Avi Buffalo - Avi Buffalo (2010)

 
The Shins. The Byrds. Neil Young. Band of Horses. Daniel Johnston. Mark Linkous. Johnny Marr. Tortoise. Fleet Foxes. Mercury Rev. Flaming Lips. Love. Syd Barrett. Beach Boys. Weezer. Joanna Newsom. Wilco. Built to Spill. Deerhoof.

I'm just over half way through my first listen of Avi Buffalo's deut album for Sub Pop and was reading through a number of reviews I found through metacritic and thought I'd compile a list of artists mentioned during the reviews. Avi Buffalo don't necessarily sound exactly like any of the above bands, but take various elements from each and you've got Avi Buffalo. Whatever the comparisons may be, this is a summer album and is full of sweet melodies and sunshine guitar licks and makes me wish I was in California, kicking back with a Corona. I'm still only on my first listen and whether or not it'll be a favourite of the year, it's probably too early to say, but I do know this will get some serious playtime over the coming weeks. RYM has it at 3.27, whilst the critics have been much more generous, with a score of 81 on metacritic. The obvious stand out for me is the insanely catchy 'What's In It For?', which you can watch the video for and download below, as well as 'Remember Last Time.'

Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time

Avi Buffalo - What's In It For?

The Roots x Jim James x Joanna Newsom x John Legend

Rumours are flying around that the new album from The Roots will feature tracks involving Jim James (My Morning Jacket), John Legend and Joanna Newsom. ?uestlove posted a video of him "recording the joanna newsome jawn...." on his Twitter yesterday, so it seems the rumours are true. However, whether or not it means she's going to sing/play on the album isn't clear and maybe she might just be sampled. Exile had previously sampled her for Fashawn's track 'When She Calls' and I just discovered a hip-hop remix of her 'Milk Eyed Mender' album entitled 'Milk Eyed Gangster', which you can stream/download here. I reeeaallly can't wait to hear this album!!

Top Albums of 2010 Thus Far!

Rate Your Music (Open to view list!)

Joanna Newsom currently sits in pole position and I must confess I've not got round to hearing it yet! It's a pretty damn good start to the year if you ask me and The Tallest Man On Earth has entered at number 6 and I've just got the album and can't wait to hear it! His last effort was one of my favourite albums of recent times, so this one has a lot to live up to! But take a look at the list yourself and check out some of the stuff you've not heard!

I'm going to Egypt tomorrow morning for a week, so I'll make this my last post until my return!

FREE STREAM! Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me (2010)

NPR have again outdone themselves by providing a free stream of the new Joanna Newsom album! I haven't heard it yet, but thought I'd put the link up straight away! ENJOY!

Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me (2010)

Joanna Newsom is due to release her new ambitious 3CD album, 'Have One On Me', on 23rd February. The first single, ''81', can be listened to at Drag City - see Free Music on the right hand side.

Joanna also recently performed a few new trackswhilst on tour in Australia: