Josh Hoge — Everything She Was

Everything She Was is Josh Hoge’s first major release, and if it’s any indication, it’s probably one of many.  Hoge’s album displays not only a singer but also a well-defined songwriter who takes you on a journey away from heartbreak and onto a road of recovery. The album opens with 360, a song about karma.  The opening guitar chords compliment his soulful voice as he laments about a cheating lover.  It flows into Beautiful Distraction, a soulful lullaby to the woman of his dreams. The shift in tone to the next song, Stay Away is a bit surprising but welcomed.  It’s a soulful R&B tune that is about just what it sounds like, telling a woman that she is just no good for him.  Space is a duet with Blackledge label mate Caitlin Crosby, an infectious ballad about mistakes. Hoge kicks it up a notch with the bluegrass-infused Take It or Leave It, a duet with Marc Broussard.... Read More »

Regina Spektor — Far

Anti-Folk wizard Regina Spektor’s new album, Far, is the most magical recording in the history of sound…okay, that’s a lie, but it is better than anything Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey have ever done; it’s just not as marketable. Far tops Spektor’s previous album, 2006’s Begin to Hope, on a song for song basis.  Comparing Spektor’s albums pre and post signing with Sire Records is unfair because of how much the extra time and resources in the studio affect her overall sound; therefore, it is hard to judge Far against her sonic pearl Soviet Kitsch (2004). “Blue Lips” Lets Down Die Hard Fans, But Pleases Overall On Far, Spektor worked with four top producers.  For the most part, this is good; however, the song “Blue Lips” seems to be missing something that the live performance has.  “Blue Lips” is one of Spektor’s best songs, but on Far it sounds as if producer Jeff Lynne tried to make it... Read More »

Jessica Harp knows what A Woman Needs

Jessica Harp currently has a single that is on the charts, Boy Like Me and her solo debut album entitled A Woman Needs is due out in stores in September, although an exact date has not been released yet. You may recognize her as one half of the country duo, The Wreckers (the other half being Michelle Branch). The Wreckers decided to take a break and pursue solo records when they realized they were going in different directions. Jessica graciously took time out of her currently very busy schedule to answer some questions for us! FM: As you prepare for you solo debut, can you describe the feeling? How is it different than when you were preparing for the Stand Still, Look Pretty (SSLP) release? Jessica: I'm feeling absolutely ecstatic that I'm about to put out in to the world the record I wanted to make since I was a kid! It's different from SSLP in... Read More »

The Most Serene Republic — …And the Ever Expanding Universe

Sprawling, reserved, yet strangely compelling, the Most Serene Republic remain elusively indefinable. Tagged indie by default due to their ties with the Canadian record label Arts & Crafts; an indie stronghold which boasts the likes of Broken Social Scene, Stars, Constantines, and Feist on its roster, the Ontario-based troubadours recall elements of bubblegum pop, symphonic rock, modern classical, synth-folk, low-fi punk, and post-electronica. Their new album, ...And the Ever Expanding Universe, stands as a charmingly quirky album with enough complexity to truly make it special Blending instrumental layering with sweet melodies and airy boy-girl vocals, the Most Serene Republic’s third LP is a lush and ethereal collection of the band’s finest material to date. Produced by David Newfeld, who has previously worked with label mates Broken Social Scene and psychedelic Welsh rockers Super Furry Animals, ...And the Ever Expanding Universe is a subtle departure from its 2007 predecessor Population, displaying a more mature, adroit, and enlivening... Read More »

Jessica Harp Live at Joe’s Pub

Jessica Harp, known as one half of the duo The Wreckers has been making music long before anyone knew she existed. That didn’t stop the songwriter from making timeless music. So it comes as no surprise to the fans who have been following her career for a while that she’s finally stepping out into her own bright spotlight. The long-awaited major label debut of Harp is entitled A Woman Needs and is due out later this year (much to the chagrin of her faithful followers; they’ve been waiting forever it seems.) Tuesday, July 7th, Harp previewed her upcoming record in New York City at Joe’s Pub. The small venue was intimate and quiet, and seated around one hundred people. Guests could sit at a table and order dinner and drinks while watching Harp perform. I opted not to order dinner and sat at the bar where I had... Read More »

Meiko

Meiko blends a mature, raspy vocal with an unmistakably youthful exuberance to create a wonderful sound. Born in Roberta, Georgia, Meiko left home at age eighteen and eventually ended up in Los Angeles.  In L.A., she frequently played at the Hotel Café where she also worked as a waitress. With so many talented, young female singer/songwriters coming out of the anti-folk movement in New York, Meiko is one of the few West Coast performers that have quietly made a name for themselves without becoming an industry puppet. One might argue Meiko is pop or folk or indie, but her demographic is quite clear:  Meiko is a girl in her mid-twenties making music for similarly aged people. One of her most popular songs, the single “Boys with Girlfriends,” is an intimate, diary confessional song that somehow feels more mature than its typical mainstream counterparts.  Two short and simple verses tell the story of a common love triangle, and the song... Read More »