I don't know about you, but I really liked "Keep it Together." It was the first Guster album I heard, and then I moved backwards and listened to all of Guster. Now Today I can move forward by bringing you some tracks from the upcoming album "Ganging up on the Sun." There's a slightly different sound then fans will be used to, but I think it's pretty good.

Guster - Manifest Destiny
Guster - The Beginning of the End

You can pre-order the CD off of their website.

This guy is doing a lot of stuff. Dntel, The Postal Service, Figurine, and now James Figurine. I have a sample from all of them. Goody! I'm pretty excited for the James Figurine album coming out soon, "Mistake, Mistake, Mistake Mistake." Check out his Myspace.

Dntel - Last Songs (Highly Recommended)

The Postal Service - Suddenly Everything Has Changed (Flaming Lips Cover)

Figurine - New Mate

James Figurine - 55566688833

We know it's been a while, and we apologize. Things have been hectic lately and none of us have been around to update. We're sorry, okay. Please don't get all worked up about it. It's really not our fault it's just the way that this month falls and how it doesn't end on a Sunday. It's just really complicated; you wouldn't understand. But anyway, here's a pretty cool Flaming Lips cover. I like Iron & Wine, and I like the Flaming Lips and I like covers so I guess this is a pretty cool song. Of course it is in traditional folky I&W style, but Sam does a nice job of making this song his own.
ENJOY


Iron & Wine - Waiting for Superman (Flaming Lips Cover)

I'm trying a little "shorter" formatting...

Great album... it changed the way I felt about the piano and performance in general. It truly shows Ben's (we're on a first name basis) talent as a musician. Unreleased tracks include: Rock this Bitch, Silver Street and Tiny Dancer (it's a cover guys...). enjoy.

Pitchfork Review - Rating - 7.1

Ben Folds - "Ben Folds Live"

Back in 2002, indie icon Bright Eyes & mellow master The Album Leaf got together for the 7" entitled Collaboration Split Series Vol. 1. This rare two track gem included one track that is easily one of my favorite written by Mr. Oberst. I'm gonna make it short and sweet:

"You could capture this with camera clips, but it don't exist
Just light on negatives
Another number on the birthday cake
You should act your age
We were hungry for a holiday"

Bright Eyes & The Album Leaf - "Hungry For A Holiday"

Hey there, I've got a bit of a treat for everyone with some new cuts of Raconteurs tracks thanks to their German Fansite. The first is a live XFM Studio session where they perform great versions of some of their tunes from the album. Here's the tracklist for "XFM Sessions":

1. Level
2. Intimate Secretary
3. Steady, As She Goes
4. Together
5. Hands

Just download the full show in one .zip file:
The Raconteurs - "The XFM Sessions"

Also, here's an audio transcript of a session the Raconteurs did with AOL's new attempt to not be useless. It's called The Interface, and this session kicks a bunch of ass. (From the Raconteurs' German Site)
Mp3:
The Raconteurs - "Sessions at AOL's The Interface"
Enhanced iTunes Version
The Raconteurs - "Sessions at AOL's The Interface iTunes Exclusive Podcast"

Finally, and my favorite is the two part stand that the Raconteurs had at BBC Studios. In order to hear the killer interviews and stories, you're going to want to download the FULL SESSION and not the individual tracks. It's a totally awesome session with a lot of input from all four of the guys. Also, listen to the awesome solo on "Intimate Secretary." AND (lucky you) there's a track that isn't on the album! It's a cover (!!!) of a David Bowie/Roy Davies song called "It Ain't Easy." Enjoy!

The Raconteurs - "Session's at BBC"
Part 1:

1. Store Bought Bones
2. Call It A Day
3. Intimate Secretary
4. FULL SESSION (Entire PART 1 of BBC Session)

Part 2:

1. Steady, As She Goes
2. It Ain't Easy (David Bowie Cover)
3. FULL SESSION (Entire PART 2 of BBC Session)

Goddamn it's good to hear some new Folds.

If you know me, you know that my #1 favorite artist is by far, Ben Folds. As he grows older, his music changes as he grows. So here he is, turning 40 in September, a handful of bands behind him, six full length albums, four ep's and countless compositions outside of that. Finally, he his happily married and two kids, twins. Folds, a family man, was obviously looking of a way to treat his children and also his own inner child when he decided to co-compose the soundtrack to the new CGI romp, Over The Hedge.

