I should start off by saying that I don’t know much about Mason Jennings. Anymore than you know about any artist. I know he plays guitar and is on Brushfire Records. Thats it. Oh, and I freaking love his album, In the Ever. Like, a lot. It’s chill, folky, instrumentally pleasing and hasn’t burned my ears out yet.

Your New Man is cute and funny, so thats below, and the rest of the songs on the album provide a nice variety of thoughts and lyrics. I like how Jennings brings in Jesus and God but without me feeling like someone doused me with holy water. You know?

Mason Jennings | MySpasm | Buy In The Ever

 Your New Man - Mason Jennings [4:08m]: Play in Popup | Download
 How Deep Is That River - Mason Jennings [3:50m]: Play in Popup | Download

The Lovely Sparrows are from Texas. Do they have sparrows in Texas? Maybe.

Read their neat history here, and listen to the song I’m digging below. They’ve been around for 3 years; they’ve got something to offer. And I surely love this song. Bury the Cynics comes out in July.

P.S. I’m checking out their myspace now and enjoying it, so if you like this track, be sure to head over there.

The Lovely Sparrows | MySpazz | Pre-order Bury the Cynics

 The Lovely Sparrows - Department of Forseeable Outcomes [3:17m]: Play in Popup | Download (325)

Amelia is a band from somewhere. I haven’t figured out anything about them because their bio page on their website is crap. So, for now, let’s assume they’re all pretty good people that like playing around with beats and melodies.

They do this to create pretty chill, pretty, sexy music. Don’t think trip-hop, think Fiona Apple with a country slow-hip-bumping twist.

Caught my attention with the track ‘The Great Escape’, so now I’m checking out the whole album. If you’ve beaten me to it, let me know in the comments what you think.

A Long, Lovely List Of Repairs just came out on the 22nd of April. They are on tour now through the states.

Namaste, bebbe.

Amelia Official Website | MySpazz | Buy A Long, Lovely List of Repairs

 The Great Escape - Amelia [3:38m]: Play in Popup | Download (306)
 Tragedy - Amelia [3:00m]: Play in Popup | Download

I went to my first concert at Kilby Court since it changed hands at the start of the year.  I’m happy to report that, though there are a few changes (the walls in the merch booth have been painted over), it’s still okay.  Got a new PA, but I dare say they’re still attempting to keep it real.  Regarding the show itself, I was actually kind of tired and didn’t give it all the attention that a proper music journalist should.  Luckily, I’m not a music journalist, I’m just a blogger, so I can tell you a few things and then redirect you to this interview conducted with the local participants in the evenings events.  You’ll find suggestions for local Utah music and some interesting things.
I promise you fine people that I will start sleeping better the night before shows so I can better remember things, maybe even get something written that very night.  What I can remember to tell you is that Emme Packer (pronounced “emmy”) is good people.  She writes songs that are mostly soft, but capable of rocking out.  They are not sappy girly coffee shop songs, but you can still enjoy them if you like that sort of thing.
I like to think of Atherton as being alt.country where alt. = shoegaze, but not fully committing to either camp.  They are good people with organ sounds that occasionally soar, and lift the spirit with them.
Johan the Angel were likely my favourite act of the evening, if for nothing else then for their instrumental array, which included desk bells and a vibraphone.  Also, a Rhodes piano, which Britt played, sounds just freaking like harmonics on a guitar.  Kind of an amazing tone.
Apologies to Sea Wolf, certain things and a super packed house prevented me from fully enjoying your set.  You, gentle readers, must simply remember that live cello is an excellent thing for a rock band to do, and the songs “Middle Distance Runner” and “Black Dirt” are both severely excellent.  They will get stuck in your head.  Well.
Pics are up on Flickr, though!

Sea Wolf | Johan the Angel | Atherton | Emme Packer

 Sea Wolf - Middle Distance Runner [2:27m]: Play in Popup | Download (645)

It’s been a while since I’ve been pretty blown away by guitar work. Tyler Ramsey isn’t a guitar god, in the way of crazy pioneer work on the fretboard, but he is succeedingly awesome at creating a weave of music acoustically and making it interesting to listen to. Good example of this is ‘Birdwings’, on his debut album, A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea.

Yeah, I know music is all digital nowadays, but the cover art is purty and worth pointing out. I want to listen to the CD just looking at the cover. If listening to this album will mentally put on the back of the underwater Falkor he’s got going on, I’m in. And so should you, because Falkor is loved by all.

To be honest, I’ve had this album for a little while now, and listened to it in my car, and didn’t catch it, if you know what I mean. Today when I gave it a spin, it made me sit down and really listen, thus the post. Think John Fahey, with a dash of the blues (not musically, but mood).

Anyways, Tyler’s debut album label is Echo Mountain, and the album is being released on January 15, 2008.

P.S. Tyler Ramsey plays guitar for Band of Horses. He’s touring with them, opening the show and then continuing it with the band. Nice, eh? Thanks, Jessica. 

Tyler Ramsey • MySpace • Buy Album

Band of Horses • MySpace • Buy Album

 A Long Dream - Tyler Ramsey [6:01m]: Play in Popup | Download
 Birdwings - Tyler Ramsey: Play in Popup | Download

I’ve discovered a kickass post over at Music For Ants on a brush up with Bob Dylan, which led me to dig up some information on the new Dylan movie, which is called I’m Not There. OMFG.

First of all, the Music for Ants post: http://musicforants.com/blog/?p=571

Secondly, the trailer:

Thirdly, the hot Cate Blanchett:

Can I hear an OMFG? Well, I would, if you said that. In the trailer shes amazing, so I imagine she knocks socks off in the movie. And the soundtrack! TWO DISCS full of Dylan covers from Surfjan Stevens, Calexico, Sonic Youth, Cat Power, and Iron and Wine. Did I mention Eddie Vedder? Yes, Damon, I did.

Soundtracks out, movies not. Let us know what you think of the film when you see it!

And heres a completely unrelated mp3:

 Jeff Lang - Til They Cut Me Down: Play in Popup | Download (1957)