Kata Rokkar — Kata Rokkar – A Bay Area based blog about music, life and stuff by Shawn Robbins.

The Album Leaf, Midlake, Jonah Matranga/Kevin Second Split

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01/4/2010

Music

It’s been a while since 2006 and it’s about time Jimmy LaValle got back on the horse and started making music again. After hearing some of the new tunes at the Bottom of the Hill show last year, I was already excited to hear what else he had to provide. Luckily while I was on vacation, he released Falling From The Sun, an echoing and minimalistic vocal track with a bit more harmony than most Album Leaf tracks. This is a nice way to progress for an already gifted musician.

The new album, A Chorus Of Storytellers, will be available on the 2nd of February 2010 on CD, 2x LP, and digital download.

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[mp3] The Album Leaf – Falling From The Sun from A Chorus Of Storytellers (2010)

Jonah Matranga and Kevin Seconds recently released a split 7 inch vinyl through Canada’s Blacktop Records on Tuesday, December 22 2009. The vinyl features four brand new previously unreleased songs including Jonah Matranga’s I’ve Always Wanted To Write A Song Commanding People To (Dance!), a goofy dance tune not unlike Jonah’s tendency to get groovy and silly at the same time, the subtle and sweet Daylight by Matranga, Kevin Seconds’ rolling road tune Grip Yr Own and the harmonic and idiosyncratic Life Unknown by Seconds. The limited pressing of 1000 hand-numbered copies are available to purchase in Canada at all records shops through FAB Distribution. It will also be available online at various online outlets including the official Blacktop Records webstore at blacktoprecords.ca and interpunk.com.

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[mp3] Jonah Matranga – I’ve Always Wanted To Write A Song Commanding People To Dance! from Jonah Matranga/Kevin Seconds Split 7 (2009)

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[mp3] Kevin Seconds – Life Unknown from Jonah Matranga/Kevin Seconds Split 7 (2009)


Another February 2nd release to talk about is Midlake’s forthcoming album, The Courage of Others. To hype this release up, they have released two excellent tracks to tide you over until next month, Rulers Ruling All Things and Acts of Man. To top this Midlake-cake of awesome, the band will return to San Francisco on the 4th of March to the Great American Music Hall. Tickets here.

TRACK LISTING

* Acts of Man
* Winter Dies
* Small Mountain
* Core of Nature
* Fortune
* Rulers, Ruling All Things
* Children of the Grounds
* Bring Down
* The Horn
* The Courage of Others
* In The Ground

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[mp3] Midlake - Rulers Ruling All Things from The Courage Of Others (2010)