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Saturday, December 25, 2010

The Old Ceremony - Tender Age -2010-
(Indie, Pop, Rock)

From: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Website: http://theoldceremony.com/

The Old Ceremony is led by songwriter Django Haskins, and includes bassist Matt Brandau, drummer Dan Hall, vibes/organist Mark Simonsen, and violinist/keyboardist Gabriel Pelli. TOC plays lush, literate rock and with over six years of touring and four albums under their belt, the band occupies its own darkly lit corner of the musical world. It is a corner filled with ominous rumblings and world-weary but hopeful characters. The sound of Tender Age the latest release from TOC draws a lot of inspiration from 60's folk/pop. Commercially poppy and a little psychedelic, Tender Age has some real nice tracks. The middle of the album lags a bit, but overall a very nice effort.


The Old Ceremony - Tender Age


The Old Ceremony - Ruined My Plans

Friday, December 24, 2010

Bantaba - From The Ground Up -2010-
(Reggae, Dub, Roots)

From: Germany
Website: http://www.bantabamusic.de/

Bantaba is one of many fine German reggae bands making a name for themselves. Their exciting and authentic take on reggae is on display throughout From The Ground Up. Heavy bass lines alongside tight drum grooves, mighty organs, nyahbinghi-rhythms, tickling guitar licks and some sweet horns-arrangements are what are in store for you. Bantaba is an up-and-comer in the reggae world so keep an eye out. Real chill tunes.


Bantaba - Eagle


Bantaba - Gratitude


Bantaba - When I Cry

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Fistful of Mercy - As I Call You Down -2010-
(Acoustic, Rock, Folk)

From: Los Angeles
Website: http://fistfulofmercy.com/

Debut from super-trio featuring Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (George's son) and Joseph Arthur. The trio formed in early 2010 and wasted little time before laying down tracks for what would become As I Call You Down. Deeply melodic and willfully groovy (thanks, in part, to world-class session drummer Jim Keltner), As I Call You Down shines with acoustic guitars, some killer slide from Harper, and those undeniable harmonies. It’s the sound of three very experienced musicians, each used to running his own show, coming together and having a ball. Written, produced and recorded in Harper's studio, As I Call You Down is comprised of nine songs complete with soulful harmonies and blues-infused folk guitar seamlessly blended with an indie rock backbone. As I Call You Down effortlessly crosses through genre defining borders and is sure to please fans of all three performer's previous work, while welcoming new listeners with open arms. Download album for only $3.99! by clicking album cover above.


Fistful of Mercy - As I Call You Down


Fistful of Mercy - Fistful of Mercy


Fistful of Mercy - Father's Son

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Katchafire - On The Road Again -2010-
(Reggae, Dub)

From: New Zealand
Website: http://www.katchafire.co.nz/

For over a decade, Katchafire have been ambassadors of roots reggae music in New Zealand. Three long years after the release of their last offering Say What You're Thinking, Katchafire present their highly anticipated new album On The Road Again. Katchafire's sound has always thrived off their strong cultural identity and self awareness. Their music embodies the feel good nature of life in rural New Zealand towns. On The Road Again is a testament to life spent on tour since the release of 'Say What You're Thinking'. Over the past three years Katchafire, the hardest working band in New Zealand, have toured religiously across New Zealand, Australia, the greater Pacific (including Hawaii) and USA playing to over 30,000 people at selected events. The album is a melting pot of musical sensibilities including Jamaican dance-hall, r'n'b, roots, reggae and funk. Katchafire never disappoints and always puts out incredible reggae tunes.


Katchafire - On The Road Again


Katchafire - Yr Dreaming


Katchafire - Groove Again

The Radio Dept - Never Follow Suit E.P. -2010-
(Indie, Pop, Dub)

From: Stockholm, Sweden
Website: http://theradiodept.com/

Though Swedish indie pop trio The Radio Dept have only released three LP’s in nearly a decade, they have always put out a string of EP’s in between. Never Follow Suit is one of these EP's following the release of The Radio Dept critically acclaimed new album Clinging On A Scheme. Alongside three new songs, and a lengthy trip hop remix by Pistol Disco, Never Follow Suit EP finds the outfit meddling with the familiar shoegaze and dream pop genres, whilst shifting into the land of dub. Johan Duncanson’s distinct reverberated vocalization helps fabricate the dreamy landscapes and certain inkling of nostalgia The Radio Dept is famous for; backed with the aforementioned dub, Never Follow Suit indicates the trio is definitely broadening their horizons.


