Broken Bells

Everyone's getting a two-fer this week for NMM. I am submitting Broken Bells, the recent hybrid, spin-off, "it" band, side-project of Danger Mouse (no his middle name is not danger, his first name is danger, so hah!) and one of the dudes from the Shins. I like it, Lefty doesn't. I don't want to put in too strong a plug for these guys because I admit, at best, this is the kind of music I would put on while hosting a party that had no hopes of turning into a sing along or a dance party in hopes that someone would believe I haven't been completely trapped in the 60's (with reference to my Dylan obsession), or worse the 80's (with reference to what I usually think of as "party music").

Chris Walla

If you are a fan, you know that Chris Walla is an invaluable member of the band Death Cab For Cutie and is a huge reason for their success over the last couple of years. He is a multi-instrumentalist and producer for the band (also for many other indie-rock bands) but his solo work really shows that he is far more than that in his day job. He is the engine that drives the machine.

Field Manual, Walla's solo debut, sounds like a Death Cab record. I understand this sound may not be breaking any new ground and may be counter-intuitive to discovering new music, but I think this is so interesting because you can hear the mastermind at work and finally getting the accolades he deserves. As I understand it, Walla is mainstay in the Northwest music scene and a sought after producer, but stepping out into the spotlight with this album shows the true talent of an otherwise afterthought when reading the credits in the liner notes.

Lyrically, he is not as gifted or precious as Ben Gibbard. Who is? Not that he doesn't try pulling at heartstrings from time to time but Walla seems to want to branch out, commenting on social issues and lashing out at the government on some songs. For me, these attempts produce eye rolls but you have to give the guy credit for trying.

Interesting album from a guy who has been around. It is a debut album, but it's not his first rodeo. And you can tell.

The Devil Makes Three

I cannot get enough of this band right now: The Devil Makes Three is this past week's somewhat tardy NMM selection brought to you by Pancho the delinquent traveling blogger. But this is so good, you'll forgive me. They have some tracks posted on myspace as well, which is what I got hooked on (the first track, called All Hail, definitely sounds like they are saying Aw Hell, and I don't think it is an accident). In the great tradition of Johnny Cash and Old Crow Medicine Show, most of their songs are about drinking heavily, however singing about alcoholism with a delightful trotting melody really takes the edge off. There's some stand-up bass, some harmonizing, some toe-tapping, and some wordplay. Who doesn't love that combination? Who I ask you?

Devastations

It is about that time of year and I know you know what I am talking about. It's the time of year that Lake CDs are due and that can only mean one thing ...

My 2011 Lake CD is half done

And there is a Devastations song on the playlist. They are a band from Australia that are deeply influenced by Nick Cave in both sound and content and while I am not a huge fan of Nick Cave, this band really does it for me. Lead singer Conrad Standish possesses a delightfully brooding style that reminds me of a sober Mark Lanegan singing songs as a lounge act (that was supposed to be a compliment but I am not sure it ever got there.)

It is an interesting band in that it is trying to do different things as they continue their career. Their current album has a more electronic feel (cool kids call it ambient) while the album that hooked me has been described (accurately, I suppose) as outback-gothic. Whatever the style or genre, it is the vocal stylings of Standish that makes these songs stand up. His is truly one of the unique and underrated voices in alternative rock.

The Beaten Sea, The White Buffalo, and Megafaun

Hurray! It's Monday! I have a triple shot for all you banjo and non-banjo enthusiasts out there!

First of all, I recommended the Dallas Family Band a while ago, but Lefty complained because "they" (meaning the collective) don't have an album. For his sake, and the rest of you who might not spend an inordinate amount of time tethered to your computer where you can stream whatever you please, I am happy to announce at least two of the 7ish bands in the collective have now released an album. Spooky Folk put theirs out a while ago, and I have been delinquent about picking one up, but will. The Beaten Sea just had their CD release party last friday, and I will also be getting theirs sometime soon too no doubt. I still recommend streaming from the 'sounds' tab on the DFB webstie, but if you absolutely must possess it, it is now possible....

Second of all, last week I stumbled upon The White Buffalo (Jake Smith's moniker) and have been listening to it all morning. It is great-- in a nutshell, it is what you would hope Eddie Vedder solo acoustic stuff would sound like, but doesn't, but even better. I love it, especially three songs so far-- Damned, Love Song No. 1, and Sweet Hereafter, but the more I listen, the more I like them all. Take a gander and enjoy. Immensely.

THIRD (yes, 3!) is a group I just learned about from the indie music blog hear ya (which I will add to the sidebar because it seems great) called Megafaun. Lots of potential here-- I have only listened a bit, but I like what I hear and wanted to share the band, and the site.

Save as Draft

Ramsay Midwood

I got the heads up on Ramsay Midwood a few years back from my good friend Drew Thomas and it has taken me at least three years to "get it." He sounds like a mush-mouthed bluesman that writes songs that fit somewhere in-between Bob Dylan and The Bottle Rockets. Dylan in that there is more depth than most songwriters. Bottle Rockets in the way that he doesn't seem to take himself all too seriously. Or maybe more accurately, he can see the levity in dreary living. His vocal stylings take some time to get used to but there is a reward for putting in time with this artist. The songs start to open up with familiarity and seeing Midwood for the artist he strives to be is reward enough for the work.

Luther Wright and the Wrongs

This band was mentioned to me last week by a Canadian friend (yes, I was in Canadia at the time, but the friend is here). The name of the band is so great, I had to listen. The first couple songs didn't make a big impression, but a recently posted ditty called The Land of Milk and Honey wormed it's way right into the center of my heart, with all my other favorite music. I highly recommend you listen to it (Lefty), and then listen to it again and let it worm its way into yours. "Things Twice" ain't bad either-- a little ghost of Tom Pettyish, which is good because, although I don't love Tom Petty, I seem to love singers who do.

http://www.myspace.com/lutherwright

Here's the album cover from their bluegrass recapitulation of Pink Floyd's The Wall, for all you banjo enthusiasts.

(Isn't it funny that we are posting things as if anyone but you and I are reading this? As if, for example, a whole bunch of banjo enthusiasts might be reading this?)