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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Pete Francis - The Movie We Are In -2010-
(Rock, Folk, Indie)

From: New York
Website: http://www.petefrancis.com/

Not only was Pete Francis a part of one of the greatest Indie band stories of all time with Dispatch, but he has now become a fantastic solo artist putting out solid release after solid release. Pete is a storyteller and a poet when it comes to his songs and each track is packed with vivid lifelike detail. Francis’ previous solo albums were largely self-produced, but for The Movie We Are In he uprooted his more traditional approach to album-making and assembled an entirely new crew with Los Angeles based producer Jeff Trott who handles some of the biggest names in the industry. This LP has a much more wide open feel with a lot more going on, but still very accessible for long time fans and new listeners alike. Catchy tunes, great guitar work and Pete's signature unconventional lyrics make a for a very enjoyable listening experience. Commenting on his new album and departure from his Dispatch days, Francis says, “It’s good to get out of your comfort zone. I tried to let this motto resonate at every turning point of this record’s evolution.” When asked if there is an overall theme to The Movie We Are In, Francis explains, “I like to leave this up to the listener. Hearing an album is similar to visiting a museum. The listener has to have his or her own conversation with the artwork and create their own interpretations." Click album art above to purchase album!


Pete Francis - Glue


Pete Francis - Good Man


Pete Francis - Light Up My Day

Friday, May 28, 2010

DubConscious - NonViolent -2009-
(Reggae, Dub, Afro-Beat)

From: Athens, Georgia
Website: http://www.dubconscious.com

Since 2002, this Georgia Reggae/Dub collective has been on the leading edge of solution-based philosophy, social and environmental awareness, and the evolution of today's music. They are dedicated to spreading the word on sustainability, unity, and a greater understanding of the human experience. These values are promoted through their music, their distinctive line of organic merchandise, and their collaboration with many great organizations. Their unique musical style pays homage to world music icons Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Fela Kuti and King Tubby, while incorporating newer influences of musical pioneers such as Thievery Corporation and Sound Tribe Sector Nine. NonViolent is the bands most exciting and accomplished work to date. Production, playing, and lyrics (“I hope the words of tomorrow do not contain the mistakes of today.”) are all top notch. Not only is DubConscious one the greenest bands around, but their tunes are GOLDEN!


DubConscious - Future Eyes


DubConscious - The Possibility

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Miike Snow - Miike Snow -2009-
(Pop, Electronic, Indie)

From: Stockholm, Sweden
Website: http://www.miikesnow.co.uk/gb/home/

Having, until now, remained completely anonymous - with their only visual representation being the mysterious "jackalope" silhouette - Miike Snow are a band that produce infectious and intelligent pop, and consist of Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg & Andrew Wyatt. Under the name Bloodshy & Avant, Karlsson & Winnberg have written and produced hits for some of the biggest names in the business. This Sweedish indie/pop sensation combines the songwriting and production talents of Bloodshy & Avant with American producer and lead singer Andrew Wyatt and with such an impressive hit-making resumé behind them, it comes as little surprise that Miike Snow has created an album full of catchy elecro-pop that gets in your head and refuses to leave. Click album art above to download album for only $5.99!!


Miike Snow - Black & Blue


Miike Snow - Sans Soleil

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives -2010-
(Hip-Hop, Reggae)

From: New York & Jamaica
Website: http://www.nasindependenceday.com/ & http://www.myspace.com/damianmarley

International Hip-Hop superstar Nas and Grammy-winning reggae artist Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley join creative forces to release this highly anticipated and kick ass collaboration. This is an album created by the two serious artists to explore and celebrate the correlations and deep-rooted connections between reggae and Hip-Hop, tracing both sounds back to the African motherland. The project features the signature instrumentation and musicianship of Marley with the hard-hitting beats and lyrics of Nas. Distant Relatives is a divine mixture of reggae, Hip-Hop and Afro-beat with some of the most epic production (handled by Damian and older brother Stephen) on a record in quite awhile. Full of great songs, beats, and lyrics this album has it all. A very solid and serious collection of tracks. If your a fan of either of these artists pick up this album right away. Download for only $7.99 by clicking the album art above.


