Thom Stone is a scruffy haired English singer/songwriter who sings slow burning, acoustic folk-like music. His voice is unique and — on new EP Hearts and Bones — often accompanied by a haunting humming. Now without his backing band, this new offering is raw, acoustic and impressive.
Best Of: Daniel Johnston – Welcome to my World
Being a fan of Daniel Johnston can sometimes be both an enjoyable yet uncomfortable experience. On the one hand there is his honest, childish yet emotional pop music with clever lyrics dealing with love, life and everything in between but on the other there is the knowledge that you’re listening to someone struggling with a severe mental illness and can beg the question ‘am I a voyeur into a world that I can never understand and is it okay to be here and enjoy it?’
Album: The Dodos – Time to Die
There are some astounding duo acts out there, and The Dodos’ 2008 album Visiter easily set them apart from the rest. This year’s Time To Die does not disappoint and sees the duo become a trio, introducing vibraphonist Keaton Snyder into the mix with exciting consequences.
Album: Dust Poets – World At Large
Murray Evans really needs a redneck drawl, a proper Bible-belt country style voice, because it would really fit a lot of the songs on World At Large. Having the voice would definitely do something for the album, which otherwise is a little lacking. Evans puts on a fairly good redneck impression on the track ‘Codeine Dreams’ and it improves (perhaps that’s not the word I want – affirms?) it greatly.
Album: The Cave Singers – Welcome Joy
There is something rather comforting to this album, an almost homely feel to the slightly country influenced brand of folk that The Cave Singers create. Perhaps it’s the acoustic simplicity that gives this air of unassuming naïvety to the album, or perhaps it’s the hint of a croak in lead singer Pete Quirk’s voice; either way the music is trustworthy.
Album: Theoretical Girl – Divided
When I looked up Theoretical Girl, (AKA Amy Turnridge), on wikipedia they described her music as Chamber pop- an odd explanation, but probably the most accurate! My description would go more like this: ‘50’s style romantic pop mixed with folk, electro and angst’. On the whole the album is sweet and full of catchy chorus’ that come off as innocent pop. However, after a closer listen you realise Amy isn’t all sweetness and light. When you really listen to the lyrics you hear lines such as “You’re the biggest mistake I ever made”…. “I should have loved you more”….. and “My love is unrequited” – suddenly she isn’t this little girl with cute ditties and romantic tales- she’s you and me.