One day I came home from work, or some other place I went and came from. Wade beckoned me over to the computer, to show me some videos on YouTube. Typical guy.

I suppose it was a serendipitous accident, because as he was searching for musicians, he found a band called Tommee and the Neighbourhood.  He was impressed enough to show me, and I was impressed enough to remember the band for over a year. Now that I've got my kickin' music website, I knew I definitely wanted to feature them. Turns out, though, that the band has…disbanded, and Tommee has a solo act, which is fine with me, because he is still exceedingly awesome. 

After some investigating at Tommee's website, I found that he is from a village in Indonesia, and uses a wide range of indigenous and contemporary instruments to create his super-chill sound. His website even features them, with pictures, explanations, and audio samples, that made my boyfriend's mouth water (he has a thing for world stringed instruments).

Tommee's music is pretty crafty. It's relaxing, but with message, and is oddly simple and intricate at the same time. It has some reggae-island grooves, and a good, organic sound.  

He has two solo albums, Kachampo, and Get On So Well. He is currently touring Europe. Hopefully I'll have an interview pretty soon, but for now enjoy these MP3's and keep checking back for more Tommee goodness.

 See What Got Us Hooked

Links 

Tommee Official Website 

Buy Kachampo

Buy Get On So Well

 Music

 Cengaa Aruziki MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20Cengaa%20Aruziki.mp3] 

Get On So Well MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03%20Get%20On%20So%20Well.mp3] 

No Reason To Cry MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20No%20Reason%20To%20Cry.mp3] 

Io Ariku MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/01%20Io%20Ariku.mp3] 

 Tommee's On Tour

One of my favorite Jewel songs, from the Spirit album. 

Barcelona - Jewel

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Jewel%20-%2010%20-%20Barcelona.mp3]

Jewel // Buy Spirit 

Lately I've been doing some investigating for Bonnaroo. While there are tons of bands that I know that are playing, there are equally as many that I don't know or am familiar with, and Gillian Welch is one of them. 

It doesn't look like its available on any of her albums, though, so I've linked to her latest release.

Black Star is available for listen on her MySpace page, but even better, its available for download right here. Its a cover of Radiohead, but you should already know that. I hope. One of my favorite Radiohead tracks being done my a soulful indie singer is pretty cool, and I hope you think so, too. Check it out. 

By the way, if anyone is familiar with Welch's stuff, drop me a line and guide me through her stuff. I want more. Her MySpace page lists her as Acoustic/Indie/Folk, but I disagree. I definitely think country. But I could be wrong. Anyways, keep jammin'.

Black Star - Gillian Welch

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/BlackStar%20-%20Gillian%20Welch.mp3]

Gillian Welch // MySpace // Buy Soul Journey 

Yesterday I was digging my way through internet as I usually do, when I'm supposed to be doing something else. I came across John Fahey. The name sounds familiar, but I know I'm not familiar with his stuff. But I should be. And so should you. Apparently his music is considered 'primitive guitar', and quite an inspiration to many musicians we know. Fahey passed away though, in 2001. 

 I chose 'Sligo River Blues' for this post because it was the easiest to get my hands on. If you check out the MySpace page there are two other tracks which are excellent, also. 

Related Links:

John Fahey Official Website

John Fahey on MySpace 

Related Audio:

Sligo River Blues - John Fahey

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/18%20-%20John%20Fahey%20-%20Sligo%20River%20Blues.mp3]

 Bluegrass + Sweet Harmonies + Awesome Instrumentals = Nickel Creek

Reasons Why: The Very Best (CD + DVD) - Nickel Creek

Nickel Creek Official Website

Label : Sugar Hill

Well, I was just going to do an MP3 Spotlight post on Nickel Creek, but then I couldn't pick an MP3 to feature from this album, or them, in general, especially when it occurred to me that many people don't know who Nickel Creek are. Which is a crying shame.

I've been into Nickel Creek for a couple of years now, and am quite disappointed that they're not playing at Bonnaroo this year, as they have in the past.

What to say? Progressive bluegrass? Sure. Beautiful instrumentals? You bet. Harmonizing vocals? Check.

I love Nickel Creek, and this Best Of album is a good introduction to their music. Some of my favorites in their past albums have been some that I thought wouldn't be on this album, but I was pleasantly surprised.

They have a sound of bluegrass and country, with the mandolin, violin, and guitar of the 3 band members, or sometimes called 'progressive bluegrass', or 'progressive acoustic'. I think it's just good music. I saw in article that someone described their music as "Nickel Creek music". This is why I like it, because you can always expect something different, so different a genre can't hold them. They're signed to Allison Kraus' label, if that gives you an idea. They're lyrically sound, too, with some heavier, darker lyrics on their later albums. They have a talent for storytelling which is prevalent in this style music, like in "The Lighthouse's Tale", a story of a Romeo and Juliet type romance. They do great without lyrics, too, check out "Smoothie Song".

This album is great, with only one hiccup, being "Out of the Woods". I never liked that song. 

Nickel Creek essentially speaks for themselves. To pinpoint what makes them great would be difficult, involve a lot of swearing, and pretty pointless. Hit play and find out for yourself. 

Meanwhile, check out their other stuff if you dig this. Definitely take a listen to the mp3s here. I'll be surprised if you're not hooked.

And sadly, I just found that they're touring this year, the tour being titled "Farwell (For Now)". Catch them while you can. 

Related Links:

Nickel Creek Official Website

Buy This CD

Nickel Creek on MySpace

Related Audio:

Smoothie Song

[audio:http://www.lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/05-nickel_creek-smoothie_song.mp3]

I Should've Known Better

[audio:http://www.lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/09-nickel_creek-i_shouldve_known_better.mp3]

Reasons Why

[audio:http://www.lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/07-nickel_creek-reasons_why.mp3]

When In Rome

[audio:http://www.lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03-nickel_creek-when_in_rome.mp3]

Enjoy. 

Country-Rock + Sweet Harmonies + Pop = Low Stars 

Low Stars - Self Titled

Low Stars Official Website

Label : Hear Music 

The Low Stars are a group of 4 guys, guys that have been in the music biz for several years now. You may recognize them: Jude (City of Angels Soundtrack, music for various T.V. shows), Chris Seefried (lead singer of God's Child, did music for "Six Feet Under" [HBO]), Jeff Russo (lead singer/songwriter for Tonic), and Dave Gibbs (Gigolo Aunts, music for films like "Mr. Deeds"). Together they present an album with a clear reach for the harmony found in the music of The Eagles and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Brand spankin' new, so they necessitate an introduction as a band, but the individuals have their own recognition.

The album, Low Stars, is pretty good. I'll be the first to admit that it's not a style of music that I'd typically spin constantly, but the music and the vocal harmony is excellent. They have a country/pop-rock/Nickel Creek feel, and a definite reminder of the simple, genuine music of The Eagles and CSNY. I do enjoy the range of musical instruments - mandolin, pedal steel, dobro, with your other assorted strings thrown in.

While this album is quite refreshing in musical style and expectations, I have to say lyrically it's a little it-writes-itself, but then again, this style of music lends itself to that. Pretty mellow stuff, and good doing-anything music. Except road rage. By the end, expect to be a little bored, but not totally upset.

Final Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars, if we use a rating system. Check it out, it's available through the Hear Music at Starbucks. 

Related Links:

Low Stars Official Website

Hear Music (Starbucks)

Low Stars on MySpace

Buy This CD!

Related Audio:

Child

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Low%20Stars/02%20Child.mp3]

Tracks In the Rain 

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/Low%20Stars/04%20Tracks%20in%20the%20Rain.mp3]