A Free Man

Let’s kick things off this week with the sultry, smoky voice of Melody Gardot. Her debut LP, “Worrisome Heart” is out and what I’ve heard of it so far is just stunning. Gardot was seriously injured after being hit by a car whilst riding her bicycle in 2004. One of the treatments suggested for her was music therapy and she has truly blossomed. The title track is a guantlet thrown down for aspiring jazz singers. Sublime.

MP3: Melody Gardot - “Worrisome Heart”  .

Word of mouth is still my favorite way of learning about new music, one of the reasons for this post in fact. I got a package from Blighty a little while ago and along with wonderful English sweets was the Mystery Jets latest “Twenty One” (thanks, SSG!). Their sugary British psych-pop wasn’t quite as sweet as the Wine Gums, but nearly as addictive. Get the new Mystery Jets from Seven Digital.

MP3: Mystery Jets - “Half In Love With Elizabeth”

I don’t know much about hip-hop, but I know when something tickles my fancy. And Seattle’s Common Market did that with “Tobacco Road”, the title track from their forthcoming debut LP. The duo got a fair bit pof praise for their EP “Black Patch War” and from the sound of things, the full-length could be a biggun. “Tobacco Road is due out in Septmeber from Massline.

MP3: Common Market - “Tobacco Road”

A Free Man has already declared his undying love for Welsh singer-songwriter Eugene Francis Jnr and had that love consumated in a delightful cyber interview back in March. So it should come as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed the most recent single from his debut LP “The Golden Beatle”. If you don’t own this record already - it’s one of the best undiscovered gems of the year. Get it from .

M4A: Eugene Francis Jnr - “My Own Pollution” (Radio Mix)

Herman Düne is a French duet that’s been recording music for nearly a decade. This track, from their 2006 LP “Giant”, is playful, clever and horn-infused (always a selling point for A Free Man). Kind of a Magnetic Fields/Modern Lovers vibe. They’ve got a new LP coming out in October on Everloving Records.

MP3: Herman Düne - “I Wish That I Could See You Soon”

It’s been a long time since anything from Minneapolis has caught my ear, but High on Stress channels the city’s hey day. “Cop Light Parade”, from the quartet’s debut LP “Moonlight Girls”, is reminiscent of fellow Minnesotans The Jayhawks and Soul Asylum. A Free Man likes nothing more than well crafted Americana, and that’s what High on Stress is offering. “Moonlight Girls” is out and available from CD Baby.

M4A: High On Stress - “Cop Light Parade”

One of my favorite covers is Sonic Youth’s treatment of The Carpenters’ “Superstar”, it’s one of those rare covers that’s better than the original. I’m not saying that The Shock of Pleasure has superceded the Sonic Youth version, but it’s pretty damn good. I’m not sure what else the Dallas quartet has to offer, but if Kelley Christian’s vocals on this track are indicative, they’re worth checking out. Their debut LP, “It’s About Time” is out and available from .

I’ve no idea where the Roadside Graves MP3s that I heard this week came from. They certainly didn’t come through my Inbox, so I’m guessing that one of the blogs that I frequent recommended them. I like to give credit where it’s due, but just can’t remember. The memory is the first thing to go, they say.

Anyhow, Roadside Graves. Why is so much good alt-country and Americana coming from the Northeast right now? These guys are a New Jersey outfit who have just released their debut LP, available from .

MP3: Roadside Graves - “Ruby”

I’m fixing to date myself here, but Slowdive’s debut LP induced a sea change in my musical tastes in the early 90’s - away from the guitar heavy grunge that I had been toward melodic dream-pop. I still count “Just For A Day” among my Top 100. Neil Halstead, the male voice of Slowdive, has a new solo record out that’s more reminiscent of Nick Drake’s spare folk than the lush sounds of Slowdive. Outstanding nonethess. ”Oh! Mighty Engine” is out on Brushfire Records and is available from .

MP3: Neil Halstead - “Little Twig”

Closing things out today is Setting Sun, the nom de plume of upstate New York based Gary Levitt. Setting Sun sits squarely in the burgeoning, and compelling, “making music in your bedroom” genre. He recently released his third record, “Children of the Wild”, and is currently touring with A Free Man favorite, Quitzow. Check them out in a town near you and buy Setting Sun’s music directly from the artist.

MP3: Setting Sun - “No Devil Me No More”

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