The Wheel's Still In Spin

Best Albums of February 2009

1. Clem Snide – Hungry Bird | CD MP3
   Download “Me No” (mp3)
   This album was originally recorded in 2006. As the story goes, the band broke up after writing and recording it. But Eef Barzelay, after releasing two solo albums, has re-formed the band and finally allowed this hidden gem to be unleashed. Barzelay’s voice has a tonal quality reminiscent of John Darnielle but the music is full of lush and beautiful arrangements. The songs are fairly candid, but with a hint of convolution. Thank God the album was finally released from the shelf!



2. M. Ward – Hold Time | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Never Had Nobody Like You” (mp3)
   After five solo albums and his She & Him project with Zooey Deschanel, M. Ward has issued Hold Time. Ward has the extraordinary ability to build and improve his sound with each release while keeping the retro quality and recognizability of his folk-rock intact. Hold Time is another successful step in the progression of M. Ward’s career.



3. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart – The Pains of Being Pure At Heart | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Come Saturday” (mp3)
   Download “Everything with You” (mp3)
   This band puts together fuzzed out pieces of pop music. These are mostly three-minute guitar driven songs with catchy melodies and an upbeat uproar. It is an impressive debut.



4. Heartless Bastards – The Mountain | CD MP3
   Download “The Mountain” (mp3)
   On this album, Erika Wennerstrom finds herself leading a new group of musicians. The original three-piece band broke up after two albums and nearly four years of touring. Relocating to Austin, TX, and working with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead), Wennerstrom is now back with her first batch of songs since 2006’s All This Time. The Mountain keeps the same bombastic blues rock sound as the band’s past releases, but carries more density.



5. Andy Wagner – Those Who Forgive [EP] | FREE download of entire album from Rock Proper
   Download “Sending My Love” (mp3)
   For his third, Andy Wagner is given the Rock Proper treatment. The album is available as a free download from new music distribution website. Those Who Forgive is an alt country album recorded at Jay Bennett’s Pieholden Suite Sound studio. So, yes, it has a sound similar to the better days of Wilco, but most like Jay Farrar.

Best Albums of January 2009

I've slipped on keeping up to date on the monthly list of best new albums. I'll start getting caught up with this post of The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s list of the best new releases of January 2009.

1. Coconut Records – Davy | CD MP3
   Download “Microphone” (mp3)
   In 2007, the actor and former Phantom Planet drummer Jason Schwartzman released his first solo album under the band name of Coconut Records. He has followed that up with Davy. The ten songs that make up this release have a decided indie pop sound with layers and mixing peppered with Beatles influences.



2. Otis Gibbs – Grandpa Walked the Picket Line | CD MP3
   Download “Caroline” (mp3)
   This album is a batch of acoustic based songs led by Gibb’s poignantly raspy voice. Following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and Billy Bragg, these songs chronicle the lives of individuals and groups. The subject matter deals with struggles and dreams, regrets and rambles, civil disobedience and unions.



3. The Cotton Jones Basket Ride – Paranoid Cocoon | CD Vinyl MP3
   Download “Gotta Cheer Up” (mp3)
   This band has a soulful and seraphic sound with vocal pairing of its two members, Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw. The music is rooted in soothing folk rock with hints of psychedelic influences. The production and added reverb make the songs feel as though they were recorded in a celestial garage.



4. Myka9 – 1969 | CD MP3
   Download “Inner Knowing” (mp3)
   Myka9 has a melodic, fast paced rapping style with a phrasing that makes for a seamless flow. The backing tracks are full of jazz and soul instrumentations with horns, organs, staccato guitars, and uprights bass.



5. Evening Magazine – The Ride Across Lake Constance [EP] | MP3
   Download “Apple Eye” (mp3)
   Download “Eddie” (mp3)
   This debut EP, which was digitally released, has a multi-layered pop sound. With horns, keyboards, guitars, and prudent percussion, the album has an omnisciently distinctive quality. It may only consist of 5 songs, but each one is well developed and superbly produced.