Sorry to those folks that were unable to download the free tunes from amazon last week! To make it up to you, I’ve included a few tracks from there on this weeks fix. There were lots of good songs, some I’ve heard before, some new. There were also some “not so good songs”, but those seemed to be in the minority.

At any rate, enjoy this Friday’s fix, as it’s got some lovely new music for all to share.

Say Hi – Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh (2009, Brooklyn, New York) With a song title that sounds more like a quote from a bad porno movie, this song is really quite nice :) This band just switched labels to Barsuk Records, and I’m not 100% sure if they changed their name from “Say Hi to your Mom” at this point, but I’m pretty sure that happened earlier than this. At any rate, their first album on Barsuk is titled “Oohs & Aahs”, and is their strongest album to date (at least in my humble opinion). There are quite a few enjoyable tracks on this album, my personal favorite a close tie between this song and “November Was White, December Was Grey”.

Cursive – From the Hips (2009, Omaha, Nebraska) More than just corn comes from Nebraska, ya know? Bright Eyes, Matthew Sweet and Cursive are just a few of the awesome artists hailing from this fine state. Cursive’s sound kinda reminds me of another band..but which one is currently escaping my brain. This song is solid, and I love when the tempo picks up. They are truly a band that can combine classical instrumentation (cello, for example), with a modern sound, and well, I’m always a sucker for bands that can pull that off well. Be sure to check out their entire discography, including the album this song is on, “Mama, I’m Swollen”.

Sundae – 92 (2009, Seville, Spain) Ya know, I think this is the first modern music I’ve ever heard from Spain, with the exception of “Mago de Oz”. Sundae is pretty new to the music scene, and yes, they do sing in Spanish. However, their music is awesome. It hints of musical influences such as New Order, The Cure and other great 80s music. I can’t really dig up much on this band, as they really seem to be relatively new, but be sure to check out their myspace page to hear more awesomeness by them!

The Lodger – The Good Old Days (2008, Leeds, England) After three sold-out limited 7″s and touring around the UK and Europe with bands such as The Long Blondes and The Research, The Lodger released their debut album “Grown-Ups”, produced by Alan Smyth and James Ford, in June 2007 on Slumberland Records in the US, and various other labels overseas. After touring, The Lodger got back into the studio and recorded their latest album “Life is Sweet”, on which this track can be heard.

Parts & Labor – Nowheres Nigh (2008, Brooklyn, New York) Ya know, I won’t lie. Noise pop/rock really isn’t my preferred taste of music, but I reaaaaally enjoy this song by Parts & Labor. Another freebie, thanks to Jagjaguwar, this is probably my favorite artist out of the some 122 free MP3s included in that massive haul. Parts & Labor formed back in 2002, when bassist BJ Warshaw and keyboardist Dan Friel met at a knitting factory, added a few members and became the group the are today. The band has several albums under their belt, and you can find this track on their latest release “Receivers”.

Vetiver – Everyday (2009, San Francisco, California) Ok, time for my obligatory folk song (or so it seems). Vetiver is another one of those bands that remind me of another bands sound, not remembering which, but thinking it reminds me of something from the 50s-70s. Very sunshiny and upbeat, “Everyday” can be found on their latest album “Tight Knit”. This song just makes me wanna take my dog out on a boat and float lazily around on the lake. If you dig it be sure to check out any of their other four full lengths, two EPs and various singles.

Well, dangit. Sorry folks! Life has been pulling me every which way. Conventions, starting up a business, file hosts a-changin’. All sorts of things denying you your weekly dose of music! So, to make it up to you guys and gals, I’ve prepared an extra large dose of Indie Paws love! Lots of buzz to catch up on, and this is the best way I think I can pass it on, so ENJOY! :)

Wild Light – California On My Mind (2009, ???, New Hampshire) Wild Light formed in New Hampshire in 2005 after meeting in high school and made their name playing the clubs of Boston. Band member Timothy Kyle was previously a member of Arcade Fire, performing on their early EP. In late 2007 they supported the band on their European tour.

