Crywank was started after a horrible breakup. one would think that’s a good foundation for a good folk record, right? it is. and with influences such as that’s punk favourites Andrew Jackson Jihad and Paul Baribeau, we are certain this is a winner. English-based James Clayton is influenced by a wide variety of anti-folk, outsider and punk music. the end result is fragile, highly self-critical and honest folk rock that one would think serves as a great outlet for all the pains of breaking up. James says they put him in a good mood, and hope that it serves the same purpose for someone else. now I’m not going through a breakup – thankfully… hell, I’m not even in a bad mood at all. I feel pretty good, actually. but James little record here no doubt put me in an even better mood. whether you are going through a bitter breakup or not, you should be able to find this enjoyable, if you like folk. check it out.
Matt Evans – Demo 2010
this is the solo effort by Matt Evans, who plays in the very recently posted Just Die!. this does however sound very little like Just Die!’s raging style of hardcore. it takes a far mellower road, with an acoustic guitar and a comfortable voice. Matt Evan’s take us on a gentle ride, through three songs that nearly reach the seventh minute mark. this is emotional folky and poppy acoustic rock that carves its way into your brain. perhaps especially with the last track, and all of its catchy The Get Up Kids (Four Minute Mile era) riffs. Matt Evans displays an affinity for melodic chord progressions and pleasant vocal harmonies. it’s good. download it!
The Loneliest Cowgirls – Animal
Ethan is back, and the staff and users of that’s punk all collectively cheer. everything is as it should be. if you remember correctly, the last The Loneliest Cowgirls post was a shift of style, sounding more like The Sky Looks Pissed. this is a continuation of that style change. it’s not as extremely lo-fi or abrasive as the début, but just as painful and just as frail. what… might… surprise you though is that… this is in fact a Ke$ha cover. i.e. a cover of the American pop artist Ke$ha’s début album. that’s right. the album responsible for million dollar hits such as “Tik Tok”. now personally I much prefer Lady GaGa to Ke$ha. but then again I haven’t really dived into Ke$ha’s album yet.. anyway, this cover album definitely makes me want to check out Ke$ha some more. the only problem is that I’m confident that she isn’t one tenth as interesting as The Loneliest Cowgirls (or Lady GaGa, for that matter). and interesting is the first word I’d use in describing this cover album. I never imagined getting to hear Ke$ha in a folk rock setting. I certainly didn’t expect Ke$ha in a folk rock setting to *work*. with the stumbling lyrics and the faltering vocals – The Loneliest Cowgirls trembles along. if you’re into folk rock or Ke$ha, get this.
The Sky Looks Pissed – This Ending Promise
it’s been all too long since the last post consisting of one of Ethan’s many beloved project. for those of you who aren’t up to date – he’s in The Loneliest Cowgirls, Henry Bemis Is A Superhero and Screaming and Dreaming. oh, and The Sky Looks Pissed. which brings me to this post. This Ending Promise is the first “Ethan post” in a while, so I hope you’ve missed him as much as I have. for those of you who aren’t Ethan nerds, this band is a fairly stereotypical down to earth folk rock band. at least most of the time. occasionally though (especially on this new album), it strays away from the “formula”, in favour of e.g. ambience, noise or punk. the lyrics are personal and confrontational, and not (obviously) political. it’s mostly songs about girls, to be quite honest. filled with humour and self-irony akin to Loudon Wainwright III. in between the songs about girls, are ambient – almost shoegaze passages. anyway, to sum it up – it’s a fairly experimental folk rock album. if you like folk rock, you might like this. if you don’t like folk rock, you probably won’t like this. you know what to do people.
