James Vincent McMorrow

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James was a drummer before switching to the lead-singer/song-writer role. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland- McMorrow started playing pubs & uploading his music to MySpace- all of which was well-received. For a taste of this time period, I would recommend the song "Like The River" which I believe best encapsulates this time period in McMorrow's early recording career. 2008 saw the release of The Sparrow and The Wolf E.P. After that, he held himself in a cabin to write songs, songs like "The Old Dark Machine," that would eventually become his 2011 debut album Early in the Morning. Think five-part harmony, acoustic guitars, and heart-wrenching & chillingly beautiful melodies. McMorrow would head to El Paso, TX and add some studio charm for his second album, 2014's Post Tropical. This was the album where I jumped on board as a fan and discovered this amazing Irish singer-songwriter. I was amazed by the beautiful vocals and melodies which captured a a beautiful kind-of sound; a pristine quiet. Post Tropical found McMorrow going from simple-guitar-folk to brighter arrangements, more electronic keyboards, & (my favorite) cymbals (CRASH)! And so much more: smooth harmonies! flourishing horns! Did I mention the crashing cymbals?! The strongest instrument, of course, is James' powerful & vibrant voice. 2016 brought his third album, We Move, which proved McMorrow's love (& debt) to the R&B and synth-pop world. Less than ten-months later he would release 2017's True Care, another ambitious, reverent record. An album so scatter-shot that you can't help but admire it. 2018 saw McMorrow welcoming the birth of his first child as well as releasing the single "Me And My Friends." His fifth album, 2021's Grapefruit Season, is set to be released Sept. 17th. McMorrow released the single "Paradise" in support of the project. As awesome as avocados...

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James Vincent McMorrow

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Cake

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19 The Band The Band First known as the Hawks, the Band got their initial fame as Bob Dylan’s backing band. Remember when Bob Dylan sold out and went electric, angering fans so much that they called him “ Judas ”? Well, you can thank all of that to the Band. For a band that sounds so fucking American (seriously- no band has done the whole Americana roots music better than the Band) it’s pretty funny most of them were Canadian. After finally branching out on their own in 1968, the Band would release some of the best music ever recorded… and if you thought the Beatles had a hell of a run- check out the Band’s discography: 1968’s Music From Big Pink , 1969’s self-titled The Band , 1970’s Stage Fright , 1971’s Cahoots , 1972’s live-album Rock of Ages , 1973’s Moondog Matinee , 1975’s Northern Lights -Southern Cross , and 1977’s Islands. Lynard Skynard may have taken the crown for greatest southern rock band, but for a band full of Canadians and Americans, the Band really embraces a...

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