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.