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2008 releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 covers digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Samamidon – Saro

Post-A-Day Week: It’s not often over a weekend that I’ll be sent enough songs to make up a week of posts. So, this week, I’ve decided to put up a post a day, as opposed to lumping them all into one confusing mess, as I am wont to do.

If you prefer the big mass posts, then let me know; but I think this might be easier to digest. Today’s aural treat is:

***

Samamidon – Saro

Samamidon - Saro

Sam Amidon, aka Samamidon, is a product of the quintessential folk-band family, the Amidons. And on this track, “Saro”, Sam proves that he certainly deserves a place in the First Family of Folk.

Saro, like the majority of the songs on Samamidon’s upcoming new album, “All Is Well”, is actually a retelling of a traditional folk song, “Pretty Saro”. There are countless covers of this song, performed by such great names and Judy Collins, Bert Jansch, and Doc Watson, among others; Samamidon’s version is the most haunting and beautiful I have heard.


Although the song has been set with different melodies, and different characters, and even in different times – some songs start off in 1749, others in 1849 – the central story remains the same: An immigrant, alone and flailing in a strange country, misses his true love back home.

This version by Sam is sung in a resigned, yet achingly beautiful voice, and is accompanied by composer-friend, Nico Mulhy’s amazing string and wood instrument arrangements.

There truly is nothing else to say, except that Samamidon is on the cusp of greatness. Without question, his will be the definitive version of this song.

Below I’ve included both the music video for the single, “Saro”, and, of course, the song itself.

Listen. Love. Support.

 

 

Listen: Samamidon – Saro


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2007 Releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Need to Breathe – More Time (With a side helping of Washed by the Water)

Post-A-Day Week: It’s not often over a weekend that I’ll be sent enough songs to make up a week of posts. So, this week, I’ve decided to put up a post a day, as opposed to lumping them all into one confusing mess, as I am wont to do.

If you prefer the big mass posts, then let me know; but I think this might be easier to digest. Today’s aural treat is:

***

Need To Breathe – More Time (With a side helping of Washed by the Water)

Need to Breathe - More Time

Need to Breathe first appeared on my radar with their 2006 release, “Daylight”. While it was certainly an enjoyable album, portions of it seemed too… well, predictable. After all, these boys played mainstream rock, and they were happy to fit the mould. With their latest release, “The Heat”, however, they seem to be stepping back from the preconceived notion of “mainstream rock” and following their own tune.


Don’t get me wrong; Need to Breathe still unabashedly fits into the mainstream rock genre. But that needn’t be an automatic death knell. It seems that songwriter-brothers, Bo and Bear Rinehart have learnt to appreciate the art of restraint more here, and their music is all the better for it.

Nowhere is this shown better than in the breakdown section of the first track below, “More Time”. It’s a great song, and undeniably catchy.

The second track, “Washed by the Water”, shows the band’s Christian roots. Unashamedly a worship song, don’t let that deter you; it’s a rollicking tune that anyone can groove to.

Listen: Need To Breathe – More Time
Listen: Need To Breathe – Washed by the Water

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2007 Releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Faker – This Heart Attack

Post-A-Day Week: It’s not often over a weekend that I’ll be sent enough songs to make up a week of posts. So, this week, I’ve decided to put up a post a day, as opposed to lumping them all into one confusing mess, as I am wont to do.

If you prefer the big mass posts, then let me know; but I think this might be easier to digest. Today’s aural treat is:

***

Faker – This Heart Attack

Faker - This Heart Attack

Showing some love for the Aussie bands, “This Heart Attack by Faker is a ridiculously catchy single from their latest album, “Be The Twilight” (2007). Similar to the Liverpool boys, “The Wombats”, Faker are bringing back that New Order sound and mashing it with a pop-sensibility that should ensure it’s accessibility to the masses.
And the fact that’s catchy as all hell certainly won’t hurt with that.

There’s something intense in lead singer Nathan Hudson’s delivery here, yet at the same time apathetic. It’s an intriguing combination, and if you haven’t heard this track yet, click the damn play button below already!

Listen: Faker – This Heart Attack

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2006 releases digital downloads music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Electric President – Insomnia

Post-A-Day Week: It’s not often over a weekend that I’ll be sent enough songs to make up a week of posts. So, this week, I’ve decided to put up a post a day, as opposed to lumping them all into one confusing mess, as I am wont to do.

