EP Review: Daniel Rossen ‘Silent Hour / Golden Mile’
It is amazing that it has been nearly three years since Grizzly Bear released Veckatimest. I have always viewed the record as one of my favorites in the last 10 years because of its ability to play in any time or place. While the days have passed since it was introduced to me, I do not allow time to separate me from this masterpiece. Yes, I said it, masterpiece. The songs are compelling and provide a particular fluidity throughout the record. Good news came to me in December, when singer Ed Droste announced that Grizzly Bear would be releasing a new album in 2012. While Droste did not give us an exact date on the release, other vocalist, Daniel Rossen that gave fans something to chew on while waiting.
Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles contributor, Daniel Rossen, released his first his first solo EP Silent Hour/Golden Mile last week. After listening to these five songs for a week, I can confidentially declare that it is the perfect appetizer before the main course. Rossen’s voice is stunning from track to track. He displays his musicianship by supporting rich vocals with both guitar and piano. The songs are stripped like many Grizzly Bear songs, which allow Rossen’s voice to shine.
Single, “Silent Song” begins with an acoustic twang. A mix of rich guitar picking backed by an electric lead. Add Rossen’s voice to the layers and you have a formula that never disappoints. Rossen does an exceptional job with imagery on this song. He paints a picture for listeners with lines like “He’s rising from the field / A mess of gold and green / Nightmare in the mud.” These lines do not give you the entire story, but push the imagination of the listener.
I am compelled to highlight song “Saint Nothing” because of the intimacy that it offers. This song is beautifully sad and independent. This song demands my attention and has made me forget what I was doing. This is a song that you listen to alone. Thought exploration created with a piano. Brilliant.
The release of Silent Hour/Golden Mile has done a couple things for me. It has put my anxiety to rest and made me patient for Grizzly Bear’s full length to drop. It has also once again verified the true talent of Grizzly Bear as a band. Rossen could stand on his own and be a solo artist, he is that good. I guess that is what makes Grizzly Bear so great, a collection of true talent that hits on all cylinders. This EP satisfies and helps to fill the void “While You Wait for the Others.”
Connect with Daniel Rossen via Facebook | Warp Records
Written by Brett McGrath
Video: Dreamtigers “Fools”
It’s like the old saying goes, you can only count on three things in life: death, taxes and quality video content from Live & Reel. Or something like that. This month, the Nashville video blog offered a bonus feature on the Massachusetts band Dreamtigers – an indie folk outfit worth a listen. Below is the video for their song “Fools” from a 7″ that the band released at the end of 2010. If you like what you see here, be sure to check out Live & Reel’s session with Majestico. The pair of videos does not disappoint.
Connect with Dreamtigers via Facebook | Bandcamp
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Youth Lagoon Visits Daytrotter
Mondays can be wicked. As we stroll into the office for the outset of the proverbial grind, the burden is made easier by a pleasant soundtrack. Fortunately, the good folks at Daytrotter are serving up a welcome dose of Trevor Powers to start the work week. Powers and his band Youth Lagoon are no strangers to this blog. Check out Brett’s review of his 2011 album, The Year of Hibernation. The Daytrotter session is dreamier than Youth Lagoon’s most recent LP, with Powers’ voice often accompanied solely by piano. Check out a track listing for Youth Lagoon’s Daytrotter session below. Tickets for Youth Lagoon’s April 2nd show at Radio Radio are available for $12 via MOKB Presents.
Connect with Youth Lagoon via Facebook | Fat Possum
TRACK LIST
“Afternoon”
“Montana”
“Ghost To Me”
Written by Rob Peoni