NPR First Listen:: Mapei - "Hey Hey"

We like new exciting things. Mapei is just this and her debut album Hey Hey  (streaming here on NPR) is delivering. After watching her bubble up on Hype Machine again and again with hits like "Don't Wait" and "Believe", we were waiting for the next move. A solid voice laid atop dope production techniques meld into what has become the common vernacular of "left-of-pop" displayed here. Magnus Lidehäll is a straight down the middle pop producer working with Britney Spears, Katy Perry and more, but cuts a different rug with Mapei.

Stream Laura Gibson's La Grande in Full

[mp3] Laura Gibson: "La Grande" 

Long has Laura Gibson been the purveyor of hushed folk melodies imbued with a distinct poignancy and maturity that set her apart from her peers. Gibson does not deviate from this formula on her new record for Barsuk, La Grande, that comes out next week (1/24). There's a stillness to these songs, that makes the record accessible only to those with the patience to actually listen. While that may not garner much attention in the world of 30 second streaming sound bites, well rewarded are the consumers that choose to sit with this record on a quiet morning or late evening and enjoy it for all of its quiet charms. Stream La Grande in full at NPR. Laura Gibson plays The Mercury Lounge in NY on 1/30. Tour dates after the jump.

Body Language Streaming at NPR

 [mp3] Body Language: "Seeds of Sight"

Body Language, who find themselves at the top of our CMJ to-do list, are streaming their new record / EP Social Studies this week at NPR in anticipation of its release next week on Lavish Habits / OM Records. There are more than a few familiar touchpoints to their sound, including the tired blogger-cliches such as "indie dance-pop" and "reverb-soaked" but at their core Body Language are breaking new ground. Behind this solid collection of singles, the Brooklyn quartet have more in common with left field tour partners Keep Shelly in Athens and early Animal Collective, than they do with easy touchpoints such as Cults or Passion Pit. Stream the record now, and check them out at several CMJ shows. Dates after the jump.

Gillian Welch: The Harrow & The Harvest

[mp3] Gillian Welch: "Orphan Girl"

Gillian Welch is one of the most important artists of our generation. It's hard to write about someone like that. Her debut, Revival, was close to perfect. A faded black and white depression era photo, of a naturally beautiful woman in a simple midwestern dress graced the cover. No one really knew who she was. Inside though, that seemingly simple looking woman, with an amazing partner (David Rawlings) and a time-tested producer (T. Bone Burnett, before his recent string of stale material) crafted one of the most subtle and timeless records in the country cannon. Say what you will of "Time (The Revelator)", but "Orphan Girl" is the song that defined the artist.

Welch, released several other albums, including the mildly maligned, Soul Journey in 2003 which in truth contains some fantastic writing, including the stellar "Wayside / Back In Time." Then, she took time off, apparently going through a fairly self-critical period where no songs seemed to be working for her and partner Rawlings. The critical world and the fans we're treated to snippets of Gillian: The David Rawlings' Machine record, and The Decemberists The King is Dead being the most prominent. Yet, everyone wondered aloud as to her new record. Words of encouragement seemed to come from her peers and fans alike, as everyone genuinely wanted this fantastic artist to succeed.

So, today, we have The Harrow and The Harvest. 10 new tracks, spare and rustic, with only 2 tracks eclipsing the 5 minute mark. What's contained within, is still relatively a mystery to this writer. (The label understandingly, was protective of the music, but at some point, you're doing your artist a disservice by not letting a mass of smaller writers contribute to the word of mouth and online buzz behind a record. I know several other larger blogs who didn't have this record either, which is a mistake on the label's part in my opinion.) We're not sore though.

The Harrow and The Harvest (consumed through bad computer speakers via NPR) shows the beginnings of something special. It seems a record more in line with her earlier works Revival and Hell Amoung The Yearlings, than the sprawling Time (The Revelator) or the pop-minded Soul Journey. I've waited a long time for this one, so, until next time, I'm going to sit back and let The Harrow and The Harvest mellow in my ears for a bit. When you only get a record once every 4 years, you don't want to rush things. I certainly won't.

