Emily Haines & the soft skeleton "KNIVES DON"T HAVE YOUR BACK

The stunning lead singer of the band metric has a solo album out. The record also features members of sparklehorse, metric and brocken social scene. I find it simple and beautiful. I find the piano has a repetitive stacatto effect and the vocals have a floaty etherial lilt. This record soothes me like a Valium and a shot of Stolinaya.
I find truth in her lyrics. Reminds me of a less creepy version of 12 rounds.

JON "SMOKE"

Recently I was asked to "expound upon the finer points of a little Japanese girl named Jon...", so without further ado, here it is in all its glory.
Outsider music has been and will be a experimental playground housing people who do not or will not play by the rules. Some of these performers have no idea that there are rules and some are just people trying to be weird for weirds sake. In the end I really don't know which one Jon falls into but I can tell you what I think about the album.
A japanese girl named Jon plays horrible organ and sings terrible songs about a dog. This is the record in essence. Many people will never be able to get past that.
But, let me pose you this question. Have you ever seen a child draw? Have you ever seen a child bang on a piano or sing a nonsense song? Have you seen the joy and bliss this pure form of self expression elicites in the child or the parent as well if they are not too tired or irritated. Well I have been the parent looking at that child with joy and amazement, at their pure joy and unbridled self expression before the rules closed down the world into this little box were things are done a certain way. Rules are fine and are needed for things like driving cars and building space stations but are they really needed in music? I say, no way in hell!
But hey, I long to look at the world with the wide eyed wonder of a child. The same joy I used to have before I became jaded and damaged. Just like the parent who finds joy in their childs terrible recital no matter what. Here, I don't know if I am looking for the innocent child I used to be or the adoring parent I will always be. But I can say one thing, when I hear this music, and music it is, it makes me smile, grimace, cringe and sometimes even brings tears to my eyes. It is bad and I love it. And I hope that other people can find that too. It as also a great record to play at parties just for the shock factor and I say that with a warning. If you do play it, you may find yourself forever explaining yourself. Perhaps better to keep this one a guilty secret.

Joanna Newsom "Ys"

The new album "Ys" (pronounced eees) by harp wunderkind Joanna Newsom is densly layered and complex, more storys than songs. The beautiful Cosmia clocks in at 7:17 and is the shortest track on the disc "Only Skin" is a staggering 16:53. The sheer power and beauty of her unique and child like voice, less obvious than on 2004's more accessible "The Milk-Eyed Mender ", hides a smoky maturity. Based around her harp, Van Dyke Parks provides the orchestral arrangments. At times I find this record to be difficult or at least hard to listen to. With its complete lack of traditional pop structure this record is not for casual listening. It requires big ears. Understand, I love this record (perhaps one of the most important records of 2006), but it is not for everyone. If you like your music meaty instead of the typical throwaway fluff, this record may be for you. I find it to be sheer bliss.

Ozric Tentacles "Arborescence

When you need a fix of some good old fashioned dirty hippie space jam prog rock goodness, a fresh load of the tasty "arborescence" always does the trick. I am not sure, but I don't think it matters if you are looking for innerspace or outerspace, here it seems not to make a difference.
Ozric Tentacles are and have been (this record is from 1994) at the front of the modern progressive movement.

Kramer "songs from the pink death"

"Songs from the pink death" is a wonderful record by Kramer, perhaps better known for his production talents (I believe he produced "bongwater" and "king missle"). Strange chanted vocals and droning guitars slowly infest your brain. Darkly morbid and humorous, this record actually has the ability to move me in strange ways. Standout tracks are Buddy Holly Will Never Die, Dont Come Around, It Never Stops Being Absurd, and the brilliant and humorous The Hot Dog Song.

Okkervil River "black sheep boy"

Okkervil River is an actual river in Russia as well as the title of a short story by Tatiana Tolstaya, the great grand niece of Leo Tolstoy. I will discus neither here since russian literature is someone elses forte. Okkervil River is also an amazing band from Texas. The impassioned voice of frontman Will Sheff always sounds to me to be right on the verge of breaking. Along with the remains of his soul. Sadness anger and melancholy drip from these songs. The stories woven here are brilliant, deadly and disfunctional. All held together by the beautiful decay of pump organ, mandolin and strings. I cannot define this stylisticly. literate rock emo freak alt folk or in otherwords beautiful. Maybe, americana murder ballad... personal favorites... the entire album.

nouvelle vague "nouvelle vague"

It is my understanding that nouvelle vague means both new wave and bossa nova... and that is what they present. New wave classics performed in a bossa nova style. Damn, I remember and love these songs. I also appreciate the fresh approach to them and the fact that they never allow them to degenerate into campy lounge versions. The girls all have beautiful voices that sooth the tortured soul. Personal highlights: "Love will tear us apart", "In a manner of speaking" "To drunk to fuck", and "Marian".

deadboy & the Elephantmen "we are night sky"

we are night sky is an excellent rock album. Starting with "stop I'm already dead" a simple driving rock song followed by the moody ballad "no rainbow" this record is a slow cooker. deftly pulling us back and forth, balancing between electric and acoustic. quality gut level rock & roll. personal highlights: "dressed up in smoke", "evil friend", and "what the stars have eaten."

added bonus is the fat possum records guarantee. If you don't like one of their records return it and they will refund your money.

Damian Rice "9"

9 is a solid second effort. Too many young musicians falter on the all to critical second record usually after achieving critical success. Here Damian remains confident and strong, at least musicaly. The songs gather momentum, building complexity and tension. For me there is a bittersweet resolution that hovers around this recording. I have resisted purchasing it for a some time but finaly gave in and ultimately I am glad that I did.

The record ranges back and forth from simple and beautiful to complexly layered pounding (me,my yoke and I). We are deftly led through a simply staggering series of emotions. It would be easy for me to get hung up in the beautiful melancholy that is to be found here and is repeated throughout the record but that would leave this record only partially experienced. From the opening piano to the ending singing bowl the effect is singular, a well of emotion.

personal favorites
The haunting "9 crimes" at once both beautiful and damaging. It begins with a simple piano line and lisa hannigans bright vocal. Damian follows darker on the second verse. Enter the strings, lofting us up to the beauty that only destruction can create. beauty and sadness, Immaculate.
The absolutely devastating "accidental babies" elicits tears I didnt know I still had.