This is the first of several installments exploring sound and production quality.  Upcoming posts will address specific aspects of the production process, and provide suggestions on ways to get the best results.  In this post though, we will briefly discuss the question of if production quality really matters, and if so – why? Read the rest of this entry »

Underground college radio fans all over the United States and Europe have been buzzing about the trippy, sparse “post-doo-wop” of Idiot Glee. Here in Lexington, Kentucky, the creative force behind Idiot Glee, James Friley, can often be seen poking his head into local shows and playing Al’s Bar, but he will soon be embarking on a tour of England and New York City in support of Idiot Glee. James grew up in the Church along with his brother, Ian Friley, who has graced our pages and podcast before as Good Morning Passenger, and found a measure of success with his previous band, bedtime. James admits he doesn’t obsess about God as much as he obsesses about music, and hasn’t been to Church in while (we’re working on that), but James still has to defend the Church in interviews and explain to people why he doesn’t drink. In this interview, James talks about his upcoming tour, his varied influences, and his relationship with the Church. Highly recommended. Read the rest of this entry »

Recommended if you like: ’90s indie pop; things that, in theory, sound awful but, in practice, are actually pretty awesome

Recommended Tracks: “One at a Time”, “Pew Pew”, “Broken Broca’s” Read the rest of this entry »

Recommended if you like: Deathcab for Cutie, Pinback
Recommended tracks: “Empty Beds”, “Wake the Thieves”

Good Morning Passenger, released on the Slow Owl label, is the first full album by Ian Friley, who releases music under the name Good Morning Passenger.  Ian has a knack for creating dreamy washes and soundscapes, underscored by humble yet driving rhythms, and wrapped up in catchy, accessible packages.  He comes from a similarly talented family:  his brother is Idiot Glee and Bedtime keyboardist, songwriter, and singer James Friley.

Good Morning Passenger is a surprisingly full, textured, and clear artistic statement, despite being composed of just eight tracks.  It is a brutally honest, hypnotic album, a must-have for deep thinkers, and hopefully it is the beginning of a long life of writing and recording from Ian Friley. I simply love this album. Read the rest of this entry »

The eponymous new album from Good Morning Passenger is now available on several websites including iTunes.  I’m waiting on my copy, so I cannot write a proper review quite yet, but I have half of the songs from our podcasts.  Ian is an incredibly unique and talented songwriter, and his style has a very mellow yet driving spacey sound.  I’m a big fan actually, and so I feel good about already recommending this album to anyone.

Once I receive a copy I will let you know by writing a review, but if the rest of the album is anything like what I have now, I can already tell you I’m going to like it.

Recommended if you like: Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake
Recommended tracks: “The Stone”, “The Planet”, “The Sea of Glass”

It has been a while since I received The Goldminer from Canoe’s Carl Hoiland, but it takes me a while to fully digest albums like this. However, Canoe has just released their newest album, The Ship, on iTunes, and I felt like it was time. Though perhaps it borders too much on the philosophical, this album is a dreamy, crystalline journey that definitely gives back what you put into it.  It’s a beautiful, mystical album that deserves far more attention than it has gotten, particularly now that their next album threatens to overtake it in popularity. Read the rest of this entry »

Hello!

My name is Jake and this my first official post as a member of the Linescratchers team and I could not be more thrilled about it.  To start off I would like to pose a simple question: what is poetry? Is it flowery words?  Or fourteen lines about love with a specific rhyme scheme?  Maybe even deep thought smashed into a simple text?

Well, if you ask Roman Jakobson, a Russian linguist born in 1896, it is none of these.  Poetry, or the poetic function, is simply communicating in a form different then the standard norm or language.  For example, if we spoke in rhyme all the time then rhyming sentences would become the norm or standard.  Any deviation from this norm, or not rhyming, would be using the poetic function.  Poetry is noticed and memorable because it stands out among the background of everyday speaking.  I bring this up to point out that poetry is made simply by being different, pushing your way outside the box in order to be seen, and if applied to music, to be heard. Read the rest of this entry »

Should Mormons make money off spirituality? Could LDS music possibly be elevated to the same level as hymns?  Complicated questions with complicated answers.  A few weeks ago, in response to a series I have been writing called The Top 10 LDS Musicians You’ve Never Heard Of, someone told me that I needed to look up JP Haynie, and I’m very glad I did. Upon first listen, the arrangements will seem vaguely familiar, but they also have a definite ring of their own. Listeners will find the songs literate, sparse, and harmonic, with a touch of bliss and melancholy. I sent a few interview questions to Jordan Haynie and asked him about his music, his upcoming album called The Sand, Deseret Book music, and the scene in Salt Lake, and he responded graciously and honestly. Great interview, and highly recommended from Linescratchers. Read the rest of this entry »

Recommended if you like: The Flaming Lips, Badly Drawn Boy, Wilco, The Decemberists, Bela Fleck

Lime Colony’s self-titled release is an example of an album that is better than the sum of its parts—what it lacks in truly memorable melodies or vocals, it more than makes up for in intelligent, intricate instrumental arrangements.  This is music that will grow on you. In fact, the whole album grows, beginning in its first track (“Terry’s Theme”) with some very simple guitar strumming; a second guitar is added, then a horn, a saxophone, percussion, until it builds into a beautiful, layered instrumental track—witih definite echoes of contemporary folk master Bela Fleck—before quietly fading back out. Read the rest of this entry »

Lime Colony’s second album, a surprisingly complex, lush indie acoustic romp with almost Charles Ives-inspired backing arrangements, entitled Lime Colony, is now available for purchase on iTunes. Earl Kramer, member of the band, is a Latter-day Saint.

Click HERE to check it out.

Here is the new official video to “Forget the Nighttime,” a indie rock song from Utah band Crossing Columbia.  Enjoy!

Retribution Gospel Choir – 2

Recommended if you like: Low, garage rock, awesome drum skillz

Recommended tracks: “Hide it Away,” “Poor Man’s Daughter,” “Bless Us All”

Click here to buy the album!

Last week I was waiting around on campus for my wife to pick me up, when I decided to step into a local CD shop, promising to myself that I wouldn’t spend any money we didn’t have. I’m sure you can all guess how that turned out. I walked out of the shop carrying a shiny new copy of Retribution Gospel Choir’s latest album, simply entitled 2.

I hadn’t heard any Retribution Gospel Choir, though I’m a big Low fan, and so the powerful, raw, and in-your-face tone came as a shock, really. I was pleasantly surprised. Read the rest of this entry »

Good Morning Passenger has released a promo for their latest album. The writing, recording, and mixing is now finished and the album will be available for sale and download in the upcoming months. Enjoy!

This past week, I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Borgia, also known as Less Than Three (<3) and let me tell you, I had such a blast! If you are interested in not only good music, but reading an interview with an artist whose personality really shines through his writing, read on! From this interview, you can tell how excited and passionate he is about not only his music, but having the opportunity to tour as well! Being one of the youngest artists we’ve interviewed, I was very excited to get his input and views on the industry where so many people have given into temptation and gone down a different path. In this interview he not only discusses this topic, but he also talks about his future, the tremendous love he has for his fans, and of course, his music.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Retribution Gospel Choir, featuring Latter-day Saint Alan Sparhawk from Low, has recorded a video for their song “Hide it Away,” from their newest album, 2. Also featuring AWESOME MUTTON CHOPS.