Kentuckyseven

Release: 2011-04-18
Label: Heavenly Recordings / SubPop

Feels Like Hallelujah For The First Time…

Nothing better describes the feeling that crept upon me, when I first heard the sound of this Seattle-band. Something religious. Hallelujah.

The first thing that hits you, listening to this debut-album is that it can’t be a debut. Every song is carved in to your rainy, cold smothered heart, and just brushes everything off. Right there, on the first note. The first chorus.

When I saw the band, at Pustervik, I said to myself, and everyone I could get a hold of -This is something big. I was preaching for the choir. Everyone in that place already knew. I spoke to the band after the gig, and they were not that convinced. Yet. Humble people, that just love what they are doing. And how they do it.

All songs are like riddles, they start out in one way, and end up on another note, still sticking together like small short movies. One of the strongest song on the album, Down in The Valley, is writing references to ancient American songwriters as Dylan and other heroes. The piano, the strings and the ”Lord”. You have to be someone special to get away with. The Head & The Heart is something special. Very special.

I find myself, tapping my knees with my hands, stomping my feet, nodding my head completely open in buses, trains and all over the place. Completely unembarrassed. Like I could never see myself do before. This record is creating some kind of havoc in the controlled ordinary life that is mine.

The way this band present themselves on this album, is in no way ordinary, they have proved that this is something that will stay around for a long long time.

The song Rivers and Roads is a fine example of how to use all the knowledge and skills in the group. Charity is extraordinary in the way she finishes the dramatic end of the song. And experienced live, I know for a fact, that it can only be more exploding when standing close.

Magic is the proper word for describing it.

This is in every way thinkable a Kentucky Seven.

Label. Bella Union
Releasedate: 2011-03-21

Thousands is Kristian Garrard and Luke Bergman, hailing from Seattle, voice-match made in heaven I’d say.

Their debut ”The Sound of Everything” is something special. Recorded throughout the US vast pacific northwest. The record contains sounds of not only great vocals, hymnal sound and instruments, also the sound of birds chirping, leaves falling. Nature recorded on their journey to create the album that would become ”The sound of Everything”.

As Thousands themselves explain ”- We want people to listen to this with headphones on and feel like they’re immersed in these locations, and there’s us, sitting next to you, playing a song.”

This is yet another delicate example of great debut records, and another golden star in the book of magic artists signed to Bella Union.

Fleet Foxes’ guitarist Skye Skjelset, brought the attention to the label, and somewhere in the beauty of this album, there is a little fleet fox hiding away.

Listening to this, makes you feel good. It is by definition a feel-good sound throughout all 12 tracks, and it appeals to me. The way I need to feel. Kristian and Luke’s vocals are somehow mixing, melting together and gently steering the way in to the listeners heart. I am sure that it will not be long until I am driving my car to the store, humming these tunes.

Looking for something new and fresh, which will make your day just a little brighter. You might just have found it.

The Sound of Everything is a sure 5/7, and Thousands will be something to try and catch this year…

Check out more about Thousands @ Thousands.com or get a feeling of the album to come here…

Jag såg den sista Rockyfilmen häromdan. Med farsan i Spårhaga. Det kändes tryggt och lagom respektfullt till en filmserie som ändå betytt något.

Jag får samma känsla när jag lyssnar på Rocky Votolato. En trygg, skön känsla. Lite som att komma hem. Altcountry med munspel, finstämda texter om whisky och annan sprit.

Rocky Votolato föddes i Texas 1978, bor i Seattle och har spelat i flera grupper jag aldrig hört talas om. Han har gått från rockband till ensam folksångare och det är bara att applådera. I vissa stunder äger Rocky sin genre.

Jag tänker hänga med Rocky Votolato framöver, vart han än går. Han är helt enkelt jävligt bra på det han gör.

Betyg: Sex av sju K7´s.
Drick till: vadsomhelst på ett tåg, på väg bort