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The Court & Spark

Sunday, August 27th, 2006 by Paul Irish

alt-folk // country space rock

The time of 60’s folk-revival shamanism may be long past, but its embodying awe of life in untapped American places carries on in the wise, mellow songs of The Court & Spark. The titular homage to Joni Mitchell speaks for itself, bringing to mind mature melodic landscapes lush with histories both cloaked and unraveled. Among the eclectic collection populating Absolutely Kosher Records, this band is by far the most creative; their mix-and-match combo of gently accented vocals, bells, tape noises, horns, slide guitar, and everything inbetween sure sounds great on balmy summer evenings.

Vocals like buttermilk biscuits.
The Court and Spark - Suffolk Down Upon the Night
The Court and Spark - Your Mother Was the Lightning

Post contributed by Natalia
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Porcupine Tree

Wednesday, March 8th, 2006 by Paul Irish

acoustic art rock // post-rock

Samples of the videotape from the leader of the famed Heaven’s Gate cult is not something you’d expect to hear in a rock song. But this song (with the extraordinarily long song title) strikes you as something entirely new but yet simultaneously recognizable. The lead melody, introduced by the deliberate guitar work and continued by vocalist Steven Wilson, feels timeless in its familiarity. This track knows time and treats it masterfully–strolling patiently but then hop-scotching around your ears with a dynamic arrangement. Now, I rarely repeat songs immediately, but here it’s a neccesity. [Thx to Jason]
Taking as long as it needs to transfix your ears.

Porcupine Tree - Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled
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The Ark

Wednesday, February 15th, 2006 by Paul Irish

swedish glam-rock

During last year’s South By Southwest festival, hipsters heading down 6th Street on their way to the Bloc Party show were stopped when passing by a closet of a club called The Drink. Inside the giant sidewalk window, leadman Ola Salo was jumping from amp to ceiling light to drum set, while his band was pumping out firey glam rock action. Now, typically music with electric guitars and drums doesn’t strike my fancy, but The Ark definitely forces the volume knob up. ‘Rock City Wankers’ perfectly showcases their ability to instantly spawn a party with their vibrant attitude.
Dynamic rock that makes it impossible to stand still.

The Ark - Rock City Wankers
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Arctic Monkeys

Tuesday, October 4th, 2005 by Paul Irish

british indie rock

This Sheffield four-man rock group has a large devoted following in Britain and their sound is slowly encroaching on the American music elite. Nearly all the tastemakers in this Guardian piece and KCRW’s illuminatae Nic Harcourt are feeling their sound. The Arctic Monkey’s music is likened to the Libertines and The Jam, and the boys themselves enjoy Roots Manuva and Pharaoh Monch. But don’t be mistaken, their music is straight-up rock and many expect them to be the Next Big Thing. You decide.
Shithot indie rock, witty lyrics and a dash of modesty.

Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance
Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales Of San Francisco
Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (14mb video)
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Song: Wonderwall

Tuesday, June 14th, 2005 by Paul Irish

pop-rock -> somber indie -> big-band swing

The most satisfying covers are those that transform the song into a completely new setting. Today, you’re getting two unique covers of the Oasis classic ‘Wonderwall’, easily my favorite track from the Gallagher brothers. Ryan Adams (who’s coming out with two more albums this year) presents a slow but deliberate guitar and reverbed vocal track. From the subtle voice crack to fingertip-string treble to his emotional howling, Ryan’s cover emotes a clear and true representation of the song’s meaning. On the complete and opposite side of things, Paul Anka’s take, from Rock Swings, is a glitzy big-band version with spot-on vocals and instrumentation. The arrangements are well done – not sleazy covers like Richard Cheese.
One version subdued and sincere. The other bright and boiling.

Ryan Adams - Wonderwall
Paul Anka - Wonderwall
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