Jerry's Pick: "Spotlight"

"SPOTLIGHT"-LEAGUES 

A few weeks ago I discovered an indy-band out of Nashville named Leagues who have just released a single that should be a sound hit later this Spring.  It's a tune that recently received a promotional boost following a spin during season-9, episode-14 of "Grey's Anatomy."

Efficaciously using a catchy groove, jangly guitars and a strong bass-line, their song "Spotlight" will not only get the upper part of your body bopping along to its bouncy beat, but its infectious chorus should also have you taking part in your own little karaoke performance as well. You'll discover that the power of this popalicious pick lies directly in its hook.

Although Leagues is just three song-guys out of Nashville (Thad Cockrell/vocals, Tyler Burkam/guitar, and Jeremy Lutito/drums), "Spotlight" is so nicely produced and solidly layered that you'll assume they must have had lots of assistance in the studio.

Definitely danceable, "Spotlight" is a track that could have easily been recorded by Two Door Cinema Club as it has the same effervescent feel as "Something Good Can Work."  And aside from being effectively infectious, "Spotlight" offers a little bit of the band's own philosophical op-ed on love. ("Give it when you feel none.")

According to Thad, "The general thought on music is that it can only be dance or fun party-music if the lyrics are throwaway lyrics. I think in some way we would like to challenge that."

So, listen and smile while you're in the "Spotlight."  Any dancing and singing will be a bonus.

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.