SONGbiscuit.

Holly Williams performing Waiting on June There’s not...

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:28:12 -0700

Holly Williams performing Waiting on June

There’s not many songs that can turn this here grown-ass man into a wimpy weeping willow, but holy shit…

This already makes the third song off of Holly’s album The Highway that I’ve featured on SONGbiscuit. At this rate, I fully expect every song on the album to be featured at some point. Hey, why not!? It’s a truly brilliant piece of work.

Be sure to check out those two previous posts, Drinkin’ and Gone Away From Me.

Raphael Saadiq covers Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat Celebrating...

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:01:18 -0700

Raphael Saadiq covers Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

Celebrating folk music legend Bob Dylan’s birthday with one of my favorite cover versions. This song is 1 of 76 Dylan covers by various artists on the 2012 charity album Chimes of Freedom - The Songs of Bob Dylan (Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International).

In the spirit of Side-by-Side vinyl singles, and since I know you wanna hear the original, here’s Dylan…

The Young Folk perform Letters Crackin’ performance of a...

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:47:06 -0700

The Young Folk perform Letters

Crackin’ performance of a fine song off their latest album The Little Battle. What is this, Irish-Americana? Sort of, but not really. There’s a clear Americana feel to the music that this Irish band makes, but it also fits in quite nicely among the sound of other current Irish bands ranging from The Riptide Movement to Villagers and I Draw Slow. I reckon I’ll do the unthinkable – just enjoy listening and forget about that genre nonsense.

Laura Marling performing I Was An Eagle/You Know One of the...

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:31:29 -0700

Laura Marling performing I Was An Eagle/You Know

One of the best singers and songwriters of our time, and she’s only 23! Stunningly beautiful stuff here.

Shovels & Rope perform Keeper Per Carey Ann and...

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:36:21 -0700

Shovels & Rope perform Keeper

Per Carey Ann and Michael’s standard operating procedure, here they are kickin’ ass. Check out my previous Shovels & Rope posts, including Birmingham and the title track from their album from which all of these amazing songs are taken, O’ Be Joyful. If you’re already aware of this fine duo from Charleston, SC, note that a deluxe edition of the album was recently released, so be sure to check out the new tracks.

Walk of Life by Bhi Bhiman Deadly cover of DIre Straits’...

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:21:00 -0700

Walk of Life by Bhi Bhiman

Deadly cover of DIre Straits’ song! Check out Bhi’s new Substitute Preacher EP full of more deadly covers – read more about the EP here.

Also, definitely don’t miss out on his previous album Bhiman for an amazing collection of original tunes, including the amazing Guttersnipe that I previously shared here on SONGbiscuit.

Shameless by Lissie “We live in a society where terrible...

Sat, 18 May 2013 08:03:28 -0700

Shameless by Lissie

“We live in a society where terrible behaviour is rewarded with coverage and attention, where celebrity is seen as a talent in itself. I understand the allure of image and of a good story, but I sometimes feel like it trumps the content. When I wrote Shameless I’d just been feeling so over how much bullshit style over substance there is to ‘making’ it in this business.”

Kodaline performs High Hopes Sweet acoustic performance by...

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:50:02 -0700

Kodaline performs High Hopes

Sweet acoustic performance by this Irish band of their latest single, my favourite performance of High Hopes that I’ve seen so far. Filmed in Dingle, Ireland for the most recent Other Voices music series.

Opposite by Biffy Clyro Greatness on the video front for the...

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:43:06 -0700

Opposite by Biffy Clyro

Greatness on the video front for the latest single off of the Opposites – one of the best albums out this year, for sure.

Lady, You Shot Me by Har Mar Superstar Absolute fabulousness...

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:03:00 -0700

Lady, You Shot Me by Har Mar Superstar

Absolute fabulousness by Har Mar Superstar. The new album Bye Bye 17 was released last month and every track is at least as fabulous as this here video. I did feature it as one of my fav releases of April, after all.

Hush Hush by The Pistol Annies I’ve always hated potluck...

Wed, 08 May 2013 05:43:19 -0700

Hush Hush by The Pistol Annies

I’ve always hated potluck dinners with a passion, but Hippie Annie flashes her fancy bloomers is this here video, so here’s the Annies’ latest video in your face! Maybe I wouldn’t despise potlucks so much if this was how they went down.

Annie Up!

What is SONGbiscuit 555? A little bit of banjo, a little bit of...

Tue, 07 May 2013 05:57:22 -0700

What is SONGbiscuit 555? A little bit of banjo, a little bit of soul, and a whole lotta blues & rock n’ roll!

In the spirit of the best radio programming I’ve heard, SONGbiscuit 555 is a continually curated Spotify playlist limited to 555 songs of amazing music. Learn more here and LISTEN!

Top Releases of April 2013

Fri, 03 May 2013 08:52:00 -0700

Although I typically check out about 50 to100 brand new albums every month (54 for April, to be...

