July 17th, 2009 - Addicted to Girls

Today's featured free download "Addicted to Girls" is a tongue-n-cheek lampooning of dating in highschool which was written and recorded while I was in highschool. Sort of a fun track, still get kick out of the really long and syncopated drum fills I programmed. Check it.

Below in no particular order is the albums I listened to on Thursday.

John Frusciante - The Will to Death
If you haven't taken the chance to check out any of John Frusciante's solo material you are missing a majestic boat. Recommended listening includes the album above and "Curtains". His music and approach has been a huge influence on my solo material, check out "Tides of Time" from last year's Vision Question Album for an example of that influence.

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
I picked up the sophopmore effort from this group last year and the whole album is great, not a bad song in the bunch. Often compared to My Morning Jacket I think Band of Horses is more my flavor especially after the Evil Urges album. Worth checking out.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - I See A Darkness
Decided to pick up this late 90's classic last year after people on MySpace kept telling me that my music reminded me of his. This turned out to be a very kind compliment indeed as Will Oldham delivers a haunting disc of great tracks. Took me a few listens to get into but now I cannot get enough.

Daredevil Christopher Wright - In Deference to a Broken Back
I had the pleasure of playing my first solo acoustic show in an opening slot from this talented band from Eau Claire, WI. Great harmonies and some interesting arrangements really elevate this debut album which was mixed by the might Bon Iver, another Eau Claire, WI native. Highlight track is definitely the "East Coast". Must listen.

July 16th, 2009 - Ugly

Above we have another track from the archives. "Ugly" was a song I recorded in 2002. It was meant to be my mild attempt at making a Modest Mouse style song as I was a big fan of the group's earlier records. Check it out!

Below, in no particular order is the albums I listened to on Wednesday.

Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care
This is a record I picked up earlier this year that is pretty much straight electronic music. I find it relaxing, the production is excellent and I also think a lot of the vocal lines are really well written. Check it out if you are into electronic music.

Kasey McKee - Well Wisher
This is a great debut album from a Minneapolis, MN based singer-songwriter. Kasey recorded the album all by himself in his 2nd floor apartment and the result is great songs and great sounds, definitely worth checking out.

White Rabbits - It's Frightening
This is another album I picked up earlier this year. I really like the sound of the record, it reminds me of Radiohead at different points. Worth a couple listens at least.

Jim James - Covers George Harrison Streamed this EP of My Morning Jacket's Jim James covering 6 George Harrison songs online.

Dead Weather - Horehound
I have to be honest and say that I was anxiously awaiting this lastest Jack White side project. While I never paid that much attention to the White Stripes or the Raconteurs I was intrigued by this latest combination of players. Have only had a chance to listen to the record a couple of times and I like it pretty well, especially the monstrous kick drum sound. However, I think it is funny how much the instrumental track "Birds" sounds like a musical demo of Korn's "Freak on a Leash", bizarre.

T.V on The Radio - Dear Science
I will agree with the majority and say that this is a great record with a great title. If you haven't checked it out yet you should.

Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins
This album, released last year, is the first record I heard from these guys. I am a fan of it, especially the traded vocals of "Lost Coastlines", which is a standout track, in my opinion.

July 15th, 2009 - Gold This Plant (Bronze This Tree)

Today's free music download is "Gold This Plant (Bronze This Tree)" a stream of consciousness song I recorded at Ghost in My House Studio sometime in 2006. Never made it on to any official album but I still dig the feel of the track and think you might to. Check it out!

Here is a breakdown of the albums I listened to yesterday.

The Builders and the Butchers - Salvation is a Deep Dark Well
This album came out earlier this summer and I picked it up used on Amazon for a $1. Only have had a couple of chances to hear it all the way through. It is definitely an interesting record very focused on the devil vs. salvation. The singer sounds a lot like Colin Meloy of the Decemberist.

Pale Young Gentlemen - Black Forest (tra la la)
This is another record I picked up earlier this year. This a great band from Madison, WI. Definitely worth checing out.

Micahu & The Shapes - Jewellry
This is a new group from across the ocean. Frighteningly bizarre on the first listen this album has grown on me and is now my favorite record of the year thus far. Going to do my best to catch a show when they are in the U.S. this fall.

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Just a classic record. Was not a big Beach Boys fan in my youth but have come to really enjoy them. Hoping that some of their beautiful sunshine harmonies rub off on me.

The Dodos - Time To Die (pre-release stream)I got into this duo last year and really loved their first record, "Beware The Maniacs". There second record "Visiter" was also good. They are currently streaming their new record "Time to Die" at the link above and will be releasing the album in the coming months.

Battles - Mirrored
I am a huge fan of these guys and their latest record "Mirrored" is a great starting point for new listeners. They are more of an instrumental math/experimental rock band. I can't seem to get enough of them.

The Chordettes - "They're Riding High" Says Archie
I discovered this amazing female vocal quartet from Sheboygan, WI when I was scouring the internet searching for the version of "Mr. Sandman" that I remembered from an episode of Family Ties I had seen during childhood. The sound and songs are this record are great and it really makes me appreciate the simple recording techniques utilized in the 50's and early 60's.

Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
I am a big fan of this group, especially their drummer Greg Saunier. Definitely worth checking out some of the live videos on You Tube. Had the opportunity to see them last year at First Avenue and it was an amazingly tight show. They are not for everyone though, I recommend starting with their "Friend Opportunity" album which came out before "Offend Maggie" as I think it is the most accessible.

July 14th, 2009 - Download Polyglot Demo Album Free

Today's free download is the entire Polyglot Demo Album. This album is a collection of ten demos recorded over the past year that may make it on the new album I am working on. Check out some of the songs in their formative stages.

I also have decided to expand this blog a bit and will be posting albums I have listened to on my work commutes and in my office. Yesterday I listened to the following albums:

Grizzly Bear - Vecktamist
I had never listened to these guys before but the buzz for their latest record drew me in and it has really grown on me, definitely worth a listen.

Gentleman Reg - Jet Black
A Canadian group released this album earlier this year and I have been enjoying it from time to time.

Radiohead - Amnesiac
One of my favorite Radiohead albums. I didn't start listening to Radiohead until Kid A was released so I sort of enjoy their post Ok Computer music more, although it is all great.

Porcupine - The Trouble With You
This is a great band from LaCrosse, WI that just released their debut disc earlier this year. They are great live and on the record and definitely worth checking out.

Wilco - The Album
Picked up the new Wilco album last week and it turned me off at first, couldn't shake the feeling that it sounded like adult contemporary soft rock, but repeated listens have revealed how great a record it really is.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
I never really got into these guys when they were blowing up on their first couple of records but decided to give this one a chance and I love it. It really appeals to my electro-pop interest.

July 13th, 2009 - Free Album Download

Beautiful start to the week. Today only I would like to offer a free download of "Medicated Mostly Meaningful" a album I recorded in 2001. This material was recorded on a dilapidated old PC utilizing the left ear of some headphones as the microphone I am really happy with the mood and how it sounds like emotional robots or something. Anyway, this material is quite a bit different than the more pop-rock stuff I am doing now but fans of Thom Yorke's solo material, wacky Radiohead stuff and Bjork may dig it, check it out.