This week features some unusual new releases with Texan electro folk band Midlake stealing the spotlight. The former high school jazz band kids diverge from the 70’s-esque, psych-pop sound of their 2006 breakout album, The Trials of Van Occupanter, and adopt a more organic, haunted vibe with The Courage of Others (they’re playing Portland’s Wonder Ballroom 3/6 and Bellingham’s Nightlife Lounge on 3/7). Mope-punk band The Soft Pack (who performedlive on KEXP on 1/23) dropped their original controversial name, The Muslims, and released their debut self-titled record (third career album) under their new and improved moniker. Don’t worry, they still rock the English new waver stuck in sunny SoCal attitude and sound.
Malian band Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba’s I Speak Fula is the first release for the new world music label Next Ambiance, a joint project of Sub Pop and KEXP DJ Jon Kertzer host of “The Best Ambiance” (every Monday 6-9 p.m.). Between Kouyate’s award-winning record, Segu Blue, and his band’s phenomal mix of Afro-beat and blues, Kertzer couldn’t have picked a better outfit to unveil his new label (Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba are playing The Triple Door 3/16). The Album Leaf celebrate their 10-year anniversary with the commending A Chorus of Storytellers (playing Neumos 2/6), and Toro Y Moi put out the beatastic Causers of This (playing Chop Suey w/ The Ruby Suns 4/8).
Other worth mentioning albums are Pierced Arrows‘ Descending Shadows, The Brunettes‘ Paper Dolls, and yes, Lil Wayne’s Rebirth! Take a look at Largehearted Boy’s list for more information and additional new releases before hitting up your local record shop.
The Album Leaf – Falling From the Sun (MP3)
from A Chorus of Storytellers on Sub Pop
Banda De Turistas - Dias de prosperidad (MP3)
from Magical Radiophonic Heart on Nacional Records
The Hellgoats - Fish Sticks (MP3)
from Goodness Gracious on Grey Day
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba - Musow (MP3)
from I Speak Fula on Next Ambiance / Sub Pop
The Brunettes - Red Rollerskates
from Paper Dolls on Lil’ Chef Records
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King of Prussia - Waitin for Somethin’ (MP3)
from The Time Of Great Forgetting on Kindercore Records
Lil Wayne - Prom Queen
from Rebirth on Cash Money Records
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Midlake - Acts of Man
from The Courage of Others on Bella Union
Misterio - Vampirella (MP3)
from 10 Year Old Zombie on Nacional Records
Nneka - The Uncomfortable Truth (MP3)
from Concrete Jungle on Yo Mama/Decon/Epic
Pierced Arrows - Let It Rain (MP3)
from Descending Shadows on Vice
Salvador Santana “Keyboard City (Dan Deacon remix) feat. GZA (MP3)
the original from Keyboard City on Quannum Projects
The Soft Pack - Answer to Yourself (MP3)
from The Soft Pack on Kemado Records
Toro Y Moi - Blessa (MP3)
from Causers of This on Carpark Records
U.S. Girls - Red Ford Radio (MP3)
from Go Grey on Stiltbreeze
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Try It Before You Buy It features free and legal mp3 downloads and full album streams from this week's music releases:
The Album Leaf: A Chorus of Storytellers
full album stream
"Falling from the Sun" [mp3]
Bob Blank: Blank Generation Blank Tapes NYC 1975-1985
full album stream
Family of the Year: Songbook
full album stream
FM Belfast: How to Make Friends
"Par Avion"
Martha And The Muffins: Delicate
full album stream
Midlake: The Courage of Others
full album stream
Nneka: Concrete Jungle
full album stream
Pierced Arrows: Descending Shadows
Pierced Arrows: "Let It Rain" [mp3]
Salvador Santana: Keyboard City
full album stream
The Soft Pack: The Soft Pack
full album stream
"Answer to Yourself [mp3]
Toro Y Moi: Causers of This
full album stream
Vedera: Stages
full album stream
Wakey!Wakey!: Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said the Last Time I Saw You
"Twenty Two" [mp3]
full album stream
also at Largehearted Boy:
Try It Before You Buy It lists
weekly CD & DVD release lists
daily free and legal mp3 downloads
read more »
Today's free and legal mp3 downloads:
Dana Falconberry: "Singing Lullabies" [mp3] from Halletts
other Dana Falconberry posts at Largehearted Boy
Elaine Lachica: "Rapture" [mp3] from I Think I Can See the Ocean (out February 23rd)
Elaine Lachica: "Bewilder" [mp3] from I Think I Can See the Ocean (out February 23rd)
other Elaine Lachica posts at Largehearted Boy
Fol Chen: "The Beautiful Ones (Prnce cover)" [mp3]
Fol Chen: "In the Flesh (Pink Floyd cover)" [mp3]
other Fol Chen posts at Largehearted Boy
Futurebirds: free and legal Futurebirds EP [mp3]
other Futurebirds posts at Largehearted Boy
Pierced Arrows: "Let It Rain" [mp3] from Descending Shadows (out February 2nd)
other Pierced Arrows posts at Largehearted Boy
Rykarda Parasol: "A Drinking Song" [mp3] from For Blood and Wine
other Rykarda Parasol posts at Largehearted Boy
