Ghost on Ghost

Bibliographic Information: Iron and Wine. (2013). Ghost on ghost [Audio CD]. New York: Nonesuch. ASIN: B00BI6SSMC

Summary and Evaluation: In the fifth album from this renowned folk singer/songwriter comes a refreshing break from quiet lyrical ballads and rather explores jazz beats, warm bass lines right out of the 70’s, twinkly organs and a horn section that grooves along with each chorus. The singer, Samuel Beam, keeps his soft and warm tenor melodies that litter his earlier work, but this time, he seems less anxious, and way more relaxed. Background singers and stylized drum-beats add depth to both quiet furrowed lullabies and the upbeat hymns.

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Samuel Beam (born July 26, 1974), better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases, which include a live album (a recording of his 2005 Bonnaroo performance). He occasionally tours with a full band.

Beam was raised in South Carolina before moving to Virginia and then Florida to attend school. He now resides in Dripping Springs, Texas, near Austin. The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film.”

Genre: Folk Rock, Jazz

Reason for Selection: Samuel Beam is already a household name amongst the musical elite, but this album has the potential to give his ten-year career the recognition he deserves. I consider this album to be a serious contender for Best Album of 2013. 

Born to Die

Bibliographic Information: Lana Del Ray. (2012). Born to die [Audio CD]. Santa Monica: Interscope.

Summary and Evaluation: With brooding nonchalance, Lana Del Ray’s sultry, jazz inspired croons are juxtaposed with her playfully sentimental lyrics. The album starts slow and soft, then gets darker and faster, and finally picks up the mood until it crashes back down to a whisper. The song that rose her to fame is a painful lament to an ex-lover who, despite her ploys for attention, just played video games. Piano, strings and harp pair with painted memories of their relationship, and as she crescendo’s into a pleading and stabbing, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you” you only get the sense that he doesn’t hear her.

Extracting images from pop culture and her past, Lana’s songwriting is fresh and unique. She knows how to orchestrate her melodies in a powerful way, while undercutting the beautiful waves of sound with ironic words.

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (born June 21, 1986), better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Del Rey initially began performing in clubs in New York City at age 18 and signed her first recording contract when she was 20 years old with 5 Points Records, releasing her first digital album Lana Del Ray a.k.a. Lizzy Grant in January 2010. Del Rey bought herself out of the contract with 5 Points Records in April 2010 and signed a joint contract with Interscope, Polydor, and Stranger Records in October 2011.

After she released her debut single "Video Games" in June 2011, a music video created by Del Rey for the song was posted on YouTube in August 2011. After the song became a viral internet hit with over 20 million views, her second studio album,Born to Die, was released in January 2012. The album sold over 3.6 million copies worldwide in 2012, making it the fifth best-selling album of 2012. Charting across Europe, the album spawned numerous top ten hits, including "Blue Jeans", "National Anthem", "Born to Die", and "Summertime Sadness."

  

Genre: Pop

Reason for Selection: Lana Del Ray is a viral sensation, and combination of her unique combinations of genres, paired with her almost Britney Spears-like sentiments, make for great teen music.

Ceremonials

Bibliographic Information: Florence and the Machine. (2011). Ceremonials [Audio CD]. London: Island. ASIN: B005QKYIZ2

Summary and Evaluation:

“And it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back/

                                                So shake him off.”

A piano stabs the air as if from under water. A harp plucks a twinkling crescendo. Soon a soulful voice belts out the opening words and a tribal cascade of reverberating drums beat like a racing heart. Before you know it, an entire orchestra and choir are wrapping their soft arms around you in a dark embrace. The ethereal harmonies are haunting and can only be those of the maroon-haired Florence Welch—front woman and primary songwriter for the indie band, Florence and the Machine. Avoiding the usual revealing stage outfits of other pop artists, Florence can be seen in chin-to-floor chorus robes, and twirls around the stage in capes and flowing long dresses reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Her style is just as iconic as her sound.

Ceremonials is a somber lullabye that harkens images of deep blue oceans, and deeper dreams. The timbre of Florence’s voice will give listeners chills, and her lyrics explore both the darkest and warmest of human emotions: love, fear, death. Each song starts as a whisper and builds and builds into a climax of electrifying intensity and strings. 

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Florence and the Machine (stylised as Florence + The Machine) are an English indie rock band, consisting of lead singer Florence Welch, Isabella "Machine" Summers, and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music. The band's music received praise across the music media, especially from the BBC, before they gained mainstream success. Specifically, the BBC played a large part in their rise to prominence by promoting Florence and the Machine as part of BBC Introducing.

The band's debut album, Lungs, was released on 6 July 2009, and held the number-two position for its first five weeks on the UK Albums Chart. On 17 January 2010, the album reached the top position, after being on the chart for twenty-eight consecutive weeks. As of October 2010, the album had been in the top forty in the United Kingdom for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010. The group's second studio album,Ceremonials, released in October 2011, debuted at number one in the UK and number six in the US.

Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul. Lungs won the MasterCard British Album award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. At the 53rd Grammy Awards, Florence and the Machine were nominated for Best New Artist. Additionally, the band performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, and the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert."

Genre: Pop/Soul

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: Aside from topping Billboard charts around the globe and being nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammies, Florence approaches pop music with emotional honesty and vivid artistry. This girl would rather hit a few bad notes in an intimate performance, than give into gimmicky lip syncing and flashy stage productions. She’s raw and full of energy and emotion. But most of all, she’s honest—and not many pop artists these days are. She’s a good role model, and a lot of teen girls admire her vintage style.