New Music For A New Year

Happy New Year everybody!  I hope you had a great holiday.  So it's that time again and I have some new music for you that I think you will like.

First off is an artist named Jonah Smith who I have been listening to for a while who just recently released a new CD this past Aug.  It's been about 3 years since his last release and I just got my hands on it yesterday.  I first saw him in Cincy opening for Xavier Rudd.  Jonah played what looked like an old pump organ and absolutely rocked the house.  He was probably one of the best openers I have seen that I previously knew nothing about.  Jonah has a raspy, soulful voice that at times reminds me of John Mellencamp or early Phil Collins.  His songs are wonderfully crafted with aspects of Jazz, Soul, and Funk.  Most songs on the new LP titled "Lights On" are soft and easy but the album is rounded nicely by a few upbeat poppy tracks.  I have 2 songs here for you to listen to but you should also check out some of his older stuff because it is also amazing.


Jonah Smith - Love Gets Lost


Jonah Smith - Can't Find My Way Home

The second group I have is Vampire Weekend.  They are an indie-pop group out of NYC who have hit it big time with their self titled debut album.  Their second album titled "Contra" is set to release next week and has been creating a lot of hype.  After listening to the new album I have to say that I think they are fully capable of living up to the standards everyone has set for them.  Contra picks up right where Vampire Weekend left off.  It continues the trend of Paul Simon-esque Afro-pop with 80s new wave reggae beats reminiscent of The Police and just like its predecessor, the arrangements of instruments on this record are nothing short of stunning.  As far as being better than their debut, I don't necessarily think it is.  But, it does give it a run for it's money and as a sophomore record it is fantastic.  Vampire Weekend are poised for big things.  Here are two tracks off their upcoming LP.


Vampire Weekend - White Sky


Vampire Weekend - Cousins

My band you must hear this week is The Rosewood Thieves.  They are another group out of New York with a great 60s rock sound often with R&B groove and some honky tonk folk feel to round it off.  The lead singer Erick Jordan sounds like a mix between Bob Dylan and John Lennon and brings a dirty gritty sound that blends perfectly with fuzz guitar or the bouncy piano.  Not only does he write spectacular songs that have an atmosphere of their own, but he sometimes draws inspiration in some unique and unusual situations.  The first EP, "From The Decker House," was recorded during a stay in a shanty town in New York.  The second EP, "Lonesome" was then recorded overnight while the band were snowed in in the mountains.  If you think about where he was while writing/recording these songs, they make you feel like you are right there in the same room.  This is one of the most exciting unknown bands in the country.  They need to be in everyone's playlist.  I have included two of my favorite originals as well as a kick ass cover of Solomon Burke's "Home In Your Heart."  Enjoy!


Rosewood Thieves - Los Angeles


Rosewood Thieves - She Don't Mind The Rain


Rosewood Thieves - Home In Your Heart

That's it for this week.  I hope you have been enjoying all the music so far.  See you next time.

-Emerson