The oddly named Joe Pug

At times, nothing satisfies like the minimalism of a guitar, a voice and a powerful song. So many musicians will do this, and of these, we all know when they have the je ne sais quoi that makes the combination so successful. It is a vast collection of musical heavyweights and forlorn obscurities, and making oneself standout from the myriad must be daunting. It seems unfair to judge an emerging artist against Bob Dylan, or Cat Power, or the tragically sublime Elliott Smith. But it's probably necessary. It's probably unavoidable. I can't but compare when hearing a new artist. With this in mind, I was so impressed with Joe Pug. The carpenter from Chicago follows the dustbowl troubadour tradition, variously displaying the influences required of this mode: the wistful pace, the harmonica accents, the themes of heartbreak or triumph, or self-discovery. He has the voice of a chain-smoking Appalachian journeyman, and the raw guitar melodies complement this beautifully. The honest lyricism in his songs are such appropriate stories for this mode of music. I won't go on, because I'm scared to overhype. His album, Nation of Heat, is out now, and at his website he's actively asking to post his cd to you, free. In numerous quantities, if you want. Just 'cause he wants people to hear his music.

(Incidentally, when listening to the below, tell me you don't hear a young Bob Dylan doing "Mama You Been On My Mind.")

Joe Pug - Hymn #101

Myspace | Website

Give Me Whiskey-drenched New York Folk (and then a Spanish Harlem flashback)

The Felice Brothers aren't ironically named, because that's the predominant family name. But it does seem somewhat inappropriate. Felice means happy in Italian, but their themes aren't quite that. In fact, the content of their songs seems to owe a lot to the American songwriter tradition, where you sing about tribulations and heartbreak, basically. Although that's completely reductive and does nothing to elucidate the engaging, personal lyrics found in the Felice Brothers' songs, nor the musical appeal of what feels like a band you found in a bar in Mississippi in the late 60's. There's a few really easy ways to work out if you'll be interested in these guys: if you like Bob Dylan, check them out; if you like Tom Waits (when he's not being Rain Dogs weird), check them out; if you like Bruce Springsteen's blue-collar vignettes, check them out; if you liked the earthy beauty of the tones throughout Astral Weeks, check them out. In a more contemporary sort of way, I'd say they had the instrumental appeal of earlier Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, the vocal ballpark of David Grey (but WAY less affected), and there's a comforting, plodding Yeasayer vibe too. And if you're listening to them and you think of Beirut and/or Great Lake Swimmers, I'll pay it. IMPORTANT NOTE: despite these comparisons, there is a bluesy, jazzy underscore to their tracks, which adds to the whole cigarettes and bourbon vibe. They're probably influenced by the greats from these musics which I'm too ignorant to be able to reference here. Their self-titled debut on Team Love is out now.

The Felice Brothers - Frankie's Gun
The Felice Brothers - Ruby Mae

Myspace | Team Love


BONUS OLD SKOOL TRACK I LOVE LIKE I LOVE WOMEN (TO QUOTE TUPAC)

Big Pun - Still Not A Player

RIP