Herculodge

Mayer Hawthorne Captures Retro Soul Sounds

Mayer Hawthorne grew up in Detroit. According to his MySpace bio, he loved the soul sounds of his youth. He captures them niceon his album A Strange Arrangement. I'm not just hearing the Detroit sound; I'm hearing the famous Philadelphia sound. I'm hearing Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and other greats. Nice job, Mr. Hawthorne. 

As I post this, his album is ranked number 394 on Amazon, not bad at all. As some reviewers have correctly stated, Hawthorne isn't trying to be funny or ironic with his treatment of retro soul. He loves soul and treats the music with passion and earnestness with good effect. 

I first heard one of the album's tracks on KJAZZ 88.1 a few nights ago and scribbled the song title in the margins of my New Yorker. Thank you, KJAZZ

The Clientele Release Their New Album Today: Bonfires on the Heath

Reliably, The Clientele have updated 1960s dream pop for the new century, providing nostalgic pangs in their mellifluous melodies. Their new album Bonfires on the Heath is one of their strongest. I'm even hearing some slow PInk Floyd-like songs on this one. 

The Personification of the Words Sultry and Languid: Hope Sandoval

Since leaving Mazzy Star many years ago, singer Hope Sandoval continues, including her new album Through the Devil Softly, to sing in her lilting, aching voice, which makes you succumb helplessly to her smoky indolence. Yes, I highly recommend the new album. 

Spiritual Cousins to Radiohead: Vib Gyor and Their Song "Ghosts"

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For Fans of Trashcan Sinatras: Try "Soviets" by Boxer Rebellion

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"Desert Raven" by Jonathan Wilson and Andy Cabic Best Pop Song I've Heard This Year of 2008

If you can get a password (I didn't bother; will wait for iTunes), check out Jonathan Wilson's Desert Raven,  a romantic, epic, psychedelic pop song that reminds me of Pink Floyd, the Decemberists, Jefferson Starship, and The Clientele all rolled into one. As of today, the song is not on iTunes or available on Amazon. Perhaps it's on his MySpace account if he has one.

I've heard the song only twice, but on Jonsey's Jukebox, 103.1 Indie Rock. I first heard the song around 12:20 P.M. on May 19, 2008.  The song sounded great on my kitchen radio, my Boston Acoustic Horizon Solo. When I went to my office to hear the rest of the music set on 103.1, I realized how mediocre my Eton Sound 100 is. I need to sell that radio and get something with a remote and great speaker.

The second time I heard "Desert Raven" was September 18, 2008, in my work office on a red Eton S350DL. I loved the song just as much on a repeated listening. The sad news: Four months after the first listening, the song is not available on iTunes. Nor does it appear to be on any upcoming album. Jonesy Boy seems to have exclusive ownership of this ecstatic song. Sheesh. 

If you can get a password (I didn't bother; will wait for iTunes), check out Jonathan Wilson's Desert Raven,  a romantic, epic, psychedelic pop song that reminds me of Pink Floyd, the Decemberists, Jefferson Starship, and The Clientele all rolled into one. As of today, the song is not on iTunes or available on Amazon. Perhaps it's on his MySpace account if he has one.

I've heard the song only twice, but on Jonsey's Jukebox, 103.1 Indie Rock. I first heard the song around 12:20 P.M. on May 19, 2008.  The song sounded great on my kitchen radio, my Boston Acoustic Horizon Solo. When I went to my office to hear the rest of the music set on 103.1, I realized how mediocre my Eton Sound 100 is. I need to sell that radio and get something with a remote and great speaker.

The second time I heard "Desert Raven" was September 18, 2008, in my work office on a red Eton S350DL. I loved the song just as much on a repeated listening. The sad news: Four months after the first listening, the song is not available on iTunes. Nor does it appear to be on any upcoming album. Jonesy Boy seems to have exclusive ownership of this ecstatic song. Sheesh. 

Dan Patrick Says Radiohead Is a Combination of Van Gough and Clayton Aiken

Coldplay has said that Radiohead is largely responsible for their success. I suppose Radiohead paved the way for Coldplay's brand of angst-ridden pop, and make a brand of music that must appeal to Dan Patrick. On his radio show today, Patrick, who said he is going to a Radiohead concert tonight, said that Radiohead is a fusion between Van Gough and American Idol's Clayton Aiken. 

Of course, he was joking, but I think the comparison is more apt for Coldplay whose music on their last two albums has become both obnoxious and insipid. Coldplay's deterioration is well analyzed by Sasha Frere-Jones in the current issue of the New Yorker. 

"Desert Raven" by Jonathan Wilson and Andy Cabic Best Pop Song I've Heard This Year of 2008

If you can get a password (I didn't bother; will wait for iTunes), check out Jonathan Wilson's Desert Raven,  a romantic, epic, psychedelic pop song that reminds me of Pink Floyd, the Decemberists, Jefferson Starship, and The Clientele all rolled into one. As of today, the song is not on iTunes or available on Amazon. Perhaps it's on his MySpace account if he has one.

I heard the song around 12:20 P.M. today on 103.1 FM. The song sounded great on my kitchen radio, my Boston Acoustic Horizon Solo. When I went to my office to hear the rest of the music set on 103.1, I realized how mediocre my Eton Sound 100 is. I need to sell that radio and get something with a remote and great speaker.

Maybe I Don't Need to Speak Brazilian to Know What Heaven Feels Like

Yeah, it's pretty heavenly, listening to Luiza and Zizi Possi sing "Haja O Que Houver." If I ever reach a point in my life where this song leaves me unmoved, I'll have to conclude that my flirtation with cynicism got the best of me.

For the song's translation, CLICK HERE.

Lush Romantic Dream Pop for Unapologetic Naval-Gazers

This is not a complete list of indie pastoral dream pop, the kind of music that makes you feel like you're picking daisies in the fields or recalling with nostalgia how you and your first girlfriend ran through a glade during a hazy rainfall, but it makes a good introduction:

1. Slowdive: Just for a Day, check out "Catch the Breeze."
2. The Clientele: Suburban Light, check out "Reflections After Jane."
3. The Clientele: A Fading Summer (EP), a must-have because of the single "Bicycles" (sorry no link).
4. Blueboy: Maro Polo, a must-have for "Love Yourself" (sorry no link)
5. Ronderlin: Wave Another Day Goodbye and The Great Investigation, check out "Three Times."
6. Lovejoy: Songs in the Key of Lovejoy. A must-have for "A Taste of the High Life" (sorry, no link).
7. The Innocence Mission: Glow, check out "Bright as Yellow."
8. The Innocence Mission: We Walked in Sky, check out "The Brotherhood of Man."