The Lumineers -
{self titled album}
Realeased: April 3, 2012
Based out of Denver, Colorado The Lumineers shared with us their debut album this past year. As expressed by the band they are "not trying to reinvent the wheel", their simplicity is their majesty.
The Lumineers are this indie roots rock band creating beautiful Americana style music. Their premier album is full of expected hand clapping, acoustic guitar, picking, scratching, violin and piano. The Lumineers play predominantly upbeat jaunty songs that are both easy to sing along with and relate to. Their progression is not unlike a softer Mumford and Sons. Their harmony is not unlike The Head and the Heart. The vocals are not unlike a tuned up Bob Dylan.
Among the lovelorn songs 'Flowers in Your Hair', 'Classy Girls', 'Submarines' and 'Ho Hey' exemplify the groups upbeat, folk revival knack. However, The Lumineers show off their full potential on tracks like 'Stubborn Love' and 'Slow it Down'. On both tracks the band unravels their talent so organically. 'Slow it Down' conveys a deep, overbearing sadness.
The Lumineers are not a band who writes songs about "what ifs". The Lumineers' lyricism is raw. Understanding the full truth behind each song is heart-wrenching.
I find myself rooting for this group. Genuinely hoping that there is so much more to come from them. This kind of indie roots rock in particular folk fashion is seemingly overdone right now. The Lumineers are among few who do it right.
Dr. John -
Locked Down
Released: April 3, 2012
I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Dr. John's particular flavor of New Orleans jazz combine with Dan Auerbach blues aptitude at Bonnaroo in 2011. Watching the pair on stage I remember thinking to myself "brilliant". I did not realize that less than one year after that thought Dr. John would release an album called Locked Down, and that album would be produced by Dan Auerbach. Brilliant.
On Locked Down Auerbach and the Doctor hone in on that New Orleans southern fried sound and pump it with thick grit and blues. Thus creating a funky new nostalgia sound. Despite sounding like a grumpy old man, Dr. John attempts to express some of the fire burning in him due to flawed social systems - in relation to Katrina.
Locked Down is not intended to be a comeback album. Without having that pressure left room for Auerbach and Dr. John to relax and lay down what they knew. The album is more deep than expected. Dr. John is 71. He has been around too long having too much success to have any interest in trying to prove to anyone his knack. He rather, took his years of acquired musical wisdom, and gruff old man voice to fabricate a genre adapting work of greatness.
Of Monsters and Men -
My Head is an Animal
Released: April 3, 2012
Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone said it best: "This Icelandic six piece pull off a neat trick: They make whimsical sound tough".
I wish I said that first because that is exactly how I feel about Of Monsters and Men. I put off listening to them because I thought they were overhyped and for lack of a better word, seemed "dinky". As a fan of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, I assumed, based on hearsay that OMAM would just be some cheap knock off. I am so pleased to be disproved.
My Head is an Animal is a lovely album. First listen gives you the option to make full judgement. Of Monsters and Men's indie-pop outfit is seemingly demure, innocent and simple. When you least expect it to happen the Icelandic group delivers the required punch needed to complete their enterprise.
Of Monsters and Men no doubt have room to grow, like any musician, especially new musician. But I sincerely feel they are on the right track. Creating more pretty, light songs with a fire behind them will no doubt lead them to even greater success.