Nas & Damian Marley - As We Enter


Nas & Damian Marley - Tribes At War (Feat. K'Naan)


Nas & Damian Marley - Patience

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Bernard Fanning - Tea & Sympathy -2005-
(Rock, Pop)

From: Brisbane, Australia
Website: http://www.bernardfanning.com/

This one is a couple of years old, but it is a goodie. Bernard Fanning is one of Australia's best known musicians as the frontman for Powderfinger, but outside of his native land not so much. That needs to change. Tea & Sympathy is a fantastic solo debut album that Bernard created in 2005 when Powderfinger took a hiatus. This album debuted at #1 on the Australian ARIA Albums chart. The entire album is fantastic from start to finish with songs showcasing Fanning's yearning vocals and his country-tinged, 70's influenced acoustic rock. With Powderfinger now on there farewell tour I think it could be time to see another Bernard Fanning solo album in the works. Check this album out and some Powderfinger material as well. Really good stuff.


Bernard Fanning - Wish You Well


Bernard Fanning - Songbird


Bernard Fanning - Watch Over Me

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away -2010-
(Rock, Indie, Folk)

From: Moscow, Idaho
Website: http://www.joshritter.com/

Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter's 6th studio album So Runs The World Away, marks the beginning of what Josh calls a ''new period'' in his life, and it's reflected in songs that he describes as ''more detailed and feel as if they were painted in oil on large canvasses.'' Josh & The Royal City Band have created a beautiful collection of songs. With every album Josh Ritter gives you a different sound and that is what is unique about him. He is a fantastic songwriter and many compare him to legends Dylan and Springsteen and contemporaries like Ryan Adams. Each song holds a story and brings you into the world that the music creates. Populated with wandering mariners, lovesick Egyptian mummies, philosophical chemists, mountaintop seers, grim polar adventurers, and recurring black holes, Ritter’s exquisite collection of songs reflects back at those who once looked forward. This LP may not have as much immediate mainstream straight ahead folk appeal as his last effort, but this is some complex smart musical poetry. You can stream the album in its entirety on Josh Ritter's website HERE.


Josh Ritter - The Curse


Josh Ritter - Southern Pacifica


Josh Ritter - Lark

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Rise & Shine -2010-
(Reggae, Afro-Beat, Folk)

From: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Website: http://refugeeallstars-audience.fm/

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are a group of musicians who escaped the horrific violence of Sierra Leone's civil war, landed in a West African refugee camp and formed a band to keep their spirits up and their hopes alive. From these humble beginnings the band has now grown to be an international musical sensation. Their can't help but dance live shows and their musical message have earned them devoted fans around the world. They've known the horrors of war firsthand and have become ambassadors of peace. An unbelievable testament to the human spirit, the journey of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars exemplifies the universal healing power of music. Their debut album Living Like A Refugee was an excellent and moving album, but with this newest release Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have put out one of the best sounding reggae albums in years. Recorded in Freetown and New Orleans whose influence you can hear throughout with renowned producer Steve Berlin at the wheel. This is simply an album that everyone should listen to. The band is an utterly extraordinary story and their music if full of spirit and hope.


Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Global Threat


Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Living Stone


Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Bend Down The Corner

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Part One Tribe - Obvious As Ever -2009-
(Reggae, Rock, Alternative, Blues)

From: Long Beach, CA
Website: http://www.myspace.com/partonetribe

Part One Tribe is a highly dedicated band that plays "All Original, Alternative, Reggae, Rock and Blues music." The band has been in existence since 1995. In this time they have toured the U.S over 20 times. Playing over 1,000 shows in over 35 states. They have independently recorded and released 6 full length Studio albums, 4 Live albums and even released a limited edition acoustic album. This newest album Obvious As Ever is there best record yet and is full of tight grooves and some really good songwriting. A couple of really cool tunes working here, "Nobody's Fool" sounds like a reggae version of a lost version of some Skynrd song and "Perpetrator" and "Relax" are also very sweet tracks. Part One Tribe is "Rob-D" on vocals/guitar, "Fredd-B" on the Bass, "Scoop" on the skins and "Dubstylee" on sound production/guru. Give this hard working band a listen. Fans of Sublime, Slightly Stoopid & Pepper will love these guys.


