Laura Marling is named #1 on NME annual cool list

Laura Marling is an artist that I am still getting familiar with, but am looking forward to the listen. NME, the UK music magazine, has just named her the #1 Cool musician of the moment. She beat out other cool acts such as Janelle Monae, Best Coast and even Kanye West. Laura released albums in 2008 and 2010. She has been labeled as Nu-folk. She is barely 20 but already getting tons of press and praise from critics. Her voice has a depth and age to it that is far beyond her years. This is one of those artists that I will need to double back and take a listen, because if NME says she is #1, then their must be something good there. Here is track from her latest album, Rambling Man.

The Secret Sisters, The newest old Country

The Secret Sisters are two actual siblings from Alabama. Laura and Lydia Rogers are "old school" Country artists, no 'alt-' label here. These sisters are channeling Loretta Lynn, The Carter Family as well as some touches of soul music like Mickey and Sylvia. Their debut album is produced by T Bone Burnett and they have already cut a 7 inch with Jack White for Third Man Records. Their beautiful harmonizing voices have everyone noticing. The Sisters next step will be opening on tour for legends such as Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. Google their website, look up the tour dates and don't miss these two. Their tour is focused on the South, which is sad for us Northerners. Here is a taste of the Sisters talking about the making of their album and samples of the few of the tracks. This is the best classic Country I'ver heard in a long time!

More Portishead please

I know it will be 10 years before we see a new Portishead album, but hopefully not. They were on my mind today, so I thought I would post this great song from the second album. Portishead is one of those bands that every song on every album is just good.

I miss Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto were one of my favorite indie bands of the 90's. They had two solid full length albums, Viva La Woman and Stereo Type A. Cibo Matto was Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori. The group broke up after the second album, but both went on to do great things. Miho went on to form a brazilian music band with a friend titled Smokey and Miho and then also was Noodle on the first Gorillaz album. She also has since put out solo work. Yuka went on to do solo work as well. Here is a clip of them talking about their work.

Cat Power will have a new record in 2011

Cat Power will release a new record in 2011. This one is going to be a return to form for Chan Marshall. She has recently said that she is planning on playing all the instruments on the new album. Her last album of original work was in 2006 with The Greatest. This was the beginning of will most likely be known as her Memphis phase. Both the original album The Greatest and her follow up of covers Jukebox, were blues bases with the Memphis blues sound. Very Dusty Springfield. In honor of Chan returning to her singer/songwriter/musician roots, here is the classic Nude As The News.

New album for PJ Harvey in Spring/Listen to new songs

PJ Harvey has been hard at work on a new album to be released in Spring 2011. Mick Harvey said on myspace that it could be here as soon as February. I have dug up a couple Youtube clips of at least two new songs that she performed last year. The first one, Let England Shake is a little wacky with samples and auto harp. The second song seems to have some great potential. I love PJ, all her releases are at little, interesting and at most, amazing! My favorite albums by her are To Bring You My Love and Is This Desire, by far her two darkest works. I loved the last album, White Chalk, due to its eerie Victorian influence. I am anxious for the new album and see what new direction she is taking, no two albums are ever alike. PJ has already announced European tour dates for early next year too. Hopefully some US dates will soon follow.

Check out the two new clips:

Let England Shake:

The Last Living Rose:

2011 Tour dates:

*All tickets sales begin at 9am on Friday, October 15

February 18 - Brussels, Cirque Royale
Tel: +32 34 0000 34 or www.livenation.be

February 21 - Berlin, Admiralspalast
Tel: +49 1805 853 653 or www.fkpscorpio.com

February 24 - Paris, Olympia
Tel: +33 1 41 57 32 28 or www.rodrigue.fr

February 27 - London, Troxy
Tel: 0871 230 0010 / 020 7734 8932 / 0844 811 0051 or www.gigsandtours.com

*The 27th has sold out but a 2nd show on the 28th has been added!

I finally like Black Mountain

Many, many of my friends love Black Mountain. It seems everyone has seen them live and everyone talks about how they are one of their favorite bands. Well, I always thought they were OK, but did not really take a good listen. I just figured they were a really great 60/70's, psychedelic throwback band and well, that's never really been my thing. I was wrong. Listening to the new album Wilderness Heart has made me a believer in the driving, heavy metal, but also often earthy and bluesy sound. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm a sucker for a strong female voice and Amber Webber is pretty awesome. Her vocals layered with lead singer Stephen McBean, its pretty much a 1-2 punch. Some of my favorites on this new album are The Hair Song, Buried by the Blues, Sadie and title track Wilderness Heart. So, even if you were like me and was not convinced with their first two albums, do yourself a favor and listen to this new amazing album. You might change your mind too. Here is a video from the new album, its for the single The Hair Song.