Here's round two of my
10 Must-Have Albums series. I find myself discovering new music by new artists every day - while I don't like it all, it's worth the discovery. My life - and most others - are made easier with music. Different genres, different sounds and styles; they all benefit humankind by creating a form of release - an outlet for emotional distress, and a form of communication. Whether for the listener or the musician themselves, music has shaped and moulded society for the entirety of humans' existence. All that being said, allow me to spread some of my personal favourite discoveries with you. Here are just a few albums from musicians that I believe deserve more recognition for their artistic ingenuity.
10. The Lateness of the Hour - Alex Clare
London-born Clare released his debut album in 2011, however the album did not receive much recognition until mid-2012, when Microsoft selected "Too Close" as the soundtrack for their Explorer 9 advertisements. From there, the song reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album itself peaked at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart, number 8 on the German Albums Chart, and number 48 on the US Billboard 200. The album received mixed reviews from critics, but received praise from the general population.
Lateness of the Hour consists of several sounds, all of which display Clare's musical talent. His unique vocals help him stand out, sounding like a mix between James Morrison and Brett Dennen. Clare's
Lateness of the Hour is a very unique album that may not appeal to everyone, but deserves a listen all the way through. Here's the music video for the second track of the album, "Treading Water." http://youtu.be/y4wiPneqVyU