Hotels – Hydra (2009, Seattle, Washington) Hotels is a bit of anomaly, in that from what I can gather, the lead singer splits his time between two sets of musicians in an attempt to make an interestingly diverse musical sound. With members in New York City, and others in Seattle, Blake Madden somehow ties this all together and has made a really stellar sophomore album “Where Hearts Go Broke”, which was released on Valentines Day…coincidence?

Or, The Whale – Call and Response (2007, San Francisco, California) Perhaps a bit country, but what good music doesn’t try it’s best to incorporate what works for a genre into something new? Or, The Whale is a prime example of this, as their sounds a bit country, a bit pop, and just all around enjoyable. This song can be found on their “Light Poles and Pines” (debut) album.

The Kooks – Victoria (2009) This song can be found on one of the two “must get” compilation charity albums released this spring, “War Child – Heroes”. Chock full of indie bands we all know and love, the neat thing about this album is that every song is a cover. Why is this a good thing? Well, the original artists chose which hip new bands they wanted to cover their original works. For example this song, The Kinks chose The Kooks to cover “Victoria”…perhaps because their names sound so similar, but I doubt it. BTW, all the proceeds from this album go towards helping children that have suffered as result of war.

The Picture – Deer Crossing (2009, Brooklyn, New York) After hearing this song, I immediately purchased “The Picture”’s latest EP “Bluebirds” and was not disappointed in it one bit. So far, it’s one of the best EPs, if not albums I’ve heard this year. I fully expect this album to make one of my “Best of” lists at the end of the year.

Vetiver – Everyday (2009, San Francisco, California) Vetiver is a bit folk, and a bit pop and have toured with artist such as Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. This song can be found on their “Tight Knit” album, released last month.

Odawas – Harmless Lover’s Discourse (2009, Bloomington, Indiana) Odawas? Until earlier this week, I’d never heard of them. Now, I own all three of their albums and their debut EP. Ambient, enjoyable music, it reminds me of other bands at times, but definately defining their own niche. You can find “Harmless Lover’s Discourse” on their latest album “The Blue Depths”.

Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot (2009, London, England) Another valentines day release, Fanfarlo released their first full length album “Reservoir”. This London based band is known for songs that start out a bit slow, but just grow in complexity as the song ticks the seconds down. If you like this song/album, they released their EP “Look Both Ways” back in 2006.

Sin Fang Bous – Catch the Light (2009, Reykjavik, Iceland) This can be found on the first solo album by Sunbear’s vocalist Sindri Már Sigfússon, “Clangour”, which was released last month. Not heard much from Sunbear or the rest of this album, but I’m definitely marking it on my “to buy” list.

The Books (feat. Jose Gonzalez) – Cello Song (2009) This can be found on the highly anticipated 2 disc charity album “Dark Was The Night”. The folks from “The National” got a bunch of today’s hottest indie bands together to donate a track to this album, whose proceeds go toward supporting AIDS research.

De Rosa – Nocturne For An Absentee (2008, Bellshill, Scotland) De Rosa was formed by main songwriter Martin John Henry in the early 2000’s. With two albums under their belt, De Rosa combines a modern indie rock sound with Henry’s personal lyrics and amazing vocals. You can find this song on their latest album, “Prevention”.

My Morning Jacket – El Caporal (2009) Another song found on “Dark Was The Night”, My Morning Jacket brings us “El Caporal”. I am a total sucker for Jim James vocal styling for a long long time now. The fact that My Morning Jacket (amongst many others) was one of the main reasons for my anticipation of this album.

The Boy Least Likely To – I Box Up All the Butterflies (2009, Wendover, England) Wow. The album art for this release is coated in sugar. Go Tank Bunny! If you love Twee Pop, you won’t be disappointed by “The Boy Least Likely To”’s latest album “The Law of the Playground”. Jof Owen and Pete Hobbs combine all manor of upbeat sounds to produce one solid, enjoyable album.