("There isn't enough emotional music", I couldn't agree more with Sharon van Etten's opinion in promotional interview for NPR. Unlike a lot of mainstream artists, her lyrics are bursting with personality, and you feel she is in it for creating art, and touching the listener's soul, rather than just cashing in. Sharon Van Etten's song Don't Do It is incredibly powerful, in fact no 2 in my top 100 songs of 2010. I'm not a fan of all her material, but I love Sharon's confessional and vulnerable attitude to songwriting, especially the quieter tracks on her latest LP I find myself going back to, and have posted beneath. Tramp is a mixed bag of folk, rock, and acoustic, I agree with Lisa in her review, who writes the music at times gives her goosebumps.
The b/w album artwork for Tramp (2012) was inspired by John Cale’s 1974’s release Fear. Sharon van Etten's third album was produced by The National's Aaron Dessner, who also guests on the release with fellow band member Bryce Dessner, Julianna Barwick, Zach Condon of Beirut, Matt Barrick of The Walkmen, and Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak)
Give Out - Sharon van Etten
Sharon Van Etten - Give Out by lilapit
...
Ask - Sharon van Etten
Ask by Fernando Sergio Filho
...
Joke or a Lie - Sharon van Etten
(My favorite from her new 2012 album. The track is actually not a new recording I discovered, and was used on soundtrack to movie The Waterhorse from 2007)
Back Where You Belong - Sinead O'Connor
(Remember Soko? Stéphanie Sokolinski is a French singer and actress. In 2007, her tune I'll kill her with that fragile vocal was an internet sensation.
Below are for me the three most impactful tracks on her new 2012 LP. The rest of the album is a little monotonous, with lyrics often becoming cliché. I agree with the NME verdict that Soko has "a knack for making sadness sound sweet". Listen to the rest of her new lo-fi 2012 album here)
I thought I was an alien – Soko
...
No more home, no more love - Soko
...
Treat Your Woman Right - Soko
Listeners, any thoughts on the music?
Hey wow! thanks so much for the classy mention! I'm adding you to my Sharon VE post right away. I'm so glad you like the album. It really struck a chord with me!
ReplyDeleteAnd Soko! I loved that cute little song - thanks for these links. I like the sound of that too. Great post! Thanks again!
@Lisa: You're welcome, I enjoyed reading your review, and thanks for linking me too!
ReplyDeleteI like Soko, "I'll kill her" is still her best song overall in my opinion, with that said, her 2012 album will still please existing fans I'm guessing.
I've just been eating my Saturday morning porridge and listening to the Sharon Van Etten tracks at the same time. Not familiar with her, but really enjoyed. For some reason it reminds me of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! with female vocals with a touch of Chris Isaak thrown in for good luck.
ReplyDelete@doccortex: Happy to have introduced you to the music of Sharon Van Etten, she is a rare talent. I'm aware of those artists you refer to, interesting comparisons!
ReplyDelete