Chesapeake by Rachael Yamagata

Released:  October 11, 2011
Rating:  72.00

This is my second album by Rachael Yamagata's and her third studio release.  (She recorded this album utilizing the fan-funded music platform PleadgeMusic - another interesting side story you can read about at http://www.pledgemusic.com/site/about.)

Rachael Yamagata lists Carole King and Roberta Flack amongst her influences, and that comes through loud a clear on Chesapeake.    I also hear influences from Sheryl Crow, Nora Jones and others.  Lot's of great piano and a hip stand-up base on Stick Around.

A couple of my favorites are the Elton John-esque Piano Ballad Full On and the very cool Starlight.  (Click the song titles to hear full length recordings on youtube.com.)

Raised in New York City and Washington DC by divorced parents, she went to college, in the mid ‘90s, at Northwestern and Vassar where she majored in French and Italian Theatre, respectively. She returned to Northwestern for her Junior year where she joined a local band. They recorded three albums over 6 years and in 2001 Yamagata decided it was time to go out on her own and released her first solo album in 2004.

All Things Will Unwind by My Brightest Diamond

Released: October 11, 2011
Rating:70.91

This is Chamber Pop. Mixing elements of opera, cabaret, chamber music, and rock, My Brightest Diamond is the project of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Shara Worden (from Ypsilanti, Michigan.) This album, her fourth as MBD, is a collaboration with the acclaimed yMusic chamber ensemble - an interesting enough story in their own right (follow the hyperlink to learn more about them).

Check out the official videos for High, Low, Middle;  it has a sort of gypsy beat; or try my favorite, the sort of tribal chant Be Brave.

It's no no surprise she got part of her inspiration from one of my favorite quirky artists – Antony and the Johnsons.
Her career began with her 2001 release, under the name of Awry.

Metals by Feist

Released:  October 4, 2011
Rating:  70.00

This is my first album by Leslie Feist, though it's her 4^th solo studio release.  She's also been an active member of 4 different bands, starting with a herSchool punk band, that opened for the Ramones.  She was born in Novia Scotia,  relocated to Calgary and finally settled in Toronto.  

I would use the words sweet, smoky and gentle to describe this album.  My opinion seems to line up, in general, with the critics.  It's a really pretty album and much of it reminds me of Annie Lennox.

Give a listen to live versions of  Bittersweet Memories or Caught a Long Wind.

The Whole Love by Wilco

Released: September 27, 2011
Rating: 75.00

I'm still struggling to decide if I really like this album, or if I love it.  Every time I listen to it I like it more.  I think if I waited a few more weeks, it might climb into the top 10.

Wilco, formed in 1994 by Jeff Tweedy, after the break-up of Uncle Tupelo, has released their 10th studio album. I think this is the best thing they've done since 2004’s A Ghost Is Born and it's brought me back into the fold of Wilco fans.

Tweedy has never shied away from the influences of the 70's and they're here in abundance: hints of John Lennon and George Harrison, Gram Parsons, Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel, Randy Numan, and any of a number of 70's power pop bands.

Check out the poppy I Might or the spacey Art of Almost.   (click the song titles for a link to live versions of the the full songs from Letterman on youtube)

As a side note, and it should not be held against the album, The Whole Love has been nominated (announced November 30) for the 2012 Best Rock Album Grammy.