Jerry's Pick: "Mexico"

"MEXICO"-STAVES

Whether you know it or not, popular music is in the midst of a folk-rock revolution we haven't seen since the days when Joni Mitchell lived in a fine Laurel Canyon house with a couple of cats in her yard.

Today it's acts such as Mumford & Sons, Civil Wars, Bon Iver, Lumineers, Iron & Wine, Decemberists and others who are successfully selling songs and picking up significant radio airplay.  One of the latest to join this genre is the Staves, three synchronized singing sisters (Emily, Jessica and Camilla) who hail from the London suburb of Watford. 

The Staveley-Taylor siblings are kind of like if the Fleet Foxes had daughters who grew up in England.  Think delicate Judy Collins vocals with tight Crosby, Stills & Nash harmonies.

The Staves have recently released a beautiful recording called "Mexico" that could quite possibly become their break-through hit single here in the States.  The best way I know how to describe the feel of "Mexico" is with a barrage of adjectives, like; haunting, innocent, emotive, effortless, etherial, simple, melancholy, sober, thoughtful, pensive, rich, honest, delicate, subtle… poignant.

"Mexico" begins with middle sis Jessica on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, then Emily and Milly join in adding depth and dimension to this beautiful ballad with their three-part pitch-perfect harmonies, all leading up to a stunningly soaring chorus.

The girls say they grew up singing along to artists like Feist, Simon & Garfunkel and Buffalo Springfield. “There was always music in the house and we always sang,” Jessica recalls. “Mum and Dad weren't professional musicians or anything but they were always into music and would sing, and play both the guitar and piano. Lots of harmonies.”

"Mexico" is part of Dead & Born & Grown which was produced by the ultra-legendary Glyn Johns (Eagles, Eric Clapton, the Who) and his son Ethan (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Priscilla Ahn).

So, should you set "Mexico" as the next destination on your iPod?  Folk, yeah

Jerry's Pick: "A Tattered Line of String"

"TATTERED LINE OF STRING"-THE POSTAL SERVICE 

It was ten-years ago this month when programmer Jimmy Tramborello of Dntel and singer Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie -- having never met each other -- collaborated on a collection of songs from opposite ends of the country via the US Mail that would go on to define the indie music scene and inspire many DIY desk-top music makers.  That album, of heavily synthetic pop songs (titled Give Up), still stands as the only full collection of new tracks to emanate from The Postal Service.  Fans have been waiting and wanting more ever since.

Well, to commemorate its 10th anniversary, the two decided to re-release a remastered Give Up with a bonus disc of B-sides, live performances, remixes, covers… along with two, never-before released Postal Service tracks.

One of the two is "A Tattered Line of String," a smooth, uptempo synth-laden techno-tune featuring Gibbard's gentle and fluent vocals that would have fit-in perfectly with the rest of their stuff from a decade ago.  And -- just as she did back in 2003 on the original Give Up sessions -- it was a nice surprise to hear Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis harmonizing on "String."

Although "A Tattered Line of String" has plenty of hooky pop goodness, it will never come anywhere close of rising to "Such Great Heights."  The reason its included here is that the track procured a few extra points simply because of the crazy cult-like anticipation of its release.  But soak it in, as it doesn't appear The Postal Service will deliver anything else beyond this brief reunion… at least anytime real soon.

Last year Gibbard told Spinner magazine, "I really enjoyed doing that record (Give Up) with Jimmy."  But then clarified, "I find that making music in computers involves a lot of mouse-time... I don't have an aesthetic for that.  Keeping up on new software technology… I'm not particularly interested in that."

The Give Up reissue will be available April 9th… about the same time The Postal Service will be performing twice at the Coachella Music Festival here in Southern California.

Jerry's Pick: "Forest Whitaker"

"FOREST WHITAKER"-BAD BOOKS

I first listened to this track last October, but mistakenly dismissed it as novel.  A second, third (eventually 14th) listen yesterday got me seriously hooked.

"Forest Whitaker" is the best track from the second collection of songs (II) from a side-project called Bad Books, a collaboration between alternative folk-singer Kevin Devine and indy-musician Andy Hull with his Manchester Orchestra.

The simple but slightly somber lyrics -- delivered in a perfect matter-of-fact way by Hull -- are about loathing and self-loathing all set over a contrasting light, up-tempo, synthesized background.  Favorite line of many: “I bought a bird that repeats what I say but ‘I’m lonely’ is all that he’s heard.”  It's fun, forlorn and feckless all at the same time.

Most often the title of a pop song can be found as an integral part of its hook and sometimes an extremely succinct synopsis of the lyrics.  "Forest Whitaker" -- which isn't even about the actor -- fails on both counts.  And the hook isn't lyrical at all… it's an infectious happy-go-lucky whistle that'll have you puckered-up in minutes.

"'Forest Whitaker' was the last song written for the album," Devine tells Rolling Stone." Andy came up with the bones and basic structure and fattened it up instrumentally with (lead guitarist) Robert (McDowell) while I was finishing up my spring tour with Say Anything.  I came in and we dug into those harmonies and Strokes-y synth/video game guitars, which was super fun and expansive -- different for us texturally.  I love the lyric and melody ear-candy with a twist of darkness to keep it off-balance -- save it from being saccharine.  Feels like the missing piece to the record."

By-the-way... if you thinking of purchasing your own copy of "Forest Whitaker," be sure you download the full version which opens with a brief wicky-wicky, beat-heavy, electronic, hip-hop intro that gives this already unique Bad Books tune a special extra dimension.

My advice to you: "Play Forest, play!"