Happy Saturday! Time to take another look at new music releases. All six picks this week are from albums released yesterday (September 15).
Aaron Skiles/Keep Me
Aaron Skiles is an Oakland, Calif.-based indie rock-oriented singer-songwriter. Until earlier this year, he fronted indie rock/alt. country band Bourbon Therapy, together with his wife Rebecca. Since 2014 Skiles has also released three solo albums. Off his latest, titled Whistle Past the Grave, here’s the closer Keep Me. “It’s based on an ancient Jewish meditation for mourners,” Skiles explains. “It talks about the fact that when someone is gone, the love they left behind, remains. And rather than mourn their loss, pass that remaining love onto others.” Melodic tune with a crunchy sound!
Worriers/Cloudy and 55
Worriers are from Brooklyn, New York, playing melodic punk. It’s largely a music project formed in 2011 by guitarist, singer and songwriter Lauren Denitzio who has played with a rotating line-up of touring musicians and in-studio contributors. To date four studio albums have appeared under the Worriers name. This includes the latest, Trust Your Gut, which remarkably is the second full-length studio release this year. Here’s Cloudy and 55.
Bahamas/I’m Still
Bahamas is the moniker of Canadian music artist Afie Jurvanen who is of Finnish ancestry. Jurvanen taught himself guitar and has worked with a variety of other artists, such as The Lumineers, Jack Johnson and The Weather Station. His solo debut album Pink Strat appeared in July 2009. From his sixth studio album Bootcut, here’s I’m Still, a bouncy, groovy track with a catchy melody. Also, check out that great guitar solo starting at around 3:27 minutes – a beautiful late summer tune!
Will Johnson/Sinker, Sinking
Will Johnson is a musician, singer-songwriter, author and painter who has been called “one of the most prolific artists in American indie rock.” From his bio: For more than three decades, Johnson has been a steady, prolific presence in the Texas music scene. In 1991, he broke out with alternative rock band Funland, and was the leader of beloved indie-rock act Centro-matic and alt-country outfit South San Gabriel. He’s also worked with…Jay Farrar, Bob Mould, Jason Isbell, John Moreland and many other iconic American songwriters. Additionally, Johnson has released a series of solos albums since 2002. Off his latest, No Ordinary Crown, here’s Sinker, Sinking.
Danko Jones/Get High?
Danko Jones are a hard rock trio formed in Toronto in 1996 by Danko Jones (vocals, guitar), John ‘JC’ Calabrese (bass) and Michael Caricari (drums). Following a succession of various drummers that started in 1999, the band’s line-up has been stable since 2013 when Rick Knox joined. Danko Jones are now out with their 11th studio album Electric Sounds, from which I previously featured Guess Who’s Back. Here’s another nice rocker, Get High?
Stephen Marley/Cool As the Breeze
Stephen Marley is a Jamaican-American musician and the second eldest son of Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He started singing professionally as a 7-year-old with his elder siblings Ziggy Marley, Sharon Marley and Cedella Marley in Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Stephen and Ziggy also performed alongside Bob Marley and the Wailers in the late ’70s and 1980. In addition to backing his brother Ziggy, Stephen worked as a producer before launching his own solo career in 2007. His latest solo album Old Soul, according to Jambands, features numerous prominent guests, such as Eric Clapton, Bob Weir, Jack Johnson and Ziggy Marley. Here’s Cool As the Breeze, a beautiful acoustic tune that based on the lyrics could be about Stephen’s father!
Sources: Wikipedia; Aaron Skiles website; Worriers website; Bahamas website; Will Johnson website; Danko Jones website; Stephen Marley website; Jambands; YouTube; Spotify
Christian's Music Musings 