Sunday, June 14, 2015

Boom Forest

Beautiful folk indie.  I mean, really lovely stuff.  This is one guy, John Paul Roney, making gentle tunes that recall classic folk tunes, with a few in here that sound more modern.  I definitely prefer the classic sound over the modern, but all of them are good.  When I read the band name on the poster, I figured this was going to be another EDM group, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear this great stuff instead.

Also of note, the guy is very weird.  Read the "Aboot" section of his website.  Or see his answers to this American Songwriter piece.

Anyway, one album, from 2014, and also called Boom Forest.  Only one tune appears to have an official video - "Baby Teeth" (almost 7k listens on Spotify):
Cool track.  BTW, there are no rocket launches or thunder in the studio version of the track. That version definitely changes the feel of the tune, but you get the idea.  Here is the most listened to track on Spotify (almost 11k listens), called "No Lion" and featuring another band called Phox.  This is obviously not the studio version, but you'll have to go to Spotify for that.
Killer harmonies and nice lyrics as well.  The opener to the album ("Wooden Heart") sounds like David Wilcox to me.  I love David Wilcox's music (even if his ramblings can be a little cray cray). "Clean Coal" evokes the ultimate touchstone for this type of music, Nick Drake.  "Shadow of a Doubt" sounds like some War on Drugs or new Mumford, until it switches in the middle and becomes a quiet folker.  "Analog Cowboys," with the In-the-Air-Tonight drum break in the middle and more strident sound, is also totally different, more arena ready and pop sounding.  Interesting and fine album.  Good discovery way down at the bottom of the poster.

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