From time to time I feel the need to search out music that sounds like Jens Lekman or Peter Bjorn & John, I’m not particularly sure why, but often I’ll go through all the e-mail submissions until I find a suitable indie-folk artist who recombines classical inspiration into inspiring compositions of his own. I was truly fortunate to come across the Jon Sonnenberg ‘Acoustic Selections’ as he fits the bill exactly. Harnessing beautiful strings, guitar and various instruments that can be plinked and plunked in harmony Sonnenberg has created some songs that should have those folks in Gothemburg and Amsterdam sitting up and paying attention, and the coolest thing is he’s from Cleveland. America has a new hope in the great indie-folk cold war.
June 20, 2008
Jon Sonnenberg
May 21, 2008
Tin Can Telephone
Tin Can Telephone is a band/project out of London, UK they create catchy little guitar tunes with plenty of hand percussion. You can download more songs at their Myspace.
March 22, 2008
Peter Moren Demonstrates Social Competence
First of all, I’m sorry for the lack of posts lately, you see, I had 5 wisdom teeth removed from my mouth last Thursday. That’s right, 5 wisdom teeth. I guess it was my mutant power to have an extra tooth. Now it’s my mutant power to look like John Merrick. Two lame powers in a row.
Anyway, the music front has remained active. I received an E-Mail asking me if I would be interested in Peter Moren’s (Of Peter, Bjorn and John) solo album. Of course I was since I enjoyed their Writer’s Block album a great deal. The song I was able to sample, “Social Competence”, is another demonstration of nimble guitar melodies co-opted into biting social commentary that is also somehow heartwarming at the same time. The song’s catchy piano chords and handclaps build until they explode with a harmonica that hits you right in the folk-pop sweet spot.
But don’t take my word for it…
March 7, 2008
Marlene has a Fever… in Berlin.
Just when you thought that there couldn’t possibly be any more indie/pop/electro duos capable of creating a beautifully haunting album here comes the Fever Marlene. A two piece band that hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their expansive electro-rock styling calls to mind the carefully internationally aware pop songs of Jens Lekman and the raw balladic power of the Flaming Lips. of course the emotive beats and blips of the Postal service. Definitely one to watch.
Fever Marlene – My Heart (Its Harder Than a Stone)
February 29, 2008
Wesley The Robot
Wesley is actively pursuing a human-like social life. If only we could all be so lucky. Here are some songs that I have been enjoying as of late.
Alphabeat – Fascination (Thanks Bigstereo!)
Arcade Fire – Black Mirror (team9 remix)
Feist – I Feel It All (Britt from Spoon Remix)
Mobius Band – Digital Love (Daft Punk Cover)
M.I.A. – Paper Planes (DFA Remix)
Jens Lekman – I’m Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You (Spoolwork Remix)
September 18, 2007
The Magic Haircut
I had the chance to listen to the new Jens Lekman album yesteday, and, well, it’s a contender for my favorite release of the year. The strings, the samples, and most surprisingly the beats accent the songs perfectly.
September 16, 2007
You’re So Silent Jens
The air this morning was crisp, cold, and the scent of fall was in the air. That’s right there’s a smell for fall. It’s the smell of all the apples on the trees ripening, the leaves changing color, hay bales, dried out corn husks. OK, so I’m basically admitting that I live in the middle of nowhere, but this gives me a specific, tangible connection to the feeling of fall that I’m sure I will look back on nostalgically like I am now for many years to come.
Anyway, I loaded up my MP3 player with some new and old tunes to familiarize myself with on my daily adventures. Sustaining myself on this mix of old Wilco, new electro, and Swedish pop I found that an old novelty had grown into a current favorite. Jens Lekman’s increased play time in my catalogue may be due to his sarcastic handclaps on “You Are The Light” or the fact that his new album Night Falls Over Kortedala is due out on the 9th of October, or it may be due to the fact that Jens stayed the night at my former co-hosts apartment. Either way, people have been writing about it and posting preview tracks at other blogs, and all the new stuff sounds just as satisfying as his earlier work. For the uninitiated, the music Mr. Lekman produces is a spectacular combination of sardonic wit, timeless sparkling instrumentation, and above all a pure emotive quality that will cut into your mind and your heart. It seems like a perfect fit for my favorite time of year.
MP3 – Maple Leaves – Jens Lekman
MP3 – Higher Power – Jens Lekman