Boris Smile – Beartooth EP
if you were into We Were Lightning, you will very much want to check out this band. Boris Smile started out in 2004 as a one man band, and in 2005 they released their first EP, and in 2007 they released their first album. both of these were on a label called Toy Records. in spring, 2008 yet another album was released… and come autumn, come Beartooth EP. I have no idea what the availability of these other records are, but I’ll try to find out and edit this sentence accordingly. Beartooth is an extravagant adventure of a record. try on Brandon Flowers’s (of The Killers) vocals on top of upbeat and catchy chamber pop. with a heartfelt nerve, Boris Smile explores both darker sad feelings as well as joyful happy feelings in this journey of wonderful stories and gentle sounds. I highly recommend you download this! and that you buy it from http://www.cylsrecords.com – yes, it’s yet another release on the great label Count Your Lucky Stars. get this.
Heart Eyes – Demo 2009
so I heard this chick had covered Fugazi on the ‘ukulele. initially I was worried this would just be a gimmicky silly “omg l00k @ me I cover emo/hardcore bands in an unconventional manner”. it’s not. and she covered “I’m So Tired”, so it’s not like she’s doing “Turnover” or “Shut the Door”. and her cover just goes to prove that if you’re going to cover Fugazi with an ‘ukulele, then “I’m So Tired” is the right track to cover. she pulls it off quite nicely, to be quite honest. but she pulls off her own material even better! and her American Nightmare cover is also impeccable. if you – like me – have an indescribable affection for Hawaiian instruments… or just good music… chances of you getting into this are high. the honesty and boldness in the lyrics and tone somewhat contrast the – to me – joyful and happy sound of the ‘ukulele. unfortunately the tapes are sold out, but hey – at least you get to download it from that’s punk, eh?
The Loneliest Cowgirls – I Shall Be Free
on the second album by The Loneliest Cowgirls, Ethan goes a little back to his roots (The Sky Looks Pissed). it’s not as loud and upset as the début – and far less lo-fi-oriented. on this album the recordings don’t rely on the charm of the lo-fi distortion and noise, thus the guitar needs to be impeccable – and thankfully, it is. the gentle strumming is done with passion yet with care. gone are most of the shouting, thus he needs to have a pleasant voice – and thankfully, he has. can you believe it? I guess you’ll have to download this to find out. and that’s something I can get behind. because everyone needs to experience this guy and his songs. some of these tracks even reach Paul Baribeau heights, with memorable chord progressions and clever lyrics. (some of which you might recognise from The Sky Looks Pissed.)
New Year’s Revolution – Demo!!
this is a folk punk group from Conneticut that just recently signed to BirthQuake Records, for whom they are working on a split 7″ with Wood Spider and a split cassette with Sidewalk Dave. their line-up on this demo consists of an acoustic guitar, a ‘cello and vocals. the ‘cello adds an unusual amount of warmth and depth to the usual folk punk formula of angry though catchy acoustic guitar and passionate shouting. this band is cosy and warm like Greenland is Melting, yet upset and eager like Grapefruit or The Mega Games Two. so download this twenty minute folk explosion and give it the listen it thoroughly deserves.
Ryan Harvey – The New Enclosures
after taking a break for quite some time now, that’s punk is back. and what better way to announce the return than by continuing the Ryan Harvey marathon? none! Harvey is launching a full scale attack on currency, Wall Street and the indirect slavery Capitalism forces upon one – all in the familiar acoustic guitar folk rock sound a la David Rovics and Woodie Guthrie, with a fragile yet firm Daniel Johnstone-esque voice. Harvey brings the riot folk, and he brings it hard. with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a voice as his weapons, tapped water with a name and price tag are among the things that are being subjected to his fury. Ryan Harvey is bringing down Capitalism and the State one song at the time, join his journey!
Ryan Harvey – Give It Time: Reflections on Change
this will give you goosebumps, no matter how into folk you happen to be. please give this album your attention. there’s a reason for all the people citing Ryan Harvey as their favourite folk artist since before the days when Bob Dylan went electric. with honesty and frailty, this album goes on to really touch its listeners. it certainly does not leave you unaffected. it might be simple folk rock, but it’s 100% effective. all it takes to get your point across is heart and sincerity, and nothing is more evident in Ryan’s fragile voice. nothing is more apparent. this boy is begging you to listen to what he has to say, and it’s impossible not to lend him some time, because not only is he talking about very important things – he also does so with some of the most perfect acoustic guitar-based folk rock you’ll ever hear.
