Five Songs by Artists You Should Know.

It is winter. Snow has fallen. Scarves have come out of the closest. [pun intended] Noses and toes are cold. In honor of all of the seasonal joy, I thought I'd give you a song list. A few songs by some artists that I think are great and come highly recommended...by myself. Click the names for the Myspace links and have a listen.

Johnny Flynn

'I wonder where you learned to be so good
I wonder if I'm doing the best I could..'

Johnny is amazing. He's a new find for me. He feels old. I love that. It's romantic. It doesn't hurt that he's very pretty. Almost boy band pretty but he doesn't come with shiny outfits or choreography. Just sweet, sweet tunes. I'd recommend Brown Trout Blues, Shore to Shore, and The Wrote & The Writ.

Radical Face

'I see the airplanes, they're pouring from the chest
they fill the air and burn and bury just like the rest...'

Radical Face is incredible. Incredible. I can't even remember the first time I heard him. I just remember listening to Wrapped in Piano Strings and crying. Lyrically and musically very talented. I'd recommend that song, as well as Welcome Home and Let the River In.

The National

'Turn the light out say goodnight
no thinking for a little while
lets not try to figure out everything at once
It’s hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
we’re half-awake in a fake empire...'

Who isn't from Brooklyn lately? The National is a great band. The vocals are unique and you can't really help listening to it. Great music, as well. Listen to Start a War and Fake Empire.

Joanna Newsom

'This is an old song, these are old blues
and this is not my tune but it's mine to use
and the seabirds where the fear once grew
will flock with a fury and they will bury
what'd come for you...'

This is the part when my sister leaves the blog. Okay, okay. Joanna is a definite acquired taste. I just can't help but love her. She's quirky as F but in a really cool and haunting way. I'm in love with the sound of the harp. Give her a chance. I'd listen to Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie and Peach, Plum, Pear.

Land of Talk

'A little thunders good, I thought maybe you would
but it's okay, we all feel left out
sometimes growing up, it can get you down...'

Don't doubt Canada's ability to put out decent music. I know Obama was elected, so we no longer need to threaten to move to Canada but pay attention to their music. Land of Talk is great. Lovely and simple lyrics. I mean that is the best of ways. I recommend It's Okay and Some Are Lakes.


Happy listening.