New To Know: Young Man + Lanterns On The Lake

Young Man

Boy, the first release from Young Man (aka Colin Caulfield), is a testament of the complexities of a youth’s perspective of adulthood. Constantly striving to achieve “grown up” status while lacking the full vernacular to completely express his desires and curiosities this is an album that succinctly captures the nieve certainty of that age. The seven tracks on Boy give voice to the fickle sense of self & direction one experiences at the edge of adulthood then places those perspective carefully in intricately devised arrangements. Caulfield admits the album is largely autobiographical and with such a clear connection to his emotions so early in the game I’m willing to bet the music he creates in the future will evolve beyond any expectations I could make now. Big predictions, I know, but his kid has it in him to get the job done.

[MP3] Five

Lanterns On The Lake

Just the other day I bemoaning the lack of new banjo picking bands in my life. Not that I don’t still love me my Yarn, Avett Brothers, Freelance Whales etc I just fear reaching my limit of their plucky goodness. Then a lovely email from the folks of UK band Lanterns On The Lake drops in my box and I finally have new banjo! Their song “You Need Better” is a delicate track with a gentle but proud banjo tickle. The group’s arrangements are far more than the simple drips of the banjo lines; they know their way around the lush landscape of layered strings and cavernous organs too. All of this creates an entrancing musical effect. Their patiently assembled songs build slowly and beautifully giving your mind plenty of time to saveur all it’s intricacies. No plans to be stateside any time soon but I’ll happily indulge in their wonder.

[MP3] You Need Better