The first musician I would like to lend my praise to is Loreena Mckennit. Her incredible skill possesses an intricate duality in its effect: Both the power to break one's heart and the power to mend it. Her lyrics and melodies seem to cry out to us from a forgotten age of the earth, speaking on behalf of our own lost, personal histories. Her voice is...well, I think she somehow must be an angel, because mere mortals just don't sound that beautiful and haunting. Aside from her vocals, she is an impressive instrumentalist. She plays the harp, piano, accordian, penny whistle, bouzouki, and perhaps more.
SUGGESTED LISTENING FROM THIS ARTIST: My favorite albums by McKennit are "The Visit" and "The Mask and the Mirror," though all of them are great. If I were to recommend one song, I would say, "All of her songs." Fine, I'll be fair: check out her masterpiece entitled "The Old Ways." THEN listen to all of her songs.
Another musician I would highly recommend is A Fine Frenzy. The band's vocalist, pianist, and songwriter, Alison Sudol, creates a powerful realization with her lyrics: That the world is more beautiful and fantastic than it seems at first glance. Many of the words she sings carry a rare positive energy, and her style and presence glorifies the beauty of femininity in song, something which most other pop musicians seem not to know exists; if they do know it exists, they choose not to admit it. I think A Fine Frenzy ought to be displayed as a beacon of righteousness in a world of ugly radio play.
SUGGESTED LISTENING FROM THIS ARTIST: A Fine Frenzy's debut album, One Cell in the Sea, is amazing. I like all of the songs on it, but I often find myself listening and re-listening to "Come On, Come Out." But yeah. They're all good. Familiarize yourself with her now so that you will be prepared for the upcoming release of their third album.
Another musician who is particularly dear to me is a relatively unknown Texan by the name of Doug Burr. He possesses an incredibly unique yet invaluable ability to compose and arrange songs so that the tracks on his albums flow together like one, masterful suite. From beginnin to end, the listener feels he is transported to a realm where notes are the building blocks of a beautifully melancholy world. With a blend of the familiarity of American folk and a transcendience that is all his own, Burr's songs tug at the heart strings and make one happy to be in possession of human emotion, whether they be painful or ecstatic in nature.
SUGGESTED LISTENING FROM THIS ARTIST: Without a doubt, I have to say that you need to listen to Burr's album, "On Promenade," from beginning to end. No skipping around. The album in its entirety is an experience that you shouldn't miss out on. If you want to hear a single, I would recommend "Red, Red" from his album, "O Ye Devastator." Like what you hear? Buy his albums. Help him rise to the stardom he deserves.
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