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Time for some Monday music straight from the inbox.

Listen:
Bookhouse Boys - "Dead" (mp3)

The Bookhouse Boys are a band of 9! Their album is being released on August 19, 2008. This music is very dark to me, definitely rage filled. Perhaps it is just this song though. They have a lot going on in their music. There is a very 60s feel to it and if it weren't for the alarmingly dark and deep vocals it would probably be pretty decent.

The nine:
PAUL VAN OESTREN - Vox, Guitar
CATHERINE TURNER - Vocals
CHRIS POLLARD - Guitar
ZACHARY CAIN - Stand Up Drums
WILLIAM EMMS - Bass
J.P. FELLOWS - Keys, Roll Ups
HEDDY KORACHI-ALAOUI - Drums
NATTY DEFRIEND - Trumpet
CHARLIE BERINGER -Trumpet

*~*~*

Caught In the Trees marks the dawn of a new era for Damien Jurado as he's taken a giant leap forward lyrically and there's no turning back. Best known for his dark yet fragile first person fictional tales, Jurado now unlocks the door and invites us into his own enigmatic world with an energy and intensity that is all-consuming. This album comes out on October 27, 2008 in the UK (which also happens to be my brothers 25th birthday.)

Listen:
Damien Jurado - "Gillian Was A Horse" (mp3)

*~*~*

David Vandervelde dropped out of the sky in early 2007 with the well-received indie classic The Moonstation House Band. That album more than lived up to its title's potential, providing a healthy slab of cosmic, primal rock boogie. While this debut was the product of Vandervelde being isolated in the studio, being allowed to follow his every musical whim, Waiting For The Sunrise is a product of a new sort of isolation and you'll find it in stores on August 5, 2008. After relocating from Chicago to Brooklyn, Vandervelde struggled to find his place in the new musical community. This seclusion led to most of the album being composed in his apartment on an acoustic guitar.

Listen:
David Vandervelde -"I Will Be Fine"

Labels: Damien Jurado, David Vandervelde, From The Inbox, The Bookhouse Boys

One would think revitalizing a log cabin in the Appalachian foothills would be a feat on its own, but for Marco Mahler it proved inspirational enough to also write music. He also became a husband and father during his time in the foothills and all of these changes heightened his creative passions.

Design in Quick Rotation is the title of his debut album and has been described as "music that captures the dawn of Sunday morning and embodies it through verse and song." With a release date of June 7, 2007 the album has been growing in popularity and as of last week is being played on 67 radio stations including The New York Times' radio station, WQXR.

With lofting, arching melodies over pop and folk structures you'll find his music refreshing and dreamy.

Listen:
Marco Mahler - "Standing Still Faster" (mp3)

Buy his music!

Labels: From The Inbox, Marco Mahler

On this fine Friday morning I took off from work because it is my little boy's 4th birthday. But still music calls me and the beats from the inbox this morning were far too perfect to leave hanging.

Introducing "Goodtimes Goodtimes" an indie folk band from the UK.

"GOODTIMES GOODTIMES throw these blues on the carnival bandstand and dance around them with a smile from ear to ear. A beautiful defiance of and lust for life."

The previous statement is from the band's MySpace page. You might speculate over whether or not it is a bit bias, but I have to admit it's pretty accurate.

I can seen how the tone of the guitar riffs could seem a bit bluesie at times, the vocals are far more Johnny Cash with their drawl. (Seems strange coming from someone from London Town). Though I wouldn't say the music is typical blues material I can say it reminds me of the "Jack and Diane" ages of Mellencamp. There is a wicked harmonica in their "Sunshine Sunshine" song. This music is far too light to be considered blues from my perspective. I'd say it would lift you out of your blues!

Francesco Cinelli you are a fantastic combination of Van Morrison and Tom Petty. I hope know one thinks that to be an unlikely collaboration, because this auditory tie-dye is brilliant. And the lyrics seem simple and profound at the same time.

Listen:
Goodtimes Goodtimes - "Sea Shanty" (mp3)

Buy the music at the Goodtimes Goodtimes MySpace page!

