Your Friday Fix (5/1/2009)
Friday, May 1st, 2009 by Ipequey
May?!? Really? What happened to March and April? *blinks* This year just seems to be flying by, with the “Date Added” timestamps in my iTunes library as my only proof that the past few months have really happened. Music is funny like that with me. When I hear a song, I can remember what I was doing when I bought the album/track, roughly when I bought it and so forth. I’ve also found that I’m far more productive, and capable of learning stuff when I’ve got music playing. I suppose that comes from growing up in a musical house.
Anyways…enjoy this weeks Friday Fix. No particular theme this week, though a few of these tracks have interesting stories behind them. So, sit “indian style”, scootch up and listen as I tell you their tales.
Sufjan Stevens – Sofia’s Song (2009, Petoskey, Michigan) For those of you that have been desperately waiting for new Sufjan Stevens music, enjoy this previously unreleased track. I found this track on the asthmatic kitty blog, with a very interesting story about Sufjan’s name, told by Sufjan himself. The article also went into detail about his early music endeavors, stuff he’d record in his home, on tapes, 4-tracks and hard drives. Sofia’s Song is one of these songs. Will we hear more of these boxed up gems? One can only hope. Sufjan has released a few other tracks this year, two of which were on the “Dark was the Night” compilation. He’s also helped out on “Welcome Wagons” debut album, his influence in their sound being quite noticeable.
God Help the Girl – Come Monday Night (2009) “God Help the Girl” is a story set to music, which Stuart Murdoch has been working on intermittently for the last five years, its origin in some songs that were written while Belle and Sebastian were touring “Dear Catastrophe Waitress” in 2004. This album has strong hints of “old school” Belle and Sebastian, but at the same time, introduces new vocalists, more orchestral scoring and makes for an overall phenomenal sounding release. If you want to read more on this project, you can read more about in on their website.
Paper Tiger – 1995 (2008, Utrecht, Netherlands) More and more bands these days are giving digital freebies. Some being so bold to share entire full lengths for free, in hopes that folks will listen, and preach the awesomeness of their band. Paper Tiger, and the folks at “Beep! Beep! Back Up The Truck” records seem to believe in this philosophy. There are always free albums on their website. This band is awesome. The guitar riffs, percussion and even the vocals (at times) remind of XTC’s music that is so near and dear to my heart.
Snowsera – 24 (2008, Chicago, Illinois) Another band offering their latest EP for free from their website. This track can be found on their “Fictions” EP, which is five really solid tracks of indie rock music. Formed in 2006 at the University of Illinois, the four students deliberately chose a name devoid of any existing meaning. Over the past three years, Snowsera has brought its high-impact live show to audiences crowded into rec rooms, dimly-lit bars and concert venues across the Midwest. Along the way, the band has shared the bill with major label recording artists (…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, This Is Me Smiling) and veteran Chicago indie acts (State & Madison, Company of Thieves).
brakesbrakesbrakes – Don’t Take Me To Space (Man) (2009, Brighton, England) Brakesbrakesbrakes is the North American name of England’s “Brakes”. The band features Eamon Hamilton (formerly of British Sea Power) on vocals and guitar, brothers Tom and Alex White on guitar and drums respectively, and Marc Beatty on bass. They play irreverent, punked-up interpretations of various genres including traditional rock, country and folk, and surf rock. You can find this track on their latest album “Touchdown”.
American Art – Instrumental (2009, Lake Zurich, Illinois) While perhaps not the best song to reflect their true style, this song demonstrates their ability to record amazing music in the basement. Having released three albums since last November, American Art is another artist offering their works for free on their website. This song gets truly moving near the end…the piano kicks in and I get all goosebumpy. Here’s the kicker. Both the musicians in the band are only 17. Their other tracks are quite amazing as well. Sometimes hinting of early Radiohead and Arcade Fire. In fact, on this album, “Rearranging the Furniture”, they cover Arcade Fire’s “Rebellion (Lies)” in their own unique style. Quite awesome group developing here, and I really hope to hear more from them!
Paper Navy – All Grown Up (2009, Murfreesboro, Tennessee) Paper Navy are a folk-pop outfit originating on the fringes of Nashville, TN. With musical influences as divergent as classic country and 1970s era pop, Paper Navy’s music isn’t overly composed, offering lush sounding guitar based arrangements. If you dig what you hear, you can download this album for free on bandcamp.
The Sundays – My Finest Hour (1990, London, England) Old school jangle pop…ahhh..life is good. I’ve always dug this particular sound in British music. So, it’s always a nice surprise when I find a new band with this sound. You can find this track on their 1990 debut release “Reading, Writing and Arithmetic”. They have released three albums, an EP and several singles before dissolving in 1997.
Lovely Day – Racket & Fives (2008, Columbus, Ohio) Another great free album on bandcamp, Lovely Day was generous to share their latest release “The Young Rose Fivefold”. Currently unsigned, they are actively seeking out a label to sign with. Some of this album was really top notch, and there were a few songs that I felt were more filler than substance. Overall, it’s a pretty enjoyable album and worth checking out.
