For his latest effort, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter AM found inspiration while mining the crates of his extensive 1960s record collection, ranging from obscure Brazilian music to Italian soundtracks. Armed with a studio of instruments, from guitar to ukulele, and glockenspiel to synths, multi-instrumentalist AM and producer Charles Newman (Magnetic Fields), recruited a host of talented players to add sonic layers to the songs. Together, they set off to create a record that pays homage to the Tulsa-born, New Orleans-raised musician’s diverse influences such as Jorge Ben, Brian Wilson, Sergio Mendes and Curtis Mayfield, while showcasing his own songwriting chops, intelligent lyrics and psychedelic grooves.
The resulting 11-track collection does just this and is already impressing press and radio months ahead of its official release. Metromix exclaimed: “The instrumental ‘Jorge Ben’ is a groovy ode to its Rio namesake. But the album's highlight is far and away ‘It’s Been So Long,’ a Spaghetti Western-ish co-ed duet that calls to mind both Wilco and Sergio Leone in the same melodically whispered breaths. Meanwhile, stations such as KCRW have provided early support, spinning the spacey, sun-kissed track “Grand Opinion,” which was also featured as Spinner.com’s “Video of the Day.”
Meanwhile, AM is spreading some yuletide joy with Holiday Happiness and Cheer (FITLER US Recordings), a three-song digital EP, that includes a beautifully haunting rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here" (from the classic animated television special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas"). The festive favorite had a bit of a makeover, injected now with bossa nova-influenced guitar, icy synths and a bouncy bass line. "I'm Home For The Holidays,” a spacious orchestral folk song that focuses on the somber elements of holiday time, will also be included. AM will perform these songs live December 8 at Hotel Café joined by special guest Sara Lov.
Download Holiday Happiness and Cheer here: Release: Future Sons & Daughters
Artist: AM
Label: Filter US Recordings
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Release: Holiday Happiness and Cheer
Artist: AM
Label: Filter US Recordings
Digital Release Date: OUT NOW
LA-BASED SINGER SONGWRITER AM’S NEW LP, FUTURE SONS & DAUGHTERS, DUE FEBRUARY 2010
These New Puritans Announce Details Of New Album, Hidden, Out February 2nd 2010