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The Mod Eclectic blog

A running review of local artists, modern pop music and culture from Capital Public Radio.

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2014 In Review - Five Favorites from Nick Brunner

  •  Nick Brunner 
Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Narrowing down just a few pieces is never the easist decision. Luckily, we'll have three hours on Dcember 27 to revisit a stellar year in pop. As a teaser: Here are five artists whose work this year stuck with me.



G.Green – Area Codes – Mt. St. Mtn.
The Sacramento rock quartet put out its most polished work to date. The current lineup is it’s most stable since Andrew “Diamond” Henderson started using the name G.Green in 2010. Area Codes was recorded by Chris Woodhouse and found a distributor in Mt. St. Mtn. records. The band debuted a few of the tracks for Area Codes on Seattle's public radio powerhouse KEXP earlier in the year.


S – Cool Choices – Hardly Art
In an ocean of break-up albums, Jenn Ghetto's (a.k.a S) most recent on label Hardly Art made me sit up and take notice. Subdued and brutally honest, each track on Cool Choices stands out. S made an appearance at CapRadio earlier this year to talk about the record and perform tracks in our studio.
 


Bonnie “Prince” Billy – Singer’s Grave A Sea of Tongues – Drag City
I haven’t heard singer/guitarist Will Oldham sound this vibrant (on a solo record) for several albums. Singer’s Grave A Sea of Tongues features alternate takes of five tracks originally released on Oldham’s 2011 record Wolfroy Goes To Town. The songs aren’t tacked-on demos either; these are fully fleshed out tracks that stand out on their own. It’s like Oldham pulled them from an alternate timeline and he brought them to us with very little fanfare. The record is lighter in tone than the original versions (something we’ve seen him do before) and we’re still treated to his signature sad troubadour sound.

CONTENT ADVISORY - There a a few instances of Strong Language in the song.


Homeboy Sandman – Hallways – Stone’s Throw Records
While rap duo Run The Jewels rightfully earned the spotlight this fall, I couldn't (and didn't want) to shake off the latest by Homeboy Sandman (aka Angel Del Villar II). The record opens by sampling composer Philip Glass, setting the tone for the next 40 minutes. From the sober-eyed anthem “America the Beautiful” which both criticizes and celebrates the U.S. in equal measure to the introspective "Problems" and undeniable beat of “Refugee,” I'll be revisiting Hallways well into the new year.


Mac Demarco – Salad Days - Captured Tracks
This is a charming lo-fi gem. DeMarco’s stoney guitar sends out hook after hook perfect for lazy afternoons and solemn contemplation alike. The standout tracks for me on this record are "Blue Boy," "Treat Her Better," "Passing Out Pieces," and "Jonny's Odyssey."

    More about Year End Music 2014

  • Year End Music 2014

    As 2014 comes to a close we take a moment to reflect on the music that moved us, the tunes that struck our hearts and the albums that will stay with us through the ages. It's CapRadio Music's 2014 retrospective.

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  • Nick Brunner / Capital Public Radio

    Studio 7055: S

    Friday, October 24, 2014
    Jenn Ghetto just released an intense and intimate pop record as the un-Google-able band S. She plays songs live in our studio, talks with Nick Brunner about the personal struggles that informs her art and why she (for a time) quit music altogether.
  •  Ignat Printsev / Courtesy

    It’s Just The Beginning: G. Green’s New Album Feels Like The First Time

    Monday, August 25, 2014
    After a rocky start, multiple lineup changes, six national tours in two years, two albums, and two trips to SXSW - G. Green is just getting started.

 Year End Music 2014

Andrew Nixon

Nick Brunner

Asst. Program Director, Modern Music Director

Nick oversees the sound of Saturday music programs, hosts Hey Listen!, produces music discovery content for the web and helps wrangle cats during CapRadio fund drives.  Read Full Bio 

 @PublicRadioNick Email Nick Brunner

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