Xycle + Xymmetry

Curl up into the cubbyhole with Amos Lee

So I was rummaging through my favorite soundtracks list last Saturday whilst bitching on the laptop for a pending work submission (I get so riled up over “what happened”, don’t ask), when I came upon The Last Kiss OST where a lot of my favorite songs were (Reason Why, Hide and Seek, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, Paperweight, et al) and for once I didn’t skip over tracks. I guess it was only now that I actually “discovered” Amos Lee, and his lovely song “Arms of a Woman”. (You must listen to this!!!) I melted when I heard it in its conscious, glorious entirety and got very curious about this man.

He’s been around for a while (Ryan Anthony Massaro in real life), releasing four albums (the latest offering is Mission Bell) under the Blue Note record label, which is most famous for producing Norah Jones’. There a relative similarity between the two — come to think of it, he’s like a male Jones — the kind of sound you’d feel comfortable listening to on coffee shops. He’s a contemporary of Ryan Adams and Ray Lamontagne (two artists I also like but somehow haven’t gotten attached to their discography), and to some extent people compare him to his musical influences (among them) early James Taylor, Crosby Stills & Nash, and Bob Dylan. I think what distinguishes him from the rest of the modern male folk-jazz-blues artists is that he’s got this great, rich, earnest, down-to-earth vibe emanating from his music. The simplicity of the acoustic accompaniments, the resonance of his voice, and the beauty of his words and how his thoughts and emotions transcend enraptures you into that warm familiar place and sets you into a hearty, mellow mood. I’m so glad that I finally heard of this talented guy and am in the process of loving his music as I hear more of him, like the way I stumbled upon Melody Gardot on Last.fm and now consider her to be one of my foremost favorite artists. I’ve been listening to Lee’s songs all day and somehow my work-related stress and tension dissipates. He’s that awesome.

And that I haven’t had a man(’s voice) in my life for a long while now.

(Then I found out as of late that he’s the opening act for (all of) Adele’s UK Tour. Cosmic affinity strikes again! I wonder if he’s the one who kinda inspired her to go country/folk. Gawd, I’d pay good money to see these two perform live. ♥)

Recommended tracks: Colors, Arms of a Woman, Sweet Pea, Keep It Loose Keep It Tight, Careless, Seen It All Before

I implore you to listen to Amos Lee. NOW.