On the soundtrack, Folds features three new songs, one cover of a very cool The Clash song and a remix of one of his older singles "Rockin' the Suburbs," featuring his good friend William Shatner this time. It's fun for the whole family.

A lot of the die hard Folds fans are getting turned off by this, thinking he took the sellout route, but Folds is the man, and there's no selling out in having fun. Track of the day is the ballad and overture for the movie entitled, "Still." It kicks ass and makes me feel damn good.

Ben Folds - "Still (reprise)" (From Over The Hedge)

Now check out this live version from a concert in Madison where he explains the real meaning of the song... download it... it's about potheads and all that....

Ben Folds - "Still (The Turtles Song)" Recorded March 11, 2006 at the Madison, WI Orpheum.

I extend yet another apology to all of our readers for the lack of posts recently, but there are no excuses this time... just straight up laziness (at least on my part). But let's get to it.
Easily my favorite new indie group lately is Oh No! Oh My! (a.k.a. The Jolly Rogers)

"From the minds of songwriters Greg Barkley and Daniel Hoxmeier comes the catchy post-pop band that loves themselves a tasty melody. Both Greg and Daniel were home schooled through high school and, for lack of anything better to do, learned to play the guitar and any other useful instruments they could get their collective hands on."

For reference's sake, they've got a sound something like The Magnetic Fields or A Robot Ate Me (where Oh No! Oh My! gets its namesake)... it's a good thing. Song of the Day is:

Oh No! Oh My! (The Jolly Rogers) - "Walk In The Park"

Here's some more great tracks for ya'll as well, thanks to The Jolly Rogers via 3Hive.

Oh No! Oh My! - The Party Punch

Oh No! Oh My! - Oh Be The One

Oh No! Oh My! - A Pirates Anthem

Oh No! Oh My! - Jane Is Fat

NOW...

Visit their MySpace

and

Buy their album

Bush-bashing, hard-rocking, corporate-hating badass Henry Rollins, member of Black Flag, October Faction and The Henry Rollins Band and host of the greatest talk show/forum on television (The Henry Rollins Show) has been something that I make sure to watch whenever I can.

If you get The Independent Film Channel (IFC) then you should be tuning to that channel whenever you can. They have brought great indie outings such as Lonesome Jim and Waking Life to theaters lately and also bring the coolest in culture and music as well.

Reader Jeff shot me an email today to tell me about the killer set that everyone's' favorite band, Death Cab For Cutie, will play on Saturday's Henry Rollins show. In the past, Rollins has made it a point to bring great musical guests onto the show and let them play to studio-quality output so that the viewer and the band both come out of it feeling as if that was an amazing set. As an avid listener and viewer of music, I can't possibly tell you how many times I feel like a show or performance could have been great if not for the inferior fidelity of the music... Rollins knows exactly what's up.

From Sleater-Kinney, Ben Harper, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Jurassic 5 all the way down to my personal lord and savior, Ben Folds, Rollins brings only the best and most original onto his show. Take a look at some of the better performances at this site.

HENRY ROLLINS SHOW VIDEO ARCHIVE

Be sure to check it out for the music, but also the great rants and interviews on Saturdays at 10 p.m. Eastern and Encores on Thursdays at 11 p.m. Eastern on IFC, it's bound to be awesome.

Orignally I wanted to get this EP for their amazing cover of Christina Aguilera's #1 hit, "Beautiful." After a few more listens, I realized that Clem Snide is pretty good. Eef's narrative lyrics are nice little stories. One of the songs, "Mike Kalinksy" is about this kid in high school who had asthma and listens to Joy Division in his room because he's a dork and everyone makes fun of him. There's another one about a Nick Drake tape. I reccommend listening to the whole EP, not just the cover of "Beautiful."

Clem Snide - A Beautiful EP (Album)

Here's some great unreleased Shins b-sides and rarities! These songs don't show up on anything I could find or even anything in print! (i.e. Wicker Park OST) If theres an issue with these tracks, just send me a shout and we'll talk it out! I love you all.

