Cough, Asthmatic Kitty! (An Introduction)

That's what I'm calling the unofficial sampler from Asthmatic Kitty Records, home to the infamous Sufjan Stevens. They have some great artists on there, and I think everyone out there needs to know them. I think that if you were to buy only music coming from AK, you could go your whole life without wondering if there was more. And that's not an exaggeration. I'll briefly run down the artists on there, and then link you to the 23-song album, all from AK's own website but with a little bit of a personal touch.Sufjan Stevens is without a hint of exaggeration, the king of the indie music scene. I don't think you can come across anyone in that scene who doesn't know Stevens' music, and can most easily point out Chicago or Casimir Pulaski Day (off Come On, Feel The Illinoise) amongst others. His current project is to write an album for every state of the US, and has completed 2 wonderful ones thus far on Michigan and Illinois (still waiting for the next one Sufjan!). If you haven't yet heard his music, you're in for a real treat.

The Curtains are the brainchild of (primarily) Chris Cohen of Deerhoof. Having an interesting history with music (learning the art of overdubbing at age 12), Cohen wanted to try something different apart from Deerhoof, and that's when he collaborated with a couple other musicians and launched The Curtains. The music is jazzy, yet not. It's folky, yet not. It's a unique blend of the above but with a touch only Cohen can bring. 'Go Lucky' is a cool track part of this compilation, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

Half Handed Cloud is quite an interesting group. John Ringhofer loves making music and has fun with it, which is clearly heard through the group's music. He's an eccentric of sorts (lives in Berkeley after all), but if that's the kind of music he can make, then all I can say is eccentric on, my friend. Short and sweet is how he likes to keep the music, most songs averaging in at about a minute and half, and that's exactly the way I like em.

Liz Janes was led to AK via the king himself, when her (then future) husband handed him a tape of her music. Now, once you've hear her, you're bound to say, good job Sufjan, and there's a reason there. The folk-gospel sound of her music draws you in and takes you to a place by the river where you go to contemplate on life. Her lyrics match the image in your head, and connects with you at that level, making it music you could re-listen to.

Shapes And Sizes produces music that comes in various, umm, shapes and sizes! Three of the four members write for the band, and so there's a very welcome variety throughout their album. The Canadian Indie scene seems to be penetrating more of the market, and I think I'm gonna have to post something on that in this next week, so keep an eye out. As for Shapes & Sizes, love em and go listen to em.

My Brightest Diamond makes me want to cry at times. And the reason for that is that Shara Worden's voice is angelic beyond words. She reminds me Regina Spektor at times, but the music backing her has more of an orchestral sound than the pop/jazz sound of that of Spektor. Her dynamic range and control of her voice make her an instant charm, and rightfully so. She's been singing all her life (first recording at age 3), and has been studying music just as long. Recommended beyond just the song here.

Rafter, named for Rafter Roberts, the musician behind the ingenuity that graces the music, is quite an eccentric, much like his friend, Ringhofer. His music, therefore, has similar qualities: the short tracks, the quick symphonies, the indiscernible vocals at times (however rarely). But the music has a calming and soothing quality at times as well.

Bunky, Rafter Robert's other project, is also featured on this compilation. Different from Rafter, Bunky has a quality reminiscent of The Boy Least Likely To at times. It's fun, it's childish, it's very musical, and it's single, Chuy, promises to get on your nerves. But the music is good, and there's no denying it. Fellow collaborator, Emily Joyce, make this duo similar (ish) to The White Stripes. Roberts on guitar and vocals and Joyce on drums and vocals is what gives this that quality. This album's a must get for any fan of TWS.

Castanets, unfortunately, is the last artist on this compilation. Raymond Raposa commands the gentle giant known as Castanets. Going from solo work all the way to multi-intrumental, near symphonic operas, Raposa gains my respect immediately as a very accomplished musician. The production of the music is near flawless, and all the instruments are perfectly arranged. Everything falls into its right place. Whether or not you care for folksy music, you will love Castanets.

So without further ado, here are the links. I tried uploading a zip file, but it just wasn't working. So have at it, and let me know how you enjoy it.

01 Rafter - Monsters
02 Sufjan Stevens - Jason
03 Half-Handed Cloud - Animals Are Cut In Two
04 Rafter - Encouragement
05 Liz Janes - Lonesome Valley
06 Rafter - Gentle Men
07 Half-Handed Cloud - I Got A Letter
08 Sufjan Stevens - That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!
09 The Curtains - Go Lucky
10 Sufjan Stevens - Holland
11 Shapes & Sizes - Island's Gone Bad
12 My Brightest Diamond - Something Of An End
13 Half-Handed Cloud - Wonderkiller
14 Rafter - Hope
15 Liz Janes - Proposition
16 Castanets - Three Days, Four Nights
17 Sufjan Stevens - Sister Winter
18 Half-Handed Cloud - We're Very Greatly Loved
19 Bunky - Chuy
20 Castanets - All That I Know To Have Changed In You
21 Half-Handed Cloud - Can't Even Breathe On My Own
22 Half-Handed Cloud - Feed Your Sheep A Burning Lamp
23 Sufjan Stevens - Year Of The Dog

Happy Coughing!