A Free Man

Success! With this post A Free Man is caught up with all MP3s sent through over the long month that I was off line. What a great sense of accomplishment. What follows is my ten favorite tracks that I’ve received in one way or another over the last month or so. Some of them are not exactly new, but nonetheless:

Alan Wilkis is nothing if not persistent. He’s been after me to listen to his music for weeks. The Brooklyn-based musician’s persistence paid off as “Milk & Cookies”, with its evil Casiotone catchiness, has been going through my head all week. His debut L, “Babies Dream Big” is available from CD Baby.

MP3: Alan Wilkis - “Milk & Cookies”

The best new band I’ve heard recently out of Oz is Sydney’s Deep Sea Arcade. They’re getting some play on Triple J but if you’re outside of Australia you may have to be satisfied with their myspace tracks for the time being. Great Kinks inspired pop.

MP3: Deep Sea Arcade - “Crouch End”

The Oregon based Terrordactyls are a bit too similar to Kimya Dawson to sound strictly originals. But there’s plenty of room for more than one Kimya and you’ve got to love the kazoo in “Devices”.

MP3: The Terrordactyls - “Devices”

The Muslims have, from a marketing perspective, either the best or worst band name ever. Whichever it is, I dig their slack, lo-fi pop. Buy their new 12″ from Sweet Tooth Records.

MP3: The Muslims - “Bright Side”

After spending a month slagging off Florida, the Sunshine State is stepping up. Orlando’s The Sugar Oaks are a great mix of indie-rock and old school R&B. With horns, god I love horns. Their debut LP “No One Can Love You Like Me” is out next month.

MP3: The Sugar Oaks - “Girl On Girl”

Mount Eerie is a Washington state outfit fronted by Phil Elverum. I’m not sure where this track came from or how I got it, but “In Moonlight” does his home state proud - Northwestern music at its best.

MP3: Mount Eerie - “In Moonlight”

As was the case with Mount Eerie, I’ve no idea where I got Quitzow’s music from, nor can I tell you exactly why I like it - I really need to work on my record keeping. But there’s something compelling about the New Yorker’s songs that kept me coming back to them this week. Quitzow’s “Art College” is due out next week from Young Love Records.

MP3: Quitzow - “Sponsor (It Didn’t Mean A Thing)”

One of my most reliable blog sources has been hyping Sam Phillips since the announcement of her latest LP. I didn’t know much about Phillips, but what I’ve heard of “Don’t Do Anything” is just outstanding.

MP3: Sam Phillips - “Little Plastic Life”

Joshua James is making the kind of indie folk that’s really been turning my crank lately. This genre is completely dependent on the lyrical ability of the artist and James has it down to an art. He’s on a U.S. tour right now, check him out in a town near you.

MP3: Joshua James - “FM Radio”

Last but not least is punky Kiwis Die! Die! Die! This is not usually my thing, but the trio do it with spirit that makes it sound genuine. Their sophomore LP, “Promises Promises” is out and available from . Die! Die! Die! are on tour in the U.K. all month.

MP3: Die! Die! Die! - “Blue Skies”

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