Labels: Friday, From The Inbox, goodtimes goodtimes

Since the sky poured it's heart out yesterday afternoon and night I decided to grab a track from the inbox that dealt with water. =o)

Seabear released their debut album, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, on September 9, 2007. Morr Music, their lovely label, says the album covers topics of "nature, mortality and love."

The group is from Iceland and they have an eclectic sound. Guitar, piano, violin, harmonica, lapsteel; you name it and you'll probably hear it floating around in their tracks. They like the LoFi feel (much to my dismay) so their album is reminiscent of the reduced stereo recordings of the '60s. I'm all for vintage, but when it comes to sound I'm just not in to the whole LoFi quality.

Take a listen:
Seabear - "I Sing I Swim" (mp3)

Labels: From The Inbox, Seabear

Coming to us from Switzerland is Division Kent.

The style of music Division Kent shares is electric pop dance music. The vocals are distant and airy, they music is well produced to add to the overall dreamlike quality. Their latest (and second) album is Gravity which their MySpace page beautifully defines on their MySpace page. The story is that the entire album is based and named off one particular track.

The new album is named after a track that turned into what it is by a series of coincidences and accidents: a beat flying into a frenzy; a voice that dives abruptly one night; two song sketches coming together.

Andrea B. & Sky Antinori have put together 11 tracks that send you on an auditory fantasy ride. A little bit Daft Punk in style, their music escapes the alternative indie feel to embrace something a bit more alive.

You have "L'Heure Bleue" which is the kind of music I would imagine in the background of my favorite anime shows. This track is so smooth it is almost hypnotically entrancing. And then there is synthesized and strings "She's Going Places" which is an intense and focused track; definitely dramatic.

Listen:
Division Kent - "L'Heure Bleue" (mp3)
Division Kent - "She's Going Places" (mp3)

Buy their music!

Labels: Division Kent, From The Inbox

Monday morning blues are the pits. Fortunately it is beautiful outside and I have a nice double window in my office. Blue sky days definitely help with a feeling down mood.

The latest artist that floated into my inbox is Beth Hirsch. Her hometown is Tampa Bay, Florida and she's been in the music business for ages but has recently released a solo album. Wholehearted is a relaxing album and reminds me a lot of some Tina Dico records I love. She also has a little bit of Neko Case flair to her sound.

Beth Hirsch creates expressive music that is both complex lyrically and musically. The entire album is filled with songs of texture and depth. It's great music for those days when you want to be lulled into a relaxing state of mind.

Pay attention to the trumpetist who is none other than Enzo Villaparedes (Earth, Wind & Fire) a very sweet addition to the production mix.

Listen:
Beth Hirsch - "Wholehearted" (mp3)
Beth Hirsch - "Idelibly You" (mp3)

Buy her music!

Labels: Beth Hirsch, From The Inbox

I'm going to start a new thing...I get new music e-mailed to me all the time. Sometimes I hear directly from bands, other times I hear from their fans. It's difficult to get to everything so I figure if I create a label for this then I'll be forced to focus on adding new bands at least a couple times each week.

To start please allow me to introduce you to "Red Collar" with a thank you to one of their devoted fans for tipping me off on their sound.

Led by front man and guitarist, Jason Kutchma, the band consists of Michael Jackson on guitar, Andrew Blass on keyboards, Beth Kutchma on bass, and Paul O'Keefe on drums. Michael, Andrew and Beth provide supporting vocals.

The band performed this past March at SXSW. Every review you read will tell you how energetic they are and really energetic isn't strong enough of a word. Even with a punk sound the inventive and insightful lyrics are not lost and add a fantastic depth to the overall music.

"Got your new ride, the company ride!
And oh boy you'll get your rhythm
But are you driving? Were you ever driving?
Or are you being driven?"

Don't go ahead thinking this music will me like other post punk bands, because there is an evident experimental twist to many of their tracks which hails to a unique flair that shouldn't go unnoticed. I'd have to say "Red Collar" has re-written the rule book on this genre.

Red Collar - "Hands Up" (mp3)
Red Collar - "Witching Hour" (mp3)

Labels: From The Inbox, Red Collar