New Music on the Cheap

Here is a short list of cool new songs/EPs that are either free, or cost less than a fancy cup of coffee:

• Go get Seacoast New Hampshire resident Almanac Mountain's "The Responsible Rejection" - 2 songs for a dollar!
• Copenhagen's Cape Canaveral has a free 3-song Ep (including a cover of Galaxie 500's "Oblivious") on the always-great EardrumsPop site.
• Neptune Beach, Florida's Kids on Bikes has a fun 3-song set about (what else?) riding bicycles! Also free on EardrumsPop.
• West London's Lowpines offer three quietly awesome songs for free ("Heavy Hander" is a current favorite of this blog), including a cover of The Be Good Tanyas "It's Not Happening".
• And last but not least, check out Saitama, Japan's Kota-Hori. An array of interesting beats and tempos can be found here to blend your brain...

IPA Review: Lost Continent Double

Tonight I had a Lost Continent Double IPA from the Grand Teton Brewing Company out of Victor, Idaho.

The beer poured cleanly into the glass, with a generously fruity aroma. The head was about ¼" thick. The flavor was smooth, yet very hoppy, but not in an overpowering way. When I got to the last few sips at the bottom of the glass, the flavor was still solid.

Highly recommended.

Natalie Royal

Natalie Royal: You need to go listen to her stuff!

If you enjoy great folk music (with a clean 'radio-friendly' sheen), check out Natalie's new album "Savor". If you prefer your songs raw and organic, then snag "Live at Club Roar, Nashville". Plus, she will be posting even more new songs (and a few covers!) on a semi-regular basis. Check out this Tennessee treasure's music, you will not be disappointed.

Album Review: The Lion's Roar

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night fair readers. It is I, the Marmot Man. The Man Who Writes Not, The Absentee Blogger, you get the idea. The Great and Mighty Ken saw fit to grant me the power of the post so I thought it was high time I wield my editorial authority and post a little something.

Recently, thanks to iTunes and its eerily accurate Genius recommendations, I came across the Swedish sister folk duo First Aid Kit. It's hard to describe them but sufficed to say they have been in heavy rotation on my playlist. If you aren't into female vocalists or folky music, this probably won't be for you.

The Lion's Roar's title track opens the album and immediately sets the mood. It's lumbering, heavy tones makes you think about traveling through dark woods with your inner thoughts as your only travel companion.

Emmylou changes it up somewhat with a wistful, longing melody heavily reminiscent of a country music ballad with it's steel guitar and gentle rhythm. A love song from a girl to her boy, longing for nothing more than for him to sing with her, it pulls at the heart strings as the bartender pulls you another beer.

The album goes on from there, with songs that inspire reflection and introspection. It feels well rounded and after giving it a listen you have the impression of taking a long journey. It's a journey where you find that you better understanding of who you are but still have so many more questions you need to ask.

Recommended.

TOAD Tales

 
Abbie Barrett & The Last Date have two more shows left in their January residency at Porter Square's landmark live music venue TOAD. Tonight and next Tuesday night at 7:30 pm the band will be playing music from their catalog (both old and new), plus lots of cool covers. So have dinner at the fantastic Christopher's Restaurant next door, and then get yourselves over to TOAD afterward to hear a couple of hours of free live music from one of Boston's best acts.

And if you can't make it to either of these shows (or they are too far away for a weeknight excursion), then catch Abbie solo on February 16th at Mission Bar + Tapas in scenic Pittsfield, MA. Hers is a voice that begs to be heard in person.