Mountain Man: Made in the Harbor (Partisan)

Mountain Man: Made in the Harbor (Partisan) - Vermont indie folk trio Mountain Man (Molly Sarle, Amelia Meath and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig) craft music that's arrestingly pure and refreshing. Their three part vocal harmonies, either a cappella or accompanied by a single guitar, seem effortless and natural. It was recorded in an old ice cream parlor with the natural ambience intact. Recommended. Play 2 3 4 6 7 11 12

Samantha Crain: Confiscation (Ramseur)

Samantha Crain: Confiscation (Ramseur) - Oklahoma’s Samantha Crain national debut of indie-folk.  Alternately whimsical and earthy, Crain’s throaty voice expressively delivers her literate narratives of love, hate, betrayal and redemption. It’s sparsely arranged works focused on guitar, tambourine, harmonica.  The CD packaging looks and feels like a book. The musical short stories are divided into five chapters.  Good. 

Johnny Flynn: A Larum (Lost Highway/Vertigo)

Johnny Flynn: A Larum (Lost Highway/Vertigo) - A Larum is Middle English for “an alarm”.  Folk balladeer Johnny Flynn’s stateside debut connects centuries of British folk traditions with an Americana blend of folk, blues and country to create his contemporary folk sounds.  Minimal acoustic instrumentation of guitar, cello, violin, mandolin, trumpet, spoons, etc. are bolstered by muscular drums and bass.  In the tradition, Flynn’s lyrics sing of life, love and loss from a common-man viewpoint.  Recommended. 

Jeff Hanson: Madam Owl (Kill Rock Stars)

Jeff Hanson: Madam Owl (Kill Rock Stars) - Though press releases seem prefer a more PC term “Otherworldly”, singer/songwriter Jeff Hanson’s voice is very feminine sounding.  Regardless, once you move beyond this fascination, you’ll find some intriguing baroque folk.  Well phrased, whispered vocals entwine with detailed arrangements both lavish and sparse.  Good.

David Vandervelde: Waiting For The Sunrise (Secretly Canadian)

David Vandervelde: Waiting For The Sunrise (Secretly Canadian) - David Vandervelde's second LP taps into the American rock tradition.  In striving to carry the torch for classic folk-rock tradition, his blend of high-pitched vocals, hazy guitar and warm keys wind up with a rather faded sound.  Ironically, the gauzey cover-art seems strikingly appropriate.  When press releases for a singer/ songwriter tout a collaboration with Jay Bennett (ex Wilco), you can guess where things are heading.  Reasonably enjoyable, but nothing special. 

Jessica Lea Mayfield: With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt (Polymer Sounds)

Jessica Lea Mayfield: With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt (Polymer Sounds) –

The debut from Kent, Ohio folk-rock songstress Jessica Lea Mayfield is filled haunting songs delivered with and equally aching and sultry voice.  She manages to be dark and moody in the best of ways.  Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) provides support, and some harmonies by Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken and Frank McElroy are featured on track 5.  Love sure isn’t easy.  RIYL Edith Frost, Jolie Holland.  Recommended. 

Neil Halstead: Oh! Mighty Engine (Brushfire)

Neil Halstead: Oh! Mighty Engine (Brushfire) – For his 2^nd solo LP, Cornwall, England’s Neil Halstead (Mojave 3, Slowdive) continues his evolution into the world of sun drenched melodic folk.  His soft voice conveys vague lyrics that are full of anglo-isms.  Though mainly built on gently picked nylon stringd guitar, there’s support from piano, pedal steel, mandolin, banjo, bass, etc.  Good. 

Death Vessel: Nothing is Precious Enough for us (Sub Pop)

Death Vessel: Nothing is Precious Enough for us (Sub Pop) - Death Vessel is the off-kilter folk rock project of Joel Thibodeau (Pronounced “Joelle”).  With help from the Pete Donnelly (The Figgs) and a few others, Nothing is Precious Enough For Us is his sophomore LP and Sub Pop debut.  He sings with a powerful, high and clear voice, while a myriad of instruments and found sounds develop a sonic pallet that’s rich with homespun flair, and largely avoids becoming overblown.  Recommended. 

Laura Marling: Alas I Cannot Swim (Astralwerks)

Laura Marling: Alas I Cannot Swim (Astralwerks) – British coffeehouse folk artist 18 year old singer/songwriter Laura Marling has an alluringly husky voice and expressive phrasing style. She considers her primary influence to be Bonnie "Prince" Billy. With the aid of producer Charlie Fink (Noah And The Whale), the music ranges from sparse statements of her graceful acoustic guitar and subtle background textures to tasteful swells of full ensemble, horns, and strings. Overall, it’s an enjoyable folk-tinged AAA pop record that reveals its beauty on repeated listens. Recommended.