1. Sufjan Stevens – I Walked
Sufjan Stevens was born and raised in Michigan, later making New York his home. This track, off his soon be released album The Age of Adz, shows him bearing more of his soul than we have heard from him before. Rather than hiding behind songs about places, historical figures and events, he addresses things head on, and bring us something beautiful if not heartbreaking. According to the upcoming album bio on his Bandcamp page, “The Age of Adz refers to the Apocalyptic art of Royal Robertson, a black Louisiana-based sign maker (and self-proclaimed prophet) who suffered from schizophrenia.” This album may catch you off guard if you expect a replica of the critically acclaimed Illinois. It takes a moment to adjust to his new style, his interweaving of electronic, drum-machine style with symphonic arrangements. It’s a personal album, and the review also states that the themes of this album are “personal and primal (if even a little juvenile): love, sex, death, disease, illness, anxiety and suicide make an appearance in a tapestry of electronic pop songs that convey a sense of urgency, immediacy, and anxiety as never before seen in this songwriter.” If you are in Los Angeles, catch him when he plays at The Wiltern on 10/24 (ticket info for this event HERE). I saw him at The Wiltern the last time he played there, and it was breathtaking. Download this track for free HERE. Pre-order The Age of Adz now HERE. Out on 10/12.
Sufjan Stevens – I Walked

2. Family Of The Year – Summer Girl
I can’t think of a better song for the last un-official weekend of summer then this one. Labor Day is bittersweet – it’s a long weekend usually laced with good weather and last minute vacations, but also signals it’s time to go back to school and fall is just around the corner. This track encapsulates that last fresh breath of summer air. Family Of The Year is a six-piece band from Los Angeles, CA (Silver Lake, to be precise) where they all share a home together and write music in their basement studio. You can read more about them, and hear their song “Chugjug” in my previous entry HERE. If you are in Los Angeles, check them out when they play at the Bootleg Theater on 9/6. Ticket information for that HERE. This song comes off their The Summer Girl EP out on 10/11.
First Aid Kit – Hard Believer

3. Letherette – Blad
Perhaps most famous for their remix of Bibio’s song Lovers’ Carvings (you can hear it now HERE), Letherette were also lucky enough to get this song on the Brownswood Electr*c compilation put out by Gilles Peterson’s very own Brownswood Recordings. However the band is shrouded in mystery – other than the fact they are from Wolverhampton, UK, I can find out almost nothing about the two gentlemen who make up the group. However, info isn’t necessary when you have a track as smooth as this. Can’t think of a better track to listen to over this upcoming long weekend, enjoying the last of the summer evenings. Checkout more stuff by them on their MySpace page HERE. Pick up the Brownswood Electr*c compilation HERE.
Letherette – Blad

4. Pepper Rabbit – Older Brother
Pepper Rabbit = Xander Singh and Luc Laurent from Los Angeles, CA. They named their band after Xander’s pet rabbit, Dr. Pepper. I love that! I also love this song with its innocent sweetness and delightful use of the ukulele. It sounds like a hug from someone you love; it’s full of warmth and familiarity. In an interview with Artist Advocacy, fellow Los Angelenos Local Natives said that Pepper Rabbit is their favorite band right now. Not bad coming from one of the best indie bands currently on the circuit. Their new album Beauregard comes out on 10/26. You can pre-order it now HERE. Track via I Guess I’m Floating.
Pepper Rabbit – Older Brother

5. First Aid Kit – Hard Believer
While not technically “new music,” as this album came out in January, I think it’s worthy to revisit such a talented and all-around-adorable band. First Aid Kit = Sisters Johanna & Klara Söderberg from Stockholm, Sweden. These girls sing and write beyond their young years (20 & 17), and BBC described their singing style as: “Uncommon richness wrapping itself around syllables drawled with all the ache of an individual battered by the conflicts of love, but stubbornly still standing.” The chorus pretty much sums it up: “Love is tough, time is rough.” If you are in Los Angeles, you can check them out when they play the Largo at the Coronet on 10/4 (ticket info for that HERE) or at The Echo on 10/5 (ticket info for that HERE). Checkout their version of The Fleet Foxes song “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” in my previous entry HERE. You can buy their album The Big Black and the Blue now HERE. Video for the song is below.
First Aid Kit – Hard Believer

