The Pelican’s Perch

I’ve been listening to so much music lately, but have been so busy, that getting posts and reviews written has proved to be somewhat difficult.  So, instead of writing indepth reviews like I normally do, I’m going to write a bunch of mini-reviews to highlight the new stuff I’ve been listening to.

(mini-reviews after the jump!)

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Jukebox the Ghost
Let Live and Let Ghosts
Perch Score: 9.134/10

Jukebox the Ghosts remains one of my favorite finds on the Sixty One.  Piano driven pop/rock that recalls the grand scope and fun of Ben Folds Five, without actually sounding anything like them.  Their songs range from very danceable (Good Day, Lighting Myself on Fire), to heart on your sleeve tunes (Miss Templeton’s 7000th Dream), but it’s all great and Let Live and Let Ghosts has remained top of my currently listening to list for months now.  Not one to be missed if you want to have some fun with your music.

Good Day [mp3]

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Doves
Kingdom of Rust
Perch Score: 8.956/10

For some reason, Doves have remained under the radar here in the States.  They were right up there with Coldplay around the time they both entered the scene, and while Coldplay caught the commercial wave and made it huge, Doves stayed true to their sound and it really never resonated with US fans like it did with UK fans.  Regardless, I still did my part over the years spreading the good word about Doves’ excellent music, and Kingdom of Rust is no different.  Songs like “Winter Hill” and “Spellbound” are vintage Doves and would fit nicely on any of their past efforts, but the real surprise for me is in the opener, “Jetstream”, which is a dance song like only Doves could create.  I listened to that song three times before I let it finally go on to the rest of the album.  But Doves seem to be an acquired taste for reasons beyond me, but if you’ve been a fan of the past, you’ll no doubt love this new one.

Jetstream [mp3]

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Jeremy Enigk
OK Bear
Perch Score: 9.322/10

I love Jeremy Enigk’s music.  Always have, always will.  That being said, I won’t hesitate to admit I was late in jumping on the Enigk bandwagon.  I’ve only recently begun listening to Sunny Day Real Estate and the Fire Theft (only recently? someone said to me.  That’s ridiculous!)  I know, but better late than never.  That being said, I loved all his previous solo albums, especially World Waits, and I’d have to say OK Bear is right up there with anything he’s released.  It feels less epic in scope like World Waits did, and has a more mellow, personal feel to it.  I couldn’t think of a better time to be listening to this album than now at the beginning of summer, and it’s an album I’ve been recommending to everyone.

Mind Idea [mp3]

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Right Away, Great Captain
The Eventually Home
Perch Score: 9.699/10

My top three songwriters at the moment:  Ben Cooper (Electric President, Radical Face), Chris Minowa (Cloud Cult), and Andy Hull (Manchester Orchestra, Right Away Great Captain).  I’m not talking about all time songwriters, but when it comes to songwriters and their songwriting today, those three sit atop my list, consistently writing song after song that I love.  Ben Coopers instrumentation, Chris Minowa’s lyrics, and Andy Hull’s emotion.  They each possess some characteristic that makes me eagerly await any new songs they come up with.  But with Andy Hull, I have worked backwards.  Starting with his main band, Manchester Orchestra, then digging deeper into his personal songwriting, which led me to his solo project Right Away, Great Captain.  I loved The Bitter End, which was a welcome acoustic change to his main band, but it was with The Eventually Home that he made my top songwriters list.  I can’t remember an album I’ve spent so much time with, liking every song from front to back, and it’s a shame I didn’t catch it when it came out last year.  Right Away, Great Captain isn’t necessarily a stripped down version of Manchester Orchestra, but more Andy Hull at his most comfortable.  And that’s probably why I love this release so much.  Manchester Orchestra fans take note:  this album is great.

Devil Dressed in Blue [mp3]

What a Pity [mp3]