Ryan Harvey – Iraq: Songs of Life and Death
21 new songs about Capitalist greed and injustice. inspired by war and perhaps more importantly the awful consequences of war. Ryan Harvey asks you to «educate, rebel and penetrate» the disgusting system. he basically launches a full scale attack on so-called “free” trade, Bush and many other things. all with his fragile yet firm voice and tight melodic chord progressions on his acoustic guitar. epic and marching forth. in these days of revolution, get this! it’s bigger than a war, it’s bigger than life!
Ryan Harvey – Ryan Harvey
question. what do you get when… (this should be pronounced like Dwight on The Office would pronounce it, by the way.) cross a voice akin to Daniel Johnston’s with anarchist beliefs, intelligent lyrics and an acoustic guitar? Ryan Harvey of the Riot Folk collective. waving the flags of liberty, equality and solidarity – Ryan Harvey’s sharp and direct criticism of American war policy, the Capitalist economy system – among lots of other things far too deep to sum up in this here little paragraph. you should instead take the time to listen to what he has to say for yourself. you’ll be singing «I don’t wanna I don’t wanna go to no war» before you know it! I promise. though a lot of the words uttered on this album aren’t very joyful, it’s not going to make you feel down at all. just encouraged to go out in the world and do something! so get this, listen to it, then go out and make a change. :)
Brødrene Unstad – God stemning på Blücher
Brødrene Unstad makes acoustic indie pop that will satisfy fans of acoustic indie pop and no one else. if you are not yet acquainted with acoustic indie pop, Brødrene Unstad are a nice place to start. primarily relying on a guitar, a bass and two soft voices, this band is stripped down to the bare bones of cuddle rock. it’s still somewhat possible to tell that these two guys are from the Norwegian sensation Kråkesølv, especially on the brilliant guitar-driven passage on “Like tross store feil”, a sort of Jaguar Love cover. either way God steming på Blücher is a solid folky pop piece with some great ambiance and effective creation of atmospheres and well past “humorous” lyrics in Norwegian (including a brilliant rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White”).
Zookeeper – Live in the MOKB/91.7 WEEM Studio 12/5/07
this is Zookeeper – if possible – stripped even more down than on the albums posted here. this is Zookeeper live. they play Everyone’s A DJ plus two unreleased tracks, both of which are nothing short of amazing. the first track is a tumultuous song with distorted guitars and an upbeat and intrepid feel – full of energy and raw emotion. the second one is a venturesome acoustic guitar and vocal driven epiphany of a track. starting out with a lonesome picked acoustic guitar and a soft voice that reflects ever so fairly about the world. eventually a deep bass playing satisfyingly easy on the ear bass lines, as well as a slightly stabbing yet not too piercing electric guitar. all of this comes together nicely and interacts carefully but precisely until the energy suddenly explodes for a few seconds, like as if it can’t hold itself back – then dies away magnificently. you should already have “Everyone’s A DJ” (I assume you’ve downloaded Becoming All Things, yes? :), and thus should already be familiar with this sensational song and its modern-day-poetesque lyrics.
