Did I say something about looking forward last time out? Well, I'm going to do a bit of backwards-looking first. I promise there will be some forward-looking in here somewhere though, so fear not, forward-seekers!
2008 was definitely my most productive ever year of discovering new music, and one of the most crucial elements of that was my stumbling upon My Inland Empire. It introduced me to countless bands I now couldn't imagine being without, including Deerhunter, Glissando and Frightened Rabbit. But possibly my favourite discovery on the blog was Trouble Books.
Trouble Books are a band from Akron, Ohio whose record The United Colors of Trouble Books is a half hour slice of the warmest, dreamiest ambient pop I've ever set ears on. It drifts by on a cloud of gentle feedback, soothing you like the most refreshing of sleeps. Hiding amid the fuzziness lie sweet, delicately carved songs.
I feel almost vulgar trying to analyse such a magical little record, but in my opinion, what makes the album such a satisfying listen is the way the ambient noises and songwriting in its traditional sense are melded together so seemlessly (and, apparently, so effortlessly).
I've always been a fan of albums that are more than just a bit of plastic you put in a CD / Record player, and I'm pleased to be able to say that the packaging on The United Colors is as lovingly crafted as the music it contains. Originally released in the USA on Bark and Hiss, each copy's cover is screen-printed and spray-painted on the back of an old junk-shop record sleeve, and it contains a hand-stitched book of artwork. It really is a beautiful thing to own.
And the good news is, it's easy for we Brits to get our hands on. It can (and should) be purchased from MIE Music (the record company set up by My Inland Empire's creator who loved this record so much he felt it deserved to be issued in the UK).
As well as heading over to MIE, I recommend you pay a visit to Bark and Hiss' website as there is a wealth of loveliness lurking on there too. The main attraction besides Trouble Books is the mountain of music waiting to be downloaded from Talons' which consists of TB's very own Mike Tolan.
There is some great stuff here, clearly in the vein of TB, but with more emphasis on the pared-down, woozy acoustic songs rather than the ambient side of the band. It doesn't do a Geordie like me much good, but any London types reading this may be interested to know Mike is playing a gig at The George Tavern on Wednesday the 14th of this month.
He and the rest of the band are clearly the prolific types (my favourite kind of artist), as Trouble Books are readying an EP which should see a release on MIE some time around Easter (See, I promised to look forwards!). Rumour has it that it's a continuation of the more ambient elements of The United Colors, which is exciting news. So until this record emerges, there are three things you can do. First, if you haven't already skipped my ramblings and done so, download the album. Secondly, get to MIE and buy the vinyl. Thirdly, rummage around Bark and Hiss to your heart's content. Each act will slightly improve your life.
Download: Trouble Books - The United Colors of Trouble Books
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