@@@ Big Galut(e): Self-titled (Pastromele Records, 2015). Classically trained musicians playing Jewish music that I got to via a music publicist email. Instrumentation is violin, accordion, clarinet, uke/guitar, bass and maybe a couple others that I can’t pick up from the mix. These are not traditional Jewish tunes and the violin player sounds like the star to me. They get into some world music with tunes like Kalkutta Klezmer and all of a sudden I feel like some noodle kugel and maybe a latke or two.
@@@ Jeremy Pinnell: OH/KY (Sofaburn Records, 2015). Some mostly old school country music I got to via a music publicist. Pinnell has a classic voice with a whole bunch of lonesomeness in it that works well with his laid-back and solid band. Instrumentations is pretty standard — acoustic guitar, rhythm electric, slide, bass and drums. The vibe goes from laid-back to cough syrup super laid-back. I’m going to circle back and check out this record more closely when I have the time but if you’re expecting these guys to burn down the barn it ain’t gonna happen.
You can stream over here.
@@@ We Came as Romans: Self-titled (Equal Vision, 2015). Some post-hardcore with strong metal and even mainstream heavy music influences. They rock a hard verse that softens up in a sung chorus — a la Linkin Park. There is a little bit of synth garnish, which I’m not a big fan of, but I really like guitar sounds. Lyrics are a little New Age-y and introspective for my taste, but check it out for yourself.
YTD recordings listened to: 581
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 337
Not good music: 200
Honorable Mentions: 14
Buys: 9
Possibles: Chris McGregor, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Dave Arner Trio, Bill Horist, MAKU Soundsystem, Zomby, Retox, About Group, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Bone Dance, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Debruit, Slidhr, The Whammies, The Chewers, Alexander Hawkins, Toxic Holocaust, Equal Stones, Comeback Kid, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, Spacesuits, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mohamed Abozekry, Dawn Richard, Leo Welch, Mastery, Leviathan, Xibalba, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Ellen Jewell, Akitsa, Chico Trujillo, Richard Thompson, Evan Caminiti, ILSA, Jeremy Pinnell
Deep In the Music 