posted by Susanna on February 10, 2012
I’ve never been more surprised at a concert than when I saw Ingrid Michaelson for the first time last year. Songs like “The Way I Am” and “You and I” are so innocent and sweet that Michaelson’s onstage person, filled with dark humor and hilarious antics, is quite shocking. Her cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” below, reveals that darker side that not many people know exists. Further investigation of Michaelson’s lyrics shows that she isn’t all sugar and sunshine, as she first appears:
“But I would rather feel the sting
Than never to have felt a thing
I’ll always know you were the one
To rip me from the ground
It’s all because of you that I’m through”
Michaelson’s voice is impossible to deny, whether she is singing a pleading ballad like “I’m Through” or an angst-filled anthem like “Palm of Your Hand.” An incredible voice is easy to listen to while skimming over the lyrics, but Michaelson’s words deserve just as much attention as the way she presents them. They are deep and thoughtful, full of pain and fear of not feeling.
“I thought I knew the answer was you
But now I know it’s always me.”
When I first listened to Michaelson’s fifth release, Human Again, I’ll admit I was underwhelmed. I got caught up in looking for instant hits like “Be OK” that reel you in with cheery harmonies and bubbly ukelele. But the album requires deeper insight. It begs for you to listen to what Michaelson is trying to say. Once I opened myself up to the lyrics, I was overcome with appreciation for her album and her songwriting in general. This is a darker album, but the emotion behind it is so real and moving that I feel like the world is finally getting a piece of the real Ingrid Michaelson.
Ingrid Michaelson – Creep (Downloaded 151 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Beautiful Lyrics • Cover • Dark • Female vocal
(17 votes)
Loading ...posted by Alex on January 4, 2012
My last album from 2011! It has been an eventful, exciting year, but I’m ready for the new music 2012 will bring. I’m a complete sucker for beautiful male voices. Don’t ask why, but if a guy has stunning vocals, I don’t give a fig what the rest of the band or the lyrics sound like. Every Kingdom is the first studio album from British artist Ben Howard. I heard “The Wolves’” first, and I knew I had struck gold. My favorite part of the song starts at around 2 minutes; Howard gets really into the music and you can truly feel his passion. (For me, that usually makes for a great song). The other track below, “Only Love,” is beautiful, musically impressive, and so frickin’ catchy. A total package.
But…Sucks to be an American. As of today, Howard is scheduled for a number of shows, all in Europe. Unless he changes travel plans, we’ll have to be satisfied with Digital Ben. Luckily, Every Kingdom is truly the perfect start to a new year of music.
Ben Howard – Only Love (Downloaded 1212 times)
Ben Howard – The Wolves (Downloaded 717 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Brit-Pop • Catchy • Male vocal
(22 votes) Loading ...Thanks for sharing – I’m loving his sound! – Jessica
posted by Patrick on December 4, 2011
“Austra is an island on the border between Nord-Trøndelag and Nordland counties in Norway. The 88-square-kilometre (34 sq mi) island is shared between the municipalities of Bindal, Leka and Nærøy. The highest point is the 588-metre (1,929 ft) tall Romsskåla.” (Wikipedia)
Austra is also a band. Hailing from the equally cold, if somewhat more cosmopolitan, Toronto, Canada, Austra has perfected a sound defined by contradictions: remote but intimate, clinical but warm. That’s due in large part to the offsetting influences of lead singer Katie Stelmanis, a classically trained opera singer, and the band’s chilly, dance-inspired electronic backing. Stelmanis’ voice soars and lingers, while the music pushes forward with a driving beat. It’s an unlikely combination, but when it works, as on ‘Lose It,’ the results are stunning. And when Stelmanis performs ‘Lose It’ with only a piano and her voice, as in the video below, the song is completely transformed, and even more compelling. As a beat addict, I prefer the electronic version, but I can’t deny the video’s power. Perhaps Paper Bag Records can release them both?
In some ways, Austra reminds me of Phantogram. Austra’s lead singer has a wider vocal range, and is less reliant on effects and reverb, but both combine heavy beats with dramatic vocals to create a cinematic sound and feel. If you like one, try the other and let us know how they compare.
Austra – Lose It (Downloaded 219 times)
Austra – The Choke (Downloaded 215 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Driven • Electro • Female vocal • Orchestral • Synth • With Bleeps & Blips
(13 votes) Loading ...We had a fun interview with Austra and would like to share it with you guys:
http://nightdrivemiami.com/2011/11/01/austra-interview-ticket-giveaway/
posted by Alex on December 1, 2011
Since I started writing for Indieball, there have been two artists I have always dreamed about reviewing: Modest Mouse and Andrew Bird. I’ve waited tirelessly for either artist to release a new album, but both have been complete slackers. However, after much anticipation, my dream has finally come true. Boredom and serious Internet stalking led me to a review of a recently released film called Norman. The film looked cheesy and cliche, but I was an instant fan of the film’s soundtrack, orchestrated entirely by Andrew Bird himself. It appears Bird has finally taken his musical talents to the big screen. The 17-track album is mostly instrumental and features Andrew Bird’s classic mix of traditional folk instruments and violin. “Night Sky” is the only vocal track on the album, which is a shame; Bird’s vocals are absolutely beautiful, and he even throws in his famous whistling.
So, for all you Andrew Bird fans out there, let this single tide you over until the release of his new album sometime in 2012. Expect a review when that glorious day comes.
Andrew Bird – Night Sky (Downloaded 384 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Amazing Voice • Beautiful Lyrics • Film • Folky • Male vocal
(12 votes) Loading ...Wow thank you for finding this!! So excited for a new album.
“night sky” is not the only vocal track by bird on this album. “arcs and coulombs” is with vocals too.
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:25 am
I LOVE Ingrid Michaelson! I saw her this sumemr in Des Moines when she was there with Jason Reeves. I downloaded a few of her albums and I’m hooked on her music. My favorite favorite songs are Keep Breathing and The Hat, although like every other song she sings are so good too