Carl Hauck – Windjammer
So Chicagoan Carl Hauck’s Windjammer might just be (along with Laura Veirs’ July Flame) my favorite folk-ish release of the year. Delicate and layered folk music with gorgeous melodies, great guitar playing, and interesting accompaniments that include a Kenny G style saxophone part. Adding the sax is a bold move, but it’s there. Can you (Read more…)
Good Old War – Good Old War
So, yeah, Good Old War’s sophomore album (which is unironically titled Good Old War) is out now and something you might be into if you’re a fan of great vocal harmonies, playful melodies, and unobtrusive (but engaging) indie folk instrumentation. What that really means is that almost everyone I’ve played either Good Old War or (Read more…)
Matt & Kim – Sidewalks
It really took me a few listens to figure out how I felt about Sidewalks. I mean, Matt & Kim’s last album, Grand, was one of my favorites of last year, and for all it’s synthy indie-pop, there was still more than a wee bit of raucous punk attitude spilling from those tracks. Here, not (Read more…)
Laura Veirs – July Flame
Laura Veirs has long been one of my favorite female singer/songwriters and her latest album, July Flame, may be her best yet. It’s fragile, beautiful, daring, soothing, playful, and so damn good. It’s a little more straightforward than some of her previous material, but might be even more affecting because of it. Totally worth checking (Read more…)
Jonsi – Go
I’ve loved the Icelandic group Sigur Ros for quite some time now, but was skeptical just how good frontman Jonsi’s proper solo debut, Go would be. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Go is a skitteringly gorgeous album that wraps you up in melodies that could only come from Jonsi and his angelic vocal cords. (Read more…)
Frankel – Anonymity Is The New Fame
Note: This has been sitting in my draft posts folder since March so I figure I should post it now or forever hold my words, right? Frankel is pretty doggone good at what they do. The band’s classic melodies recall the pop of Simon & Garfunkel and the 1960’s filtered through something decidedly more modern. (Read more…)
Recess Monkey – The Final Funktier
Not that I’m a kid (even though I oftentimes act like one) but my favorite new kids music band is Recess Monkey (get it?) from Seattle, Washington. Their latest album The Final Funktier is super fun for kids (and grown ups) of all ages. From my perspective they sound like some awesome amalgam of Ben (Read more…)
Happy Belated Birthday… CYSTSFTS turns 5
As you’ve probably noticed, there has been a relative lack of posting here on Can You See the Sunset as of late, and (in general) a lack of posting since my second daughter was born a little over a year ago. Between the 4 year old kid #1 and the (now) 1 year old kid (Read more…)
Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Letting Up Despite Great Faults
Letting Up Despite Great Faults is a band from LA whose ethereal and hazy M83 flavored indie-electro-pop will whisk you off to somewhere far from here or wherever it is you are. The band’s self-titled album finds languid guitars melding with lush buzzing synths and airy breathy vocals, creating what some might call a less-pop (Read more…)
