Sing to Me Slower

Kadman

(SLOBOR Media)

With audibly noticeable influences like Low and Iron & Wine, Kadman’s debut album carves a comfortable niche in America’s neo-folk, sadcore sound. Front man David Manchester blends his straight-tone, almost Eddie Veder-like vocals with his forlorn strums and sincere soloing. Meanwhile percussionist Matt Smith provides the beautifully simplistic backbone along with Mitch Manchester’s subdued chord outlining on the bass. Sing to Me Slower is the kind of album one can put on after a bad break up or a triumphant presentation at the office to chill and reflect. Lugubrious yet satisfying.  Kadman hopes to return to the studio later this year with new members James Bahleda on bass and drummer Frank Corl.

Sing to Me Slower is available on iTunes, Amazon.com, eMusic.com, Rhapsody.com, and is also available via Paypal directly through their website

Hear them: Kadman’s Myspace page.

Originally published: Feb. 10, 2009

Reminiscent of the Strokes’ early days, Spoon, or even Weezer, Swiss band Choo Choo harnesses the raw power of 60’s pop rock and turns it into what they call “steam powered garage rock.” The extra steam billows from their organist, Lili, cutting through the distorted guitar crunching to bring out melodic lines that are easy to hum along with. When the organ lines aren’t catchy, they outline chords to add that extra flare. Lead guitarist and vocalist, Dan, embodies the typical power-chord pounding and slacked singing one can expect from a garage rock band. Yan and Sam, bass and drums/backup vocals, keep things nice and tight, shoveling in the coal that keeps this stream train rolling.

December 2006 saw Choo Choo’s four track disc with driving songs like “Take It Easy” and “I Ain’t Coming Home (No More).” March 2008 brought about their first full length, self-titled album featuring tunes that utilize those organ melodies previously mentioned. Need a tune stuck in your head for the day? Check out of few of this tracks on their Myspace.

With their debut album close enough to a year old, Choo Choo is making their rounds, including a week-long tour of Texas March 15th-21st for SXSW. So if you’re in the area and feel like bouncing and bopping, Choo Choo is for you.

For more, check them out on their official website. 

It’s been a while since a mix-tape has graced Moue Magazine’s pages. However, after doing a recent album review, I got in the writing-about-music mood. Plus, I never pass up an opportunity to share good music with others. Much like my last mix-tape, this collection of songs and artists show how many random genres of music I’m into. Perhaps you’ll enjoy one or two….

Blitzen Trapper, Furr, Furr

This is one of their more chill songs. Their versatile fourth album, Furr, takes them from acoustically strummed, bird chirping tunes like the one they played on Conan, to distorted guitar, shouted tunes like “Love U” to something in between, such as the song “Sleepytime in the Western World.”

Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes, White Winter Hymnal

With their self-titled, full length debut album, Fleet Foxes defined the neo-folk genre. They sing in rounds, nimbly pick their array of strings, and intertwine their elegant harmonies to create what they call “baroque harmonic pop jams.”

Alaska in Winter, Dance Party in the Balkans, Balkan Lowrider Anthem

 Alaska in Winter is Brandon Bethancourts, an art school drop-out who spent a winter in America’s largest state and produced his debut solo project album. The accompanying video is exactly what his live shows look like, him on stage singing along to his pre-recorded videos. Great electronica song writer, but not much to see live. Better off checking him out on youtube:

Does it Offend You, Yeah? You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into, Battle Royal 

Driving electronica that is made for getting a techno loving hockey team ready for battle, or getting a crowd jumping, which believe me they do. And I really can’t complain about this music video either.

The Bird and the Bee, The Bird and The Bee, Again & Again:

So this album is two years old, but I’m just discovering it and loving it. The mellow electric keys and upbeat yet somber melody is a unique sound that I’ve been listening to again and again. Pun intended. 

The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing, Shut Up and Let Me Go

It still blows my mind when someone tells me they haven’t heard of The Ting Tings. I simply tell them, “don’t worry, you’ll be hearing about them sooner than later.” By the way, I hate to get too personal on a mix-tape, but front woman Kaite White and I will wed someday. When that happens, this particular song will no longer apply to her life.

Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Glistening Pleasure, Sophisticated Side Ponytail

And now for something we hope you’ll really like….

The Swell Season, Once Soundtrack, When Your Mind’s Made Up

Glen Hansard is one of the most soulful song-writers and vocalists. He’s proved it time after time with The Frames. Now that he’s paired up with fellow movie star and classically-trained Czech pianist Marketa Irglova, their musical love making has produced some beautiful babies.

Walter Mego, Voyager, Keyhole

Bump’n and clubb’n, yet instrumentally uncommon with distorted guitar riffs you can sing along to. Duo Justin Sconza and Colin Yarck have created themselves a unique sound that is all Walter Mego. 

Ruckus Roboticus, Playing with Scratches, A Child’s Introduction to Drums

Children’s albums mixed with awesome beats and recognizable tunes from every era. Sampling at it’s best.