Meredith Bragg, “Barking Dogs” (2011)
find it on Nest

Running in the same circles (the real-life kind. Google didn’t invent them, you know) with Meredith, I’ve been getting each of his releases since 2005, and really liking–in that way that’s genuine and satisfying when the artist is a friend–both Meredith’s songwriting prowess and the arrangements. But it was 2008′s Silver Sonya that really blew me away. It was recorded with the rule that the only instruments that could be used were vocals and guitar, but beyond that, it could be sonically manipulated in any way, and the result was one of the best guy-and-a-guitar records I’ve ever heard.

Meredith went back to a full band for his new record Nest, but it still has that quality that made Silver Sonya so great: the feeling that this is music made with a geniune love, excitement and enthusiasm for nothing more than making good music that they love their own damn selves.

“Barking Dogs” comes closest to the feel of Silver Sonya, and it’s probably why it’s my favorite song on the record, but without the constraint of that album, there are additions to the incredible melody: a beautiful cello and the brilliant addition of a clattering percussion that cuts the straightforwardness of the rest of the song that suddenly sends it otherworldly.

The album could not be more highly recommended, even in spite of my personal biases. And while you’re at it, check out the great interview with Meredith by his close friend Troy. It’s insightful, hilarious, and Troy and I both used the same shot of Meredith for our posts, which should give you a nice feeling of continuity.