Cougar Microbes

To the uninitiated pressing play on a Gregory and The Hawk album and hearing the beautiful serenading of Meredith Godreau may come as a surprise. This deliberately cloudy moniker is designed to avoid being pigeonholed in the “female singer/songwriter” bin.

It would therefore be lazy reviewing to say ‘Leche‘ sounds like Emiliana Torrini recorded underwater, or that it is as endearing as Soko without ever relying solely on cutesy nuances, or that it subtly captures Bat For Lashes eeriness…

The above statements are somewhat true but if you need a male example to justify this inclusion then I’m confident in saying that Godreau‘s songwriting sits comfortably next to any of Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy‘s output whilst displaying a more imposing vocal range. There is a spectral quality to her melodies that are almost disarming to the listener.

‘Leche‘ is an album equally suited for those times when it is raining outside and you just want to stare solemnly out of the window as the times when you decide it’s time to splash around in the puddles.  

With the aid of it’s subtle layers and emotional dynamics it deservedly earns it’s spot on the top albums list.

TRACKS:

NEXT: #17 Cougar Microbes Top Albums of 2010: Band Of Horses – Infinite Arms

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Canadian chanteuse Kori Pop sent through this wonderful video for her track ‘Nowhere Near My Heart‘.  Shot entirely on Canon D5 Mark II and edited on Iphoto, it is a true labour of love.

Her debut album ‘From The Outskirts‘ is out now. Expect some off-kilter eclectic piano led pop bringing to mind Regina Spektor and Emiliana Torrini.

TRACKS:

At just 27 Jenny Reeves can already be considered a veteran of the Scottish indie scene having performed with and/or contributed on recordings by the likes of The Reindeer Section, Idlewild, Snow Patrol and Arab Strap. With her quasi-solo project Strike The Colours she has allowed her multi-instrumental talents and marvellous voice to take centre stage.

My first exposure to her work was when I received the ‘Breathing Exercises‘ single with its wonderfully hand crafted DIY artwork. The two tracks were carefully constructed, like the artwork they were encased in, and offered enough highlights to deserve multiple plays. The upcoming album ‘Seven Roads‘ has a similiar quality that will have you returning for successive listens.

“This is how we live in frosty weather,

when the darkness pushes us together”

These lyrics from opening track ‘Cold Hands‘ set the tone for the album offering  a dose of melancholia and underlying affection. These themes are ever present in the imagery Reeves sketches and are rendered all the more acute by her endearing Scottish accent.

The aforementioned ‘Breathing Exercise” is typical of this approach with its summery tones betraying a barely noticeable  sadness that is juxtaposed with rolling drum patterns and gentle guitars. Elsewhere even those tracks where her ensemble turn the distortion up a notch it is done with the utmost attention to dynamics drawing the focus towards the vocals.

The presence of Aereogramme’s Craig B on some of the tracks, in a way similiar in effect to Jenny Lewis‘ fleeting appearances on The Postal Service‘s classic ‘Give Up‘ album, adds a wonderful contrast that not only embellishes the tracks but allows the songs he features to go to the next level.

At times Reeves channels a powerful mix of Suzanne Vega’s breathy folk and attention to words, Regina Spektor’s solemn/vulnerable moments and Emiliana Torrini‘s simple yet beautiful melodies. You may notice the references are all female solo artists; in all honesty Reeves‘s presence dominates these recordings to such an extent that it is almost impossible to imagine these songs being performed by anyone else.

‘Seven Roads’ should be heard all in one take, preferably in front of the fireplace.

TRACK:

Strike The Colours – Breathing Exercise

September will forever be associated with returning for a new school year. Realistically it is not a big deal and turning into a grown working bee also means learning to measure your holidays for maximum impact. Yet despite the fact i finished my studies years back without fail on the 31st of August i mourn the end of Summer.

So what to do when you are staring outside at the rain through the window and would rather be sipping a cocktail by the beach? I have found a solution: close your eyes, remember your favourite holiday moments and imagine doing it all again next summer: bigger, better, harder, more! Its a bit new age I admit but it sure beats the September blues!

Here are some great songs which, surprise suprise, reference summer in some way, DAYDREAM AWAY!

MP3′s:

Lovin’ Spoonful – Summer In The City

For those of us that didn’t manage to get out of the city much this summer here is the original summer anthem from the 60s. Have always loved this song, especially since the Joe Cocker version featured prominently in the Bruce Willis‘ Die Hard With A Vengeance, got to love some McClane action: yippie-kay-yay motherfucker!

Emiliana Torrini – Unemployed In Summertime

Emiliana perfectly describes that lovely carefree feeling that can take you over in the summer. Bonus points for name-checking Primrose Hill

Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime

Before Will Smith decided to become a “serious” actor he was one half of late 80s/ early 90′s rap duo Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince. This lighthearted ode to summer is one of their enduring hits and proves that Will is more than just a flash in the pan.

Codeseven – The Boys Of Summer

Codeseven‘s storming take on Don Henley‘s ‘The Boys of Summer’ is shouty enough to appeal to the rocker in you whilst maintaining the original’s melodic drive. This must have summer song makes The Ataris effort years later seem tame.