MIX: In The Fine Autumn Time

It's been getting colder here in Santa Barbara since I got back from Austin, and as my friends who've been at home for the summer start moving back into Isla Vista, it's becoming clear that it's officially Fall. It even smells like Fall outside, ya know what I mean? Also, I've got a cold, which is a clear indication that the seasons are changing. Vegetable soup! New sweaters! Old sweaters! Hot chocolate! Pumpkin bread! Fall's my favorite season. I'm even sort of looking forward to starting classes, thanks to the chill in the air.

The Spires: "In The Fine Autumn Time" [MP3]**
Sweet, sweet indiepop from nearby Ventura's the Spires.

Irene: "September Skies" [MP3]

Chris Garneau: "Halloween" [MP3]**

Tanakh: "November Tree" [MP3]

My Morning Jacket: "Olde September Blues" [MP3]
The perfect song for Jim James's distant-sounding, downtempo vocals.

The Kinks: "Autumn Almanac" [MP3]

Watercolor Paintings: "Fall" [MP3]**
You better listen to this song. You just better! It's so cute!

The Dreadful Yawns: "November Nights" [MP3]
Alt-country meets indiepop: A blessed union.

Black Bear: "Eve Of The Fall" [MP3]

Everday Sensations: "Listening To The Fall" [MP3]

Jim Bryson: "All The Fallen Leaves" [MP3]

Polaris: "Waiting For October" [MP3]**
That band who did the Pete & Pete theme song are behind this wonderful power pop gem.

Jim Bryson: Where The Bungalows Roam

While Ottawa-based folk singer Jim Bryson hasn’t been nominated for that much blogged-about Polaris Music Prize (if I had a say in the matter, the “dark horse” Besnard Lakes would be the victor) this year, it isn’t for a lack of talent. In fact, Where the Bungalows Roam (Kelp Records) has grown on me, and I’ve found myself coming back to it time and time again since its late April release. I am horrible at making adequate comparisons, but Bryson’s style of melancholic folk music reminds me a bit of M Ward. No? Well,maybe a less sonic-sounding Grandaddy, circa Sumday. Did I mention that I'm no good with comparisons? Shoot. Anyways, Bryson's got a knack for singing songs that sound simultaneously sad and hopeful, happy and gloomy.

Stumbling across Bryson's cover of "Swingin' Party" was amazingly good fortune, since I've been on a Replacements/Paul Westerberg kick as of late, and Bryson does the song justice. Though I can't quite imagine him singing "Bastards of Young" or "Alex Chilton" at this point.

P.S. - Yes, that is TV's Dr. Phil standing next to Mr. Bryson. No, I don't know why. I don't ask questions.

TOUR DATES:
August 4 - Blue Skies Festival (Clarendon, ON)
August 5 - Blue Skies Festival (Clarendon, ON)
August 10 - Wolfe Island Music Fest (Wolfe Island, ON)

LISTEN:
"If By The Bridge" [MP3]
"Pissing On Everything [MP3]
"Swinging Party" (Replacements cover) [MP3]

ON THE WEB:
Bryson's website
The album's website