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And we moved

callmemarge — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:51:45 +0000

OK i slightly missed blogging; so here’s my new blog with a bit of a different approach; click

2010′s Finest: Records [part2 nr.5-1]

chateaumargaux01 — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:17:51 +0000

5. Stornoway – Beachcomber’s Windowsill [9.3/10]
British(?) accent? check. Intelligent? Check. A chickmagnet? Check. OK, the last one doesn’t really count. Anyhow, Stornoway delivered one hell of a record this year, and is Europe’s best record. So eh, I don’t know if that says a lot about Europe or those across the Ocean. These lads from Oxford blend styles with ease, not speaking about their variety of instruments. The oldest Steadman makes works his charms on the girls and his bass, which produces wonderful melodies. The youngest Steadman works his charms on the girls too, while making some magic on the drum kit. Then there’s Brian Briggs with his slightly choirboy-ish voice and subtle guitar. And well, not forget Jon Ouin, whose instrumentalism (guitar, keys, cello) shines too. Ooh right, and then I totally forget about the clever lyrics. The diversity on this record(dance, cry, laugh, ehrm…). Mmh, it’s soooo good. Check it out yourself!

4. Horse Feathers – Thistled Spring[9.4/10]
What did I say about them when I did the review? Eh? Nothing changed since! I still dig the slightly dark, melancholic, even slightly nostalgic vibe on this album. I still love the drama, the swelling violins/cello, Justin Ringle’s voice, the singing saw. I totally love the ambiance this record creates, and I think Horse Feathers should (definitely) get more acknowledgement! Their subtle changes to drama, hints of piano and percussion while staying totally true to them self, it’s phenomenal!

3. Dark Dark Dark – Wild Go [9.8/10]
I accidentally stumbled upon this record, which I DEFINITELY not regret :) Dark Dark Dark is a one-of-a-kind band. We have Nona’s soaring, haunting, strong voice, we have Marshall’s voice. We have some interesting ‘old-school’ instruments on this record. Think piano, accordion, guitar, jazzy rhythms, haunting rhythms, cello ánd a LOT more. This record is one powerhouse with no weak moment. It has clearly influences from european folk, americana, jazz, rock and classical music, and I’ll probably miss some. In the end, these songs are slightly awkward an quirky, which really works somehow. The piano got a bigger role comparing to ‘The Snow Magic’, which I actually like. My favourite songs on this record are actually those stunning ballads. ‘Robert’ and ‘Daydreaming’ just drag me into a different world, they’re just perfect. They’re somewhat less quirky, but still not ‘average’. And I think it’s totally cool to stand on your own cover art buttnaked.

2. Brasstronaut – Mt. Chimaera [10/10]
Didn’t you also think I was going to put this record on the first place? So did I for quite a long time, untill I was making this list. Mmh, I totally love the combination of Jazz, Rock and Folk. And well, it’s not a secret that I’m a fan of styleblending. Mt. Chimaera feels like a nice trip through various states of minds, various types of music and somehow various places on this world(with world not being necessarily earth). I love the trumpetsolo’s during the songs. I love it’s variation in rhythm. I love it’s slight variation in ‘leading-instrument’. I love that it seems to sound familiar while being not. I love the lyrics. I love the joy you’re able to hear in this record. I LOVE BRASSTRONAUT!

1. Joanna Newsom – Have One On Me [1o++++++/10]
A slightly surprising winner? Ehrm, it’s no secret that Joanna Newsom is amazing. At least, not to me. Have One On Me, might be Newsom’s most approachable record so far. The 3disk album seems less ‘orchestral’ than ‘Ys’, and Joanna’s voice is less ‘cat-falling-of-rooftop-young-girl-screaming-ish’. People familiar with Joanna know what I’m talking about. While being slightly toned down, this album gives me more chills than her previous songs, probably because I can stand her voice on this one. Also, ‘Have One On Me’ introduces some damn good piano work from Joanna. I know, ‘the Milk-Eyed Mender’ had piano, but she’s definitely more mature on this record.
‘Have One On Me’ is build on the bricks of the power of melodies, which this record is filled with. The long listens, like the title track(which is even my favourite song), are definitely worth it. With that not saying that the ‘short’ ones are any bad. I love the variation in rhythm. Note that the percussion on this record isn’t necessarily ‘rhythm’ though. Notice how these songs are build up brilliantly. Notice how it balances the right amount of giant outbursts of instruments with soft, humble songs. Joanna’s quirkiness, mixed with the phenomenal compositions (she must have worked with some truly brilliant musicians, not to name some like Neal Morgan) is something words, in this case, can’t describe. Amen to you, Joanna.

