Ben Kweller

Do you know of musicians that you THINK you like, just for the tiny detail that you actually never have heard any of their music? Well, that was how I felt about American singer-songwriter Ben Kweller. I have bumped into his name lots of times through the last couple of years but it was not until the other day that I finally could be arsed to listening to the guy.

Last week he released his fourth album, simply called "Ben Kweller". This was a suitable occation to give him a chance. And - as you really ought to have guessed by now - a really liked his simple, enjoyable and a bit naive songs. So here's a chance for other Kweller-analphabetics (old acquaintances can listen in too):

Ben Kweller - Nothing Happening

Ben Kweller - Penny On The Train Track

Some of his older songs:

Ben Kweller - Sha Sha

Ben Kweller - I Need You Back

Phantom of the Opera

Yesterday PJ Harvey played a brilliant solo concert in the Royal Danish Opera. Without doubt one of the most original female rock-artists of her generation. Definitly the coolest. Here is a couple of treats..

Pj Harvey - Sheela Na Gig acoustic
Pj Harvey - Oh my lover acoustic

A freind called Björk more interesting. I disagree. Here's the combination...

The Mendoza Line, Athens mp3

Athens, Georgia band The Mendoza Line just dropped into my ears today. They are worth mentioning for their unprententious singersongwriting, which on their soon-to-be-released-in-the-UK album "Full of Light and Full of Fire" is stired with the prettiest protest songs. It's their seventh album and it's in the folk/country tradition sharing a common love of Dylan and Costello.

The topics are quite heavy; the spiritually and economically disenfranchised, the isolated and ruined, those who are lost or are simply trying to disappear. But don't despair, singer Shannon Mary McArdle does a fine job.

It's a small release but it's done with a light hand, so please step forward. It's great!

The Mendoza Line - Mysterious in Black (mp3)(Full of light... 2006)
The Mendoza Line - Catch a Collapsing Star (mp3)(Full of light... 2006)

The Mendoza Line - It's a Long Line (mp3) (Fortune, 2004)
The Mendoza Line - Let's not Talk About It (mp3) (Fortune, 2004)

Whitest Boy Alive - Live in Vega

The Whitest Boy Alive played Vega yesterday. The dorky Erlend Oye, which reminds me of a young Bill Gates, was pretty awsome.
Indielaundry-mate Arnar visited from Reykjavík and was pleased as well, even though he thought better of the Hot Chip-concert at the same venue friday.

The band played a remake of Snap's "I've Got The Power" and their version of Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You" was awesome as well. Brilliant synthezizer-electro pop.

The lousy picture on this entry is a mobile shot of Erlend Oye, one meter from me... He crowdsurfed from the stage to the back of the hall and back again. The audience liked it, and the band had the energy as well. Nice sunday.

The Whitest Boy Alive - Inflation (mov)
The Whitest Boy Alive - Burning (mp3)

Phelan Sheppard - Harps Old Master - mp3

I've never heard about Phelan Sheppard, but the minutes with he and his lush tunes was good spend this sunday. He is doing this ambient-electronic-folksy music and has a new album out on The Leaf Label.
It's kind of melancholy and emotional and has contribution from Boston folk band Willard Grant Conspiracy. All in all interessting work.
Read on and buy the album on PostEverything

Phelan Sheppard - Parachute Seeds
Phelan Sheppard - weaving song

Rutledge news

Alt. country wonderboy Justin Rutledge will in three weeks release 'The Devil On A Bench In Stanley Park' - the follow-up to his masterpiece-debut, 'No Never Alone'.
Stream a new song on his website here

Song of the year?

I did not know I was a Frank Black fan, but... I am! I just got his latest album. His double album Fast man/Raider Man is excellent. It is updated and rockin Van Morrison-inspired rock'n'roll. Great song upon great song - with a charming classic americana feel. Especially the song Elijah is my best bid on the song of the year so far. Try it!

Elijah mp3
Fast Man mp3

Yo La Tengo and Bonnie Prince Billy mp3

Yo La Tengo is about to release "I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass" and the enigmatic Bonnie 'Prince' Billy "The Letting Go".

While the Yo La Tengo album seem to be bit of a bold, eclectic, 80-minute album, the Bonnie-album is just plain enchanting. It may well be his loveliest.
The album is series of meditations and tone poems on love and mortality. Folksy singer Dawn McCarthy is supporting Billy's tremulous expression, which is kind of stream-of-consciousness lyricism.

The Yo-La's has also put music on the soundtrack for the roadmovie "Old Joy".which features Will Oldham aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. So the connection is there.

Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo - "Beanbag Chair" (MP3)
Yo La Tengo - "Sometimes I Don't Get You" (MP3)
Yo La Tengo - "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind" (MP3)
New Bonnie-songs
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "Cursed Sleep" (MP3)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "No bad news" (MP3)
Older Bonnie-songs (thx. Daytrotter)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "The Seedling" (MP3)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "Goodbye Dear Old Stepstone" (MP3)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "The Sun Highlights the Lack in Each" (MP3)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "The Sun Highlights the Lack in Each" (MP3)
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "New Partner" (MP3)

Nørlund meets Van Zandt

Danish indie-godfather Nikolaj Nørlund has released a cover-album with Townes van Zandt songs, with his band Rhonda Harris. I can only be a good experience and a even better way to get to know the work of Van Zandt.
Marie - mp3

What a night...

Still celebrating that Ryan Adams will bless Copenhagen with a visit the 10th of October, I just found out that Neal Casal (who has also played the guitar for Ryan) will support him. I guy who Allmusic calls a reincarnation of Gram Parson. Oh my, that night's gonna be the climax of my life. Get a taste..
Freeway To The Canyon - mp3
Grand Island - mp3