May?!? Really? What happened to March and April? *blinks* This year just seems to be flying by, with the “Date Added” timestamps in my iTunes library as my only proof that the past few months have really happened. Music is funny like that with me. When I hear a song, I can remember what I was doing when I bought the album/track, roughly when I bought it and so forth. I’ve also found that I’m far more productive, and capable of learning stuff when I’ve got music playing. I suppose that comes from growing up in a musical house.
Anyways…enjoy this weeks Friday Fix. No particular theme this week, though a few of these tracks have interesting stories behind them. So, sit “indian style”, scootch up and listen as I tell you their tales.
Sufjan Stevens – Sofia’s Song (2009, Petoskey, Michigan) For those of you that have been desperately waiting for new Sufjan Stevens music, enjoy this previously unreleased track. I found this track on the asthmatic kitty blog, with a very interesting story about Sufjan’s name, told by Sufjan himself. The article also went into detail about his early music endeavors, stuff he’d record in his home, on tapes, 4-tracks and hard drives. Sofia’s Song is one of these songs. Will we hear more of these boxed up gems? One can only hope. Sufjan has released a few other tracks this year, two of which were on the “Dark was the Night” compilation. He’s also helped out on “Welcome Wagons” debut album, his influence in their sound being quite noticeable.
God Help the Girl – Come Monday Night (2009) “God Help the Girl” is a story set to music, which Stuart Murdoch has been working on intermittently for the last five years, its origin in some songs that were written while Belle and Sebastian were touring “Dear Catastrophe Waitress” in 2004. This album has strong hints of “old school” Belle and Sebastian, but at the same time, introduces new vocalists, more orchestral scoring and makes for an overall phenomenal sounding release. If you want to read more on this project, you can read more about in on their website.
Paper Tiger – 1995 (2008, Utrecht, Netherlands) More and more bands these days are giving digital freebies. Some being so bold to share entire full lengths for free, in hopes that folks will listen, and preach the awesomeness of their band. Paper Tiger, and the folks at “Beep! Beep! Back Up The Truck” records seem to believe in this philosophy. There are always free albums on their website. This band is awesome. The guitar riffs, percussion and even the vocals (at times) remind of XTC’s music that is so near and dear to my heart.
Snowsera – 24 (2008, Chicago, Illinois) Another band offering their latest EP for free from their website. This track can be found on their “Fictions” EP, which is five really solid tracks of indie rock music. Formed in 2006 at the University of Illinois, the four students deliberately chose a name devoid of any existing meaning. Over the past three years, Snowsera has brought its high-impact live show to audiences crowded into rec rooms, dimly-lit bars and concert venues across the Midwest. Along the way, the band has shared the bill with major label recording artists (…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, This Is Me Smiling) and veteran Chicago indie acts (State & Madison, Company of Thieves).
brakesbrakesbrakes – Don’t Take Me To Space (Man) (2009, Brighton, England) Brakesbrakesbrakes is the North American name of England’s “Brakes”. The band features Eamon Hamilton (formerly of British Sea Power) on vocals and guitar, brothers Tom and Alex White on guitar and drums respectively, and Marc Beatty on bass. They play irreverent, punked-up interpretations of various genres including traditional rock, country and folk, and surf rock. You can find this track on their latest album “Touchdown”.
American Art – Instrumental (2009, Lake Zurich, Illinois) While perhaps not the best song to reflect their true style, this song demonstrates their ability to record amazing music in the basement. Having released three albums since last November, American Art is another artist offering their works for free on their website. This song gets truly moving near the end…the piano kicks in and I get all goosebumpy. Here’s the kicker. Both the musicians in the band are only 17. Their other tracks are quite amazing as well. Sometimes hinting of early Radiohead and Arcade Fire. In fact, on this album, “Rearranging the Furniture”, they cover Arcade Fire’s “Rebellion (Lies)” in their own unique style. Quite awesome group developing here, and I really hope to hear more from them!
Paper Navy – All Grown Up (2009, Murfreesboro, Tennessee) Paper Navy are a folk-pop outfit originating on the fringes of Nashville, TN. With musical influences as divergent as classic country and 1970s era pop, Paper Navy’s music isn’t overly composed, offering lush sounding guitar based arrangements. If you dig what you hear, you can download this album for free on bandcamp.
The Sundays – My Finest Hour (1990, London, England) Old school jangle pop…ahhh..life is good. I’ve always dug this particular sound in British music. So, it’s always a nice surprise when I find a new band with this sound. You can find this track on their 1990 debut release “Reading, Writing and Arithmetic”. They have released three albums, an EP and several singles before dissolving in 1997.
Lovely Day – Racket & Fives (2008, Columbus, Ohio) Another great free album on bandcamp, Lovely Day was generous to share their latest release “The Young Rose Fivefold”. Currently unsigned, they are actively seeking out a label to sign with. Some of this album was really top notch, and there were a few songs that I felt were more filler than substance. Overall, it’s a pretty enjoyable album and worth checking out.