First off is an alternate version of what may be my favorite Shins song, "Gone For Good."
Not sure where it was recorded, but it's awesome!
The Shins - "Gone For Good (Alternate Version)

Next is an awesome version of "New Slang." Why is it great? Because it's with IRON AND WINE!
The Shins and Iron & Wine - "New Slang"

Third, we have a James Mercer solo live song called "Won Too Many Fights." Good shit.
James Mercer - "Won One Too Many Fights"

Now for some b-sides:
The Shins - "Sphagnum Esplanade" = this is a weird attempt by the Shins. It might hit fans in a strange place...

The Shins - "The Gloating Sun" = more of that happy, fun Shins that we all know.

The Shins - "Mild Child"= something more mellow, kinda dark.

The Shins - "They'll Soon Discover" = slowly becoming one of my favorite Shins tunes, you'll dig it.

A founding member of Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone played an important role in the evolution of literate hip-hop on the West Coast during an era when hardcore gangsta rap reigned. Following the dissolution of the group, Aceyalone embarked on a solo career that never resulted in enormous success but did allow him to maintain his revered status within the West Coast underground hip-hop scene. He debuted solo on All Balls Don't Bounce (1995) and followed-up with A Book of Human Language (1998). After a three-year absence from the hip-hop scene, Aceyalone returned in 2001 with Accepted Eclectic, an album released by the Ground Control label, which also re-released his debut album. A new label, Project Blowed, issued 2002's Hip Hop and the World We Live In and 2003's Love & Hate, the latter featuring collaborations with El-P and Antipop Consortium. In 2004 Project Blowed secured the rights to All Balls Don't Bounce from Capitol and reissued it with a bonus disc, bringing not only extra music, but reviving the album after many years as an out of print item. Early in 2006, Aceyalone released Magnificent City, a collaboration record with underground producer RJD2, as well as Grand Imperial, a limited-edition collection of remixes and other exclusive tracks.

The song "Headaches and Woes" comes from the amazing MC's debut album All Balls Don't Bounce. It's song of the day because it's a lyrical masterpiece that comments on the world's condition through intricacies that rival him with the likes of MF Doom, Mad Lib, Talib Kweli and more.

Aceyalone - "Headaches and Woes"

Also, as a treat, here's a song from Aceyalone's new album featuring beatmaster RJD2. This song is the opening track and kicks a bunch of ass, fa' rell.

Aceyalone & RJD2 - "All For You"

(from their website)
Fruit Bats are from Chicago, Illinois. Although some members live on the west coast. It gets confusing, because the line up is a bit nebulous. But the one constant has been Eric Johnson, who sings and plays guitars and pianos and writes the songs.
Fruit Bats started out in the mid-nineties as young Mr. Johnson (not the virtuoso guitar player nor the Archers of Loaf guy) sat in his bedroom like so many other young people at that time and discovered the joys of the 4-track machine. He went on to form the short lived band I Rowboat, whose Velvet Underground-ish sounds managed to win no more than a small Chicago fanbase. One day Johnson and two other Rowboaters, guitarist Dan Strack and drummer Brian Belval decided to dip their collective toes in folk music. This side project was dubbed Fruit Bats, named after a type of large, flying, fruit-eating tropical mammal. Recordings were made, tapes were dubbed, and all was forgotten.

A couple of years down the road, I Rowboat was dissolving, and Johnson found himself playing banjo and guitar in almost-legendary folk weirdos Califone. Spurred on by Califone/Perishable Records honchos Tim Rutili and Ben Massarella, Johnson and Strack set out to finally record the album they thought was destined to link The Holy Modal Rounders and Rumors-era Fleetwood Mac. That record was the Fruit Bats debut, Echolocation, produced by Brian Deck (Red Red Meat, Modest Mouse, Souled American, etc...) at Clava Sound.

So years later, after line-up shifts galore, many tours, and a deal with the fabled Sub Pop Recording Concern, Fruit Bats' sound has evolved and then un-evolved and then evolved back again. What was once weirdo folk tinkerings became cinematic pop which became something else. You should just listen.


If you enjoy the Shins and/or Guster, then it's very possible that you would enjoy the Fruit Bats...

Fruit Bats - A Bit of Wind
Fruit Bats - When U Love Somebody
Fruit Bats - Dragon Ships

Hey, sorry it's been so long since I was here, but between finals, partying and finding an active hi-speed connection, well... bestimitationofmyself did an amazing job, no?

