When I hear the term “compilation album,” my thoughts tend to vacillate between infomercials and improv bits ridiculing such infomercials. However, when I hear the term “compilation album” in conjunction with Kill Rock Stars, my ears perk up (figuratively speaking). Not only do they consistently sign great artists, including such notables as Elliott Smith and The Decemberists, but the name of the label describes the artists they sign: ones who have more talent than ego.

Going back to my original topic of a KRS compilation album, there’s a brand-spanking new one by the name of The Sound The Hare Heard. Due to its sheer awesomeness, I felt compelled to download just about every gosh-danged MP3 KRS offers… and you shall reap the benefits!

First up is Imaad Wasif, better-known as a touring member of Yeah Yeah Yeahs or the leader of Alaska!. What fascinates me is that although I never particularly cared for either of those bands, his solo music is utterly magnificent. Although comparing him to Elliott Smith would inevitably be doing a disservice to both, there are enough similarities that it must be mentioned. From the lovely, mellow acoustic guitar to the brilliant vocals to the tragically beautiful lyrics (such as “I’ve been trying to maintain / But it’s always in vain / And I’m already gone”)… my goodness. I think I’m in love.

Downloads

From Imaad Wasif
Out In The Black – (MP3, 3 MB)

Sorry for the relative lack of posting as of late; I’m trying to not post stuff I find on other audio blogs, which just so happens to severely limit my posting options, but should result in “fresher” music, whatever that means.

Jenny Wilson hails from the musically-inclined lands of Sweden and makes delightful pop tunes that sometimes indulge in a bit of synthesizer action. She plays all the instruments on her solo debut, Love And Youth, and all that creative freedom can be like more rope to hang yourself with if you’re not talented enough to make it work. Evidently, Wilson’s talented enough. The only MP3 that Wilson offers, A Brief Story, is wonderfully reminiscent of Of Montreal, and even the low bitrate can’t keep me from busting out some utterly embarassing dance moves.

Downloads

From Summertime – The Roughest Time
A Brief Story – (MP3, 1.87 MB)

To paraphrase Jim Gaffigan, not only is Katie Melua beautiful, but she can SING! What a double threat, indeed. If Norah Jones was slightly more influenced by pop music and had smoother vocals, she’d probably sound pretty close to Ms. Melua. Then again, maybe she wouldn’t; I can’t say I’m an expert in alternative universes (maybe I am in an alternate universe).

Unfortunately, the media I’ve got for you today is just audio clips, but the aural quality more than makes up for the lack of chronological quantity.

Downloads

From Piece By Piece
Piece By Piece (MP3, 811 KB)
Spider’s Web (MP3, 490 KB)
Shy Boy (MP3, 806 KB)
Nine Million Bicycles (MP3, 685 KB)

From Call Off The Search
Crawling Up A Hill (MP3, 559 KB)
My Aphrodisiac Is You (MP3, 690 KB)

So, 70/80s style British rock with a slight punk influence… by a bunch of plucky Swedish lads? Yes, it’s true, these guys are Swedes and boy, their music sure does pack a punch. It’s a delightfully retro experience that (hopefully) never gets boring as it is always bursting forth with some insanely rocking tunes such as A Picture of ‘Em All, Sheepdog and To China with Love as well as some quieter, gospel-esque stuff (Lady, Lauren’s Cathedral). You can’t help but imagine yourself totally rocking out to this stuff, hippie style, even though it’s a 2002 release. It’s like a time-machine…for your ears!

With a name like Elliott Brood, I hastily assumed that they were more of a solo artist thing. Due to the usage of “they” in the last sentence, you can assume that my assumption was wrong, and you’d be right, unlike me. Their self-described “death country” sounds like, well, country, with a dash of rock… and a banjo that you will not be able to get enough of. I never thought I’d ever say “Can’t get enough of that banjo!” but in this instance, it’s entirely true. I got a fever, and the only prescription is more banjo!

Downloads

From Ambassador
Second Son (MP3, 3.8MB)

What is there to say about Sean Na Na? As it turns out, not as much as I might hope. They make indie songs, some poppish, some rockish, and some downright depressing (in that good, tragically beautiful way). Mary Lou Lord, whose song His Indie World is essentially about her preference for “deep and gloomy” folk songs over indie tunes, has a split EP with Sean Na Na; I take this to mean that Ms. Lord feels that their lyrics are more mature than your typical indie fare, and I concur wholeheartedly (even though it’s my assumption to begin with).

I wish that Sean Na Na posted more MP3s from My Majesty, namely I Need A Girl, The Human Raft, and Third Life. Kill for them if you have to.

Finally, to borrow Ant’s vernacular: “What excellent album art! I totally love it!” Me too, slugger… me too.

Downloads

From My Majesty
Double Date (MP3, 3.9MB)
Grew Into My Body (MP3, 4.4MB)

One of the bigger problems I’ve encountered when trying to persuade people to listen to foreign music is that they feel they can’t relate to it; foreign styles of music combined with singing in foreign languages can easily add up to confusion. That’s why I feel particularly implored to recommend Beirut, because although the Balkan folk tunes they play are certainly a foreign style of music, they are played in large part by a fellow named Zach Condon who sings them in English.

This isn’t to say it’s easy to understand him due to the vocals largely being buried under the lush instrumentation. Then again, even if you can’t make out exactly what he’s singing, you can still tell that it’s in English and that he’s got a lovely voice (which is an instrument in itself). Listen to Beirut and take the plunge into foreign music without taking the plunge into foreign music, and yes, that does make sense.

Downloads

From Gulag Orkestar
Postcards From Italy (MP3, 5MB)
Mount Wroclai (Idle Days) (MP3, 3.8MB)

The Rosebuds are one of those delightful bands that doesn’t limit itself to one sound, or even a few. The songs from their latest album, Birds Make Good Neighbors, vary either a little or lot. Leaves Do Fall is reminiscent of old country songs, Outnumbered has a rocking Beach Boys feel to it, Boxcar reminds me of good pop-rock songs in general, Shake Our Tree reminds me a smidge of The Dandy Warhols… and so on!

The point is that The Rosebuds make awesome music because they’re influenced by awesome music, and I say more power to ’em. Listen to enough of their songs and you’ll find something that suits you, so get listening!

Downloads

From Birds Make Good Neighbors
Boxcar (MP3, 5.3MB)
Leaves Do Fall (MP3, 3.6MB)

Having a mild obsession as of late with the songstyles of Hawksley Workman, it’s only natural that I perused the songstyles of his similar artists, as defined by last.fm. But with all those artists to choose from, where do you go, how do you start? If you’re anything like me, you pick the one with the most interesting band name, and for me, that meant Matt Mays & El Torpedo.

Despite the fact that I obviously was going against the adage of “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” my choice did not disappoint whatsoever. These Canadian fellows play a fine blend of country-rock, easy on the country. This is another case of little innovation remedied by rampant awesomeness, especially Mays’ vocals, and everything blends together so perfectly that it’s hard to remember that this is their debut album. Although the only things they have in common with Hawksley Workman are the rocking tunes and their Canadian nationality (and the fact that I love them), I couldn’t be more pleased with how last.fm comes up with similar artists.

From Matt Mays & El Torpedo
Cocaine Cowgirl (Music video)
On The Hood (Music video)