The Orchardist

These guys are storytellers.  I’m reminded of the Gray Havens, but with a less rocky, and a more indie-folk flavor.  Actually their stuff is quite heavy on the banjo, and rather reminds me of old Nickel Creek (before Chris Thile started getting into weird and unpleasant chord progressions).  Other parts of the music remind me of the Narrative (particularly the girl’s voice).  The lyrics are pretty creative and quite substantial, in my opinion!  You can download their full album "People, People" on their noistrade.

Long for the Coast

This indie-folk band has been one of my biggest discoveries of the year so far.  There are aspects of the music that are a bit reminiscent of some English artists that I don’t generally care for, such as Passenger and some other popular guys whose names I can't remember right now.  But there’s something about the music that is subtly different, which makes it extremely compelling.  The band is a guy-girl duo from Devonshire.  The minimalist but intricate guitar picking is excellent, and the music builds to include a nearly full orchestra at times.  The song “Ten Years Time” is my favourite, it just about moves me to tears.  “Winter” is also excellent.  But all the other songs have amazing chord progressions and powerful lyrics too.  It’s good wilderness music.  Apparently the band plays in coffee shops around Devon…I hope they get recognised soon for the amazing talent that they have.  We should do our part in the US to listen to their music. 

The Dave Matthews Band

OK, I know what a lot of you are thinking right now.  Dave Matthews is such a throwback from the 90s!  But have any of you kept up with his recent work?  I'm guessing not.  I actually didn't really learn to appreciate his music until a few years ago, through friends in Fort Collins.  I can't remember if I've already posted about his music, but his recent albums warrant another post.  I was paying attention to the band around the time they released "Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King" in 2009, and I really appreciated that album.  It was really compelling.  I have distinct memories of biking around Fort Collins in torrential rain and listening to that music.  But somehow I lost track of them in the subsequent years.  Now I come to find out they've released two new albums since 2009, and the most recent one "Come Tomorrow" has been rocking my world in the last week.  It's everything everyone loves about Dave Matthews, with unbelievably catchy lyrics and riffs.  There's the perennial saxophone, and driving percussion, and all the thoughtful lyrics.  Definitely give it a listen!  It's unbelievable how this band has maintained their relevance and excellence over the years. 

Vinicius Galant

This dude is from Florianopolis, Brazil...his style of music is quite appealing to me.  It's an indie-folk style with a hint of electropop, and he has a unique voice which works really well in his particular style.  Sort of a dark, brooding voice.  I have a hard time understanding his lyrics, but quite apart from that the songs are rather nice.  The tunes are melodic and pleasing.  His album "Mud" is less than a year old, and it's available for download on noisetrade for free...I recommend giving it a listen. 

Evan Redel

This artist is quite skilled.  His style of music is an interesting mix of genres; many of the songs on his album "St. Marcus" (which is the only one I've heard) sounds very electropop-like, but with a bit more of a classic chord progression generally.  He has a deep voice, which works really well with the driving electronic beats and the backing instrumentation.  His voice actually reminds me somewhat of Marble Sounds, including his somewhat Euro accent.  The melodies and harmonies are extremely pleasing.  Definitely give him a listen. 

Jacob Everett Wallace

Sorry that I've been falling behind on my posts again.  I've barely had time to breathe, with I think two nights at home in the last 3 weeks, and free time limited to an hour or two.  This guy's music is an intriguing blend of country and indie rock, and I rather like it.  It doesn't have much of a twang, but rather a really nice straightforward guitar rock and drum sound.  His vocals are quite compelling and powerful, the lyrics are insightful and very much gospel-focused, and the riffs are extremely catchy.  His voice and the overall style somewhat reminds me of John Bryant, or a less minimalist version of Jordan Ruiz. 

Suri

This girl apparently has an extensive classical training, and it really comes across in the EP "As I Am".  The EP is mellow and melodic electropop, a real pleasure to listen to.  The vocals and melodies/harmonies remind me of a mix between Sufjan Stevens and Imogen Heap.  It's pretty ethereal, but with a strong and somewhat dark electropop backdrop.  You can download the album for free here. 

