My old friend Jim Neill from WMUA days sent me a link to this folk-rock trio’s Bandcamp page. He told me it was up my alley, and he was right. I am a sucker for anything that remotely resembles Sandy Denny era Fairport Convention. To say Sandy is my favorite singer of all time is understating it slightly. All that aside, Daisy House has killed it on their self-released debut album. Multi-instrumentalist Doug Hammond, his “angel” voiced daughter Tatiana, and old friend Chris on cittern manage to evoke not only classic late 60s British folk, but that whole West Coast sound that bands like The Mamas and The Papas were so great at. Despite these vintage musical forbears, Daisy House sounds thoroughly modern. Sprinkle fairy dust and dance around the Maypole if you will, but this is intelligent folk rock for the modern age. For further information, see my interview with the band

I didn’t know this ambient space outfit had a new release until I read the review over at Paste. I interviewed them last year, and here they are with another fine release and a new band member, singer and poet Laura Solomon. The band’s narcoleptic brand of dreamy synth-driven pop is still the perfect soundtrack for your paranoid fantasies, and even steps it up to a bit for peppy, could-be-a-single, “Russians”. Solomon’s pretty voice adds hazy layers to the band’s shiny synth lines, and moves the band’s sound closer to pop status. I can forgive them for covering Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face” when they treat my ears to such sonic pleasures as the sublime, “American Lovers.” Wonderful, and great listening for lazy summer days on the back porch.

Wow, this double CD on Northern Star Records is chuck full of fantastic shoegaze, dream pop, and psychedelic nuggets. Ranging from Mat Flint’s delectable band, Deep Cut, to the amazing Australian group, “The Laurels”, and on to Big Takeover and Saint Marie favorite, Spotlight Kid, this collection spans the globe and serves up the best sampling of this sort of music I’ve heard in the past few years. Available now as a double CD

I just heard about this on Friday over at the electronic/ambient site I write for, Headphone Commute. This n5MD artist creates lush, gorgeous soundscapes that sweep me away with their grandeur. This is the sort of ambient music I lap up, and you should too. Being compared to Orbital is hardly an insult, and if you like your IDM laced with melancholy piano, then you should really enjoy this.

This reissue of 1993’s album, Last Splash, is worth hearing for a few reasons. It’s not remastered, but when you’re listening to punk-inflected pop classics like “Cannonball” and “New Year”, a muddy mix is far preferable to startling clarity. No, it’s more that the nostalgia of hearing this album again is worth the ride. I adored this album when it came out, and it still sounds great after 20 years. Plus, they’ve thrown in a bunch of stuff that collectors live for, including a live album called The Stockholm Syndrome, BBC Sessions and demos, and some EPs and singles from that era. Is it worth 40 bucks to you? Could be, but that depends on how much your life needs the extra tracks. Otherwise, you can find the original Last Splash in the cutout bin for chump change. Either way, ti’s a great release from a cool band.

EMI remastered and reissued the original Electronic album as a double CD (UK only) with eight previously unreleased tracks, including alternate takes, edits, and instrumentals. If you like your dance music propelled by the likes of Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner and count yourself as a New Order fan, then this is worth picking up.

This B-side to “Waiting For Something to Happen” is a far too brief psychedelic slab of goodness from this London quartet. It shows a slightly different side to these already eclectic musicians, and provides a glimmer of what might be coming next.

Listening to the world-weary voice of Laura Marling, it’s hard to believe she’s only 23 and already has four albums under her belt. Compare her to Joni or don’t, but never ignore her. With that unmistakable voice and evocative lyrics, you’re bound to take notice. Marling now resides in California, and the expansive space of her new record reflects that. It could almost be one of those lost, West Coast albums, though I cannot see Marling ever fading to obscurity. Listen and savor this one.

This recently discovered 2012 album is a thing of quiet beauty, with its sparkling piano and cinematic sweep. The opener, “To Speak of Solitude”, perfectly describes the music. Evocative and moving, this group’s blend of ambient bliss and downtempo jazz draws you in and succors you in troubled times. Out now on Serein in the UK.

I ordered up this CD after hearing it on Jack’s show. Not only because it celebrated the work of the Windbreakers own Bobby Sutfliff, but more importantly because the money raised from CD sales is going toward helping Bobby recover from a serious car accident. A bunch of his friends got together to record this loving tribute, and the album contains gems from Velvet Crush, Peter Holsapple, and Donovan’s Brain. The CD is available from Paisley Pop