Archive for July, 2009
Pure attitude will ooze through your earbuds or speakers from the very first unaccompanied kick and snare-drum pairing of Billy Boy On Poison’s “On My Way.” Tightly executed rhythm guitar contrasts with freely wailing lead guitar, while the primal drumbeat perfectly underscores each infectious “Hey!” in the chorus. If you need a walk-on song for your next talk-show appearance or summer softball league at-bat, the Los Angeles quartet’s “On My Way” is ready to be blasted. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Fans of the North Mississippi Allstars should be familiar with the deeds of Hill Country Revue. The Revue is NMA’s Chris Chew and Cody Dickinson jamming with guests Daniel Coburn, Kirk Smithhart, Ed Cleveland, and Garry and Duwayne Burnside (sons of legendary bluesman R.L.), veering NMA’s jam-blues caravan down a more rootsy path. “You Can Make It” is a snappy country-rock number with a curling guitar hook that will check your chin; it’s taken from Hill Country Revue’s new album, Make a Move. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Savvy listeners can learn a lot about rappers just by studying their vocal delivery. In the case of Aíd, whose well-metered flows unfurl in lisp-tinged Castilian and Galician, it’s clear this Spanish female emcee is the real deal — not the result of a get-rich-quick marketing scheme. On swinging “Boogie Vigo,” the former graffiti writer rides a funk-tinged, minimal beat and lets you know all about her boundless passion. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Gossip return unleash a new batch of rock ‘n’ roll mayhem with help from producer Rick Rubin with Music for Men. Transformative rock, sharpened disco hooks, soul, and gospel influence abounds. Check out our free Single of the Week, the funk-punk-tastic “Heavy Cross.” If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Still only juniors in high school, Comic Book Heroes already have four years of music experience in their gig bags. Don’t let their youth fool you, though: This is by no means teen pop. Citing collective influences that range from Charles Mingus, the Rolling Stones, and David Bowie to Dream Theater, Nirvana, and Franz Ferdinand, the quartet from Reading, Pa., perfectly combines sassy vocals, strutting guitars, and confident beats into a rumbling, grown-up rock ’n’ roll declaration. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
The debut from the modern bachata duo Carlos y Alejandra has been all over the tropical charts thanks to the mid-tempo melodic bliss of La Introduccion’s first single, “Cuanto Duelo.” Judging by the tracks on this debut album, you can expect to hear a lot more of the group’s unique rhythms and sensational vocal work. “Explicarme” is another strong, rootsy offering but with Carlos and Alejandra giving a contemporary RB twist to the vocals.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Owl City is the stage name of Adam Young, a Minnesota native plinking out dreamy tunes that meander down clever lyrical sidestreets. “Fireflies” melds a partly-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-clearing attitude to a trance-pop beat. The result: an invigorating, feel-good electro-pop experience. Young has a bit of Death Cab for Cutie in his vocal timbre that, when pressed up against a synthesized beat, is so effervescent it could levitate Stonehenge. “Fireflies” appears on Owl City’s latest album, Ocean Eyes. If you like the track, check out the album which is now available exclusively on iTunes for next two week for just $7.99.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Southern Illinois native Jaimee Paul grew up singing in church, where she wowed congregations with her spins on classic hymns. On her newest album, Paul reinterprets jazz standards, including “Cry Me a River,” originally popularized by Julie London. Close your eyes and listen to Paul’s timeless, smoky vocals mingle with tranquil string orchestration and Beegie Adair’s delicate piano playing. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Last week we showed our appreciation for the efforts of Natalie LaFourcade when we spotlighted her new work with Los Amigos Invisbles. This week, we take our new love a little bit further and spotlight a track from her new album, Hu Hu Hu. “Ella Es Bonita” is a bright slice of sunshine pop where Ms. LaFourcade comes across like a nouveau folk-singer with a penchant for horns and organic disco-pop. In a perfect world, we would spend our weekends in the forest frolicking to music like this.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Meese is a Denver-based group that’s ready to send its debut album, Broadcast, out into the world. We’ve got the band’s new single, “Next In Line,” available for you to check out for free. Meese has a solid, slightly synth-touched rock backbone that drives its songs forward. A mixture of soulful harmonies within rough guitars and electronic textures gives the band a distinct feel. This summer, you can catch Meese on tour with the Fray and Jack’s Mannequin. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
