Picks of the music variety
emby
This new indy label from Philly puts out delicious house music tracks almost weekly. Some of their artists include Wattie Green, Corduroy Mavericks and the Dirty Disco Stars. I’m hearing their cuts and remixes regularly in clubs. Buy their Best of 2014 compilation on Traxsource or listen on Soundcloud.com/embymusic.
— JulieAnne S. Cross, Founder, Delaware Burger Battle
Strand of Oaks – Heal
Sure to be near the top of my Best Music of 2014 is the Strand of Oaks: Heal rel
ease. Think Shoot Out The Lights (album by rock duo Richard and Linda Thompson) performed inside a tsunami. In an era of songs and singles, Oaks front man Timothy Showalter has written a truly cohesive album, something incredibly raw and honest, but also melodic and profound. Every emotion is explored, personal histories are laid bare, and experiencing the howling, soaring expressions from Showalter is nothing short of cathartic.
— Joe del Tufo, Contributing Photographer/Writer
Betty & The Bullet at Bellefonte Café
When conside
ring the bands and acts that “fit” into music genres like Americana and bluegrass, Pink Floyd and Sly & The Family Stone are certainly not the first two to come to mind. But it’s exactly those kinds of surprises—folky riffs on “Wish You Were Here” or “Stand”—that make Betty & The Bullet shows all the more fun. The trio comprises wonderful vocals, lively guitar and upright bass as well as some of the finest fiddle playing you are likely to hear in the area. There’s a reason the band’s Sunday brunch performances at Bellefonte Café are typically packed. So get there early (noon) if you want a table. Shows are from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
— Jim Miller, O&A Director of Publications
Twelfth Night Christmas Music
Although the Christmas holidays are now over, I celebrate the season musi
cally until Jan. 5—Twelfth Night—in part because it takes that long to work through my ridiculously extensive and diverse Christmas music collection. Recent additions that I recommend include the vintage pop sounds of Pink Martini’s Joy to the World (highlight: “Ocho Kandelikas” sung in Ladino, a Judeo-Spanish dialect); On This Winter’s Night from Lady Antebellum (a twangy “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”); PTXmas from a capella sensation Pentatonix (“Carol of the Bells”); and Idina Menzel’s Holiday Wishes (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”).
— Mark Fields, Contributing Writer and Movie Reviewer
The Lone Bellow – Then Came the Morning
After their eponymous debut album made believers out of alt-country and folk rock fans, The Lone Bellow
are back with their sophomore effort, Then Came the Morning. The triumvirate of Zach Williams, Kanene Doheney Pipkin and Brian Elmquist has already released two singles, the uplifting “The Lone Bellow,” filled with plenty of stringed orchestration, and “Fake Roses,” complete with melancholy slide guitar and echoed harmonizing from all three band members. The album is due to be released in full Jan. 27, and should be one of the winter’s best.
— Rob Kalesse, Contributing Writer
