New Music Wednesday!

Each Wednesday, I will (attempt) to review two or three songs that I am hearing for the first time and review them, in an effort to both broaden my own musical tastes and perhaps inspire you to do the same.

Last Flowers
Radiohead, In Rainbows (CD2), 2007

A piano ballad from Thom Yorke in the same vein as Videotape, but with more urgency. Asking for "relief" and simply to be listened to ("and if i'm gonna talk/i just want to talk/please don't interrupt/just sit back and listen"), an acoustic guitar compliments his haunting piano line. The music weaves itself into the lyrics well, matching the paranoia in the verses to unsettling piano lines, and shifting into more comforting music on the repeated chorus of "relief, relief". The build at the end on the "too much, too bright, too powerful" refrain recalls some of U2's work on Achtung Baby, at least to me. As a bonus track, left off the main album, it's not up to their best stuff from In Rainbows but definitely worth a listen and it stands well on it's own. Thom's voice is excellent and evocative, as always.
Grade: B

One Red Thread
Blind Pilot, 3 Rounds and a Sound, 2008

One Red Thread features the acoustic guitar and percussion of Portland, Oregon's Blind Pilot (duo Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski) who earned a fervent local following after they toured the West Coast via bicycle. You needen't know any of that to enjoy this song, however. Brilliantly recorded, the acoustic guitar sounds crisp and bright, and the vocals are fantastic. I have to say, I've heard many singers but something about Nebeker's voice floors me. There's an ease and purity to his vocals that is hard to find in many new bands today, when idiosyncratic vocals are praised far more than they should be. The tempo variation and harmonies shine in One Red Thread, and those of you who went to Starbucks last week may have picked it up for free as the Pick of the Week. Great stuff and I've got high hopes for this band.
Grade: A-

New artist to check out:
Julia Nunes
With an eclectic mix of covers and very good originals, Julia Nunes has gone from YouTube favorite to a record deal to opener for Ben Folds on tour. You might have also seen her on YouTube Live back in November. Between her ukelele, strong voice, and infectious sense of humor, you really can't go wrong with any of her videos. Thanks to Matt for the recommendation.