John Statz - Old Old Fashioned (Frighted Rabbits Cover)

John Statz worked magic into "Old Old Fashioned" from Frightened Rabbit's 2008 album The Midnight Organ Fight and quite possibly made it better than the original. I cringe when saying that, but I think you might agree too. It's gone from that a hasty upbeat song to a slower and more delicate tune fit for actually waltzing across the carpet like the song suggests doing. I would curl up in this song, and pull a cozy blanket over us after I was done waltzing with it, if I could. Both versions have something very different but equally heart warming to offer. Go to John Statz's bandcamp page to stream the album (if you like folk you'll be very happy with this album) and get the first track, "Distance" for free.

Walk off the Earth - Somebody that I Used to Know (Gotye Cover)

Sorry if you've already seen this viral video with 42 million views, but it's pretty cool.

Summer Twins - I Will Love You

The Summer Twins released their debut LP on Burger Records and it's got to be the sweetest, cheeriest, twee pop I've ever heard in the dead of winter. If California sunshine that was bottled in the 50s then this music was distilled in it. It's pure fun that'd be hard not to enjoy. This song is the cutest! Get the album here. Stream it here.

Yukon Blonde - Stairway

Yukon Blonde's new album Tiger Talk is due out March 20th and this is the first glimpse at what the Canadian band has prepared for us. This sounds incredibly different from the Yukon Blonde that sang the song "Wind Blows". This is like the rock-pop switch got flipped and they went with it. I think it'll work well for them. This one has more than enough energy to get you psyched up for the weekend.

Yukon Blonde - Stairway

The Shivers - I See It All Babe

A brand new song (literally just uploaded) and video from New York's The Shivers. I love them more and more with every song I hear. This one is just perfect right now.




The Shivers - Used To Be by Silence Breaks

The Wooden Sky - Child of The Valley

The Wooden Sky’s newest album, Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun, is at the top of my most anticipated releases for this year and is due out February 28th. Their last album has been on heavy rotation ever since I caught a house show of theirs in December, it’s one of those that gets better with each spin and I always seem to find a new favorite song. Luckily for those like me that can hardly wait for February 28th to roll around here is the first outstanding track from the new album. It has that haunting violin and gorgeous narrative lyrics that made their last album so special. Enjoy.

Air Review - America's Son

Air Review is a new folk quintet out of Dallas. "America's Son" has that charm that only comes from a comforting folk song. It's a gentle and repetitive song that ultimately leaves you smiling for some reason you can't quite put your finger on.

Air Review - America's Son

Damien Jurado - Museum of Flight

This week has been all about hearing singles from releases due out next week through April. Every morning I've been able to wake up to a new batch of excitement. I hope I'm not starting to sound insincere when I say this is at the top of my most anticipated albums of 2012, but Maraqopa the new album from Damien Jurado due out February 21st, really is. I've heard from a few Seattle based people and friends of Damien that this is the album of the year. I believe them.

The first single released, "Nothing is the News" was an absolute slow burning jam, full of twist and turns and lots of guitar. Now "Museum of Flight" is a different animal with it's slow hip swaying rhythm and his wavering signature falsetto that could break your heart, especially in the first verse when his voice soars above the quietly strummed guitar. This is the best breakup song I've heard in a while, it's one part pain, one part looking back, and one part hoping the person can still be there. "Don't let go, I need you to hang around / I'm so broke and foolishly in love". 

Damien Jurado - Museum of Flight

Last American Buffalo - Baby I'm Alive

Every Tuesday in January Last American Buffalo has been releasing a song, and not just any song, but outlandishly good songs full of that rough and tumble, dusty, L.A. rock sound. The most recent release is one of my favorites with the declaration of "baby, I'm alive" sounding like it's about to blow the song apart. But the song ends before it can. It's divine. Check out the other releases on the bandcamp page and enjoy two of my favorites right here.

Last American Buffalo - Yucca Baccata

Dry The River - The Chambers & The Valves

Dry The River has completely won my heart. Every new song I hear from them makes the urge to see them live grow ten fold. They remind me a lot of Stornoway and I wish the two bands would tour together. Can we make that happen, someone? Their album is streaming on soundcloud and the Chambers & The Valves 7" is officially released on February 27th. They're about to start an ambitious tour that takes them all over including  LA and San Francisco with Alabama Shakes this week(!) and later to the east coast with the Bowerbirds. Check out the dates here.