Zookeeper – Becoming All Things
you have the short-length? now get the long-length! you don’t have the short-length? GET IT! AND GET THIS! folky rock’n'roll that ranges from droning hymns to jangly guitar rock to tender piano ballads this is soulful and expressive folk rock at its very finest. the introverted lyrics combine well with the sometimes very extroverted powerhouse that is the melody. sometimes exploding with happiness, horns, guitars, percussions, energy – other times bursting with melancholy and sadness, driven by a piano and acoustic guitar. Chris and his ensemble on Becoming All Things prove to handle melodrama just as well as soulful ballads. this mostly vocal-driven album has some of the most intimate music possible, but it’s not locked down to being an album of only ballads with acoustic guitar, crooning and piano. not by a mile. it constantly shifts the tempo, the energy, the feeling, the atmosphere – it simply rocks the foundation of the album on an even basis. from the most joyful and upbeat clash of noisy percussion, loud guitars and a thousand voices to the most elegant and humble of lovely arranged sensitive heart-breaking ballads. from the euphoric to the painful, Becoming All Things is a highly impressive journey throughout the emotional spectrum of Christopher Simpson. this is a record that deserve to be heard. and bought on CD from http://www.bellecitypop.com/ – so make haste. get this!
Zookeeper – Zookeeper
I’m insanely proud and incredibly eager to present to you Zookeeper. this is a life-changing band that just reeks of joy. Zookeeper makes music fun like no other band. this is Christopher Simpson proving that he hasn’t lost his touch. on the contrary. most of you will know this bloke from Mineral and The Gloria Record, two bands I love equally as much as Zookeeper. if you don’t know either of those (shame on you), then go get to know them. when people ask “what is emo?”, a lot of people will simply direct them to an MP3 of “If I Could” by Mineral. and with good reason. with the unfathomable power and distinct divine weeping guitars, Mineral was simply one of a kind. though never really influenced by as much 80s emo as 80s alternative, nor ever accepting the emo tag – they were emo to everyone else but themselves. The Gloria Record was another highly impressing emo band, although less punky and more exploring. their full lenght “Start Here” proved that emo is an ever changing genre that by now wasn’t tied to any of its roots – it did as it pleased. so definitely check those bands out if you ever have the chance. but for now – check this out. this band captures the most positive energy on record that I’ve ever witnessed. it is simply impossible to listen to this and be unaffected by the incredible love for music that’s put to this EP. this has a lot in common with Mineral and The Gloria Record when it comes to passion and the raw emotion evident. musically however… well… it’s not emo. Chris still possesses his beautiful fairly off-tune voice that’s kind of akin to Rufus Wainwright’s voice, and even easier compared to Daniel Johnston’s voice, sans the lisping. there’s still an ethereal feeling and majestic power to the music. it’s just really different. this is grass root level folk rock with a ridiculous amount of elements and details in the arrangement. it kind of sounds like Chris got all of Austin – if not all of Texas. to join in on this project. either way, I’m just happy he kept writing songs after The Gloria Record broke up. and I’m even happier he decided to call up some friends to record it, because the world is better off with these songs in them. everyone needs to download and listen to this. then they need to head over to http://www.bellecitypop.com/ and purchase it on CD, because damn. this is amazing. with elements of folk rock, country, rock and pop – Chris Simpson not only reinvents himself, he reinvents music by going back. so come on and sing along to these wonderful melodies and intelligent lyrics. get it!
Greenland Is Melting – Our Hearts are Gold, Our Grass is Blue
this is a milestone in the that’s punk community. not only is it the first (new) post on the new site – it’s also the first bluegrass album! and what an album. but you know us at that’s punk… whenever we do something, we do it right! this folk/bluegrass masterpiece captures a sense of spirit and hope. they write “words that can be screamed at the top of your lungs”. also notice how they don’t have a drummer – only a bass drum, and it works out great for them. (blue)grass root folk music. down to earth sing-a-long tunes for the whole family. don’t miss this!
Rudi Simmons – Palpitations
Rudi Simmons is back with dirty lyrics and catchy melodies. and this time it’s even more folky. the sound is more sparse, focusing on a cracked voice, an acoustic guitar, drums and the occasional twinkle. but most of the record revolve around the narrative, clever lyrics. this does however not equal shit music! the music is definitely not elevator muzak. it’s mainly focused and concise folk rock with harmonic and concentrated chord progressions. there are deviations though, most notably the bluesy fifth track that’s way more wild than the rest of the record.