Here I have a treat for all you Death Cab fans. From what I know, before Death Cab For Cutie and after All-Time Quarterback! there was Death Cab For Fiver. I wish I could five everyone the drop on the story of the name change, but I have no damn clue. Instead, I will let these lo-fi gems tell you instead.

Death Cab For Cutie - "Death Cab For Fiver 7" "
1. Spring Break Broke
2. Sleep Tight

And for all you who don't have anything better to do... try finding a copy of this ep in print... you can't. It's toally defunct.

On the Ben Kweller message board at www.benkweller.com, there is talk of a new album possibly this summer. I'm pretty pysched for it. My favorite album is his first, Sha Sha, and I thought that On My Way could have been better. I hope that this next album will be awesome. I have this random track that I don't know where I got it from. It might be from some EP or something, but I've had it ever since I got Sha Sha. Now today, I share it with all of you. If anyone knows where it is from, please leave a comment!

Ben Kweller - Don't Know Why

Everybody hurts sometimes and it's always nice to have some background music to accompany any angst or existential crises. Today we have some sad songs for your depressed enjoyment.

Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
You may recognize this song from the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (one of my personal favorites)

Ben Folds - Wandering
This is one of my favorite Ben Folds songs and it just so happens that is also a very sad song.

Elliott Smith - Waltz #1
There is something mesmerizing about this song. I don't think this song would be the same without the beautiful piano.

Modest Mouse - Broke
This song is a little heavier than the other ones but it accurately fits in the category of "melancholy"

The Flaming Lips have stood the test of time with their very distinct sound. They have a habit of making things sound very strange and beautiful at the same time. Just think how fun it would be to work with them. There'd probably be a bunch of elephants and balloons and dancers and other sorts of things like that floating around. Today I have some tracks that are collaborations between another artists and The Flaming Lips. The first track is a cover of a Daniel Johnston Song for the Late Great Daniel Johntson tribute CD (which is very good, by the way). The next one is one with the Chemical Brothers. The last is done with Thievery Corporation. Wayne's voice really makes all of these tracks what they are.

Sparklehorse with the Flaming Lips - Go
Chemical Brothers (ft. the Flaming Lips) - The Golden Path
Thievery Corporation - Marching the Hate Machines Into the Sun (Featuring the Flaming Lips)

Believe it or not, but an acoustic version of "Every Moment" by Rogue Wave is on the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack. There are a few songs on the soundtrack that I don't mind having. There is one of Jimmy Tamborello's (Dntel, the Postal Service) projects, Figurine, on there and the song "Forever Young" by Alphaville. The real gem is still "Every Moment." It is my favorite song off of Out of the Shadow and one of my favorite songs of all time. I hope everyone can enjoy this great acoustic version of an already great song.

Rogue Wave - Every Moment (Acoustic)

Buy Out of the Shadow
Buy the Napoleon Dynamite Soundtrack

Let's take some of our favorite indie rock songs and remix them!

Interpol - Slow Hands (Britt Daniel Mix)

This one is not really a "techno" mix but more of a reworking of the composition of the song by Spoon's Britt Daniel.

Death Cab for Cutie - Steadier Footing (Mikio Mix)

This remix, however, IS a techno remix and I think it'd be a good song for one of those work-out mixes. I like what they did with this one.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control (Faint Remix)

This one is a combination of a reworking and partially techno. It's pretty good

The Flaming Lips - Do You Realize?? (Scott Hardkiss Floating in Space Mix)

Scott Hardkiss goes off on the "floating in space" tangent and makes this song into a 9 minute and 6 second techno epic.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty excited that there's going to be a new Shins album really soon. As good as the Shins' previous albums are, I need some new material. When I found a live James Mercer concert on Regnyouth, I was saved! It was very nice to hear some of my favorite Shins songs acousticly arranged. One of my favorite tracks James did was "Caring is Creepy." He even uses a harmonica! AMAZING! Also, the recording quality of the radio show is pretty awesome.

