The Felice Brothers: Five Essential Albums

The Felice Brothers released their new album, Valley of Abandoned Songs, over the summer, but there's an autumnal dusk and chilly dreaminess to the record, which was recorded live in a nineteenth-century church. The bulk of the songs were actually pulled from the quartet's 2019 sessions for Undress as well as 2023's Asylum on the Hill, hence their "abandoned songs" tag. Notably, Valley of Abandoned Songs is the first album released on Conor Oberst's new label, Million Stars.

As always, the Felice Brothers partner their resonant and sometimes raucous folk rock, bluegrass, and country with a painterly, poetic lyricism. Sometimes there is a sole traveler guiding the perambulations on Valley of Abandoned Songs, beckoning listeners take that walk too. Pigeons flutter and land on pavements slick with rain ("New York by Moonlight") and there might be a tragic tale bracketing a street's beautiful blossoms and butterflies ("Flowers by the Roadside"). There's a darkly-hued, honky tonk children's tale ("Raccoon, Rooster and Crow"), weeping doves ("It's Midnight and the Doves are in Tears"), and even a nod to William Blake ("Birdies").

The band — guitarist and vocalist Ian Felice, pianist, accordionist and vocalist James Felice, bassist Jeske Hume and drummer Will Lawrence — return to the UK, Ireland and Germany to tour this October and November.

Before they pack up and leave for a spell, James Felice wrote about his "Five Essential Albums" for FUV, focusing on records that he says he can easily put on repeat — and play over and over and over again.

The Felice Brothers' James Felice: Five Essential Albums:

Randy Newman, Sail Away
My favorite thing on earth to listen to. The songs are alive and humane and clever. Within each track, Newman builds an entire believable world with a unique perspective. The songs are short, the lyrics are simple, the arrangements are gorgeous and enriching. It’s luxurious and emotionally rich storytelling at the highest level.

Joanna Newsom, Divers
I just feel like I’ve been knocking into another universe when I pop this record on. I can’t believe it’s almost 10 years old. Completely unique, creative, fresh. And what an amazing fluid lyricist. She creates whole living worlds inside each of her songs.

Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel ...
Another incredibly original, fierce and creative album. I love how she plays piano, I love how present and in your face the mix is. The percussion is absolutely awesome and always delightful and surprising. I love all her records, but I’ve listened to this one the most of any by far. Every time I pop it on I am immediately hurled into a new frame of mind. Thank god for Fiona Apple.

James Booker, Spiders on the Keys
This is a live recording of James Booker at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans. My favorite piano player. The incredibly exciting experience of a brilliant musician playing just on the edge of his abilities in every song. This music is ALIVE and exciting and totally human. God, I love hearing genius piano players fly off the rails.

John Prine, Aimless Love
This is my favorite Prine record. I love how it sounds, I love how he’s singing and I love what he’s singing about. His warmth as a songwriter and a human being radiates off every song. The kind of music that makes you feel as though someone you love has placed a comforting hand on your shoulder.

- James Felice of The Felice Brothers
September 2024