From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V16 #829 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Wednesday, July 17 2013 Volume 16 : Number 829 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- more from 2013 [JoAnn Whetsell ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 00:21:23 -0400 From: JoAnn Whetsell Subject: more from 2013 I've been quiet lately, so time to jump in with thoughts on some of the new music I've been listening to this year. LIKES & LOVES Thea Gilmore - RegardlessAs good as everyone has been saying. Yes, it's glossier than if you go back and listen to her early albums, but I don't find that detracts at all from some really strong songs. Camille - Ilo LympiaLive CD/DVD. LOVE this. It was my introduction to Ilo Veyou, which I got later. Most of that album is represented here as are some older songs like "Paris" and "Ta Douleur." I love the energy. Not sure about availability; I picked this up in Paris. Sarah Blasko - I AwakeAnother fabulous album from Sarah Blasko. They're all a little different. This one I can't quite finger yet (I think that's true of all of them) but I love it. Not sure if it's been released in the US yet. Hem - Departure & FarewellAnother really lovely album from this group. The album was intended as a farewell to fans as the band was having problems and was going to break up. Instead it's become a renewal. Laura Marling - Once I Was an EagleI'm not going to so much disagree with Adam as say that I have a different reaction to Laura Marling. Her first album is my least favorite, and I really like I Speak Because I Can, her second, and her new one. I think it's just a matter of taste. Laura smolders, ratcheting up the intensity, but never quite fully letting loose. Some people like that; others not so much. If you like her later albums, you will probably like Once I Was an Eagle, which is in the same vein. The first half of the album showcases clear Indian influences, most likely developed when she worked with The Dharohar Project and Mumford & Sons on a 2010 EP. Theres also flamenco influence in Little Love Caster. I love hearing her stretch herself like this. Maybe a song or two could have been cut, but overall it's brilliant. Steve Martin & Edie Brickell - Love Has Come for YouBluegrass pop, old-timey yet contemporary. I really, really love this album. Melissa Ferrick - The Truth IsAfter some so-so albums Melissa has hit her stride again and is now 2 for 2 with great releases (following the excellent Still Right Here). Eleanor Friedberger - Personal RecordAnother album with a retro feel. One song particularly recalls Hall & Oates. I don't like this quite as much as her debut, Last Summer, but I like it more than enough to recommend it. Daughter - If You LeaveSomeone else mentioned Daughter's debut full-length album. It's great, as are their 2 EPs. I always think they'll be liked by people who like Beth Orton, even though I don't hear Beth Orton at all when I listen to them. That's not much of a review, I know. They're kind of shoegaze, the dreamy side of electronica. Junip - JunipNot as good as Fields, but still good. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the CityAgain, probably not as good as Contra, but there's a lot on here to love. VW took me a while to get into. I read about them when Contra came out, and thought I would love them based on the reviews. But it didn't click. When Angelique Kidjo duetted with Ezra Koenig on "I Think Ur a Contra" on her live album, I loved the song so much I checked out VW again and got to really like them. DISAPPOINTMENTS & NOT SURE ABOUTSCamera Obscura - Desire LinesHere mostly because I haven't gotten a chance to really listen to it yet. Sigur Ros - KveikurAgain, haven't really listened to this yet either. Not sure why. Dido - Girl Who Got AwayHaven't listened to this much either, but that's because I found it difficult to get through the first few times (did I ever get all the way through it?). It's more in the vein of her first 2 albums, which is promising, but it doesn't really work. It's just kind of uninteresting and there's some bad rap. Austra - OlympiaThis hasn't gotten enough attention yet either, and I'm hoping it will connect as I LOVED Austra's debut and Katie Stelmanis' solo album. This one is really... electronic? dance? It just feels really different to me. Patty Griffin - American KidWhen I listen to it I find it okay, even good at times. But it almost never calls me to listen to it. I think this will end up down there with Children Running Through, which I rarely listen to or even remember. Curious as to other people's thoughts, especially on the albums I haven't yet connected with. Also for other highlights of the year. I checked out Saltland based on someone's (Neile?) recommendation and will probably pick that up soon. Take care everyone.JoAnn ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V16 #829 ***************************