Mellow Yellow

Both Seatownshawn and I have been complaining about the lack of good releases this year. But until The Roots new album not coming out until later this year, I've had to remain patient (which is never a good thing, since I'm only patient with people). That being said, the past couple of weeks I have stumbled upon four great new releases.

My friends... if you want "mellow and chill out" music, then you should definitely go out and buy the following albums. All have been released since the new year and all are very, very good. By the way, Train, I have your iPod loaded and ready for you. Plus, all of the albums below are included on the 15 gigs.

1. In the Reins -- by Iron & Wine and Calexico

Calexico is a rock band. While Iron & Wine is one dude, who writes and plays some of the most beautiful and chilled out soft folk songs around. This album has Iron & Wine backed by Calexico and with a great rhythm section, the songs come alive even more. Great album. Iron & Wine can bring the mellow with few rivals.

2. Both Sides of the Gun -- by Ben Harper

I've been a Ben Harper admirer for years. Ever since his classic debut acoustic album Welcome To The Cruel World in 1994 my first year of college when he toured through my school. This double album is moderately priced (for a double album, only a buck or two more than a normal CD these days), but is amazing. Both Sides of the Gun does not disappoint. Disk 1 is mellower than a pot smoker at a Hempfest, filled with lullaby's and acoustic wonders. Disk 2 reminds you of the classic albums and sound of what the Rolling Stones used to crank out in the 60's and 70's. Seriously, Harper brought the rock on this disk. Pure rock n' roll. Both sides get better with every listen too, an underrated feature some overlook.

3. Tiny Cities -- by Sun Kil Moon

Mark Kozelek is Sun Kil Moon. Kozelek was the frontman for Red House Painters in the 1990's, putting out 6 albums of great success. The Red House Painters song "Have You Forgotten" was on the Vanilly Sky Soundtrack, for those of you that might know. Kozelek also has released 3 albums under is own name, but it's hard to spell and you'll have to admit that the bandname Sun Kil Moon sounds way better.

Anyhoo, the first Sun Kil Moon release in 2003 was friggin rad called Ghosts of the Great Highway, and this album follows up nicely. Although Ghosts was an original album, a lot of Kozelek's albums are cover albums. This one is full of Modest Mouse covers. Weird band that I am on and off about, but Sun Kil Moon puts a mellow twist on the tunes that makes great study, reading or dinner music.

4. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood -- by Neko Case

Neko Case's last album was 2002's Blacklisted. Since then she's put her efforts into touring and collaborating with the excellent band, The New Pornographers. Fox Confessor Brings the Flood doesn't blast full throttle like a The New Pornographers output, and the twangy alt-country style of Blacklisted has been toned down for this one. I think her songwriting is stronger on this album. So if you enjoyed her debut, then you'll love Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.