Sun Kil Moon: Carry Me, Ohio

Currently the project of Sacramento, Californian singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek (formerly of Red House Painters), Sun Kil Moon focuses on tributes to deceased boxers (as per the band's name, Moon Sung-Kil). They take such a violent sport (maybe there's more violent, MMA, etc) and turn the subject matter into something hauntingly pleasant. 

Other Lives: For 12

Other Lives is an American indie-rock band hailing from Oklahoma. All five of the current members of Other Lives were part of the original band, Kunek, which was a genre-fusion. The fusion consisted of (at least) indie, ambient, post-rock and folk. The band continues to go forward with that same fusion, which is overall pleasant. 

Jason Collett: Rave on Sad Songs

Jason Collett is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is also part of Broken Social Scene, but explores on his own the importance of titles and lyrics to capture a single moment, borrowing from jazz poetry. What results is a sort of country music fusion that I can dig.

James Taylor: Carolina in my Mind

James Taylor and I go way back. My mother always loved his music, and therefore I was exposed to it most likely from the within the womb and then on.

James Taylor is an American singer-songwriter, characterized by his use of sensitive and gentle lyrics and guitar. The time period, the early 1970's, was flooded with artists similar to him--John Denver, Carly Simon and Jackson Browne, to name a few. However, his music is different than each of these listed because of his perspective.

Woodkid: Iron

Woodkid was previously a video director for Katy Perry, Moby, Lana Del Rey and Yelle. His career took a turn for the better (in my opinion) when Richie Havens gave him a banjo. Combining a clear voice with spectacular videos (I usually don't even watch them) this guy has a lot of things going for him. Mellow to the core, his songs will bring peace to almost any day.

Seether: Broken (Acoustic)

Seether is an American Post-grunge band that I first heard when I was in middle school. This being a trying time in anyone's life, I latched onto it (and several other bands). This song (which was the original and less-famous version) without Amy Lee is a completely different song. I feel that the mood of the song, the rawness of it, is better captured in the acoustic guitar and the lack of anything behind Shaun Morgan's voice other than passion and pain.

Tiger Lou: Like you Said

I'm in a melancholy mood today. For no real reason.

Tiger Lou is a Swedish folk project, belonging to Rasmus Kellerman. "Like you said" is a song based around feelings and emotion, while maintaining simplicity. The lyrics are rather short and simple, while at the same time, leaving nothing out. Your heart does the work of the word unsung.

"Should leave I guess I know I should
Cause it feels just like you said it would."