encapsulates a season of life. "Prologue" is always going to define Winter 2011 for me, as a beautiful backdrop to the short lonely days of November and December. When I listen, "Prologue" is longing incarnate, vocal harmonies that fill up all the dark places in my heart with calm. With just dual guitats at their helm, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale play songs that resonate with Americana style, echoes of Simon and Garfunkel. Their finger-picking is playful and intricate, overlaid with lyrics about leaving home or a love, finding oneself, and overcoming pain. I could easily see this record become an anthem for a long roadtrip, a soundtrack of self-discovery and personal enlightenment, or just a cloudy walk in falling snow. Here's to a long future for the Milk Carton Kids. Also, "Prologue" is also completely available for FREE on their website. Download it now!
As decadent and over the top as a record can be, "Watch the Throne" uses samples, guest vocals, producers, and musical styles galore! Even a little Justin Vernon Otis Redding coming through these speakers. But did you expect anything less than the two biggest moguls in the rap game today? Jay and Ye can barely stop to breathe while throwing down verses about all of their different watches, rocks, cars (Maybachs on Bachs on Bachs), money, celebrity connects, and the ladies. Their opulence and fame translates into extremely potent music for getting the people going (as Will Ferrell would suggest). "New Day" adds some new depth, where West expresses his pains and regrets for his son to be a better man than himself, while Jay-Z writes to his about the burdens of success and how he will not repeat the mistakes of his own father. Ultimately the two wordsmiths are, in fact, The Throne, made in America and living the dream big life. And with this collaboration, they most certainly want all eyes on them.
Daniel Martin Moore has been on my radar for a few years now, ever since he showed up in collaboration with folk cellist Ben Sollee for 2010 "Dear Companion." Well, 2011 brings us Moore's full length solo release "In the Cool of the Day," and it is absolutely delightful. Moore was inspired by a classic piano to pursue this project, reinventing traditional gospel and hymns. Wonderfully genre-defying, one can hear plenty of gospel, folk, jazz, and singer songwriter throughout the tracks. By keeping the heart and soul of the songs intact, Moore makes them all his own with personalized and updated lyrics. "In the Garden" reminisces of the Vince Guaraldi Trio, while "Closer Walk With Thee" could be spot on for Sondre Lerche. His straightforward vocals are unhindered in production, and the oft heart-wrenching piano, down home acoustic guitars, and splashy drums keep my ears transfixed. My only complaint is that I wish it were a longer record, clocking it at around a half hour.
DOWNLOAD ONE SONG FROM EACH OF THESE ALBUMS HERE.
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