I was about one thing, and one thing just about only, in July tune-wise: EMPTY ORCHESTRA!!

Absolutely Love & Adore:

Empty Orchestra “Here Lies Empty Orchestra” – My friend Pam’s band swung through Chicago in July and it was honestly the highlight of my summer! I would have gone to support her at the show regardless of how they sounded: so SUPER BONUS for me when it turned out they’re great!! Totally rockin’. I saw a reviewer call them “Americana” and I guess I can go along with that. It’s that space between pop, rock and country: where there’s some twang and some beats and some great guitar playing and woah Stephen’s vocals are great!! I mean really, I can’t see why you wouldn’t love this album unless you’re a total musical noob. Faves: “Always Already” (I can hear Pammie in the background!); “Words and Music” (oh the intro to this song slays me); “It Gets Better”.

Favorite Singles (not on any of the above albums):

• “Closer Than You Think” Evertyhing Absent or Distorted
  
• “Beneath Your Tree” Bowerbirds
  
• “Earthly Bodies” J. Tillman – A Fleet Fox on his own. Nice.
  
• “El Paso” Jason Anderson
  
• “Sellout” (Live) Ryan Auffenberg (LOVE!)
  

Other Albums I Liked:

• Empty Orchestra “Get Well Soon” – Six earlier (? I think) songs. Fave song “Civil War”.