6. Bag Raiders – Way Back Home
Bag Raiders is made up of the very talented duo Jack Glass and Chris Stracey from Sydney, Australia. Their bio explains their dedication when it came to working on this new album, “the boys recorded the album deep inside their secret inner-city bunker, where they grew colonial beards and shut out all natural light, choosing only to surface for fine wine and an assortment of snorkeling trips. Amidst the candle light and dripping taps they agonized over structures, waveforms and patterns possessed by a mad desire to reproduce a synaesthesic wonderland they could picture but could not see.” It’s a dance track, yes. But it’s also a song about hope amidst all of the “what if” questions that even the best of us struggle with: “what if I just can’t find my way home? What about all these things I just don’t know? Would you be there to show me what to know?” We all need a light at the end of the tunnel, and this track has a sense of hope behind all the questions. You can buy this single now HERE. Their S/T album is out on 10/1.
Bag Raiders – Way Back Home

7. Hot As Sun – Come Come
Hot As Sun = Jamie Jackson & Deborah Stoll from good ole’ Los Angeles, CA. On first listen you may dismiss the sound and quality of this track to be likened to something your younger sister created on her computer in her bedroom one weekend. But give it a chance; there is a lot of talent behind this track. Jamie’s breathy vocals are both sensual and mysterious, perfectly driving the whirling synths behind her. Jamie awakened her creativity while working at the Electric Lady Studios in NY, later adding her talents to the Dandy Warhol’s “Welcome to the Monkey House.” Deborah is a working writer, having written for both The L.A. Weekly and The Economist, to name a few. They met at a party in LA, and the rest is musical history. Download this track for free on their website now HERE. Track courtesy of Buzz Bands.
Hot As Sun – Come Come

8. Matt & Kim – Cameras
Matt Johnson & Kim Schifino come to us from Brooklyn, New York. Known for their incredibly energetic live show, the two originally met while students at Pratt Institute in NY. Both sing vocals and Kim is on drums while Matt covers keyboards. Fresh off headlining the main stage at New York’s Siren Festival in July, they are set to release their new album Sidewalks on 11/2. They released this single as a teaser this week, and it’s a perfectly catchy anthem with universal appeal. You can buy this single now HERE. If you are in Los Angeles, catch them when they play the The Henry Fonda Theater / Music Box with Fang Island on 10/2. Ticket info for that event available HERE.
Matt & Kim – Cameras

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. Tommy James & The Shondelles – Crimson & Clover
Classic. Love the trippy video.

Tommy James Crimson And Clover1968/69
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2. The Supremes – I Hear A Symphony
Love the saxophone that you hear at about one minute in.

3. Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
This track stands the test of time. Hope Sandoval’s voice can melt anyone’s heart.

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
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1. Still Corners – Don’t Fall In Love
Still corners = Greg, Leon, Luke, Paul & Tessa from London. This track is both stunning and unbelievably haunting. It pulls you in, completely lulling you with it’s ethereal beauty. Paul Lester from the Guardian said that this band may be “heralding a new golden age of indie” and, “of the five tracks we’ve heard, three are magnificent, two are plain gorgeous, and one may come to define a genre yet to be named.” It’s David Lynch dreamy, and gives me hope that these kids will help keep the mysterious magic quality of music alive. You can buy this now, and checkout other tracks on their Bandcamp page now HERE. I love that their MySpace page lists that they sound “like the first frost.” Full length album expected soon.
Still Corners – Don’t Fall In Love

2. The Naked & Famous – Young Blood
The Naked & Famous = Alisa Xayalith, Thom Powers, Aaron Short, David Beadle, Jesse Wood from Auckland, New Zealand. Set for a September 6th release on the phenomenal Neon Gold label, this song is summertime gold. This track already won the hearts of their homeland, hitting #1 on the New Zealand charts. Their label bio says it best: “The song is a breath of fresh air, a wistful celebration of the ephemeral pleasures of youth.” You can download this track for free now HERE. Video below.
The Naked & Famous – Young Blood

3. Cotton Jones – Glorylight & Christie
I have a complete music crush on this band. Adding to the crush is the fact that it’s fronted by Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw, who just so happen to be high-school sweethearts. The track sounds like an open ended road trip across state lines, a musical soundtrack to your drink in the early evening. It’s full of romantic imagery and vocal harmonies laced with first love innocence. You can buy their new album Tall Hours in the Glowstream now HERE.
Cotton Jones – Glorylight And Christie

