Category Archives: Music

New Music: Various Artists, “Putumayo Presents African Blues”

We’ve had a lot of fun at Putumayo’s expense around these parts, but it’s all been in good fun — even though they seem to have a release for every culture, mood, or occasion, they also have an undeniable knack for putting together some pretty great mixtapes. Their latest, Putumayo Presents African Blues, is no exception; it mixes low-down laments with the sprightlier side of the spectrum, instrumentals alongside vocal cuts, and offers a musical African travelogue in the bargain.

But don’t take our word for it — listen below, and pre-order your copy now. Putumayo Presents African Blues is out April 24.

Grenadilla, "Can't Wait"

CD Review: Grenadilla, “Can’t Wait”

Grenadilla, "Can't Wait"

Like any good parent, I’ve taken thousands of snapshots of my kids, but there’s one particular picture of my daughter that always makes me smile. It captures her mid-swing on the playground, head tilted back toward the sun, with a look of absolute, unbridled, carefree joy on her face. For me, that look represents the perfect grace of the childlike spirit: the ability to uncouple from whatever worries are weighing us down and simply be happy. It’s also the best way I know how to describe Grenadilla’s music — I mean, these songs just sound like giddy motion, warm sunlight, and laughter.

Of course, when your band makes liberal use of the pennywhistle — and has been gifted with a frontwoman whose voice is as carefree-sounding as Debbie Lan’s — you’re going to make happy-sounding songs even if you’re trying to be emo. But that doesn’t take away from the addictive pleasure of Grenadilla’s music, including its newly released second album, Can’t Wait.

Produced by Dog on Fleas member (and longtime Dadnabbit hero) Dean Jones, Can’t Wait fleshes out the Grenadilla sound without tinkering with anything too much — the album adds a few new colors to the band’s sonic palette, but they’re relatively subtle; a horn section here, handclaps there. That sort of thing. The most crucial ingredients — the band’s lovely harmonies and the Capetown flavors in Lan’s arrangements — remain front and center.

Can’t Wait also delivers another solid, sprightly set of songs — 14 tracks, weighing in at a breezy 30 minutes and change, with titles like “Exactly Where I Want to Be,” “Oh Sing a Song to the Sun,” “Smiling,” and “Sunday Afternoon.” Doesn’t just reading those make you a little happier? Listening to them will finish the job.

Can’t Wait is available now from your favorite digital retailer. Listen to samples at Amazon and order your copy today.

KidVid 2012: Kids Music Video Tournament (Round 2/Day 1)

Well, round one of the 2012 KidVid tournament is over, leaving a salty trail of kindie musicians’ tears in its wake as the wheat was brutally culled from the chaff through day after day of merciless voting. The non-winners have limped home, and the victors stand strong and tall. Great job, every — wait, what? We aren’t finished yet?

Apparently not. Those sadists over at Zooglobble crave more of your sweet, sweet votes, so today we kick off another KidVid battle royale. Two videos shall enter! One shall leave! YOU MUST DECIDE.

As always, we’ll be leaving the polls open until 10 PM EST, at which point we close the booths, turn off the lights, and announce that Putin won with 86 percent of the vote. Here are your contenders:

Caspar Babypants, “Mister Rabbit”

Gustafer Yellowgold, “Pancake Smackdown”