Last week I received a very nice E-mail from a band called Stray Kites, a two-piece ‘stationed in but not restricted to Ashburn, Virginia, America, Earth’ comprising of Max Detrich and Junior Roseboro. The e-mail was short and sweet, alerting me to the existence of the band and a suggestion I check them out. I’m glad I did. Their music is self-recorded and self-released (everything is free so absolutely no excuses not to check them out) and most importantly rather good. The duo released their debut record One Day, Earth Time earlier last year and are currently working on their second LP Mieux will be released later this year. The two tracks the band have already made available from the record, All Is Well and Misanthrope suggest we are in for a bit of a treat with their second release. They are both incredibly charming pop gems; addictive, buoyant and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. While folk and acoustic influences are evident, they are clearly not adverse to making a bit of noise once in a while. I have high hopes for album number two.
All songs are available as free downloads from Stray Kites’s bandcamp:
I’ve also been listening to Last Of The Country Gentlemen by Josh T. Pearson a great deal this week. Formerly of Texan psychedelic rockers Lift to Experience, it has taken the best part of a decade for a solo release from Pearson but I can safely say it has been worth the wait. Last Of The Country Gentlemen is absolutely stunning, and one of the most beautiful records I’ve heard in years. Lyrically it’s dark, gut wrenching stuff; dealing with heartbreak and infidelity in brutally honest detail. His gorgeous guitar work the perfect accompaniment resulting in an incredibly intimate and fragile record that will resonate with anyone who has ever suffered heart break or loss. The best thing released this year by a country mile. Stunning.
‘Honeymoon’s Great! Wish You Were Her’ thirteen minutes of utter beauty.
Following on from Carnivals last week another one of the Sucking Lemons lads, Oli Shilling has made his debut EP under the Comodo alias available as a free download via bandcamp. Dark, atmospheric and ever so slightly eerie To The Sun EP is a pretty wonderful debut release.
To The Sun is available here:
Thom Yorke, Burial and Four Tet’s collaboration hit the net last week and is obviously amazing. With such a cast, it was inevitable but nonetheless the two tracks are both brilliant.
Elsewhere The Kills new record is rather good, despite the hype The Vaccines have managed to put together a solid and very listenable debut release and I’ve gone back to Aerogramme and Arab Strap. I’m still so bitter I never got to see either of these two live and think I always will be till the day I die.
This is the best song ever written by the way.
Till next time...