4. Free Energy – Bang Pop (Fool’s Gold Remix)
After my post last week, my obsession with the Fool’s Gold remixes should be apparent. They basically take what is already a stellar track, and inject it will pure, exuberant fun. You can listen to the original version of the track HERE. As far as Free Energy goes, this band deserves the hype surrounding them. Band members Scott Wells, Paul Sprangers, Evan Wells, Geoff Bucknam and Nick Shuminksy come to us from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their bio sums it all up perfectly: “Good music emancipates the listener. Boring jobs, troubled relationships, rush hour traffic…such mundane prisons are no match for the liberating power of a fantastic pop song.” If you are in Los Angeles, catch them when they come to the Viper Room on September 7th. Ticket information for that HERE. And don’t forget that Fool’s Gold will be playing the Troubadour on September 23rd. Get your tickets HERE.
Free Energy – Bang Pop (Fool’s Gold Remix)

5. Raindeer – Juanita
Raindeer = Charlie Hughes, Jake Masters, John Merrick and Rocky Dennis from Baltimore, Maryland. Charlie’s voice is definitely reminiscent of MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden, but the comparisons end there. The song manages to be pop without the artificial sweetener. It’s a track that will stick in your head, and I bet you will find yourself singing it to yourself long after your first listen. The best part? You can grab the whole EP for free on their Bandcamp page HERE. Definitely worth downloading. It’s a gem.
Raindeer – Juanita

6. Kuhn – Quiet Nights
Kuhn = Bennett Kuhn from New York. Almost nothing available online about him other than his MySpace page, some amazing Soundcloud tracks and his involvement with Astro Nautico. However, his track speaks for itself. It’s a beautiful interweaving of samples, and is one of those tracks that makes you want to just sit back with a cool drink and let the end of summer mellow vibe take you over. He uses one of my very favorite songs, “Corcovado”, for one of the samples. It’s taken from the 1964 album Getz/Gilberto. I’m including the original in my oldies below. You can download this track now HERE.
Kuhn – Quiet Nights

7. Jamiroquai – White Knuckle Ride
This song has me VERY excited about the upcoming new album from Jamiroquai due out this November. It’s full of energy and reminds me of the very best parts of this band from the 90s (in case you need a refresher, check out the video for “Half The Man” HERE). It’s their first album in 5 years and their 7th album total. Main man Jay Kay explains this track is “a cautionary tale – be careful what you wish for.” It may be cautionary but it makes me want to go out and party. The new album Rock Dust Light Star was recorded in Jay’s home studio in Buckinghamshire, Hook End Manor in Oxfordshire and Karma Studios in Thailand. Teaser for this song below.
Jamiroquai – White Knuckle Ride

8. Mark Ronson – Lose It (In The End) (feat. Ghostface Killah)
Mark Ronson continues to kill it with this just released track from his upcoming record Record Makers. Born in London and raised in New York from the age of 8, Mark started dj’ing back in 1993 paying his dues in local downtown clubs. I think of Mark Ronson as the Wes Anderson of the music scene – he has that type of creative, unique vision that is a trademark on all of his work. Check out another track “Bang Bang Bang” posted in my previous entry HERE. You can pre-order this album on Amazon now HERE. Officially out on 9/28.
Mark Ronson – Lose It (In The End) ft. Ghostface Killah

9. Lupe Fiasco – Go To Sleep
Originally born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, he got the nickname “Lu” while growing up, later extending it to “Lupe.” He added the “Fiasco” later, naming it after the Firm album & song “Firm Fiasco”. According to his Wikipedia entry, he was one of nine children and “by the age of 10, he earned his four black belts in martial arts and two in samurai swords.” Whoa. Perhaps it was that focus which led to the drive and ambition evident in everything Lupe does. This track truly showcases that he is one of the most talented musicians in hip hop today. It’s accessible and catchy, smooth as can be. His new album Lasers is due out this fall.
Lupe Fiasco – Go To Sleep