Part One Tribe - Nobody's Fool


Part One Tribe - Perpetrator


Part One Tribe - Relax

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Patrick Park - Come What Will -2010-
(Folk, Indie, Rock)

From: Los Angeles
Website: http://www.patrickpark.net/

LA based Singer-Guitarist Patrick Park's fifth album Come What Will continues his on-going collaboration with producer Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Earlimart). Considered by the LA Times as "one of the great heartbreaking voices working in the acoustic singer-songwriter world today", Park received national attention with "Life Is a Song" from his stellar album Loneliness Knows My Name, which was featured as the last song on the series finale The O.C.. Since the inception of his career, Park has garnered comparisons to Elliott Smith, but Patrick has a very unique sound and he writes beautiful and very thought provoking music that at times has a message of life, love and hope. That was definitely not a focus of Smith's work. At times there seems to be a subtle Irish undertone to a few of his songs, which I find really cool. Awesome musician who is not as well known as he needs to be. Come What Will is a very good album and if you get the chance check out his full discography. Sweet tunes for sure.


Patrick Park - You'll Get Over


Patrick Park - The Lucky Ones

Friday, May 14, 2010

The Bamboos - 4' -2010-
(Soul, Funk, Psychedelic)

From: Melbourne, Australia
Website: http://www.thebamboos.com/

Australias’ premier instrumental deepfunk outfit. Masters of super-heavy, raw and upfront drum-break driven grooves. The Bamboos live shows are veritable history lessons in old-school breaks – schooling audiences on the roots of Hip Hop and modern dance music. They are one of the tightest bands in the world and from what I've read a truly amazing spectacle to watch. Led by Guitarist Lance Ferguson, other members include Kylie Auldist (Vocals), Ben Grayson (Hammond Organ), Danny Farrugia (Drums), Yuri Pavlinov (Bass), Anton Delecca (Sax/Flute) and Ross Irwin (Trumpet). There comes a time in every band when their sound crystallises, and with 4', The Bamboos make a succinct musical statement that distils all their influences, nuances and idiosyncrasies and pushes them into a sonic world all their own. And 4' brings to the table elements of rock, pop, psychedelia and hip hop, heralding another twist in their sonic path. It is soul and funk music for today, not mired in over-the-top adherence to simply copying what has been done many times before.


The Bamboos - On The Sly


The Bamboos - You Ain't No Good


The Bamboos - Kings Cross

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray - 2010-
(Rap, Hip-Hop)

From: Atlanta
Website: http://www.bobatl.com/

In spite of the plethora of rap artists constantly emerging from Atlanta in the late 2000s, B.o.B, who was only 17 when he signed his first major-label record deal, was still unique. His borderline eccentricity and artistic mind, belied by his music's conventional Dirty South appeal, raised his stock above the many copycat Southern up-and-comers and, of course, welcomed comparisons to OutKast and, specifically, their offbeat half, André 3000. Bobby Ray Simmons now 21, has created an album full of genre-defying hip-hop tracks. The album features a variety of guests including, Bruno Mars, Lupe Fiasco, Hayley Williams, T.I. and Eminem. This is the work of a very talented and creative artist who at a very young age is already stretching the very boundaries of a genre. A couple of really cool tunes here.


B.o.B. - Don't Let Me Fall


B.o.B. - Ghost In The Machine


B.o.B. - Airplanes Part II

Monday, May 10, 2010

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor -2010-
(Indie, Rock)

From: Silver Lake, CA
Website: http://www.thelocalnatives.com/

Local Natives make soaring, sky-scraping harmonies, dreamy orchestral melodies, and throbbing percussion -- which, at its most frenzied, is almost tribal sounding. Theirs are songs you can dance to almost as well as you can swoon to them. Drawing a line from the vocal stylings of Crosby Stills Nash & Young and the Zombies through the more esoteric edges of post-punk and Afro-beat (think Vampire Weekend), this California five piece have communally crafted a brand of indie rock all their own. Very enjoyable debut album with quite a few really good tracks. Listen to the album in full at the bands website. Purchase the album for only $7.58 by clicking the cover art above.


