Natty - Man Like I

Natty is one of the most impressive reggae acts i've seen in many years. Natty mixes the classic reggae sound with alternative rock to create some meaningful yet relaxing and mellow music. It's so easy to have his debut album Man Like I just playing in the background, that it is almost difficult to pay attention to since it fits as background music for almost any non-climactic situation. However, missing out on this music would be a mistake since it has more to offer than just noise. Natty's songs revolve around pressing issues and common human wants and thoughts that everyone can relate to. The music is cleanly cut and nothing is out of place.

Don't miss out on what is a great evolution for reggae and a great way to bring it back into the mainstream.

nattymusic.com

Here are a few tracks off of his free live EP:

Natty - Bad Man

Natty - Cold Town

The link isn't currently working but you should be able to download his live EP here:
http://www.myfreedownload.co.uk/nattyliveep

Natty's album isn't on the US iTunes but you can get it on amazon
amazon

Wear Your Flavor

In honor of the comeback i've created a t-shirt design that should be iron-onable. I hope it's interesting enough that even if you're not a fan of the blog you might print it off anyway.

here's the full size URL: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/3177379281_96b85bde99_o.png

Cheers!

I'm Not Dead Yet

I had posted an elaborate message containing information about how the blog should be coming back, and listing my top 10 albums of 2008, but it has mysteriously vanished. My Fileden account has also been suspended. This is all curious since the only tracks I've ever posted have been recorded myself or been available off of the websites of the bands. I wish someone could have contacted me before deleting my information, but i suppose that's the way some of these copyright cops operate. I'll have to figure the issue out, but until then here's my top 10 of 2008.

Top 10 Albums

10. Such Fun - Annuals
Great sophomore album, cleaned up their sound while keeping their energy.

9. Skeletal Lamping - Of Montreal
One of the most original albums of 2008. Great mix of songs, a natural evolution for the band.

8. Modern Guilt - Beck
Produced by Danger Mouse, that's all you need to know.

7. Blood Moon - Apes & Androids
Mixes so many sounds/genres it's outrageous.

6. Falling Off The Lavender Bridge - Lightspeed Champion
One of the most touching and meaningful albums of the year by far.

5. Red, Yellow, & Blue - Born Ruffians
Proof that music can be quirky and off-beat but just plain good.

4. Konk/Rak - The Kooks
Relaxing, tightly knit, and smooth. Rak offers a whole new side of the band that shouts indie.

3. Intimacy - Bloc Party
Takes the band in a whole new direction, a great innovation and good experimentation.

2. Elephant Shell - Tokyo Police Club
Honest and earnest, this is the way all music should be.

1. Oracular Spectacular - MGMT
This album covers all of it's bases. Catchy, hypnotic, innovative, and relational. This album could mean absolutely nothing, or absolutely everything. Either way Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser have figured out how to turn art into soundwaves.


Honorables:
Sleep Through the Static - Jack Johnson
Man Like I - Natty
Day & Age - The Killers
Fantasy Black Channel - Late of the Pier
Rabbit Habits - Man Man
Antidotes - Foals
The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley



EPs:
5. Who's Gonna Save My Soul Now EP - Gnarls Barkley

4. I Need A Life EP - Born Ruffians

3. Don't You Evah EP - Spoon

2. Mercury EP - Bloc Party

1. Metanoia EP - MGMT
One track, but it is a journey. Metanoia may seem dragged out and pointless, but you aren't listening closely. It starts out with a rhythmic alternative ballad, then explodes into a rock epic. A small pause, and everything escalates. The sound dies out and gives way to a reprise which builds and builds back again from acoustic and this time to an electric groove. The conclusion: A final statement, and we are lead out by other-worldly sounds.