Watchman - Peggy Sue

or 

Peggy Sue - Watchman from Brittney Bean on Vimeo.

My Band of the month, easily.  I heard about Peggy Sue about six months ago, I'd seen a few videos on Youtube and I knew there was an album in the works.  But I didn't pay them too much attention at the time.  But by accident they have become one of my favourite bands.  I was watching the Local Natives in Manchester last month and to my surprise Peggy Sue were the support act.  They have an energy on stage that's captured on their new album admirably.  Watchman is one of these tracks, the interplay between frontwomen Rosa Rex & Katy Klaw is attention grabbing.  The main refrain "I only came here to see you see me" is infectious.  The album as a whole reaches similar peaks with songs like Yo Mama & Matilda.  While Peggy Sue are part of the Nu-Folk vanguard they offer up something unique.  They have a raw edge, almost punky, sound which sets them apart from the others.  The album Fossils & Other Phantoms is availble now and is also on Spotify here.   Good Summer listening.

Also part of my 'Nu-Folk' spotify playlist - here.

Laura Marling's Next Single Rambling Man

Laura Marling - Rambling Man Official Video

Laura Marling | MySpace Music Videos

Rambling Man is the next single from Laura Marling’s second album, I Speak Because I Can.  The album itself has received rave reviews being hailed as a step forward from her Mercury Prize nominated debut.  Marling’s songwriting has always been praised for its maturity but this album has been much panned as an album about ‘womanhood’. Rambling Man’s refrain mirrors this: “oh give me to a rambling man, let it always be known that I was who I am”  Marling’s phrasing at times reminds me of Joni Mitchell, no bad thing, and that subtly continues through out the album.  I highly recommend the album it’s well worth a listen especially if you’re into the Folk Revival, which Marling was key in bringing about, that’s come about recently!

You can find the album on Spotify here.

For Fans of:  Mumford & Sons, Noah & The Whale & Alessi’s Ark

You can also find a spotify playlist filled with new folk artists like some mentioned in this post here.

Scratch My Back - Peter Gabriel

I had heard a couple of tracks from Peter Gabriel's new album Scratch My Back, I'd heard Book of Love a month or so ago. But when I heard his version of Flume by Bon Iver - it blew my mind. Its rare songs do this, in the realm of covers the last one that did this to me was Buckley's Cohen cover, Hallelujah.
The arrangement is perfect. I had always liked the original but I was struck by this cover's raw emotion. Have a listen.



The delicate piano, with the surging horn section are unbelievable, with Gabriel's raw vocals. I've listened to it dozens of times. It's a brilliant version.

Free Music

Just thought I'd post a free link to some of my music.  You can find 9 free tracks here.  

Enjoy

Review: Rachael Dunn's Alpha Ghost

Rachael Dunn’s Alpha Ghost delivers an engaging brand of soulful acoustic pop, with Dunn’s vocals beautifully conveying her image-laden lyrics overlaid on Alex Dunford’s skillfully crafted soundscapes.

The album opens with the soulful ‘Out in The Storm’, the bass line drives the song forward and flourishes of glockenspiel and lead guitar bring the track to life. This is contrasted by the albums eponymous track ‘Alpha Ghost’ with its simple acoustic feel and Rachael’s delicate vocals. The Mood changes with the darker ‘Closed Door’ its powerful lyrics and double tracked vocals reminding me of Alela Diane. ‘Falling Fast’ feels intimate with the piano adding greatly to the feel of the track. The expansive ‘Hold The Light’ continues the darker feel with crunching electric guitars and a feel reminiscent of Radiohead.

The second half of the album continues with the piano led ‘Violet’, Dunn resists the urge to overload the track instead opting for a simple, honest arrangement.

An unexpected gem comes in the form of the Stones-like ‘Walking Backwards’ with its catchy chorus, foot tapping percussion and more raucous lead guitar. This is immediately contrasted by the acoustic charm of ‘Hang in Time’ and the album’s most intimate track ‘Hide’. The simple acoustic arrangement closes the album beautifully. However it does make me think that perhaps some of the other songs would have benefited from a similar stripped back sound.

Alpha Ghost is a genre-spanning, varied record with Rachael Dunn’s soaring vocals being ably supported by multi instrumentalist and producer Alex Dunford. While I think some of the tracks could have benefited from a less slick production this does not detract from the engaging album Rachael Dunn has created.


The album is available now on Amazon and iTunes

You can also read my earlier interview with Rachael where she spoke about the making of Alpha Ghost here.



This was my first review written for LiverpoolAcoustic.co.uk

Some Cool up-beat Folk/Acoustic Songs!

Langhorne Slim - In the Midnight

Peggy Sue - Yo Mama

Blind Pilot - One Red Thread

Johnny Flynn - Tickle Me Pink

Rosewood Thieves - Murder Ballad in G Minor  (The EP version is brilliant.)

Noah And The Whale - Give A Little Love 

Emmy The Grat - Dylan

Matt Costa - Sunshine

Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man

Fionn Regan - Lord Help My Poor Soul

Johnny Flynn - Leftovers

Mumford and Sons - The Cave

Matt Costa - Mr Pitiful

I'll add more when I think of them/find more.  If you have any songs you think should be up here let me know!