Musical therapy
A song sounds twice as sweet when you've discovered it—here are four shortcuts to that epiphany.
By Neal McLennan |
The Shepherd's DogIron & Wine(Sub Pop) Singer-songwriter Sam Beam, who is this "group's" only member, bears more than a passing resemblance to Grizzly Adams and he sings like a depressed James Taylor—and yet somehow the package works. This album seeks to build on the small buzz garnered from his appearance on the monumental Garden State soundtrack and catapult him out of purely indie domain to follow on the same path as fellow Garden State alumni the Shins. |
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SkinKatie Noonan(Warner Music Australia) This Australian chanteuse has feet planted both in pop music (with her band George) and jazz (with her trio Elixir), as well as background training in opera. Wait, how many feet is that? No matter—with this album, she's poised to combine these hitherto disparate influences into mainstream success. Think a spunkier Norah Jones with a better voice and you have an idea of this album's likelihood of soon appearing at a multinational coffee house near you. |
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TeenagerThe Thrills(EMI International) The first album from this Dublin-based group was nominated for Britain's prestigious Mercury Prize, but success has been tougher to achieve on this side of the pond. Is it because North Americans don't lack for honest-to-goodness pop songs imbued with a Celtic edge? We hope not, because when a group lists their two main inspirations as the incongruous pairing of Neil Young and the Beach Boys, you know they're approaching their craft by the road less traveled. |
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Hit by a TrainOld 97's(Elektra) This Dallas quartet defies categorization—are they rock, country or alternative? After listening to this "best of" compilation, the one clear answer is that they're a group with that rare combination of frenetic energy and honest songwriting, which is endearing them to a growing legion of fans. Likely soon to include you, we might add. |
Books for your zen den
The latest lineup of surefire bestsellers features works by Philip Roth, Ann Patchett, Amy Bloom and Richard Russo. Here are three more titles for your reading pleasure.more
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