'08 Artists: High, Low and In Between

I can't let '08 go. Not yet. Not before mentioning four bands that danced around the beacon of success, slowly peaking their heads in from time-to-time. These artists are the musical equivalent of the guide in Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark, except they avoided impalement by ancient booby traps. These albums are not deep gems by any means however. They are simply records we spun hard, and forgot about.

As you can see, I am on a bit of a Townes Van Zandt kick (title)...I am still recovering from watching Margaret Brown's, Be Here to Love Me last night. I digress.

The following albums were unintentionally lost amid the piles of '08 music (now being replaced by '09ers.) We've written about most before, but we have unearthed them once again and they are exhibited here.

Poni Hoax: Images of Sigrid
Released: July 22, 2008
French electro-pop rocks 2008. It took some digging to finally get this LP in the states, but we did and love it. "Antibodies," easily the most energetic tune on the album, originally drew us to Poni Hoax and we have been dancing ever since. This is a great record to throw on and wait for everyone at the party to slink up and ask, "Who is this?" Have your coy response at the ready. This album moves and has a mind of its own. Stereolab references come easy, but look for more from these hommes de la France. Ils sont magnifiques.

Ben Sollee: Learning to Bend

Released: June 10, 2008
What more can we say? Ben Sollee blasted on to the scene after smartly joining forces with Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn via the Sparrow Quartet. Sollee's R&B/pop-cello-stylings made him an immediate hit with the Philly radio station WXPN as well as NPR. He's young, Caucasian and wears glasses, but don't let his aesthetics fool you...the man's got soul brother. Sock it to 'em. Lyrically driven by topical issues such as politics and the Iraq war, Sollee is pushing the right buttons. Look for him to push some more in 2009.

Fire on Fire: The Orchard (Young God Records)

Released: Dec. 9, 2008
Give credit where credit is due. Fire on Fire released this album a little late in the 2008 game, but the talent is there. Heavy on The Band influences, Fire on Fire draws from the country side, creating musical soundscapes that bring to mind rural Maine (where they hail from.) Sharing in vocal responsibilities, the album is a hodgepodge of differing tonal harmonies and melodies. Listening to this record is like digging through dirt or rummaging around in a tool shed...something just feels elementally right about it.

De Novo Dahl: Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound (Road Runner Records)

Released: April 11, 2008

Where has De Novo Dahl been? They are everywhere and no where. These red and yellow stripped, jumper-toting Nashvillians produce pure pop gems. Repeatability doesn't begin to describe this album. Every tune, save two or three, latches on to you. You reek of this album after first listen. You wear it. Tunes like "Shout," "Shakedown," and "New Hero" boast immaculate and perfectly crafted pop choruses. You've heard this album everywhere...you just don't know it yet. MUST BUY!

Review Previews: Fire on Fire, And the Relatives

Fire on Fire
Where: South Portland, Maine
To-Be-Released:The Orchard (12/10/08,Young God Records)
Sounds Like: The Band, Arcade Fire, Old Crow Medicine Show
Myspace

After releasing a beautiful handmade, self-titled EP, Fire on Fire are set to roar on to the scene with their debut album. The Orchard is orchestral-bluegrass, roots-rock...that rocks. There are elements of past Americana influences such as The Band, coupled with modern-day, Acrade Fire-esque harmonies. The album sounds like steel wool scraping on pots and pans with a one-string-washtub-upright bass, all of which are amplified by the in-your-face, rustic recording. Each member of this five-piece band can play a plethora of instruments from mandolin, to Dobro, to banjo... they play them well. Check back for full review.

And the Relatives
Where: East Nashville, Tenn.
Recent Release: Animals
Sounds Like: Black Sabbath, The Black Keys, Pavement
Myspace

Remember that Ben Fong-Torres quote in Almost Famous...something to the tune of, "hardworking band makes good...?" That label pertains to And the Relatives. These guys are working their asses off in Music City USA of all places. A staple of the more remote underground Nashvegas music scene, these guys work multiple jobs and still bring it at their live shows -- which go late. The band lives together in East Nashville creating hard-hitting rock 'n roll with punk highlights in the basement of their home. Animals makes you want to rebel, dance, booze and party all at the same time. Punchy vocals add to the stripped down feel of this trio, whose tight playing and band chemistry come through on each tune. These guys love their band and their music -- we hope this hardworking band can make good with their newest release. Check back for full review...

Afternoon Coffee w/ Fire on Fire

Fire on Fire , named as one of Stereogum's "Bands to Watch" in 2007, has gone seemingly unnoticed since achieving that distinction. Hailing from Portland, Maine, the band produces a feeling and a sound that is reminiscent of their surroundings: raw and rustic. Their most recent hand-made EP WAS available on Young God Records (YGR), however, it is now sold out. Not all is lost. Available via the YGR website is a free download of what may be the band's most promising track, " Hangman"

The song's hook," You've got to have a friend/ even the worst of men have friends/ even the Hangman has friends", is preceded by full-band backed "la la la"s. The kick drum, jangling tambourine and Band- era mandolin line all push the tune forward. The track is structured like an Arcade Fire song with layered vocals (here, Colleen Kinsella fills the Régine Chassagne role) and eclectic instrumental noise. The difference, though, is that Fire on Fire sounds dirty, like the recording was done in a living room. Enjoy.