devendra banhart - long haired child

devendra banhart is back with another batch of psych/freak-folk tunes and one interesting album cover. "cripple crow" is the title of the new record and it will be released on september 13th by xl recordings. considering that most of the songs from his past 2 albums were recorded in a bedroom, i wasn't sure how things would turn out in a studio environment. well, the new production on the album is amazing and adds a lot of texture to his songs. he still sings about some crazy stuff and a handful of the songs are sung in spanish, which is devendra's primary language. recommended if you like: vetiver, marc bolan and t-rex, the mountain goats.

click here to download: devendra banhart - long haired child

rumbleseat - california burritos

rumbleseat is the acoustic side project of chris and chuck from hot water music and samantha from bitchin'. no idea records had promised to release a collection of all the band's material for almost 2 years and it was delayed due to some damaged master tapes. earlier this month, "rumbleseat is dead" finally saw the light of day and needless to say it's been well worth the wait. all the band's songs from 7-inches and compilations are included as well as some never before released tracks. recommended if you like: uncle tupelo, johnny cash, against me.

click here to download: rumbleseat - california burritos

differnet - saurau

i haven't read much about differnet anywhere and i'm assuming it's because they're from sweden. their latest album was released back in april by friendly noise and i'm pretty sure it's going to get a lot of attention once people finally hear it. the title of the new record is the text printed on the cover, or nothing at all. apparently it's up to you to choose. it's really hard for me to describe their sound because they're all over the place. it's mostly electronic with a female lead vocalist. lots of beeps and blips and glitchy elements. sometimes dancey sometimes atmospheric. recommended if you like: radiohead, bjork, mum.

click here to download: differnet - saurau

ryan adams and the cardinals - tonight

so i'm a pretty big ryan adams fan and i think his latest album "cold roses" (lost highway) is brilliant and a return to form. i know a million other people have posted about the album so i had to do something original to stand out. that's why i'm linking you to a b-side from the album. it's obvious why the track didn't make the final cut because it would probably fit in the dead center of the bridge that took him from "rock n roll" to "cold roses." it's just a little too much rock and not enough country to work on "cold roses." anyways, be on the look out for 2 more releases from ryan before the year's end. i know i can't wait. recommended if you like: jeff buckley, grateful dead, the replacements.

click here to download: ryan adams and the cardinals - tonight

thee more shallows - freshman thesis

thee more shallows have caught my attention with their latest full length entitled "more deep cuts" (turn records). during the recording of the album the band lost one of their main songwriters and to me it seems like it was a good thing because the final product is amazing. the band uses an eclectic mix of instruments to produce songs that are both beautiful and melancholy. if you can't get enough of this band, they also recently released a 4 song ep ("cuts plus two") with monotreme records which features 2 songs from the album and 2 exclusive to the ep. recommended if you like: grandaddy, yo la tengo, american analog set.

click here to download: thee more shallows - freshman thesis

dungen - panda

dungen is a psychedelic rock/pop/folk band hailing from sweden. well, i say band but actually it's just one multi-instrumentalist, gustav ejstes. last year subliminal sounds released their album "te det lungt" and it received a lot of attention. on august 2nd, the album will finally see a domestic release via kemado records. as a bonus, the re-release will include an extra disc with 5 previously unreleased tracks. even though i have no clue what the lyrics mean, they're still catchy and i really like them. recommended if you like: comets on fire, jimi hendrix, the kinks.

click here to download: dungen - panda

pelican - sirius

pelican has returned with a new full length and it's been melting my face off since i first heard it. it's called "the fire in our throats will beckon the thaw" and it was released last week via hydrahead. this album shows the band coming into more of their own sound than on previous efforts. more atmospheric exploration and a little less metal. if this is the soundtrack to the end of the world, then i want front row seats. recommended if you like: isis, explosions in the sky, red sparowes.

click here to download: pelican - sirius

nada surf - do it again

forget everything you thought you knew about the band that sang 'popular'...this is an entirely different beast. nada surf is back with a new full length entitled "the weight is a gift" coming out september 13th on barsuk records. these guys do britpop much better than most of the bands from across the water (and they're from new york). this might be one of the most anticipated albums of the year in my book. catchy rock songs with sweet melodies and great lyrics. recommended if you like: snow patrol, travis, death cab for cutie.

click here to download: nada surf - do it again

the ashtray hearts - rules

the ashtray hearts are a roots/americana sextet from minneapolis, mn. their latest album "perfect halves" was recently released on free election records. the album was recorded at sacred heart studios which also happens to be the recording home of low. the band refers to their sound as "apartment music"...whatever that means. anyways, this is the perfect listen when you're stuck drinking by yourself on a friday night. recommended if you like: red house painters, counting crows, damien jurado.

click here to download: the ashtray hearts - rules

ox - carolinah

ox is yet another canadian band that has managed to capture my attention in 2005. their debut album "dust bowl revival" has been out for about 2 years in canada and finally got a domestic release last month via second nature. also, the reissue includes 2 bonus tracks not found on the original. their songs are sparse on instrumentation and have a dominant southern feel to them. if you like the band be sure to check out their frontman mark browning's solo work available from their online store. recommended if you like: the byrds, south san gabriel, palace brothers.

click here to download: ox - carolinah

rahim - one at a time

formerly known as radio raheem, rahim is a trio hailing from new york city. the band recently recorded 4 songs with j. robbins (of jawbox, burning airlines, channels) for an ep entitled "jungles" on french kiss records to be released july 26th. their sound is heavily influenced by the dc scene...post-rock but still dancey. the band also hopes to release a full length before the year's end. recommended if you like: sonic youth, q and not u, les savy fav.

click here to download: rahim - one at a time

elliott smith - some song

in case you didn't know, this blog gets it's name from an elliott smith lyric. this should explain the high regards i hold for him. i can't really say much about elliott that hasn't already been said by hundreds of other people. he was a true musical genius and his songwriting was something i always felt a strong connection with. if you don't own anything by him i'd suggest buying his entire discography. the track i'm posting is the b-side from his "needle in the hay" 7-inch that kill rock stars was kind enough to put up shortly after his death. recommended if you like: john lennon, nick drake, iron & wine.

click here to download: elliott smith - some song

the meeting places - on our own

the meeting places are a 4 piece shoegaze outfit based out of los angeles, ca. in 2003 they released their first full length entitled "find yourself along the way" on words on music. more waves of fuzzy guitars perfect for the soundtrack to any dreamy or substance induced state of mind. it's a shame this album didn't get as much praise as it should have. maybe they'll get what they deserve with the next one. their latest work can be found on the club ac30 cd #3. listen up and enjoy. recommended if you like: spiritualized, airiel, slowdive.

click here to download: the meeting places - on our own