the Voice Project: JBM covers M. Ward

chateaumargaux01 — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:33:09 +0000

just because I like to keep you waiting a bit, here’s a video of JBM covering M.Ward‘s ‘Carolina’ for the Voice Project. Another project I’m a fan of. TADAH!

See, that’s why this lad has a place in my top 20 of 2010

2010′s Finest: Records [part 1 nr.20-6]

chateaumargaux01 — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:45:28 +0000

You can throw virtual stuff at me for not posting for over a month. I should have done this list a long time ago. Since it’s finished anyway :P Ok, because I let you waiting so long, I made a top 20! So let’s start the list:

20. the Drums – the Drums [7/10]
Man, I’ve danced way too many times in my room on this record. Is it a fabulous, fantastic, new, refreshing thing they do? Not at all. I mean, if you want the ‘real’ stuff, listen to the Smiths. And there are so many other bands to dance on. And well, the singer has a slightly annoying vibrato-thingy going on in his voice. But hey, I like dancing in my room :3

19. Ólafur Arnalds - …And They Have Escaped the Weight of Darkness [7.3/10]
What an order, on number 19, we find neo-classical componist and boywonder Ólafur Arnalds. I like his record, but not as much as his cousins. Anyhow. It kind of misses the ‘beats’ from his previous records, but still I like the slightly haunting sound at moments. And well, I do love layering, that’s not a secret anymore. This record is nice. Not fantastic.

18. Angus & Julia Stone – Down the Way [7.4/10]
Well, I never know what the thing is with Angus & Julia. I totally dig her voice, but it kind of feels they both miss some sort of ‘edge’ in their songs. A little rawness, it’s too clean for me. The songs are really nice, but I don’t listen a lot to this record. So yeah, that’s why it has a spot on the bottom of this list(I do really like ‘Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘All the Boys’ though). It’s too perfect-ish, but if you like ‘A Book Like This’ and all their EP’s, you definitely dig this one too.

17. JBM – Not Even in July [7.5/10]
JBM, also known as Jesse Brian Merchant, delivered a really nice singer-songwriter record with ‘Not Even in July’. It’s not even that special for a singer-songwriter record. And well, Merchant’s voice sounds remarkably alike. Still, he manage’s to pull this thing off. And the songs are just fine. A good debut to start with, but plenty of room to grow.

15. Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can [7.8/10]
Female Folkstar Marling delivered a pretty nice record. Marling’s soulful voice really shines on this record and sounds less ‘girly’. It’s obvious that she’d really grow comparing it to ‘Alas, I Cannot Swim’. She rocks a bit on ‘Rambling Man’, while penetrates your soul on other songs. But hey, do we hear a hint of Mumford & Sons here? It’s obvious that her fuller, more band-like sound, doesn’t necessarily mean ‘better’ or ‘newer’. But it does really work out on some tracks. Experiment some more Laura, maybe you make that record that will keep haunting me.

15. Agnes Obel - Philharmonics [7.8/10]
Sharing the 15th place with Laura Marling isn’t such a bad thing I guess. Agnes Obel delivered with Philharmonics a fine record. But my mind automatically thinks ‘ooh, again, a Scandinavian ‘sight’ girl’. Yes, she’s one of them. The Danish Obel isn’t that different from her Scandinavian Sisters. It’s a bit haunting, it’s a bit strange, it’s rather the same. And well, I like her record, but it got minus point, for giving a boring performance. Yes, I keep thinking of that. You can hear it slightly on record, but her songs are rather repetitive when stripped down to piano (and a bit of cello) only.