James Mercer - Caring is Creepy (Live and Acoustic)

Unfortunately, Weezer seems to have been sucked into the black hole of selling-out. As I reflect listening to their debut album, I realized that this album a really good 90's album. There's just something about it that makes me wish I born a little earlier to enjoy it when it first came out. All we have now is "Beverly Hills" and garbage like that. The Blue Album was pretty good as well, but I think that this album is better. Check it out!

Weezer - No Other One
Weezer - Across the Sea
Weezer - Pink Triangle
Weezer - Butterfly

Added Bonus! Weezer - Across the Sea (Acoustic)

Buy Pinkerton Here

Since I'm from Michigan, I feel it necessary (since there's going to be that huge Illinoise B-side CD coming out) that I provide you with some of Michigan's B-sides. Michigan was the first Sufjan CD that I heard. Ironically, I bought it in Chicago. Funny how it works out like that...but anyway, Sufjan really does capture the essence of Michigan in the CD. When I came home again I listened to it while driving around my hometown, I felt like he was really accurate. If you have ever been to Michigan you know what I mean. Here are some of the tracks that didn't make the final cut. All of these tracks are highly recommended.

Sufjan Stevens - Wolverine
Sufjan Stevens - Pickerel Lake
Sufjan Stevens - Marching Band
Sufjan Stevens - Niagra Falls
Sufjan Stevens - Presidents and Magistrates

Buy the Michigan CD

If you like the Arcade Fire or Final Fantasy, especially the songs with more orchestration, then I suggest that you check out the Bell Orchestre. All of their songs are instrumentals, but that does not take away from how beautiful all of their songs are. The two members that formed the band would soon go on to be part of the Arcade Fire. Also, Owen Pallet (Final Fantasy) arranged strings for the Arcade Fire, so it all comes full circle if you the Arcade Fire and Final Fantasy. Today I have a song that is not off the album, but from a demo. LISTEN TO IT!

Bell Orchestre - Piazzolla

Links:
Their Website
Pitchfork Interview
Review of Recording A Tape the Colour of the Light

Doesn't it seem like covers of songs are coming out sooner and sooner? It's the same thing with movies and DVDs; 3 months after it is in theaters it's already on DVD. One example is "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. There's at least two covers out there of that song and it really hasn't been out there for that long! It's crazy! HAHA HAHA! GET IT!? IT'S A PUN! but anyway, here are some indie covers of songs that haven't been around for too long.

Fresh Cherries from Yakima - Eli the Barrowboy (The Decemberists)
Fiction Like Candy - Details of the War (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah)
Perturbazione Duo - I Will Follow You Into the Dark (Death Cab for Cutie)
Bettie Serveert - Lover I Don't Have to Love (Bright Eyes)

Check Out Their Websites!
Fresh Cherries from Yakima
Fiction Like Candy
Perturbazione Duo
Bettie Serveert

I love the Arcade Fire. The past summer I became addicted and I bought their EP shortly after purchasing "Funeral." I then got their song off of the Six Feet Under soundtrack, "Cold Wind." Whenever I really like an artist or band, I feel compelled to get every b-side and demo song I can get my hands on. These few tracks that I'm posting are from some early demo tapes that they had. It's very interesting to see how they are trying to really develop their sound. It's also really nice to listen to "Funeral" after listening to these demos to see how far they have gone and appreciate the really good production on the album. These tracks can't be purchased anywhere as far as I know.

Buy Arcade Fire stuff at Merge Records

The Arcade Fire - No Winter for a Year
The Arcade Fire - Accidents
The Arcade Fire - William Pierce

There are some songs that are really really catchy that stick with you the whole day, but you love it. This is one of those songs: "Your Beauty is a Knife I Turn On My Throat" by Eagle*Seagull. I highly reccommend this power piano infused track. If you want to learn more about this band, I think you will get much more out of their website than me. All I know is that this song is good and you should listen to it.

Eagle*Seagull's Website

Eagle*Seagull - Your Beauty is a Knife I Turn On My Throat

Jose Gonzalez was one of my favorite artists of 2005. With the release of his album Veneer, he marked his U.S. debut, although he was already a gold selling artist in his homeland of... Sweeden.... that's right. Don't go assuming because of the name.

Gonzalez is Sweedish born of Argentinian parents. He uses a blend of classical fingerpicking with indie tempos and tonality. Gonzalez' voice demands attention over the brilliantly crafted melodies. The lyrics are remeniscent of Elliot Smith, Nick Drake or other great singer/songwriters. On a whole, Gonzalez is a strong, solid and smart musician.