Various Artists: free and legal Friendship Bracelet Club Volume 3 compilation [mp3]
We Are Wolves: "Blue" [mp3] from Invisible Violence (out February 23rd)
other We Are Wolves posts at Largehearted Boy
Free and legal mp3s of live performances at other websites:
Loch Lomond: Luxury Wafers session [mp3]
other Loch Lomond posts at Largehearted Boy
Of Montreal: 2010-01-26, New York [mp3]
other Of Montreal posts at Largehearted Boy
Rain Machine: Daytrotter session [mp3]
other Rain Machine posts at Largehearted Boy
also at Largehearted Boy:
previous free and legal mp3 daily downloads
2009 Bonnaroo downloads
other music festival downloads
Try It Before You Buy It (mp3s and album streams from weekly CD releases)
weekly CD and DVD release lists
read more »
Toronto's Dinosaur Bones are currently in the studio with producer Jon Drew(Tokyo Police Club, the Arkells) on dual projects: their long-anticipated debut LP and 7" being released February 1. If this body of work is half as good as their debut album in 2008, it should be something special.My Divider(from 2008's Dinosaur Bones EP)Dinosaur Bones: MySpace • FacebookDinosaur Bones EP available via Amazon• • • •Don't know too much about English duo B For Butterfly other than Matt May and Emily May's music is some of the smoothest and most reflective I've heard in some time. Had a bad day? Play some of his work and realize what a reassuring effect smooth instrumentals and reflective vocals can have on you.Treading On SnailsB For Butterfly: MySpace • Facebook• • • •Another duo producing a soothing sound is Canada's Memoryhouse. Denise and Evan's new The Years EP is dreamy without the fluff and the pristine, unique background instrumentals only add to the beauty and comforting nature of the music.Sleep PatternsMemoryhouse: MySpace • Free album download here• • • •New Jersey's Eric Sarmiento has gigs with the Candles, the Pistol Arrows, a Suncrush for Sweethearts, and the New Tribe on his resume, as well as a couple of solo projects. He's recently returned from travels to such diverse locales as Japan and Oklahoma and some of his ideas and thoughts are in the form of new music. As always, his work is crisp, smooth and exceptionally well-done.Strange PowerEric Sarmiento: Website • MySpace • Eric's music available via Amazon• • • •Portland's Pierced Arrows are finishing up work on a February 2nd release of their newest album, Descending Shadows. The obligatory album-release tour will commence shortly thereafter and will run through the end of March and if you haven't seen them live, you should; it's an awesome show. The guitar and vocal pairing that Fred and Toody Cole forged with Dead Moon and Kelly Halliburton's equally dynamic drumming are in top form, and this should be one kick-ass album.Paranoia • Let It RainPierced Arrows: Website • MySpace • Watch Vice Records for the release• • • •Florida's Surfer Blood has their debut album out, Astro Coast, and the quartet should make a name for themselves with the release just by the guitar work alone. Slightly fuzzy, impressively catchy. Floating Vibes is a great track, I hope it gets the airplay it deserves. This is why you don't see many bands from Nebraska making surfer music. Duh.Floating Vibes • SwimSurfer Blood: MySpace Astro Coast available via Kanine Records• • • •The Treats are an eclectic rock band from from Madison, WI. The new full length, Sir Unicorn, was released January 16th and is an impressive myriad of their brand of rock & roll, blues, folk, country, hard rock, and psychedelia. Andrew Isham (guitar, lead vocals), Don Isham (drums, backing vocals), and Tim Payne (bass, backing vocals) play their music loud and gimmick-free and that's becoming a bit rare these days. Highly recommended.Yahweh Won't Look The Other Way • OnThe Treats: MySpace • Sir Unicorn available via CD Baby• • • •Brooklyn psychedelic rock band Von Haze will be releasing a self-titled album on March 16. Von Haze makes sexy dark rock and has drawn some comparisons to The Knife and Brightblack Morning Light. After a listen I have no doubt their music will end up being a soundtrack to something, it just feels right for that. Excellent.Sooner or LaterVon Haze: MySpace • Von Haze music available via iTunes• • • •Last but certainly not least, the absolutely lovely Sarah Elizabeth Foster has a new album out. Titled Gardening From The Ground Up-Part I, it's a perfect showcase of the lush vocal talent of this lady. Originally from Houston, Sarah has been studying music since the age of four and is a classically trained vocalist, pianist and ballerina. Gardening From The Ground Up is her debut album and is a wonderful mix of folk, pop and even a bit of classical. Obviously not one to let time idly pass by, she's already working on a follow-up album. Simple elegance, simply exquisite.Missing You NowSarah Elizabeth Foster: Website • MySpace • Gardening Fround The Ground Up-Part I Available via Amazon
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