Far From Noise

A slightly eclectic mix this week. Lots of singer/songwriters but also found some rap, dreamy-indie, power-pop, and a ridiculously produced female artist.
You can purchase this mix (or individual songs) from here:

1. Emiliana Torrini – Me and Armini
   Album: Me and Armini   
   Singer/songwriter of Italian and Icelandic decent, resides in England. You might recognize her voice from the finale music for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. She has a beautiful soft voice and this track has a slight reggae feel to it.
   
2. Greg Laswell – Comes and Goes (In Waves)
   Album: Three Flights From Alto Nido   
   Originally from Long Beach, CA, this singer/songwriter got involved with the music scene in San Diego. I like his entire new album. Just a great voice and he does a good job on the production side too. I love the lyrics to this song; very uplifting for those of us who often need it.
   
3. Albert Hammond, Jr. – GfC
   Album: Como Te Llama?   
   Best known as the Strokes’ rhythm (and occasional lead) guitarist, he is also the son of singer/songwriter Albert Hammond, who wrote “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.” I had a hard time picking a song from the album as several caught my ear. You can listen to the whole LP over on his myspace page. This song is the power pop song (and the single) but I really liked “Victory At Monterey” and “G Up” too.
   
4. Paper Route – You Kill Me
   Album: Are We All Forgotten (EP)   
   Indie electronic band out of Nashville, TN. Another song with lyrics that spoke to me. I’m reminded of Postal Service but with some industrial, electronic, and ambient mixed in.
   
5. Earlimart – Cigarettes and Kerosene
   Album: Hymn and Her   
   Named after a town near Fresno, CA, they are actually from LA. Spaced-out/Dreamy indie pop. Just a pretty song with a good mixture of different elements.
   
6. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Buriedfed
   Album: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson   
   This song is a daydream of Robinson’s own death and funeral. I like the plain nature of his voice almost as if he’s just talking. This singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, OR, is backed by Grizzly Bear minus one member.
   
7. Amber Rubarth – You Will Love This Song
   Album: New Green Lines   
   Another singer/songwriter but from Brooklyn, NY, this time. She trained to be a wood sculpture apprentice before she moved on to the guitar. This song has such true lyrics and I actually teared up and laughed while listening to it.
   
8. Kerli – Walking On Air
   Album: Love Is Dead   
   Estonian singer who competed in two televised singing competitions in Europe (and lost) before getting signed by Island Def Jam. She is obviously a highly produced product and it’s embarrassing that I like this song…but I do. Industrial-lite pop with an eerie sound to it. Basically a gothic version of Avril Lavigne.
   
9. Sloan – Living The Dream
   Album: Parallel Play   
   Masters of power pop, this band comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I really liked several songs on their new CD. I recommend you check it out.
   
10. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
    Album: Fleet Foxes   
    Seattle baroque-pop band. Beautiful harmonies that I’m just a sucker for. I could see this being used in a movie with its picture-painting sound.
    
11. Wale – Roof
    Album: Scion A/V Remix Project: 45 King (Part 1) (EP)   
    DC native who was born to two Nigerian immigrants, he is the self-proclaimed “Ambassador of Rap for the Capital.” It isn’t often I find rap that I like, but this is just a good mellow beat with some solid rapping.
    
12. The Heavenly States – Lost in the Light
    Album: Delayer   
    Go Oakland!!! This album is over six months old now, but I had to put some local band love in my posting. On top of that, the whole album is REALLY good and these guys are opening for Spoon at the Fillmore for three nights in September. Can’t wait for that show!