Before Jose hit the states, a few EP's were in import circulation. A collection of some songs from his album Veneer and other radom b-sides, the EP trilogy contains not only acoustic Gonzalez, but also a few softer versions of songs by his band, Junip.

These were promos for Veneer, so they aren't being produced anymore, if I'm correct. Take a listen to these three EP's. If you are a fan of him, you're sure to want these and if you haven't heard of him, then this is the beginning of something awesome. Congrats.
Here are a some MP3's for your sampling pleasure.

Jose Gonzalez - Storm (From Crosses EP)
Jose Gonzalez - Love Will Tear Us Apart (From Remain EP)
Jose Gonzalez - Down The Hillside (From Stay In The Shade EP)

If you like what you hear, support Jose Gonzalez. Although, only Stay in the Shade is in circulation, but still, buy it.

Now, I'm going to go on a bit of a rant here, so stay with me:

When we first heard John Mayer, we were intrigued, but passed it off quickly... and why wouldn't we? He sounded like another new, woman-pleasing, pop-fabrication that was "gracing" MTV, VH1 and others with his presence. Time passed and he continued to release albums, but we didn't care. By 2003, he had 3 albums, a DVD and a slew of singles... slowly a cult following had formed and countless bootlegs appeared. But I surely didn't notice... I mean, "Daughters?" C'mon. Finally, last year, John Mayer formed a band with Steve Jordan (of the Blues Brothers) and bass virtuoso Pino Palladino. I asked myself why such great artists were wasting their time... there had to be something behind it. Try! hooked me in about ten minutes. John Mayer was not a poppy boy-wonder product of some record label... he was amazing. Flying in and out of brilliant solos and vibing almost the entire hour... brilliant. In the following weeks I went back and listened to John Mayer and compromised on what I had been denying all along, John Mayer was good... really good.
In my opinion, besides Try! his album Heavier Things (2003) was his best effort. John Mayer is catchy, smart and easily one of the best living guitarists. Given honors by all of the greats (Clapton, Buddy Guy, Springsteen, Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Dave Matthews, Kanye West and the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn) and selling out shows at some of the most prestigious venues (House of Blues, Streetcorner Symphony, Carnegie Hall, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, CMT Crossover and even the Crossroads Music Festival), John Mayer shouldn't be thought of the way he came in, because he will be the best when he leaves.

John Mayer Trio - "Try!"

On April 10, 2006, John Mayer went unannounced to a hotel cafe and played 12 tracks, many of which are brand spanking new. This is an EXCELLENT bootleg and should be heard by all. He's got a great sense of where he is as an artist and for someone to go out and just play all new songs (many of them only half written) is great. Check it out!

John Mayer - "Live (Hotel Cafe) 4/10/06"

...and if you feel unfulfilled, then deal with it. As John Mayer said at the end of the 9th track on this bootleg, "It's like getting a blowjob from Jessica Alba and then saying 'Well... that was a bit toothy." Get over it... John Mayer is awesome.

The title track to their brand new album is the perfect fit for the conclusion to my finals week. "Let's Get Out Of This Country,"... please.

Gavin Dunbar (bass), and guitarist David abandoned the crew, and was later replaced by Lindsay Boyd joined the band not long after, defining the band as a six-piece. In 2002, after being referred as one of the promising bands of the year 2001 on David started playing together. They went on to release a number of singles, one of them including the contribution of Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Camera Obscura relies on a six-piece team of musicians to reveal a luminous and glistening vision of indie pop. The group first formed in 1996, when Tracyanne Campbell (vocals), John Henderson, Richard Colburn, Belle & Sebastian's drummer. Three years after the band's first releases, Lee Thompson joined the band as a permanent drummer while Kenny McKeeve. Keyboardist John Peel's play list, Camera Obscura presented their first full-length, Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi through the AndMoreSound records catalog, with production help from Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch. ~ Mario Mesquita Borges

Camera Obscura was one album that I picked up based only on reccomendation. Stuart Murdoch, although, is enough for me. While some say that C.O. is just capitalizing on a genre that Belle & Sebastian made, I believe that C.Obscura is a genius effort in its own sense. Truly remarkable music.