The Sky Looks Pissed – It’s Been A Very, Very Long Time
this second The Sky Looks Pissed has many similarities to the first one. to take two very specific examples: it starts off with ambiance. it ends with a lengthy track which mostly consists of ambient noise and other Daniel Johnston-ish things. but that’s just his thang, I guess. the album also generally feels the same. but it sounds prettier and bigger. much more positive. it’s still quite melancholic, and has a bit of those mid-west emo lyrics where you look back and wish you were five again… but the energy I get from this recording is definitely all positive. the album is more alive; louder, but also more dynamic. it sounds like The Sky Looks Pissed has more confidence and that he simply dares more on this recording. the lyrics are brilliant narrations that makes you want to sing a long the first time you hear them, which is frustrating because you obviously don’t really know the words the first time you hear them. thus you have to play through the album again and again and again and again. get it.
The Sky Looks Pissed – Montana
The Sky Looks Pissed is folk rock as it is meant to be. there’s no one who cares whether he actually hits that chord 100% perfectly, or whether he hits that high C – or if he even actually tries to hit it. as long as the music and the lyrics are honest and played/sung with passion, we’re all happy here. oh and of course there’s gotta be a harmonica. and Ethan aka The Sky Looks Pissed manages all of these things fine. he even does it without sounding the same on every track. while this might not be the most revolutionizing folk act of the twenty-first century, it is definitely awesome to listen to. a guy with a guitar singing his heart out. heard it before? probably. want to hear it again? definitely. these are the kind of songs you will want to be singing over and over again. sitting on the grass outside, or by the stereo inside if it’s raining, drinking cocoa, just singing along. magic music for magic people. get it.
The Dharmas – Album and Singles
let me introduce you to one of the most charming folk rock bands I have ever listened to. all of you who follow my blog should have made the acquaintance with Steadman, that awesome rock band from the UK. well, before Steadman there was The Dharmas. even folkier in their approach, this band knew how to craft beautiful and bittersweet pop music with sensere and sensitive lyrics about life and everything that affects it. there’s an album and a singles collection in the link at the bottom. go get it! because this is one of the most honest and genuine bands you will ever come across.
The Little Hands of Asphalt – Leap Years
while The Little Hands of Asphalt is still sensitive and tender folk rock like on the previous release (Spit Back at Rain – also available on this site if you scroll down), this album is vastly different from the previous effort. it has a much less synthy Pulp-ish sound, and much more southern rock and Americana-influenced music. it is obvious that this kid knows his Bruce Springsteens as well as his Paul Simons. and it’s not such a bad thing at all. because this album has everything from emotional ballads to epic folk rock anthems where The Little Hands of Asphalt pushes the borders with so much going on at once that it’s magical. this is a magical release. it’s rocking perfection! so you need to give this a go, and be mesmerised by the imaginative and bright lyrics as well as the honest but far from modest music, by the always unwrapped The Little Hands of Asphalt. remember to buy his music from http://www.howisannierecords.com if you really dig this. :)
Rudi Simmons – Heart Attacks
Rudi Simmons album Heart Attacks sound nothing like heart attacks. it sounds more like summer. it’s a tasteful and classy take on the indie pop genre. from oompas to bare acoustic numbers, Simmons manages to create interesting atmospheres. add clever and amusing lyrics to the mix, and you have these catchy and intelligent folky melodies with words that sparkle with wisdom. it is a modest but still ingenious interpretation of pop music. it is however way too many filthy words and unconventional (or at least not-conventional-enough) melodies in here to make this a true pop album. if you ask some dumb music journalist of allmusic or such, this would probably be tagged “Adult Contemporary” (with capital letters) or “Singer-Songwriter”, or whatever made up genre is in at the moment. but whatever you choose to call this: at least give it a listen! because this is honest music that deserves a listen – your listen. and not only that, it even deserves a purchase! on CD! http://www.howisannierecords.com
Andrew Jackson Jihad/French Quarter – Fresh Quarter/French Jihad
more heartfelt and truly genuine and honest to the core folk punk from Andrew Jackson Jihad. but this time it’s mixed up with the dark, creeping tones of French Quarter and their country tinged folk. and they’ve obviously influenced AJJ, because they are sounding more Americana and country than ever. perhaps especially on the beautiful “Skipping Stone”. the bands play four tracks each, and they are – while similar enough to make this split work – very different. they create vastly different atmospheres, emotions and moods. they are however equally impressing to listen to. so get in on this timeless classic! take especially notice of the Dead Prez cover by AJJ.
