The term “rumspringa” refers to the Amish period of adolescence, which surprisingly makes quite a fitting name for Canon Blue’s sophomore album. Rumpspringa’s orchestral sound, created with the help of Danish ensemble Efterklang and Sigur Rós string quartet Amiina, seems to document Daniel James’ period of self-discovery and musical growth, and we like where he’s going. The album came out this week on Temporary Residence Limited, and it’s currently being supported by a tour of North America. Here’s the mix tape James made for MAGNET.
“A Native (Madison)” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/ANativeMadison.mp3
“Indian Summer (Des Moines)” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/IndianSummerDesMoines.mp3
Sam Amidon “Little Johnny Brown”
The combination of Sam, Nico Muhly and Valgeir Sigurdsson on this song is gorgeous. This was my favorite album of 2008. Video
Angels Of Light “Kosinski”
This song puts me in a trance. Its mood is instant and immediate. I knew of Swans, but my real entry point came with the Akron Family/Angels Of Light record. There is a ferocious wildness and recklessness that comes through, even on the more relaxed songs, that I find equally unsettling and calming. Video
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds “Night Of The Lotus Eaters”
I have no idea what this song is about, but it terrifies me in a way that only Nick Cave can. His way of navigating fear, madness and lust in the context of love, beauty and redemption is astonishing. I love it. Video
Timber Timbre “Too Old To Die Young”
It’s been a long time since I’ve discovered a band that came so fully formed from their sound to their artwork to their live show. It’s sneaking up behind you, looking over your shoulder. It all works together in a perfectly creepy, haunting, beautiful way. Video
Ramona Falls “I Say Fever”
This song is so raw and stripped bare on a production level, but it only adds to the intensity of the music. I was introduced to this song via the video for it, and it’s one of those rare videos where the song actually becomes something greater by having the visuals, I think. Video
Efterklang “Horseback Tenors”
This is one of my all-time favorite Efterklang songs. They find this way to transcend traditional songwriting, but somehow they still engage without being pretentious. Plus, they are the nicest people in the world. Video
Other Lives “Dark Horse”
This is the song I was trying to write for my own album, but I never could. It incorporates such a romantic and grand beauty and uses traditional orchestral instruments in such a interesting way. It’s chamber pop at its finest. Video
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy “Love Comes To Me”
Will Oldham is one of the great writers. It’s rare when you can take away the music and still be so moved by the words. His delivery is so reserved, but you almost feel the universe expanding out of his lyrics. Video
Under Byen “Af Samme Stof Som Stof”
One of the many amazing Danish bands I’ve been introduced to via Efterklang. The drums are relentless in this song, but it’s the beauty of everything else that carries it. Video
Wild Beats “Plaything”
This is my favorite track off of one of my favorite albums this year. Wild Beasts put a sound to the darker side of the human soul. It’s sexual, bare and honest. Like having the inner thoughts of someone turned inside-out for all to see. Video
Einstürzende Neubauten “Total Eclipse Of The Sun”
I have developed a borderline obsession with this band since being introduced to them last winter in a dressing room in Switzerland. It’s an amazing gift to discover a band almost 30 years into their career and be able to go back through all their work. There is no one else like them. Video
Canon Blue “A Native”
This was one of the first songs I wrote for the record. I like to think its a song about ambition and ideals and the danger that comes when they’re left to their own devices. Video