If you prefer the big mass posts, then let me know; but I think this might be easier to digest. Today we’ll be starting off with:

***

Electric President – Insomnia

 

Electric President - Insomnia

 

Something different from the usual fare on this blog to start off the week. I stumbled across Electric President only recently; actually when I was introduced to the band, Radical Face. Electric President is the side-project for Radical Face’s frontman, Ben Cooper, and Alex Kane.

While this track was originally released in 2006 (I know, slow pick up much?) on the self-titled album, it still remains an exciting tune. Somewhat part Postal Service, some parts Myslovitz, Ben Cooper has an intriguing, plaintive voice that demands you listen with a whisper. While the electronic touches may not be for everyone – again, think Postal Service – it’s well-worth a listen.

For more songs, check out their official page on the Radical Face site. In the meantime, however, here’s Insomnia by Electric President for your aural pleasure.

Listen: Electric President – Insomnia

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2008 releases artists digital downloads guitar music rock gods

Counting Crows – Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings


 

Counting Crows - Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings

 

Yeah, yeah; I know the elitest snobs will have something to say about such a mainstream band appearing on this blog, but cmon… who here can honestly claim that Counting Crows didn’t soundtrack much of their life?

While Hard Candy was certainly a slight falter in the Counting Crows trajectory (apart from, of course, the Ryan Adams-co-written “Butterfly In Reverse”), the band has earned it’s place in any pantheon of greats.

And I’ve been desperately, desperately hoping for their fifth studio album, “Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings” (due out March 29th), to show a return to the form of “August and Everything After”; or, failing that, at least to “This Desert Life”.

Given the two tracks I’ve just heard, I’m not certain that this will be of August-like awesomeness. But perhaps it shouldn’t have to be.

Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings is a themed double-album; the first, “Saturday Night” half, is ostensibly the rock side of the album, with the second, “Sunday Morning” half showcasing the more soft-spoken, acoustic side.

Adam Duritz has said of the album that:

[It’s] about dissolution and disintegration. It’s about when Saturday night happens and you lose all sense of yourself. And it’s about when you wake up Sunday morning and look back at the wreck you’ve made of your life and you think, ‘How can I possibly fix this? How can I ever climb out of this hole?’ And then you start to try and climb.”

The below two singles were quietly dropped on the band’s official site a few days ago, with the “side a” song, 1492, obviously slated for the Saturday half of the forthcoming album, and the “b side” song, “I Dream of Michaelangelo” being for the Sunday morning after.


As a side note, if you don’t currently subscribe to Adam’s blog, I encourage you to do so. The guy’s style of writing was made for blogs.


Listen to the tracks below, and see what you think. I’m still holding out for greatness, but, based on these, I’ll reserve my judgement for now. Drop a line in the comments as to your thoughts.

Listen: Counting Crows – 1492
Listen: Counting Crows – When I Dream of Michaelangelo

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2008 releases artists digital downloads guitar music

Some Death Cab-related goodness.


There are two reasons for Death Cab For Cutie fans to be excited this year: the first is that Chris Walla, guitarist for Death Cab (and sometime-producer for The Decemberists, Tegan & Sara and more) is releasing his solo album, “Field Manual” on January 29; and, secondly, Death Cab itself will be releasing their follow up to the 2005 mainstream breakthrough, “Plans”, by late May.

The good news? We have sneak peek mp3’s for both of them.

Chris Walla – Sing Again

Chris Walla - Sing Again

Sing Again is the first released track off of Walla’s forthcoming album, “Field Manual”. The song, upon first listen, appears to be a light, breezy affair… but after a few seconds, it becomes clear that Walla has filled the two and a half minute pop song with sophisticated flourishes and pointed lyrics.

Let’s sing again
Sing together without disguise
Let’s raise up a song in unrest
I think that would be best

 


All in all, the song is very much what you would expect from Walla, if you were at all familiar with his work as a musician or producer; but that doesn’t mean it’s not a wonderful track. It’s been a long time coming, and even though the US customs department seemed to try it’s best to stop the album coming out on time, it drops into stores on January 29th.

Listen: Chris Walla – Sing Again

 

Ben Gibbard – Casino Blues (live)

Ben Gibbard - Casino Blues

Ben Gibbard has been performing Casino Blues at his solo gigs for some time now, and it’s finally been confirmed that the song will be appearing on the as-yet-unnamed follow-up to Death Cab’s last album, “Plans”.