10. Carl Barat – Run With The Boys
Fresh off a Libertines reunion show, England-based Carl is getting ready to release both his first solo album and a tell all memoir (Three Penny Memoir) this fall. After surviving his fair share of Pete Doherty-centered drama over the years, this album shows what Carl can do when he steps away from the comfort zone of a band. In an interview with The Observer, he states “I’ve had to drum up my confidence because there’s nothing to hide behind and no one to look at on stage. The album is more exposed and naked, potentially a bit vulnerable. But it’s got some hard bits and a sting in the tail. It’s about the things that I haven’t had a platform to write about in the past.” His S/T album is expected out this October.
Carl Barat – Run With The Boys

11. Fistful of Mercy – Fistful of Mercy
Made up of supermusic heroes Dhani Harrison, Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur, this newly formed band made waves this week when they released a video showcasing their mutual incredibleness. According to an interview with KCRW’s Jason Bentley, the album was “conceived in the studio in just three days.” Ben, who originally thought he was just going in to help Joseph out with his album, explained to Rolling Stone that, “the three of us were able to create something we never could have done on our own.” The record As I Call You Down is due out on 10/5.

Fistful of Mercy from Fistful of Mercy on Vimeo.

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. Getz/Gilberto – Corcovado
Classic beauty. Astrud Gilberto’s voice is brilliant here.

2. Bobby Darin & Stevie Wonder – If I Were A Carpenter
One of my favorite love songs all time. The quality isn’t amazing, but the song is incredible.

1. Diego Garcia – You Were Never There
While at first glance you may not recognize his name, New York-based Diego Garcia is better known as the founder and front-man for the now defunct band, Elefant. While it’s easy to mourn the break up of such a fantastic band, it’s clear that Diego is not going to leave us without amazing music. In an interview with BlackBook, he states that his upcoming solo album is “a malady of love, specifically and inspired by Laura, my ex-girlfriend…I’m accepting the fact that my story with her doesn’t have a Hollywood ending. I think that’s just the way it is.” This track is so strikingly beautiful, my favorite of the week by far. You can buy this single now HERE.
Diego Garcia – You Were Never There

2. Kid Cudi – Mr. Rager
This track comes off of Cudi’s upcoming sophomore studio album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. Cudi was born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi in Cleveland, Ohio. Born to a Mexican father and African-Amercian mother, Cudi tragically lost his dad to cancer at age 11. That tragedy led to using his music as an outlet, and in an interview with Complex, he explains “I just went from seeing my dad normal to seeing my dad sick and then seeing my dad where he couldn’t even recognize me. My heart crumbled. I cried, but it wasn’t because I was sad, it was because I was pissed, like, “What the f@&?! Why?” But that’s when I started to want to express myself through words and rhymes.” This Kanye West-produced track feels much deeper than his hit single “Day N’ Nite”, and Cudi expresses that this album is “dark by nature and instead of bringing you into my dreams like my first album, I’m bringing you into my reality, good and bad.” It’s a sort of musical bio, and the depth suits him well. The new album is expected out early this fall.
Kid Cudi – Mr. Rager

3. Local Natives – Eyes Wide (Fool’s Gold Remix f. Aristotle Pop A Bottle)
The marriage of L.A.’s darlings Local Natives and Fool’s Gold is a match made in heaven. Both bands embrace the “modern worldly folk” sound and this remix shows Fool’s Gold pushing the Natives envelope into an entirely new realm with fuzzy edges and explosive drums. It’s an example of two bands who completely understand each other, and translate each others sound perfectly. You can download this and other remixes for free on the Local Natives website HERE. Local Natives will be playing Los Angeles’ FYF fest on 9/4. Information for that HERE. You can catch Fool’s Gold when they play the Troubadour on 9/23. Ticket information for that HERE.
Local Natives – Eyes Wide (Fool’s Gold Remix f. Aristotle Pop A Bottle)

4. Sun Airway – Oh, Naoko
Sun Airway = Jon Barthmus and Patrick Marsceill from Philadelphia, PA. Their label bio describes their sound best as a “kaleidoscopic production” with “lush electronic washes, synthetic textures and pulsing rhythms.” It’s a sonic lovely hazy daydream. Beyond just being an easily dismissed take on chillwave, this track is actually a really sweet love song: “I’ll be there just to lasso you the moonshine. In the back of your mind just like wind-chime. I’ll be there when you call my name.” At times, Jon’s voice reminds me of Coldplay’s Chris Martin from the Parachutes album days. Their new album Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier comes out on 10/26. You can download this track for free HERE.
Sun Airway – Oh, Naoko

