James Blackshaw's fingerpicking of the 12-string guitar is something to behold. Check out a recent live television performance of "River of Heaven" below. The Englishman's instrumental minimalism expands into intricate, delicate walls of sound. Last year's The Cloud of Unknowing was a brilliant record; this year's Litany of Echoes is another impressive work from a singular artist. Still in his mid-twenties, Blackshaw has already released seven albums of his hypnotic storytelling. Primitive, melodic, and haunting, Litany of Echoes adds small flourishes of piano and other instruments, ultimately framing Blackshaw's mesmerizing guitarwork.
November 23, 2008
Song of the Week
James Blackshaw's fingerpicking of the 12-string guitar is something to behold. Check out a recent live television performance of "River of Heaven" below. The Englishman's instrumental minimalism expands into intricate, delicate walls of sound. Last year's The Cloud of Unknowing was a brilliant record; this year's Litany of Echoes is another impressive work from a singular artist. Still in his mid-twenties, Blackshaw has already released seven albums of his hypnotic storytelling. Primitive, melodic, and haunting, Litany of Echoes adds small flourishes of piano and other instruments, ultimately framing Blackshaw's mesmerizing guitarwork.
November 13, 2008
Song of the Week
With their pastoral harmonies and appearance reminiscent of rogue sheperds, we shouldn't be suprised that Fleet Foxes often performs in the midst of goats. Yes, that's right, goats. The D Man will forego any dirty Irish jokes and let you enjoy another track from the group's impressive debut: "He Doesn't Know Why," like many Fleet Foxes songs, sounds like it has been around for a long, long time.November 7, 2008
Fix It
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals are at it again. After last year's great Easy Tiger (see "Two" and "Everybody Knows"), which featured Adams' fantastic backing-band on every track even though they weren't mentioned on the album's cover, the Cardinals get some love on the aptly-named Cardinology. Enjoy a recent live performance of "Fix It" on Letterman. Adams' is known for his eclectic musical tastes, and he sports an Iron Maiden shirt to tap into his inner metal-head.
November 4, 2008
Song of the Week
Keane, those piano purveyors of pleasant Brit-pop, have just released their third album, Perfect Symmetry. While the album's sound trades in the piano for some synths, the band continues to be propelled by singer Tom Chaplin's powerful vocals.The D Man likes just about anything that looks like the future. Star Trek. Tron. Hover boards. The magic bullet. Robots. So naturally, the video for "Spiralling," the first track from Perfect Symmetry, earns a deserving Song of the Week appearance.
November 1, 2008
Band-Aids
Saturday morning The D Man sliced his hand open, barely missing the tendons and nerves. Nine stiches. It's no shark bite, but a friendly reminder that taking out the garbage can be a man's most dangerous task.
When the throbbing picked up in the afternoon, there was only one thing to do: head to the local music store and pick up new albums by The Sea and Cake, Keane, Snow Patrol, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, and Blitzen Trapper. There is something therapeutic about buying new music on a crisp fall day and listening to some fresh tunes. Unless of course, you can't get the wrapping off the CDs.
When the throbbing picked up in the afternoon, there was only one thing to do: head to the local music store and pick up new albums by The Sea and Cake, Keane, Snow Patrol, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, and Blitzen Trapper. There is something therapeutic about buying new music on a crisp fall day and listening to some fresh tunes. Unless of course, you can't get the wrapping off the CDs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)