The album must have record-exec’s chewing their nails nervously; Chris Walla has said of the album that it’s:

“…really weird. It’s really, really good, I think, but it’s totally a curve ball, and I think it’s gonna be a really polarizing record. But I’m really excited about it. It’s really got some teeth. The landscape of the thing is way, way more lunar than the urban meadow sort of thing that has been happening for the last couple of records.”


One song, “I Will Possess Your Heart”, is even purported to be a nine minute jam. Whatever happens, the album promises to be interesting.

Here’s a live performance of Ben performing “Casino Blues”. If this song is anything to go by, the album could see Death Cab producing more upbeat, uptempo songs than in the past. By late May, we should be able to see if that’s a good thing or not.

Listen: Ben Gibbard – Casino Blues (live)

Categories
2007 Releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 digital downloads guitar music

Time for a Tuesday Trio.

Sorry things have been a bit quiet lately; real life takes it’s toll, and lease renewals and rental inspections take up a bit of time. That said, let’s jump right into a Tuesday Trio.


Gomez – Chasing Ghosts with Alcohol

Gomez - Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol

While Gomez – in my eyes, at least – will always struggle to live up to their debut release, “Bring It On”, this track, from their 2006 release, “How We Operate”, is unquestionably one of my favourites.

While How We Operate seemed, at times, a fairly episodic album, Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol is by far a standout from the album; all bluesy chords accompanied by a killer slide guitar, and vocals that build to a major crescendo. Melancholic, and perfect for a rainy Tuesday, listen to it and reflect on your life. See what you find.

Listen: Gomez – Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol

David Vandervelde – Nothin’ No

David Vandervelde - Nothin’ No

This track, “Nothin’ No”, from David Vandervelde’s 2007 debut release, “The Moonstation House Band” proves that the LP was one of the year’s most criminally-underappreciated releases.

A slow burn of a song, there’s something about it that demands you bop your head along with it. The song itself seems a symbol of youth, abandon and hope. And the fact that Vandervelde was only 19 when this track was written and recorded absolutely blows me away. Easily an artist to watch for in 2008.

Listen: David Vandervelde – Nothin’ No

Toothpick – Scars for Entertainment (remix)

Toothpick - Scars For Entertainment (remix)

I first came across Toothpick with his 2004 debut release, “Time Travelin’ Couch”, and was immediately pulled in by the album’s second track, “Scars for Entertainment”. A melting-pot of different genres, it seems to blend old-school hip-hop, acoustic folk, blues and funk in an extremely exciting way. His talent for carrying a story throughout the entire song was nothing short of impressive as well.

However, even though it’s been a good few years now since the original “Scars for Entertainment” reached my ears, it’s only recently that I learnt about this remix version.

As with any remix of an original song that you love, it doesn’t quite stack up to the original with me; Toothpick’s re-recorded vocals seem less hurt, in some way, here. However… with the addition of some killer harmonica (something I thought was always lacking, in the original), this song certainly deserves a spin, particularly if you haven’t heard Toothpick before.

Listen: Toothpick – Scars For Entertainment (remix)

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artists artists to watch for in 2008 digital downloads guitar music

Robert Francis – One by One. And, a side helping of Wild Sweet Orange – Wrestle With God

Robert Francis

Robert Francis - One by OneAt just 19, Robert Francis is unquestionably a song-writer wise beyond his years. Having already worked with some musical giants (Ry Cooder, and John Frusciante to name just a few), it is clear that the future hold’s great things for Robert Francis.

It’s hard to listen to this guy and picture him at just 19. His songs conjure up images of a hardened, world-weary performer, who has paid his dues at various dives he would have played at while hitching across the country.

The emotion is like a tsunami that rolls over you; both depressing and uplifting at the same time, Robert Francis is going places. Hopefully, you’ll join him.

This, the title track from his debut album, “One by One”, is a lush, seven minute affair… but it ends all too soon.

Listen: Robert Francis – One By One
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/robertfrancis

Wild Sweet Orange

Wild Sweet Orange - Wrestle With GodWild Sweet Orange only came to my ears recently, and boy have I been missing out. Intelligent, dreamlike indie rock with a southern guitar backbone makes for a great listen from these guys.

What makes these guys all the more interesting is that they seem to have no desire to rush into the big time; by all accounts, they’re happy to keep playing to smaller crowds, and enjoy the ride as they pay their dues.

While much of their debut EP, “The Whale” is intoxicating, dreamlike loops (particularly in the stunning “Ten Dead Dogs”), the boys also show their edgier side, as with their opener, “Wrestle With God”.

Listen: Wild Sweet Orange – Wrestle With God
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/wildsweetorange