Song of the Week

Fleet Foxes' eponymous debut was a stunning delight, one of the best albums of the last ten years, and arguably one of the finest folk-pop records of all time. Check out "Helplessness Blues" from the band's second album of the same name. You will have to sit tight until May to hear the entire thing, but if this thrilling song is any indication, it will be well worth the wait. The D Man is already in love with the cover art, again.

By late January, we grow tired of long cold nights and long gray days. We begin to feel alienated from our work, certainly in the confines of an office or otherwise.The D Man can empathize with Robin Pecknold's longing refrain: If I had an orchard, I'd work 'til I'm sore. My grandparents had a cherry orchard. That sense of individual liberation through an honest days work is what many of us seek, and if we are transported there mid-winter, if only for a brief time, through the unique harmonies of a fantastic band, so be it.

Five Things

In January, The D Man tends to revisit his music library. A great time of year to reflect. Enjoy a few deep tracks that I've been enjoying of late. So January sounding.

• "New Hampshire" by Matt Pond P.A. A sincere, workman-like achievement in mood. I'm so determined to lay in lakes / And see my sisters / I will hit my brother / And hold my mother.
• "My Love Has Gone" by Josh Rouse. An underrated singer-songwriter. An excellent country-pop song.
• "Central Reservation" by Beth Orton. Today is whatever you want it to be.
• "Live in Dreams" by Wild Nothing. Can't stop listening to this 2010 release. Gets better and better. Plus, Jack Tatum is playing a show here in February.
• "Weightlifting" by The Trash Can Sinatras. Terrible band name. Sublime pop song. (Thanks to G-Reese for this tip from a couple years back).

Song of the Week

British Sea Power--the Queen's proper musical messenger--has been making underrated albums and resolutely British pop music for the past decade. The band's arcane lyrical subject matter can be strange at times, but their music cribs from every corner of the Britpop realm (60's pop, 70's glitter, 80's mope rock, 90's anthems) and results in accessible, albeit angular, rock music. The D Man still swoons over second album Open Season. Scott Wilkinson may have the perfect English rock voice, and he sounds fantastic live, as he demonstrated during a show The D Man caught at Jones Beach, Long Island, a few years back.

Valhalla Dancehall is the band's fifth album and represents the breadth of the band's sound, with soaring rockers, post-rock gloomers, and R&B-influenced ditties. Check out the tongue-in-cheek first single "Living is So Easy," a pop-infused departure from the band's oft-heavier material.

Song of the Week

Sam Beam, your favorite bearded folk-hero, releases his fourth full-length, Kiss Each Other Clean, at the end of the month. Check out "Walking Far From Home" and enjoy some quasi-biblical phrasing and plenty of ooohs and aaahs. A real grower. After the full-bodied approach of The Shepherd's Dog, it will be interesting to hear where this record goes. The D Man will definitely be picking it up. Like a bird stealing bread.