Rock Torch

Archer Prewitt recommends Liam Hayes

by

Archer Prewitt and Liam Hayes

Archer Prewitt and Liam Hayes

Archer Prewitt’s recommendation: “I was tempted to break it to you all about the Chicago soul genius that was Curtis Mayfield, but I have to assume that you already have a good deal of his remarkable output. No, I’m going to have to go for a living Chicago genius right now. Liam Hayes. He is Plush. And I cannot recommend enough his first full-length record, More You Becomes You. This is his voice and piano with a touch of French horn, and it is a thing of beauty. Recorded by Steve Albini, Konrad Strauss and Bob Weston in 1998, at a few different locations – it clocks in at under a half hour. A real stunner. It slows your heart. Intoxicating. The coloration of these timeless melodies could only be realized and brought to life by this strange man out of time. He deeply feels this music. This record is a gift. I’ve always been drawn to and fascinated by albums that are thematically consistent: Birkin’s/Gainbourg’s Di Doo Dah, Drake’s Pink Moon, Gaye’s What’s Going On, Davies’ Instinct, Evans’ Moonbeams, Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours, Morrison’s Veedon Fleece, Mitchell’s For The Roses, Wilson’s Pet Sounds, Mayfield’s There’s No Place Like America Today, and the list goes on. This is not to say that Hayes’ other records aren’t perfect as well. They are – full of rich ideas and crystal-clear orchestrations that shift restlessly. Ambitious and disarmingly intimate. You can feel the struggle of their necessary birth! But, I have to say, this is the one that consistently moves me. A genuine classic, dammit!”

Archer PrewittAbout our guest author, Archer Prewitt: Where to start when talking about Archer Prewitt? Before you even talk about his music career, you can rave about his other artistic outlet, his Sof Boy comic book which is quite the rage in Japan. Archer’s art work has also been published in McSweeney’s comic collection and in Chicago Quarterly. But let’s talk music, shall we? Those familiar with the Chicago indie scene may remember Archer as a co-founder of The Coctails. Archer has since released a bunch of albums and an EP as a solo artist, but he is also a member of the jazz-pop-rock-Brazllian-electronic supergroup, The Sea and Cake. The band wrapped opening for Broken Social Scene in 2010 and released their ninth album, The Moonlight Butterfly in 2011. The band is already hard at work on their next album which is expected to be released by early 2012. Follow news about the band here.

Sam Sprague of The Donkeys recommends The Flamin’ Groovies

by

Sam Sprague of The Donkeys and The Flammin' Groovies

Sam Sprague of The Donkeys and The Flamming Groovies

Sam Sprague’s recommendation: “A band The Donkeys really love is The Flamin’ Groovies. Especially fond of the early Roy Loney era records. The Groovies really proved that it’s okay to span all type of genres in music, something The Donkeys really appreciate because all four of us write songs which in turns brings alot of diversity. But enough about us. The Groovies are a Rock n Roll monster. They are just so fun and excting. So many bands forget that Rock n Roll should have a lighter side. The Groovies write such amazing songs. And they just are a kick ass tight machine. Sneakers, Super Snazz, Flamingo, Teenage Head. You can’t go wrong. Teenage Head was the first one I got. I can’t believe these guys weren’t as big as The Rolling Stones. I love and appreciate all their records. I think Norton has re-released some of the early albums. Grab ’em up and Bam-A-Lam all night long!”

Sam SpragueAbout our guest author, Sam Sprague: Sam is the drummer and lead singer of The Donkeys, a band that Rocktorch learned about from, you guessed it, an artist recommendation. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady was asked during the Jim Beam Music Series who the best kept secret in music is and Craig chose The Donkeys. We snagged up their CDs and found one treasure after another. Each album is stocked with laid back tunes that would get thumbs up from Gram Parsons, Wilco and Pavement fans alike, but their appeal easily can spread beyond the alt/alt-country sphere. Are The Donkeys alternative? Country? 70’s throwbacks? We’d say yes to all and just add that this is simply good music that has to be heard. Be sure to catch The Donkeys on tour and pick up their latest album, Born With Stripes.

MP3: I Like the Way You Walk by The Donkeys from
Born With Stripes

Don’t Know Who We Are by The Donkeys

Marissa Nadler carries a torch for Patti Smith and Kate Bush

by

Marissa Nadler and Patti Smith

Marissa Nadler and Patti Smith

Marissa Nadler’s recommendation: “Its kind of a tie between Patti Smith and Kate Bush, for me. Patti Smith I love for her raw energy, and complete ferocity. She had a strong independance that never adhered to the cannons of beauty set forth by society. My favorite album is Horses by far. She rocks out really hard but also can sing a beautiful ballad as good as anyone. Kate Bush, I also admire for her individuality. She is a complete innovator in her field. I think Hounds of Love is one of the most perfect albums of all time.”

Kevin MurphyAbout our guest author, Marissa Nadler: Marissa has been releasing music since 2004 and gained serious attention when she won Outstanding Singer-Songwriter of the Year in the 2008 Boston Music Awards for her third album, Song III: Bird on the Water. If that isn’t enough of an accomplishment, Marissa’s fourth album, Little Hells racked up four star reviews from Mojo and Uncut and earned this glowing quote from LA Weekly critic John Payne: “You’ll want this music to never end, almost perversely, as Nadler echo-croons so ethereally over artfully plucked acoustic guitar, the shapes and colors of her melancholy muse shifting so subtlely as to suggest, best severe and complex emotions that we’ve possibly never recognized in this or previous lives.” Marissa’s next masterpiece is due out this Spring and can be pre-ordered on http://www.marissanadler.com/. Check her upcoming tour dates listed at her bandcamp site and be sure to contribute to her Kickstarter project.

MP3: Baby, I Will Leave You In the Morning by Marissa Nadler

newsletter software