Month: December 2015

Great Album: Rayland Baxter – Imaginary Man

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

“There’s a paper clip resting on my countertop/Sunday morning, I forgot what it’s like to lose a friend,”
– Yellow Eyes

Rayland Baxter released his second album, Imaginary Man, in August 2015. It’s a melancholic journey into sun-drenched stories, stories that are often sad, but feels comforting at the same time. Sometimes it’s ok to embrace the sadness. I saw him in Oslo last summer, he did a very fine set and the photos in this post are from that event.

This album is a big step forward for Rayland Baxter, we look forward following him in the future. He stays true to his roots but finds a way to remain relevant. A very fine record.

Continue reading “Great Album: Rayland Baxter – Imaginary Man” →

Great Album: Noah Gundersen – Carry the Ghost

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

“There’s this real ragged edge to that [Neil Young’s Tonight’s the night album], like everything’s going to fall apart… I wouldn’t say my record is anywhere near as extreme as that, but we wanted to capture a sense of uncertainty – and have this sonic, raw edge to it.”
– Noah Gundersen

Carry the Ghost is the second studio album by American singer/songwriter Noah Gundersen. It was released by Dualtone Records on August 21, 2015.

Continue reading “Great Album: Noah Gundersen – Carry the Ghost” →

Great Album: Aaron Lee Tasjan – In The Blazes

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

“I have to make fun of me, I can’t take it seriously. I mean, I take the making-up-songs part and the playing-and-singing-and-doing-a-good-show part seriously, but everything else, I don’t have it in me. … I really care a lot about music, but I just choose not to present myself that way.”
– Aaron Lee Tasjan (Nashville Scene)

“Tasjan’s words are soaked in spilled whiskey, misunderstood tears and dusty memories. Each number seeps into the cracks of your troubled soul.”
– Garret Woodward (Smoky Mountain News)

Aaron Lee Tasjan has, without a doubt,  made this year’s best debut album!
– Jan Eiesland (Dust of Daylight)

 

Continue reading “Great Album: Aaron Lee Tasjan – In The Blazes” →

Great Album: Dawes – All Your favorite Bands

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

“I’m getting on the freeway/Your jacket’s in my car/Your ashes in my ashtray/And I’m there with you, wherever you are.”
– Don’t send me away

All Your Favorite Bands is the fourth studio album by American band Dawes, released on June 2, 2015
Like many well written, thought out and performed albums, All Your Favorite Bands takes a few listens to really appreciate.

Continue reading “Great Album: Dawes – All Your favorite Bands” →

Great Album: Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material

Posted on by Egil Mosbron

Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material 2

“It’s funny that doing things your way and not conforming makes you an outlaw or a rebel,” she adds. “But if that’s the stamp that you get, then maybe that’s a good one. …
I had so much fun creating this record and wanted to convey a classic, even tone throughout the whole thing, I hope the live spirit we wanted to capture came across.”
~Kacey Musgraves (radio.com interview)

At its core, Pageant Material is about how you never quite escape small-town struggles with family, neighbors and old flames, even after your big break. Last time out she sang “If I can’t bring you to my house / I’ll bring my house to you.” On her excellent second album, she brings us the whole block.
~Brennan Carley (spin.com)

Biscuits:

Continue reading “Great Album: Kacey Musgraves – Pageant Material” →

Great Album: Kamasi Washington – The Epic

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Kamasi Washington’s masterwork The Epic shows us an incisive saxophonist who has performed with jazz greats Gerald Wilson and Herbie Hancock but is better known for his work with Steven Ellison aka Flying Lotus (grand-nephew of Alice Coltrane); rising Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar and bass player Steven Bruner aka Thundercat.

This is the best Jazz album of 2015 in my book. Big, sprawling and, yes, epic. Impressive musicianship all around. Full of surprising turns, inventive ideas and very fun to listen to. It’s been a long time since I got this excited about a jazz album.

Continue reading “Great Album: Kamasi Washington – The Epic” →