Sunday Mail Bag (Monday edition): Cleemann

I was immeadiately struck by the title and cover art of this obscure little album I received in the mail the other day. An old man holding two seashells up to his ears, with an intent look upon his face, as if he was trying to hear the universe. The title simply reads 45 Minutes Mostly About Caring. After a completely shit-tastic Monday I need caring. And I'll take about 45 minutes of it. And after listening to Cleemann, I got it.

Gunnar Cleemann is basically a Danish dude you've never heard of and his voice is otherworldly. Think a blend of Antony, that guy from Sigur Ros, but with a distinct weirdness all his own. I can't quite find the adjectives for it. Musically he experiments with a combination of lush orchestrations, acoustic arrangements and tinges of electronic gauze to make one of the downright prettiest albums I've heard in a long, long time. Additionally, the eclectic sonic palette evokes emotions which the songs are actually titled after (see: "Romantic", "Ambitious" and "Righteous"). It's dreamy and layered for sure, but also approachable and most importantly emotional. In other words, it's exactly how pop music should be.

Download these two tracks:
Repairman - Cleemann
Emphatic - Cleemann

Stream more songs here
AND if you still want more Cleemann (and let's face it, you will) Buy it - on sale now via Series II Records

Sunday Mail Bag: Horse Shoes edition

This post marks the first installment of a new feature in which we weed through emails (and snail mail) galore to bring you music actually worthy of your attention. First up: Horse Shoes.

Number one way to get this blogger's attention: tell me your band sounds like they're from Sweden even if they're not. That's what Horse Shoes did and it sure worked.

And to make matter even more interesting, these two guys are from FLORIDA which is the aesthetic opposite of Sweden, all hurricanes and grandmas (not that those are bad things; they're not. They're just not Swedish things). But believe it or not they manage to capture the icy essence of that distant pop wonderland with dreamy vocals, lovelorn lyrics lo-fi samples (ala Air France or Jens Lekman) and jangly beauty galore.

There latest EP The Imperial School is out Sept. 22 via Shelflife records. Along with the Swedish feel, its also got a retro-80s vibe, like half these songs wouldn't feel out of place in a John Hughes prom scene, especially the epic "Changing Winds" (except Andie ends up with Duckie this time). Morrissey himself would be proud of the earnestness.

Changing Winds - Horse Shoes

The Imperial School - Horse Shoes