In honor of their rise in recognition, which I have happily and feverishly tracked over the last year; their 2012 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist; and the fact that I just bought tickets for their concert in February and am VERY! EXCITED!, this week's pick is "Flowers in Your Hair," by the Lumineers.
It's been amazing seeing them go from some band in Denver without a proper website to a Grammy nomination. Whether it's the wave of Americana bluegrass sweeping the airwaves (Mumford and Sons, Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars) or whether it's increased exposure of their songs through clever ads (Bing, an instrumental on Blue Moon) or cheesy CW TV shows (humbly, I confess that this is how I came upon their music), the Lumineers are having a great year, deservedly so.
While the most well-known and popular song of theirs, "Ho Hey," is also required listening, if only for their reference to the Chinatown buses, and the awesome lyrics, "I'll be standing on Canal/and Bowery," which is one of those lyrics meant to be completely misheard, "Flowers in Your Hair" is standard Lumineers fare: straightforward, simple lyrics that yield deeper ideas and a sense of humor; charming banjo-guitar-cello-driven melodies; and a unaffected, spirited rhythm that simply requires foot-stomping and hand-clapping.
Other required listening: Dead Sea, Ho Hey, Stubborn Love
Happy (or is it merry) listening!
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