Camera Obscura - "Let's Get Out Of This Country"

Thanks to The Toolshed for the drop.

This might be the last one --> more after the jump.

Click here for: The Thursday Roundup

When Ben Gibbard goes touring he has roughly 4 different projects he can work from: Death Cab for Cutie, the Postal Service, All-Time Quarterback, and his own individual stuff. There's so much he can pull from and work with it's almost overwhelming. I have a few songs from his tours and radio shows of him just doing solo versions of all of his songs and since someone requested more Ben, I think it's only appropriate that there is more Ben. Please leave any of your Ben Gibbard requests in the comments; the Just Pretend team will try our best to satisfy your music hunger.

Death Cab for Cutie

Title and Registration (Acoustic)
I Was A Kaleidoscope (Acoustic)
A Movie Script Ending (Acoustic
Photobooth (Acoustic)

The Postal Service/Dntel

Brand New Colony (Acoustic)
Such Great Heights (Acoustic)
Recycled Air (Acoustic)
(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan (Acoustic)

All-Time Quarterback!

Dinner At Eight in the Suburbs (Acoustic)

Miscellaneous Covers

They Don't Know (Kristy McCall)
The Saddest Story Ever Told (The Magnetic Fields)

Last summer I spent about a month in Chicago, the home town of Wilco. Unironically, this is when I really got into Wilco. I only had "A Ghost is Born" and only a few songs off of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." Once I realized that the Marina Buildings were the cover of that album, I decided to get the album. I really really really really enjoyed it. I felt like it was equivalent to an alternative country's "OK Computer." Then I bought Summerteeth, and then the Live CD in Chicago. Wilco is now one of my top favorite bands. This summer I will be seeing them with Andrew Bird and I'm pretty pyshced about Wilco in general and in this spirit I will post a rare live version of "Jesus, Etc." Instead of the strings, they use an organ and I think it still sounds pretty solid. I think that this one is better than the one on the Live in Chicago CD.

Wilco - Jesus, Etc. (Live)


P.S. Please leave comments!

Growing up in Florida and Georgia before moving to Potomac, MD, at the age of 11, indie rock innovator John Vanderslice grew up listening to a mix of Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Kinks, and Southern rock, which instilled an eclectic musical vocabulary. Forced into piano lessons as a child, he eventually picked up the guitar in the eighth grade and formed several bands during his teen years. His songwriting added influences from David Bowie, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, King Crimson, XTC, and early Genesis, culminating in his five-year tenure with the much-heralded experimental-pop band MK Ultra. Their collaboration produced three well-received albums and resulted in an opening spot on two Sunny Day Real Estate American tours. Vanderslice also started Tiny Telephone, a small recording studio, in 1997. Boasting a variety of respected and experienced house engineers, Tiny Telephone gained a reputation as an affordable recording outlet for San Francisco's indie rock community. It also produced Vanderslice's solo debut, Mass Suicide Occult Figurines, in 2000. The album drew a substantial amount of critical praise for its meticulously crafted pop-perfect sound. The prolific Vanderslice issued the Time Travel is Lonely and Life and Death of an American Fourtracker LPs over the next two years, and solidified his reputation as a literate, ever-curious songwriter and sonic technician. Cellar Door followed in 2004, and Pixel Revolt appeared year later. Maybe I'm on a John Vanderslice streak, but hey it's worth it.

This song appears on Cellar Door and it's awesome. Check it!

John Vanderslice - "They Won't Let Me Run"

What's awesome about John Vanderslice? Everything.

Maybe it's because he doesn't feel the need to impress anyone. Maybe it's because he thinks it's funny to play pranks on the media, like when he called out Bill Gates for no reason just to start some commotion with the press... Maybe... it's because he gives his albums away online FOR FREE! A simple trip to the John Vanderslice webpage contains links to a dedicated server with tons of mp3's of his and even some of his full albums. See, unlike so many others, Vanderslice believes that music is something to be shared, not priced and sold in a nice package... and it shows in his music. Although some of his albums can be bought, about half are available for free, and that is awesome. Vanderslice wants you to hear his musical progression exactly while it's happening.

Enjoy these albums by John Vanderslice... you know he wants you to.