Paul Baribeau – Grand Ledge
Grand Ledge is like a motivational course. it teaches you the beauty of life, as well as its frailty. you only have one life, and you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to make the best of it. combine these wonderful messages of hope and warmth with a warm and attractive acoustic guitar, and you have a fantastic album that you surely don’t want to miss out on.
Paul Baribeau – Paul Baribeau
14 folk classics, including “Only Babies Cry”, made popular by the ever so charming The Ergs!. there’s a beautiful optimism and insight in Baribeau’s longing lyrics and voice. he sounds like a man who has lived(, loved and lost, perhaps). one can’t help but be charmed by the true joy these songs give. even with songs like “Never Get to Know”, quite possibly the saddest song ever written, he manges to push in some sparkling optimism. it’s wonderful. get it!
Magnus Eliassen – Second Grace
cozy rock with an acoustic guitar, a gentle voice and pwitty little sounds. a soothing and eerie journey through the emotional spectrum of the human being, you wouldn’t want to miss out on. some tracks are as calm as can be, some are upbeat and catchy, yet still cozy. there’s even some lengthy progressive pop tracks, that are quite good. the closer is in fact over ten minutes. get this.
Silje Halstensen – Feedback Promo
this is a girl and a guitar and some other instruments. it’s as cozy as possible, without getting obnoxious. the guitars are kind of emo, and there’s some inventive drumming. also she has a nice voice. it’s very pwitty. download it and give it a go.
The Little Hands of Asphalt – Spit Back at Rain
Sjur Lyseid of Monzano offers five sympathetic folky tracks. Elliott Smith meets Rocky Votolato and goes emo. or maybe this is the Pulp album that was supposed to come in between It and Freaks? the warm sound of It with awesome keys and a sensitive and the frail voice singing heartbroken tales about love from Freaks. this is beautiful. very touching. the calmest tracks are even Kevin M. Kirker-like. and this mini-album appetizer will definitely get you excited for the full album coming March 9th. get that album when it comes at http://www.howisannierecords.com
Mom & Johnson Loneliness missed the 12th loveboat – Take me to the water where my horse drowned when it rained
ahhhhhhhh campfires. marshmellows. this album is the definition of camp rock. cozy acoustic country-ish guitars at times, angry folk punk-ish guitars at times. seemingly random percussion. out of tune vocals that do not care if they are in fact very out of tune. this is supposedly a tribute to everyone who always wanted to play music, but failed miserably. honest traditional acoustic music at its best. you can’t buy this from http://www.howisannierecords.com – but you can nag them about how much you want it.
Kevin M. Kirker – … And Now, You’ll Live Forever
Kevin M. Kirker’s story continues. and it’s still pwitty. and adorable. up-close and personal harp folk rock, with cute lyrics about romance, sung with a soft and pleasant voice. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE? get it.
Kevin M. Kirker – Our Story Now Begins
Kevin M. Kirker is the king of harpcore. his music is basically intimate harp-driven folk rock. his lyrics mostly deal with romance in the utmost awesome way, and the music reflects that. he’s a great story teller, and an accomplished musician. so get this and give it a go. it’s a concept album, and a marvellous story. very pwitty. download it!