The Black Belles

Why do I feel like I have been waiting for AGES for their album to come out?! They released a single back in the beginning of 2010 (I think?) - called What Can I Do? and then another one in June, featuring Stephen Colbert (called Charlene II (I'm Over You)). Otherwise nothing...
However, there was a lot of activity on the bands Facebook page this morning, and it appears that a new single will be out at the end of September, and the full-length album in November!

Check out the new single "Honky Tonk Horror" on their website HERE

The band is comprised of 4 women and was discovered by Jack White who signed them to Third Man Records (he is also producing the release). Gothy, dark, garage rocky, with a definite Jack White influence, this is a band I am certainly interested in hearing more of. I like what I have already heard, and really don't think Jack White can really go wrong, but I really do hope they live up to what I am expecting of them :D. I just hope the music is as dark as their style.

The Black belles Facebook page

Karen Elson - The Ghost Who Walks

Once or twice a year I get completely blown away by an album, and consequently listen to it over and over again without tiring of it.

The first time this happened this year was with Karen Elson's first album, The Ghost Who Walks. I heard the first single, thought it was quite good, made a mental reminder to buy the album when it came out and then forgot about it. I downloaded it last week, and what a surprise! I was expecting something pretty good, especially because anything Jack White produces cannot be bad. I wasn't expecting it to be amazing though! Karen's songs are literally beautiful! The lyrics are full of metaphors between life and nature, dark and simple, intricate and pure. On top of that the music is haunting, simple and complex at the same time. There is a signature Jack White guitar sound here and there, but other than that it's all Karen. She has a gorgeous voice...

Some of my favourites:

Stolen Roses

Lunasa/Cruel Summer