John Vanderslice - Mass Suicide Occult Figurines

John Vanderslice - InSound Tour Support EP

John Vanderslice - MGM Endings

John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt

John Vanderslice - B-Sides and Rarities

Simply a great show and great sound quality. Check it out. Download the full show or by track:

John Vanderslice - "Live at the Independent"

Just as a request from us, please take the time to write some comments. Tell us how we're doing, how much more you want to see every day, what kind of music you want to hear and most importantly, what can improve. If we're gonna do this, we're gonna do this right.

Sincerely and on behalf of the whole team,
Thanks.

-Just Pretend

I was just checking out what iTunes was dishing out as the free download this week and was welcomed by the sight of a pre-release Raconteurs track! For those of you who aren't familiar with Raconteurs, it's a new supergroup formed from Brendan Benson, Jack White and half of Greenhornes. Good stuff indeed! As everyone knows, the album leaked for about three days a few weeks ago. I hear that those who got it were very pleased. ;-). The track is an acoustic version of their first single, "Steady, As She Goes."

If you have iTunes then I recommend you get your ass over to the music store and download the track. If you don't have it, make an account and get it, cuz it's only up for a week. I'm sure someone will find a way to strip the protection and get it online, so just wait it out if you want. If not, heres the iTunes Link:

Raconteurs - "Steady, As She Goes (Acoustic Version)" via the iTunes Store.

The first selection of songs are from an KEXP performance. I personally like those better because of the quality and there is no audience to clap at all after; they are better for mixes so you don't have that abrupt stopping of clapping in the middle of a mix CD. The other selection is from an NPR performance. Colin uses an acoustic electric on those and it does not sound as nice as the one he uses for the KEXP. Colin, however, does sound a lot happier in the NPR performance. Either way, I love the Decemberists. I also like how he uses a variety of songs; not every song is from Picaresque. I feel like he's not just out to promote an album, but all of his music.

KEXP
Colin Meloy - Everything I Try To Do Nothing Seems To Turn Out Right
Colin Meloy - The Engine Driver
Colin Meloy - Devil's Elbow
Colin Meloy - Clementine

NPR
Colin Meloy - Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect
Colin Meloy - Apology Song
Colin Meloy - We Both Go Down Together

One of my very few good experiences with the radio (the REAL radio) led me to this song by a band that I really don't know too much about. Hailing from the same place as the god-like Ben Folds, Archers of Loaf were another Chapel Hill band that gained a substantial amount of indie success.

I picked up their debut album Icky Mettle a month or so ago and was really impressed. The outstanding trait of Archers of Loaf is definitely their accessibility. Their influences seem to be something close to Pavement or Weezer. I enjoy the album and this song especially.

The first track on their debut album, Icky Mettle, "Web In Front" is a cool, smart song. It's on repeat, so throw it into your rotation.

Archers of Loaf - "Web In Front"

When I saw the music video for "Yellow" on Vh1, I immediately fell in love with the song. Now, I was in 7th grade, but that's besides the point. I have to take into consideration every song that transformed my taste in music to what it is today. When I got Parachutes, I felt like I was one of the few who was really into Coldplay. I got the transcription music for it and everything. Then A Rush of Blood To The Head came out and then they exploded into the music scene (Now I really knew that I wasn't the only one who liked Coldplay). I was a little dissapointed in X&Y, to tell you the truth. I miss the old days of Coldplay when they were new and raw and used more acoustic guitar. If you still miss the good ol' days of Parachutes, then these B-Sides are for you!

Coldplay - Careful Where You Stand
Coldplay - Help is Around the Corner
Coldplay - Shiver (Acoustic)

Back in the day when I used to watch TV for 5 hours a day, there was a little show called the Adventures of Pete and Pete. Years later, after not regularly watching TV for 3 years, I had a strange craving for the shows that I used to watch on what is now called "Old School Nickelodeon." Oh, how I miss those days. Rocko's Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy, All That, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Salute your Shorts, and the ingenious and hilarious Adventures of Pete and Pete. When Brownpower downloaded an episode last year, I became really interested in the band that did the music for the show. They are called Polaris and I think their music is pretty good, considering every song they have done is for the show. I have about 10 songs, but I'll just post the theme song, "Hey Sandy."

Polaris - Hey Sandy (From The Adventures of Pete and Pete)