Lapland - Lapland (album review) (Lapland plays Schubas tomorrow night!)

Lapland's self titled album is awash with great melodies and jazz influences, which comes as no surprise seeing as Josh Mease is Lapland. Josh's great first album, Wilderness made it on my year end list in 2009. This Lapland release shares similarities to Wilderness with respect to the melodies and jazz influences and dream like state of the music, but on Lapland Josh has branched out with some electronic touches which work to great effect with his signature style.
  Some electronic bright sounding parts show up right away on album opener "Unwise". Like a lot of Josh's songs,"Unwise" goes for a bigger picture sound. Less is definitely more and the chord changes really make the difference.
 "Overboard" showcases Josh's vocal style, featuring some sweet harmonies and a lounge instrumentation.
 The slow waltz  creeper "Aeroplane" is an addictive little track, whose melody will stay with you for quite a while. A true accomplishment for a song.
 The experimental waltz timed instrumental "Fountains" is Josh's new experimentation at its best. A perfect off kilter change up that is perfectly placed.
  The chord changes on "Metal Lung" are great. Have you ever heard a Sergio Leone influenced jazz pop song? Love this song a bunch.
 Lapland marks some departure of sound for Josh Mease while still retaining the core that makes me love his songwriting, musicianship and singing/melodies. This album will be on my year end list again!
Come see Josh tomorrow night (18+) show at Schubas Chicago. He will be coming in from New York. See him tomorrow, I will be there!

Lizard Kisses - Hirono (Beko DSL)

Usually I don't review singles. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my Creative Commons obsession.  The "Hirono" single by New York lo-fi pop music outfit  Lizard Kisses is an exceptional case. The band is Marc Merza and Corey Siegler who make intimate pop songs. In this single's three songs are the kind of lazy gauzy pop songs that are a perfect pace for the extremely hot Summer days. This single is innovative in that can be played turned label down and the played on a record player. Have you ever heard of such a thing? I haven't.  Below is the Youtube video showing how the single plays on a record player. This is on the very cool Beko DSL which releases some damn fine music and features these singles every Monday. It really nice to see them getting some exposure off the heels on Sleeping In, an album you'll want to check out, which is a name your price download on their bandcamp. If you do download for free, think about purchasing the Beko single or a handmade by Marc and Corey cover cd copy of Sleeping In.  This single is innovative and features three pop songs you'll want to listen to. Thanks to Marc and Cory for a copy of the single.