The Avett Brothers - The Gleam
(2006) Ramseur Records
I've had the honor of sharing the bill with this band on a few occasions. To be completely honest, I never quite knew how I felt about them. The live show was absolutely incredible, but the next day all I would have left is a CD that didn't quite connect with. That is until their most recent release 'Emotionalism' came out last year. For me that album captured something just as uniquely special on tape as their live show had been doing over the past few years.
With that said, I was given the gift of 'The Gleem' a few weeks ago by a friend. A six song EP that had unfortunately slipped under my radar.
Two words. 'Absolutely Perfect'. This CD is 'absolutely perfect'.
Dervish - Travelling Show
(2007)
I first heard this band somewhere on the road in Kansas. I was on tour with a group and the 'Live In Palma' album seemed stuck in the CD player for those few weeks. It would be a year later when I first saw this band at a place called the Livery in Goderich, Ontario. It was one of the most captivating performances I've ever seen, and the band has been a favorite of mine ever since.
The stoicism of the band is countered by the almost mystical energy of vocalist Cathy Jordan. The soulfulness and beauty of her voice easily make her one of my favorite singers.
While 'Travelling Show' doesn't capture the atmosphere of 'Spirit', or the full on energy of 'Midsummer's Night', I have to say that it's great to have new music from Dervish. Like the previous album 'Spirit', the band experiments ever so slightly with broadening their traditional sound. It's so beautifully subtle that you may just miss it.
Caroline Herring - Lantana
(2008) Signature Sounds
Seriously, why the hell do I like this album? I can think of three reasons right off the bat to hate this record. So, why can't I stop listening?
The opening cut 'Stone Cold World' is such a great way to start the album. There is just a rawness and aching beauty to this record that won't let me push stop on the ipod. Damn it.