Local Natives - Wide Eyes


Local Natives - Airplanes


Local Natives - Sun Hands

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Ozomatli - Fire Away -2010-
(Latin, Rock, Funk, Hip-Hop)

From: Los Angeles
Website: http://www.ozomatli.com/

In their fourteen years together as a band, celebrated Los Angeles culture-mashers Ozomatli have gone from being hometown heroes to being named U.S. State Department Cultural Ambassadors. Their music— a notorious urban-Latino-and-beyond collision of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian raga— has long followed a key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around L.A. Fire Away is Ozo's 5th studio album and sees the band moving towards a more pop oriented, commercial sound. The music is still fun energetic however and Ozo can still create some catchy infectious rhythms.


Ozomatli - Are You Ready


Ozomatli - 45


Ozomatli - It's Only Paper (Feat. Jack Johnson)

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Barefoot Truth - Threads -2010-
(Folk, Rock, Acoustic)

From: Mystic, Connecticut
Website: http://www.barefoottruth.com/

In the small New England town of Mystic, Connecticut, lives Barefoot Truth, an independent band that is quietly creating history. You have never seen them on MTV, nor heard them on a Top 40 FM radio station, but with 5.5 million spins on Pandora, Barefoot Truth has quickly become a symbol of independent music success, and just may be 'the biggest band you've never heard of'. Mixing the sounds of folk, rock, jazz, and reggae, with lyrics full of unbridled optimism, the band has crafted a sound that is distinctly Barefoot Truth. Since the band's establishment during college, Barefoot Truth has been developing this signature sound that has virally spread through a grassroots following. With their lead singer on drums, and an array of unlikely roots-based instrumentation, the band translates their originality to their ever-evolving live show. The quintet features Will Evans on lead vocals and drums, John Waynelovich on piano, Jay Driscoll on Weissenborn slide guitar, Andy Wrba on upright bass, and Garrett Duffy on harmonica. It is not unlikely for members of the band to switch instruments mid-show, or even begin playing a didjeridoo, adding to the dynamic of the band's sound. Their influences include three of my favorites: John Butler Trio, DMB and Dispatch. Threads is a real nice album with a couple of killer tracks. Give these boys a listen.


Barefoot Truth - Damage Done


Barefoot Truth - Threads

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Plants & Animals - La La Land -2010-
(Indie, Rock)

From: Montreal
Website: http://www.plantsandanimals.ca/

It's not easy to label the kind of music Plants and Animals make, but it's easy for it to feel instantly familiar. Maybe that's because they record to tape, and their records sound like they could have been made in 1972. But for all their analog warmth, it's also impossible to deny how raw and recent the songs sound, and harder still to find anything else that sounds quite the same. Plants and Animals are Warren C. Spicer, Matthew `the Woodman' Woodley, and Nicolas Basque. Plants and Animals latest offering, La La Land, is louder, and tougher, but also showcases their smoothest and most cohesive to-date. Inspired by a rediscovery of electric guitars, amplification and fuzz pedals, it takes us up and away from Parc Avenue's Montreal-in-the-summer vibe, and out into the rock n' roll ether. In many ways La La Land is just as eclectic as Parc Avenue, from California coast vibes to Montreal winters. But there's something more mature holding it all together now. As they might say in the movies, La La Land isn't a place--it's a state of mind.


Plants & Animals - Tom Cruz


Plants & Animals - Undone Melody


Plants & Animals - Kon Tiki

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Bobby Alu - bobby alu -2010-
(Reggae, Acoustic, World)

From: Gold Coast, Australia
Website: http://www.myspace.com/charleswall

He is usually the drummer & percussionist in oh only about 5 different bands, but Charles Wall a.k.a. Bobby Alu has found the time over the past three years to master the art of studio production and give us an awesome album full of island style tunes with a little reggae and soul thrown in for good measure. Pacific grooves, afro rhythms, smooth harmony & good Vibes are in store for you throughout all 11 tracks. This Self Titled debut release is a reflection of the many influences over 6 years in the Australian ‘Roots music’ scene. Entirely created & executed solo the journey represents an influential period in young Charles Wall's career. Ukulele, Guitars, Bass, loads of percussion drums & vocals dominate the soundscape. Relax & enjoy the birth of bobby Alu.


Bobby Alu - Reach Inside


Bobby Alu - It's Time


Bobby Alu - Gates Of Paradise