FOLK FRIDAYS: First Aid Kit - Stay Gold

This is easily one of my favorite albums of '14. I used it as soundtrack on my recent trip to Nicaragua (lots of long bus rides). The Swedish sister's sophomore album The Lion's Roar was a pretty big hit, and this one takes it a step further. As a bonus, the first pressings come on a translucent gold colored vinyl. Whether your a fan of folk music or not, the songs will be catchy and appeasing to all.

The previous albums were very simple, but this album introduces a 13-piece orchestra, which gives it a fuller sound. Opening the album is the single My Silver Lining, which really shows off the orchestra with a bang. The beautiful harmonies make Stay Gold reminds us that things fade, and also brings back memories of reading The Outsiders or Robert Frost. The slow blues and slide guitar of Cedar Lane give the song its melancholy feel. The last track on the A-Side starts off with a very light and simple, but then Shattered & Hollow slow bursts about escape drive you to the end. On the B-Side, The Bell is filled with splashes, elegant harmonies, and feelings of growing up. Waitress Song is one of my favorite songs, implementing a classic country song feel that reminds me of Emmylou. The album picks up with Heaven Knows which feels like a barnyard hootenanny and will get you up off your seat and cause you to scream the line "straight to hell" in harmony. Closing the album is A Long Time Ago, a sad "what-if "song about things never being able to work, with elegantly simple piano and light strings.

If you're a fan of great hooks, harmonies, and folk, you'll love this album. You can get this album at your record store that carry new pressings or online. You can get the album at their official online store for $18.99 in gold (while supplies last). or Amazon for $22.

PAIR WITH:

1) The perfect pairing would be seeing them preform live, as they are on tour! For L.A. folks, that means seeing them Nov 12 at the Wiltern. I've seen them live back when they were backing there second album Lion's Roar and their harmonies were great to hear live. Don't miss out!

2) Hey L.A. folks, can't make it out to those shows, but love folk and country music? Maybe you're just looking to get your fix sooner. Well tomorrow, Aug 2nd, is KCRW's last Country in the City show at the Annenberg Space for Photography. See Nikki Lane and Wynonna & The Big Noise, maybe even wear a cowboy hat. It's a saturday, you deserve to let loose. RSVP at the link above.