When Brave Bird Saved by Laura Marling Stunningly beautiful...

Wed, 01 May 2013 06:22:47 -0700

When Brave Bird Saved by Laura Marling

Stunningly beautiful short film inspired and soundtracked by the first four tracks from Laura’s new album Once I Was an Eagle out at the end of May.

I hope you’ll take the time to watch. Trust me — it’s better than what you’ll see over the next 18 minutes in your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, tumblr, and Pinterest feeds combined.

Hard to Explain by The Riptide Movement Sweet new video by one...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:47:18 -0700

Hard to Explain by The Riptide Movement

Sweet new video by one of my favourite Irish rock bands. I would go into a long, deep synopsis about the storyline, but it’s too hard to explain ;-D

You and Me by Sara Watkins Lovely video for a wonderful live...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:42:22 -0700

You and Me by Sara Watkins

Lovely video for a wonderful live performance of You and Me from Sara’s Sun Midnight Sun album. Sadly you’re not likely to hear Sara’s fine music on very many radio stations, so I must recommend the album highly to you was among my favorite releases of 2012 after all.

Record Store Day 2013 The 20th of April marks the sixth...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:35:32 -0700

Record Store Day 2013

The 20th of April marks the sixth annual Record Store Day, and there are loads of special releases to encourage you to shop at local record stores instead of buying mp3s online or CDs from big box retail stores.

It’s important to note that Record Store Day isn’t just about vinyl. There are many special CD releases as well, and the purpose of the day is to support local record shops, not necessarily to support vinyl. However, if you don’t have a record player and/or would like to get a new one then be sure to check out the record players that I recommend in my musicSTORE that I personally curate on Amazon!

I’ve scanned the complete list of US releases and selected nine full-length vinyl LPs that I’m most interested in adding to my collection. The covers of the albums I’m interested in are shown above, with descriptions below.

Biffy Clyro – Black Chandelier | 7” single on black and clear splatter colored viny (Limited Edition of 2000)
The Black Keys / The Stooges – No Fun | 7” side-by-side single on orange burst colored viny (Limited Edition of 7000)
Gary Clark Jr – HWUL Raw Cuts, Vol. 2 | 12” single @ 45rpm (Limited Edition of 3000 - 1000 each in clear, white, & gold)
Hanni El Khatib – Skinny Little Girl / Pay No Mind | 7” single in hand screen printed cover (Limited Edition of 250)
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson – Rattlin Bones | 12” (Debut LP, 1st time on vinyl) (Limited Edition of 1000)
The White Stripes – Elephant | 10th anniversary reissue on black/red & white vinyl
Willy Mason & Brendan Benson – Upstairs At United, Vol. 7 | 12” EP @ 45rpm (Limited Edition of 5000)
Yonder Mountain String Band – self-titled debut album, 1st time on vinyl (Limited Edition of 1500)
The Zombies – The Zombies | re-issue of self-titled 1965 album on 12” vinyl

I should note that the releases above may or may not be available in countries outside of the US. There is a list of releases in Ireland and the UK as well, which likewise may or may not be available in other countries, as I’ve been lucky to find some Irish releases in my local stores in previous years. The selection is going to vary store-to-store anyway, regardless of country. Even if nothing on the lists grab your attention, I suggest heading to your local record store(s) to browse existing inventory of new and used records and CDs, and to enjoy the live entertainment that many stores will be providing. Support record stores. Support musicians.

Won’t You Agree by Jonny Rep Deadly tune by Jonny Rep...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:49:03 -0700

Won’t You Agree by Jonny Rep

Deadly tune by Jonny Rep from Cork, Ireland. Fun video with footage shot right here in Vegas. Filmed while on the bridge over Las Vegas Boulevard on the south side of Flamingo Road, it appears. Nice one.

Villagers perform Earthly Pleasure {Awayland} finally reached...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:14:05 -0700

Villagers perform Earthly Pleasure

{Awayland} finally reached this side of the Atlantic this week after being released in Europe back in January. It’s been great hearing various tracks getting radio airplay in the States on stations including OpenAir in Denver, The Current in Minnesota, and KCRW in LA, but I’m thrilled that now I can finally hear this whole album from one of my favourite Irish bands.

As I expected from Conor J. O’Brien’s unique songwriting and atypical rhythms driven by James Byrne on drums, the album is pure brilliance. Earthly Pleasure has emerged as my favourite track, and the video above depicts a wonderful live performance filmed in Dingle, Ireland during the 2012 edition of the Other Voices music series.

Scratching Circles by JD McPherson My favorite song from one...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:55:11 -0700

Scratching Circles by JD McPherson

My favorite song from one of my favorite albums of 2012. These guys also put on one of the most fun shows I’ve ever experienced — easily my favorite concert of over 50 that I saw last year. I’m excited for the new album for which recording is underway, but I’m even more excited about another tour.