Psych-Folk players The Loom have a rich interesting sound, largely due to a diverse instrumentation such as trumpet, french horn, keys, guitar, drums, and bass.  Their lyrics are those of urning and searching, a dissidence that many of us feel during this day and age.  The New Yorker says of The Loom: “Beloved Brooklyn sextet The Loom…have lately been guiding their chamber-folk sound to decidedly louder sonic territory.”  Check out their debut album Teeth (Crossbill).

1. The Wailing Wall – “The Low Hanging Fruit”

This band no longer technically exists – they actually disbanded shortly after we did a Northeast tour together last year – but Jesse Rifkin, the main songwriter behind the project, is in the midst of working up something new, and I honestly can’t wait to hear it. This whole album is incredible, but in particular the first three songs – “Speak Not Its Name,” “Bones Become Rainbows,” and “For C.M.R.” – might be the best and most stirring album opening I’ve heard in years. On that tour all of the members of The Loom would play the thundering percussion on “Speak Not Its Name” for the end of The Wailing Wall’s set, and it is without doubt one of my favorite musical memories.  Check it out at allmusic.com.

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