14. Lissie – Catching a Tiger [7.9/10]
Lissie, Lissie, I had to give you a couple of listens before I released how nice your record was. You know, I’m usually not that much in that ‘poppy’ stuff, but this girl manages to balance that thin line for me. Her voice is truly brilliant and powerful, which kind of makes a lot things up for me. Her lyrics might be a bit too much about being in love, boys, etc. etc. but she, luckily, doesn’t bring it that much on a cliché-ish way. Luckily. What I also like about this record, is it’s diversity, but it still sounds (rather) cohesive. Well done, miss Lissie and band.

13. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt [8.2/10]
Kristian Matsson, what did you do to your banjo?! I miss it! Ok, that’s all I think of when it comes to complaining. What kind of record is this? Well, it is just rather similar to ‘Shallow Grave’. So nothing new really. But hey, wasn’t ‘Shallow Grave’ a rather brilliant record. Doesn’t this guy write some great lyrics? And isn’t he a guitargod with his quick fingers? Yes! So yeah, place 13 for this, in real-life, not-so-tall man.

12. Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs – God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise[8.3/10]
What to say about this record? I still think Ray’s debut record was his best, and while his sound is growing bigger and bigger, I start liking him less and less (this goes totally against my principles). It’s fair that they called it ‘Ray LaMontagne ánd the Pariah Dogs’, since it’s mostly the Ray LaMontagne show. This record seems to rest on Ray’s voice a lot. It’s a bit more country, americana than his previous records. It got some highlight, and some songs that I don’t really get, which I partly blame on the lyrics. Like he sings in ‘Repo Man’; “I’m ’bout to do what your daddy should’ve done/I’m gonna lay you right across my knee”, really Ray, REALLY. Please… He kind of makes up with songs like ‘For the Summer’ and ‘This Love is Over’. This record could have ended much higher, wasn’t it for this not-good strangeness.

11. I am Oak – On Claws [8.5/10]
Obviously one of Holland’s finest and most talented musicians. I am Oak brought us a rather minimalistic, but rather gorgeous record. With hints of folkstars like Bon Iver, I am Oak did something wonderful. His voice is pure and honest. With some little choirs in his songs, with some additional instruments next to his guitar, this record is magic at times. Don’t expect some upbeat songs on this though, there’s no room for that. Just let it drag you along in it’s peaceful world.

10. Dylan LeBlanc - Pauper Fields [8.6/10]
Youngster LeBlanc(1990) released a really ‘complete’ album for his age. ‘Pauper Fields’ is the kind of record you can both tune on to do some ‘concentrated listening’ on, but also plays well as a background tune. LeBlanc’s mature voice shines, while his lyrics are definitely better than ehrm, Lissie’s for example. I also really like the slight countryvibe that I get from this record. LeBlanc avoids singer-songwriterclichés and mixes his songs with some nice americana. I haven’t found this records weak spot yet.

9. Ólöf Arnalds - Innudir Skinni[8.7/10]
Madame Arnalds quirky voice really shines on this record. Half of the time, I got no clue what she’s singing about, but hey, it sounds really nice. I think it’s totally awesome how Ólöf manages to make such a rich and full sound with a bit of guitar, quirky vocals and some backing vocals every now and then. It’s a record full of melodies, simple and honest. Words can’t really describe it.

8. Ruben Hein – Loose Fit [8.8/10]
Holland’s finest (from 2010). ‘Loose Fit’ sounds like a combination of singer-songwriter and jazz, though it has a hint of pop to brighten it up. The vibe is rather laid back, but not ‘bored’. Hein’s soulful voice is a central point on this record, and it really shines. It is accompanied with some lush beats that make your feet tap along, some guitar, some horns on some songs and Hein behind his piano. It totally avoid all the cliché’s, it’s pure, honest, it’s just really great. I suck at describing this record because I like it an awful lot!

7. Villagers – Becoming a Jackal [9/10]
There has been a lot of things said about this record. Some people absolutely adore it, others think it’s fake and he’s pretending. I count myself among the first category. Conor O’Brien made a rather haunting record. It gives me a little hint to last years ‘Timber Timbre’ record(winner of last year’s best record). ‘Becoming a Jackal’ is a rather raw record, with O’Brien spitting all his thoughts about the craziness of this world. Is it strange? yes, but ‘good’ strange. He builds his songs really nicely. And it’s a diverse but VERY cohesive record. Yes, it’s a really good one.

6. Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – Dear Companion [9.1/10]
Man oh Man, this record did really grow on me. Sollee and Moore are some remarkable artist on their own, and with a little help of Jim James(My Morning Jacket) they made this really great record. It’s kind of combinging the best of both worlds. Both Sollee and Moore have their own sound on this record, but they really shine when they play together. It still feels a bit of they just threw Sollee’s songs and Moore’s songs together. And well, it’s not really cohesive. But hey, it’s good. Really Good. And bonus points since it’s for a good cause.

The top 5 is for tomorrow ;)

Happy Holidays from Dark Dark Dark

chateaumargaux01 — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:59:02 +0000

Dark Dark Dark, who has released one of my favourite records with ‘Wild Go’, wish you Happy Holidays on their tumblr.
You can listen to their version of ‘Christmas Time is Here’ HERE, which has some more info on the recording.

Also, if you feel creative, join their Colouring Contest. I really like the drawing they put up! Go Join! More info on the prices and how to join in the same link as above!

Fingerlings 4 released

chateaumargaux01 — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:37:52 +0000

Everyone familiar with Andrew Bird will understand this title immediately. Coz yes, his Fingerlings records are fabulous. With a little facebookpost, Fingerlings 4 is released now and available on Bird’s website [link].

It was recorded during the Chicago ‘Gezelligheid’ shows. And while looking at the tracklist, it look likes there are some new/different songs on there!

Tracklist:

Dance of Death
Master Sigh
Make Hay
You Woke Me Up!
Danse Carribe
The Barn Tapes
The Sifters
Carrion Suite
Meet Me Here at Dawn
Oh Baltimore
Section 8 City

I think ´Meet Me Here At Dawn´ is from that fabulous Cass McCombs cover he did..
On my Christmas wishlist!

Artist to Watch: Ruben Hein – Dutch Wonderboy

chateaumargaux01 — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:59:37 +0000

Yeah, I’m not that often totally lyrical about a musician, but since saturday (when I saw Him) I am. Coz this dutch wonderboy doesn’t only make wonderful music, has signed to Blue Note, is very talented, has a really nice voice, nice skills, a lot of creativity and ideas, but is also a wonderful performer. 28 year old wonderboy Ruben Hein is not an unknown name in the dutch ‘jazz’ scene (though, I won’t really qualify Pete Philly & Perquisite as ‘jazz’), though his first ‘solo’ (debut) record ‘Loose Fit’ wasn’t realeased untill October this year.
Debut single ‘Elephants’ was instantly(?) picked up by dutch radio and tv, and got some airplay.

Hein, grown up near Nijmegen, decided to go studying jazzpiano at the Conservatorium of Amsterdam(where he (and I) currently lives), where he graduated in 2008. During his study he discoverd that he could also sing (like the opposite of my mum, she still has to discover she can’t), encouraged by friend, he joined the ‘Dutch jazz vocalists concours’, in which he got second. Since 2008, Hein collaborated with various (dutch) artists, such as ‘Renske Taminiau, Benjamin Herman, Pete Philly & Perquisite and Hans Teeuwen.

But folks, don’t expect a jazzrecord from this guy! True, you can clearly hear the jazzinfluences, but I think there’s definitely some pop, soul and different styles in there too. And as my followers know, I’m a sucker for genreblending. But it got some great hooks, grooves and melodies too. Do I like it? I think liking it would be an understatement. And well, I think his record got him in my top 10 of finest records of this year!

And yes, he got the looks too ;)

Stand Up, Speak Out

Traffic Jam

I wish I could post his whole record here!

I promised to do more posts

chateaumargaux01 — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:45:29 +0000

but i’m very busy.
But please folks, go check out Ruben Hein. HESFANTASTICGENIUSETC

Andrew Bird on TED

callmemarge — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:44:52 +0000

OMG. EARGASM!

isn’t he a genius? isn’t he?!?!?! Gosh, the beard looks good on him!

A note

callmemarge — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:42:32 +0000

Hello readers!

I’m back! Yep! I AM!

I had to start at Uni, ÁND I found a ‘house’ in Amsterdam. I’ll be moving next week. So yaay, I’ll be having more time to write about my favourite (new) music (discoveries/gigs/records/shows/artists). You might expect some new reviews, artists to watch-things and more things soon :)