Ray Lamontagne = Trouble

If I were uber-rich, I would pay Ray Lamontagne (pronounced Lay-mon-tane) to follow me through a golden wheat field at dawn while singing and playing his guitar. This folk-rock artist produces melodies that can be compared to Van Morrison’s more mellow songs. You know, the ones that make you want to nap under a willow tree.

Ray’s raspy but soft vocals go hand-in-hand with his lyrics, which are often romantic and about a woman. He has released three albums: Trouble, Till The Sun Turns Black and Gossip in the Grain. I personally enjoy all three, but it’s best to start with Trouble.

Some of his appeal comes from the fact that he is a very ordinary guy with a private life. Everyone can find something about Ray that they can relate to. For me, it’s reading Fantasy books in the forest. For you, it’s probably working in a shoe factory and having a violent, dead-beat father.

Enjoy!

http://drop.io/ailn7ff

Air's Talkie Walkie

Talkie Walkie is Air's second to newest album, and is classified as ambient electronica. I am by no means an electronica fan but nobody can deny Air. They are in my top favorite bands of all time, one of those that have stuck around on my playlists for the past 5 or so years.

How is Air different from other bands you listen to? Well, the most obvious difference is that the genius of the songs is displayed through a unique composition and song structure as opposed to a formulaic verse chorus structure that other artists often take advantage of. This band makes up their own patterns and follows the rules of pop music only when they want to. Some of my favorite air songs don't have any vocals. In fact when the band does use vocals, it is more as an instrument in the layering, and less as a spotlighted melody. That is why each song can be taken as an audio adventure that most times proves to be unpredicatable and shocking.

Is Air's music stoner music? It is certainly stereotyped as so. However no matter what state of mind you are in, this band will change your mood to fit there's. Check out the track 'Run' and you will get a taste of how Air dictates the listener's feelings, falling back in forth from eerie minors to heavenly majors. Download one of my all-time favorite albums right here:

http://drop.io/adznra4#

The Dodos' 'Visitor'

Who likes psychedelic folk rock? I do I do I do!

Visiter by the Dodos was one of my favorite albums this past year; truly a very worthwhile band to get into.

Highlights include: crazy rim shot drum parts, obscure vocal harmonies, and eerie lyrical themes. The album is unique in that it is strung together in a folky way by acoustic guitars, ukelele, and soft horns.

Check them out in Brooklyn at the NorthSide Festival, June 14.

Forget that hogwash on the radio. CHECK OUT THE DODOS INSTEAD. THE SWEET SWEET DODOS! Sorry, I am kind of tired and the brain isn't functioning properly. But seriously download the cd here:

http://drop.io/thedodoscd1523#
(first 13 tracks)

http://drop.io/thedodoslasttrack#
(last track)