My Brightest Diamond - Workhorse

Cause you're no good to us
Lost all your youth

What initially stood out to me about Shana Worden of My Brightest Diamond were her vocals. A classically trained vocalist and talented musician, Worden's songs contain elements of rock, classical and cabaret styles of music. Obvious comparisons are artists like Bjork & Kate Bush but I still find originality in My Brightest Diamond. After all, it's expected when you have someone who was raised by a National Accordion Champion-winning father and an organist for a Pentecostal church; who studied opera at the University of North Texas; and who then moved to New York City and found herself delving into the depths of the underground rock scene.

"Workhorse" is off her debut album--Bring Me the Workhorse. Prior to this album, Worden toured with Sufjan Stevens as cheerleading captain for his "Illinoisemakers." After this tour she set out to record her own music under the moniker, My Brightest Diamond and released her debut on Steven's Asthmatic Kitty in 2006.

Favorite Part: I like the elements of trip hop. I really feel like this could be a Portishead song.

BTW: If you haven't checked out the Dark Was the Night compilation you really should. It's an amazing collection of tracks by, well, a lot of amazing artists! Plus, all proceeds go to benefit the Red Hot Organization which is dedicated to raising money and awareness for HIV and AIDS. One of my favorite songs on there is My Brightest Diamond's cover of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good." Thanks to the site I was able to make the following widget so you can check out my top 3 tracks:

Sufjan Stevens - For the Widows in Paradise ...

I'll do anything for you

I did everything for you

Bloggers everywhere have had a love affair with Sufjan Stevens for years now. His debut in 2000 established him as a talented multi-instrumentalist, but it was with the release of his 3rd LP that Stevens began to really acquire much acclaim. Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State is the first in his "states project" (a series of albums focused on each of the 50 states in the US) and pays tribute to his home state. The most impressive part about this album is Stevens ability to play over 20 instruments. The lengthy titled "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti" is probably my favourite from the Michigan album.

Favourite Part: The banjo that is the backbone to the song.

When not working on an album, Stevens contributes music to benefit compilations, releases Christmas albums, is known to be a literary figure and has even written a short film score for Natalie Portman's Eve.

For the Widows in Paradise, For the - Sufjan Stevens