2012 Discoveries

Last week i discovered a group of Italian guys, Il volo. Amazing voices.

Another:

Perfume Genius "Put Your Back N 2 It"

Don't let the title fool you, it's not a dance record. It's more a quiet, cloudy, atmospheric lofi singer/songwriter thing. I immediately thought of Antony & the Johnsons when I heard it, not just for the gender similarities but the tone and pace is very Antony like. Parts also remind me of Sufjan Stevens and Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse), both some of my favorite artists. I really like this record and will be headed off to buy his first in hopes it is similar. This is one of the better records I have heard in quite some time.

Picked up the First Aid Kit and have been listening all afternoon. Thanks for this great lead, Richard. Similarities to Neko Case and a little of Emmylou Harris. The tunes are great and I like the expansive silvery feel to the sound. I really like Neko but find it fatigueing for more than about 30mins and some songs seem to be fill ins with weak tunes in places. The Lion Roar does not do that to me.

Shoff, you're absolutely right. I should have said reviews of new releases. I do save all R2D4 issues and find them to be a great resource for exploring unfamiliar territory.

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to drink the First Aid Kit koolaid, after a few listens. I found them to be unnervingly like 60's folk-rock, say Peter Paul and Mary. IMHO, of course.

John