House of Cat

All things artful and curious

Decemberists – The Hazards of Love

On The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists have created a veritable sea of influence, noting and exalting the connecting thread between 60s British folk music (think Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention) and 70s rock and metal (think Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath). However, they have managed to take a fresh listen to these master storytellers, [...]

M. Ward – Hold Time

It was M. Ward’s album The Transfiguration of Vincent that hooked me in, and I have since gone on to explore (and enjoy) just about everything that he has released. Hold Time is the latest release from this Portland-hailing songsmith and it doesn’t disappoint. He balances out his quiet, introverted tendencies with some fuzz guitar [...]

Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

I was sold on the new Neko Case album before I heard a single track. The cover art for Middle Cyclone features Neko perched on the front of an old Mercury Cougar (what memories the Cougar bring back), sword in hand, ready to pounce. As albums everywhere are going the way of the download, with [...]

The Watson Twins – Fire Songs

The Watson Twins have captured me and won’t let me go. Genetic similarity makes for great harmonies and these women shine. They have Americana sensibilities with reverb and sparse instrumentation, nice little horn flourishes and songwriting that makes you take a second listen. They slow it down, they speed it up and just to seal [...]

Nick Drake – Family Tree

Nick Drake is one of those quiet giants of my music collection. He gets thrown into “died too soon heroes of ’60s British folk” circles – and rightfully so, but something sets him apart. He uses multiple guitar tunings to create his unique sound, and his lyrics are cryptic and poetic and timeless, but there [...]

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Overheard at the Record Store
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