I’m a huge fan of the late Chris Whitley, and with the release of Iron & Wine’s new album (The Shepherd’s Dog) I think he’s just getting better and better. Both of these artists, I think have the perfect combination of musical talent and lyrical prowess. I think that Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) is certainly among the best lyricists around. I’d certainly place him up with Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, or Leonard Cohen.
Chris Whitley has a very passionate, raw sound which I really dig, too.
So, I’m wondering if there are any out there who are big fans of these guys and can recommend. I’m looking for people with a really raw sound who are also really good lyricists.
Are you familiar with Will Oldham and all his incarnations? (He’s recorded under the names Palace, Palace Music, Palace Brothers, and most recently Bonnie “Prince” Billy.)
Gallows Fodder beat me to it -I listen to a lot of Will Oldham and amazon are always sending me recommendations to get stuff by Iron and Wine. I guess it works both ways, although I’ve not got round to listening to them yet. Maybe I’ll start with their new album.
M Ward is worth a listen, despite his vaguely annoying stage name. Vaguely similar kind of breathy delivery to Sam Beam, but a bit more mannered. I preferred Transfiguration of Vincent to Postwar, but that may just be because I listened to the first one more.
Second Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, too; his latest, The Letting Go, is as perfectly self-contained an album as you’ll find anywhere. Even his semi-afterthought side projects are fantastic (see: Superwolf with Matt Sweeney).
Personally I think the best lyricist out there at the moment is Joanna Newsom, and her sound could definitely be described as passionate and raw. Her voice is very much Marmite, though: you’ll love it or hate it. For me, Ys is probably the most original and arresting album I’ve heard this century. I’ve massively over-listened to it, though, which is annoying. I’ve got to get out of that habit.
Do you want raw passion or do you want lyricists/sing song writers?
If you want the former, that’s a whole nother field of strawberries. For singer songwriter types you’d like, try out Devendra Banhart, Mt. Eerie, Mountain Goats (around All Hail West Texas territory), The Dodos, etc etc. Once you tell me what you want more specifically I’ll provide links.
I’m familiar with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, but not any of his other incarnations. He seems a little more mellow than Iron & Wine (seems hard to do), but I really do like him. I just haven’t listened to him in a while because my girlfriend’s old iPod (which was mine until I got an MP3 player of me own) broke.
I want both. I don’t know how else to say it. There are a lot of bands out there (Ben Harper, for example) that I never gave a second thought to until I saw them in concert, literally banging his hands on his guitar and missing notes because he was so into it, but I thought it was beautiful. I’ve seen him for times now, and I think he’s amazing.
I love Rage Against the Machine for the same reason. Granted their passionate for other reasons, but I just love to see musicians get totally consumed in what they’re doing.
But, I just can’t get into someone whose lyrics I find to be a little trite or jokey (Keller Williams). They may be incredibly talented, and I certainly like their music, but I don’t LOVE it.
To everyone else, please keep the suggestions coming. I’ll check out the artists you’ve already given and let you know.
Love Iron & Wine, and I’m happy to hear there’s a new disc. You might try Bruce Cockburn. Not exactly Iron & Wine style, but he’s penned a dozen classic tunes that are quiet and melodic with strong lyrics. He’s recorded about thirty albums since the sixties, however, and his stuff is all over the place, so you might want to listen to samples before purchasing anything. Try to listen to Pacing the Cage from Charity of the Night (1996). I think it’s also on a collection of singles called Anything, Anytime, Anywhere.
Add me to the list of Bonnie Prince Billy, Joanna Newsom and Devendra converts. I’d also recommend another band: South San Gabriel.
Headed by Will Johnson who is a great songwriter & also fronts another band: Centro-Matic; South San are darker slower and more introspective. i think there are 2 records out: Welcome Convalescence, and The Carlton Chronicles - a sort of concept album told from the perspective of an old and sickly cat. Both are definitely worth a listen
Going to go a bit further afield and recommend some of the output of Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci / Euros Childs (the former Gorky’s lead singer). While some of their stuff isn’t remotely comparable to Sam Beam (I can’t imagine Sam writing the lyric “Woo! Poodle rockin’!”), I definitely think there’s a parallel there in the way they texture their acoustic stuff. The Blue Trees EP in particular is just gorgeous all over, and I think Sam Beam could well have written it had he been born Welsh :). Speaking of which, be aware that some of their output is written in Welsh, so lyrical appreciation becomes a little difficult (still very pretty, though).
Ah, yea, just making sure. Please check out all of these bands at some point. I’m putting them in the order that I think you might appreciate more, so those on top you should check out first, etc.
The Dodos - Listen to “Men.” Bluegrass inspired finger picking with folk vocals and marvelous drumming. Juju B Solomon - Listen to “California” or the hippie one. A guy I met and became friends with in Atlanta, because his show consisted of four people. But he still gave it his everything. Devendra Banhart I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of him. He’s from another fucking planet altogether. Maybe try “Be Kind”? I don’t know, just listen to him. Mountain Goats A classic example of the DIY method. Has been releasing homemade tapes since, I think, '93. Now he has many proper albums to his name, although I like All Hail West Texas best. None of those songs on his page I’m particularly fond of, but to each his own. David Karstan Daniels - “Jesus and the Devil” Don’t really know how to describe him. Always an incredible performer, though. Phosphorescent
Bright Eyes! I somehow found myself at his show, after listening to him, ashamed, for the past 6 or 7 years. He really rocked the fuck out live, it was completely beyond any expectation. Fuck the haters, listen to what you like.
The Good Life - Heartbroke is the best on that page. Taken By Trees - Most powerful, in the haunting sense, female vocals I’ve ever heard. Jens Lekman Try “Cold Swedish Winter” He was more obligatory than anything.
Damnit, I forgot to post this this morning. Check these bands out and tell me what you like and I’ll find more as needed.
I had an exboyfriend that was a huge Palace Boy fan. I heard a lot of similar music in his collection - Hayden, Cat Power, Dan Bern, The Mountain Goats, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits. Kind of an “atonal” lo-fi. He also liked Black Box Recorder, Scrawl, Morphine, Afghan Whigs, Sleater-Kinney.