Brett Lee Miller

I came across this indie-folk pop artist on noisetrade recently...his music is pretty compelling.  The melodies are understated but rather delightful, with mellow instrumentation and percussion.  Some of the songs remind me of Josh Garrels' new work, although I think it's overall more acoustic.  You can listen to and download seven of his songs for free on noisetrade.  It sounds like the ideal soundtrack to a long road trip to me, particularly after dark. 

Morgan Saint

I came across this music on noisetrade, and I found it quite compelling.  I've only heard two songs from the upcoming hero "17, Hero".  But they are quite good, albeit very different from one another.  The first, "YOU", is a really nostalgic, relaxing song...sort of a mellow flavour of electropop.  The other one is more classic pop, but still quite catchy.  Give it a listen! 

Sunflower Bean

I seem to have come across this band several years ago, but for some reason they didn't make much of an impression at that time.  I just recently downloaded a new noisetrade sampler from their upcoming album "Twentytwo in Blue", and was blown away by the music.  They are all super young, but the music on this sampler (which is all I've heard at this point, to be fair) is timelessly classic.  It sounds very much like 60s or 70s rock (like Fleetwood Mac), with clean, compelling melodies and amazing retro-sounding layers.  I can't get enough of their music at the moment, and I really need to spend the time needed to listen to their earlier work.  Evidently the band has a very bright future, given how young all the members are!  I will be following their progress with interest, and I suggest you do the same. 

TREY

This was another noisetrade find.  Their music is so 80s; I haven't encountered anything like it for at least a year.  It's pretty minimalist, but so well-executed; the chord progressions are phenomenal.  Ever since I watched Stranger Things this past summer, I've had an ear out for really 80s-esque electropop, or really any style of 80s music.  This definitely matches the description.  I highly recommend giving it a listen.  You can find the songs I've heard here. 

Katie Herzig

I've known of Katie Herzig for quite a few years.  Actually she was peripherally connected with my circle of friends in Fort Collins at one point...I believe she dated a friend for a while.  But I distinctly remember listening to samples of her music over the years, and it never did anything for me.  But just recently, I downloaded a sampler from noisetrade based on her upcoming album "Moment of Bliss", and it's exceptionally good.  It's the best kind of electropop; nearly impossible not to move to it.  The melodies and beats are extremely compelling.  I highly recommend listening to it. 

Top Ten Albums of 2017

Well, it's January again.  Hard to believe.  This is what I've come up with for this year.  This post will be a work in progress for some time, since I never have more than an hour to work on it at a time.  But I'm hoping it will be representative.

EPs:

Promise Land (Joshua Lee)

I would describe this EP as something like a dreamier/darker Half Moon Run.  The songs are extremely catchy and masterfully done.  I guess I would classify it as alternative rock, although it definitely sounds a bit more twangy than that.

Map & No Direction (Beth Bombara)

This was one of the best EPs that I heard this year.  This girl has a classic Americana / classic rock sound that I really like.  A bit like a grittier, rockier version of the Honeycutters.  Her smooth vocals work extremely well with the electric guitar and drums.  It sounds like music from a bygone era, and I really like it.

This Human Heart (Nathan Vincent)

This guy (based in Austin) sounds a lot like Thad Kopec...he's a bit on the emo side, but his music works very well.  This 6-song EP is extremely minimalist, but no less powerful for all that.  The guitar riffs are simple but solid.

Stories from our Youth (The Harbor)

This was one of my favourite EPs of the year.  The music is ambient, although there are lyrics (which happen to be very solid and thought-provoking); the ethereal vocals and amazing riffs are quite compelling.  The lead singer can make his voice go really high like Bon Iver does, and it works really well. 

LPs:

10. Full Circle (Twin Bandit)

This Canadian girl folk duo has a pretty classic old-school folky sound.  The music has some level of twang, but overall the riffs sound more creative than classic Americana.  They use some amount of electric guitar, too, which is something you don't hear as much in true Americana.  Their voices are reminiscent of First Aid Kit.  It's a decent album.

