Laura Veirs - July Flame

I would like to introduce the first great record of the New Year. Veirs' 2005 album Year of Meteors was incredibly sweet, unabashed and pure (not to mention catchy) but at the same time I almost forgot about her after I was through listening to it. Listening to this album was a reminder of how great of a songwriter Veirs truly is. The production is smooth, but never too perfect. At times you can hear Karl Blau singing backup harmonies. It's quite different hearing him without the standard sloppiness that accompanies his solo records. Overall, July Flame is a great gem that won't go unnoticed or forgotten.