The Radio Dept - The One


The Radio Dept - Never Follow Suit

James Vincent McMorrow - Early In The Morning -2010-
(Folk, Pop, Acoustic)

From: Dublin
Website: http://www.jamesvmcmorrow.com/

James Vincent McMorrow released his debut record, Early in the Morning, in Ireland to widespread critical acclaim in February 2010. A stunning collection of songs recorded over 5 months in an isolated house by the sea, the album is a completely self recorded and played affair, filled with beguiling and vivid stories, fables that move from a whisper in your ear to a mountainous crescendo in the space of a song, all the while retaining the environment and sentiment in which they were formed. Whatever that near future might hold, you get the strongest sense that there are some truly wondrous things to come for this man. “Music to me is this fluid notion, I’ve captured one element of it with this album, but there are endless others out there to be sung and written about”. If you are a fan of Bon Iver or Iron & Wine you will absolutely love James Vincent McMorrow!


James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had A Boat


James Vincent McMorrow - This Old Dark Machine


James Vincent McMorrow - Down The Burning Ropes

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On (Single) -2010-
(Hip-Hop)

Website: http://www.lupefiasco.com/

'The Show Goes On' is the first single from Lupe Fiasco's upcoming album Lasers, which drops March 8th. The track is produced by Kane Beatz and features samples from Modest Mouse. Lupe is a very creative hip-hop artist and Lasers has been in limbo for quite some time but it should be a damn good album. Click album art above to purchase track.


Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On

Friday, December 3, 2010

Ziggy Marley - Wild and Free Singles -2010-
(Reggae)

From: Kingston, Jamaica
Website: http://www.ziggymarley.com/

Ziggy Marley has decided to record a series of singles called the Wild and Free Singles. He is in between albums and has said that it is very hard for him not to make music so he is recording these singles as they come to him and releasing them for free download for everyone. The first track 'Africa Land' was "for the world cup in Africa as a way of cheering on Africa as one team and celebrating a new day in African history. " The second single 'A Fire Burns For Freedom' is celebratory tribute to marijuana. Any new material from Ziggy is always welcome, but to get these new tracks for free is very cool. Click the cover art above to download your free copies.


Ziggy Marley - Africa Land


Ziggy Marley - A Fire Burns For Freedom

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Custom Kings - Great Escape -2010-
(Rock, Folk, Jam)

From: Melbourne
Website: http://www.myspace.com/customkings

Custom Kings grabbed my attention with their first EP while on vacation in OZ and I haven't been able to stop listening some 6 years later. Nick Vorrath, Luke Gale, Craig Shanahan and Jarrad Brown make some incredibly catchy tunes. They started out being a little more reggae with an almost Aussie hip-hop vibe, but over the last couple of albums have developed more of a folky pop style which also suits them. They are a very versatile band which has also spanned more than a couple side projects including last years awesome Joe Neptune album. Great Escape marked a shift in the way the band approached the recording process. Stepping out of the "bedroom", the band set up camp at Melbourne's legendary Sing Sing for a two-week recording session, working with long-time collaborator and producer Steven Schram. The enjoyment of this style is evident throughout Great Escape, an album that bursts with warm melodies and sunny arrangements. Great Escape is a sublime musical journey that treats listeners to intelligent, whimsical story telling but also some more driving moments that channel Californian surf sounds of the 60s and 70s, as well as early 90s indie pop. Great instrumentation and glorious harmonies await you. Check out this album and their whole discography for a wonderful musical discovery.


Custom Kings - Great Escape


Custom Kings - Indigo


Custom Kings - Sunday

Offshore - Offshore -2010-
(Reggae, Rock)

From: Netherlands
Website: http://www.myspace.com/musicbyoffshore

Offshore is a multi-cultural reggae band out of the Netherlands with members of Aruban, Dutch, Polish and Indian descent. Lead guitarist/vocalist Vincent Tonk does a great job on vocals and just has a great voice for reggae music. The instrumentation is tight throughout and the variety of sounds is nice on a reggae album. Relaxing but upbeat at the same time. Really nice vibe created by Offshore on their debut. Any fan of the reggae/rock genre will thoroughly enjoy these guys.


Offshore - Steer The Way


Offshore - Dredlove


Offshore - Close My Eyes