9. Conjure (Elliot Root)

This Nashville band is a new discovery for me, but a really nice alternative rock sound.  The tunes and harmonies are excellent; the lead singer has a particularly tuneful voice.  Many of the songs have a minor key, and there is a strong blues influence to their work, but it works really well.  Perhaps the band would be best described as a slower, more tuneful version of Half Moon Run.  Give this a listen.

8. The Greatest Gift (Sufjan Stevens)

I feel a bit weird about including a B-sides album on a top-ten list when the original album was already featured a couple of years ago.  But these songs are so well-done, with their new arrangements, that I couldn't resist.  There are some particularly good remixes in here, with more upbeat and driving percussion.  I've actually only heard it a couple of times, but I remember enough for it to solidly score a spot on this list.

7. Overflow (Your Friendly Neighborhood)

This super chill group from Seattle has a uniquely relaxing style of music.  It's almost ambient, but there are lyrics...but the overall musical style is quite similar to ambient bands like Explosions in the Sky or This Will Destroy You.  The instrumentation layering and the vocals work extremely well together.

6. Ultralife (Oh Wonder)

I loved this London electropop duo's first release, their self-named LP in 2015.  This year they came out with a new album, "Ultralife".  It's very consistent in style with their previous work; quite R&B influenced and soulful, but also synth-heavy and somewhat electronic.  As before, there are some songs that I don't care for as much; normally it's the super soulful ones.  But there are also some really heavy-hitting, beautifully-executed songs with shockingly simple but powerful riffs.  The instrumentation layering works really well with their voices.  The album is definitely worth a spot on the top ten list for the year.

5. A Deeper Understanding (The War on Drugs)

I have to be honest, I've never listened to any of The War on Drugs until now.  I'm not sure how that happened...they are quite good.  This album, their most recent, sounds sort of like a more 80s-sounding version of the Arcade Fire, in my opinion.  Perhaps a mix between the Arcade Fire and Son of Dov.  The net result is quite compelling.  I can't really compare it with earlier albums since I hardly know the band, but this album is definitely worthy of being in the top ten for the year.  It sounds great for a long night-time road trip.

4. Little Fox Little Bird (David & Deidre Casey)

Evidently this Helena-based husband-wife folk duo has been around for quite a few years; somehow I only came across them this year.  This EP release is an excellent introduction to their music.  They remind me quite strongly of a folkier, less edgy, version of The Both.  The lyricism is really good, and the understated guitar finger-picking works very well.  Some songs are quite lighthearted and fun, but others are surprisingly intense.

3. Planetarium (Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly, James McAlister)

This release went under the radar for me until my boss mentioned it in passing.  It's extremely good though.  To me, it seems like a more orchestral version of Sufjan's music, but with plenty of electronic and "sound-effect" type influences, similar to Age of Adz.  It sounds very space-like, and there are some really compelling songs in it.  Neptune and Mercury, the opening and closing tracks, are particularly excellent.  Bryce Dessner of the National was involved in the songwriting.

2. Sleep Well Beast (The National)

It was about time for a new album from the National.  This one wasn't as immediately compelling to me as their previous couple of albums, but I've come around in a big way.  It has all their classic creative energy and amazing dynamics and harmonies.  On the whole I would describe it as less epic, but more brooding and contemplative than Trouble Will Find Me.  It's just as eccentric as their other albums, but still undeniably powerful.  There are one or two songs that remind me of EL VY.  Still, it makes the top ten list.

1. Grey Fidelity (Tow'rs)

Sarah and I had the privilege of seeing this Flagstaff-based band live in an outdoor house show at a close friend's house within a couple of days of the summer solstice this year.  We were expecting a stripped-down, acoustic version of their music, typical of what you might expect at a house show.  But they had a full electronic setup outside...kudos to my friend Danny Maland for keeping his cool and accommodating the band, making for an unforgettable show!  But even prior to their live performance, I was hooked on their unique brand of soulful, alternative folk.  There are 5 or 6 people in the band, none of whom can be over 30, on a number of different instruments, and some of the artists are multi-instrumentalists.  The songwriting is excellent, and they are all amazing artists...the net result is the top album of 2017, in my opinion.