Brendan Benson: My Old Familiar Friend

[mp3] Brendan Benson: "Feel Like Taking You Home"

We haven't gotten to hear Brendan Benson's new record My Old Familiar Friend (August 18, ATO) in its entirety yet, even though it IS streaming at NPR, but what we have heard is more high-grade, 60s inspired rock and roll songwriting from one of the genre's most underrated stars. Best known as the co-front man and resident heartthrob for The Raconteurs, Benson's presence in the band is oft overshadowed by the massive stature of Jack White. Yet, without Benson's full-bodied vocals and well crafted tunes, the two Raconteurs records would not even exist. On the other hand, the notoriety gained from the band has shed light on Benson's solid solo catalog, and has set up his newest record quite nicely in the press. The true gem of the catalog is Lapalco, pick it up, like, today. Looking forward to the new record for sure. Benson has announced a string of US dates including the Bowery Ballroom on 8/17. See the rest of the dates and the cover art after the jump.


Confirmed Dates:

8/17/09 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

8/20/09 Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s

8/22/09 Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig

9/10/09 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

9/11/09 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up

9/12/09 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

How Sad, How Lovely

Still here in jury duty, but in my immense boredom, I wanted to share some music that was introduced to me by the NPR song of the day. NPR isn't cutting edge about much, but they have certainly gotten my ears up about a long-lost songwriter named Connie Converse. One of those long-gone lonely women, who has apparently since "disappeared," Converse sounds like something out of an old Kerouac text. Sorry, I'm a sucker for stories like this, especially when it comes coupled with introspective folk-ish music. Lau derette records have reissued her only recordings under the title How Sad, How Lovely. It's out now. Hear a track at NPR. Certainly worth further investigation.

St.Vincent's New Album Available for Full-Stream on NPR

Starting tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET, St.Vincent's highly anticipated release, Actor, will be available for full-stream on NPR HERE. The album will only be available for two weeks, so listen early and often. Actor drops May 5 via 4AD, and we are all very excited.

Leonard Cohen @ The Beacon Podcast

Photo by Ryan Muir

Download Leonard Cohen at the Beacon Theater

We're a little behind on getting this post up, but we have been enjoying the hell out of this Leonard Cohen podcast. Thanks to All Things Considered you can hear Mr. Cohen's now historic concert from the Beacon Theater in NY, his first in the US after 15 years. So for those meager bloggers and other fans without the wherewithal to make it out to these far from cheap shows this podcast will do just nicely. We're not just posting this because we love Leonard Cohen, but because it is truly a fantastic listen for even the casual fan. The musicianship and recording quality are both superb. Cohen touches on all the high points of his career, and does so with his debonair wit, charm and talent. Set list after the jump.


* "Dance Me to the End of Love"
* "The Future"
* "Chelsea Hotel"
* "Tower of Song"
* "Suzanne"
* "The Partisan"
* "Hallelujah"
* "Recitation With N.L."
* "Take This Waltz"
* "So Long Marianne"
* "First We Take Manhattan"
* "Democracy"

Stream New Dan Deacon Now!

STREAM HERE.

NPR is now offering Dan Deacon's newest and most accessible release to date, Bromst. Album highlights include, "Paddling Ghost," "Build Voice," "Of the Mountains" and more. The album sounds huge, with lots of glockenspiel, massive choral harmonies, tribal drum accompaniments and just Deacon being Deacon, in all his hand-knit-sweater-glory. The album drops March 24, via Carpark.

Stream the New M.Ward Album...She & Him Sans She

Stream the album here!

Exclusive first listen: M.Ward, in conjunction with NPR, released his up-coming album via full stream. Hold Time, the newest solo effort by Ward, drops Feb.17 on Merge. Descriptions of the LP have included words such as warm, timeless, acoustic and rustic. Well, what were you expecting -- it's M.Ward. Guest vocal appearances include that of Lucinda Williams, Rachel Blumberg of the Decemberists and of course, the SHE, Zooey Deschanel.

Enjoy the "Hold Time" music video here.

Happy Birthday Blue Note Records

"It was 70 years ago today - January 6, 1939 that a young German immigrant and passionate jazz fan named Alfred Lion held the very first recording session for what was to become Blue Note Records. Two weeks prior Lion had found his calling as he sat spellbound by two boogie-woogie pianists—Albert Ammons & Meade Lux Lewis—at the legendary Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall, and the world’s premiere and longest-running Jazz label was born.

To celebrate the label’s history and to mark this important milestone, NPR's Talk of the Nation will host an hour of conversation and music this afternoon with the label’s current president Bruce Lundvall—who relaunched Blue Note 25 years ago—as well as longtime producer Michael Cuscuna and pianist Bill Charlap. Click HERE for show info and to check out the online feature."

Blue Note will also be celebrating with a massive campaign featuring special reissues, concerts, book releases, and various other events around the globe. More to come on NYC events soon.
Courtesy of Blue Note Records