5. Tweak Bird – A Sun / Ahh Ahh
This is certainly a wake-up track! I’ve been longing for some guitar driven rock and Tweak Bird definitely delivers. just when you think you have figured out what this track is about, it totally transforms at about 2 minutes in, incorporating a saxophone and adding an entirely different flavor than what you were prepared for. The band is made up of brothers Caleb and Ashton Bird from Los Angeles by way of Carbondale, IL. Listing Black Sabbath as one of their biggest influences, they have been playing music together since they were kids. If you are in L.A., be sure to catch them when they play Spaceland on 9/2. No ticket info for that event just yet. Pre-order their S/T album now HERE. Album out on 8/31.
Tweak Bird – A Sun / Ahh Ahh

6. Jenny & Johnny – Big Wave
I think that my very favorite thing about Jenny Lewis is not her long career singing with Rilo Kiley, instead it’s the fact that she was in the movie Troop Beverly Hills. That film defined at least one year of my childhood. Jenny & Johnny shows her most recent musical collaboration with musician-boyfriend Jonathan Rice. Previously having worked on each others solo efforts, it makes perfect sense that, during downtime while on tour, they were able to come up with enough new material that went beyond just their individual talents. “Big Wave” comes off their upcoming release I’m Having Fun Now, and their label describes this track as Lewis writing about “the economic demise of her beloved California.” Album comes out on 8/31, and you can pre-order it now HERE. If you’re in L.A. catch them when they open up for Belle & Sebastian at the Hollywood Palladium on 10/3. Ticket information for that HERE.
Jenny & Johnny – Big Wave

7. Jesse Woods – Sparks
Austin, TX-based Jesse Woods deserves all of our attention. He’s an amazing singer/songwriter who is able to create incredibly heartbreakingly beautiful music that echoes that sense of longing we have all felt at one time or another. His music sounds like a road trip of life across America, and according to his bio, “his time spent tramping with gypsies in Grass Valley, CA, mystics in the Colorado mountains, and the gas station poets along the way, provide the inspiration behind the sketches.” I had to include two tracks since I feel like they both give a different taste of his talents. “Sparks” comes off his just released EP Moon Rocks, and “Hounds of Heaven” is off his S/T release from last year. You can buy them both now HERE. Tracks via the great blog Friends With Both Arms.
Jesse Woods – Sparks
Jesse Woods – Hounds of Heaven

8. Manic Street Preachers -I’m Leaving You For Solitude
Also known as the Manics, Manic Street Preachers = James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore from Blackwood, Wales. They were previously joined by guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards who is now “presumed dead” after disappearing in 1995. Formed after meeting at school in 1986, they are set to release their 10th studio album Postcards From A Young Man on 9/28. This song isn’t listed on the album’s tracklist, but was released by the band as a free track. Perhaps giving us an idea of what we’re in for. Nicky says it best when he states, “If you’re an ‘artist’ everyone goes to the Royal Festival Hall to see you and thinks it’s marvelous. But no-one listens to your new record. Well, that’s not good enough for us. From the moment we started, we wanted the biggest number of people to hear what we had to say. We want to hear these records on the radio. Everyone is talking about the death of the rock business. I don’t know. But if it is, this is a last shot of mass communication.” You can download this track for free via NME HERE. Pre-order their new album HERE.
Manic Street Preachers – I’m Leaving You For Solitude

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. Led Zeppelin – Ten Years Gone
Happy Birthday to Robert Plant!

2. The Band – The Weight
Thanks to Ari for reminding me how amazing this song is.

1. Eliza Doolittle – Missing
This London based 22-year old singer (born Eliza Sophie Caird) takes her name from the lovely film “My Fair Lady”. Equally lovely is her intertwining of the old song “Come To Me Softly” by The Fleetwoods into this modern pop song. While on the surface she could come off as “just another Lily Allen,” there is definitely something deeper emanating from her voice; when she sings about an aching heart you believe her. You can buy her self-titled album (as an import if you are in the US) now HERE. I am including the video for the gorgeous Fleetwoods song as one of my oldies below.
Eliza Doolittle – Missing

2. The Black Angels – Telephone
The Black Angels = Christian Bland, Alex Maas, Stephanie Bailey, Nate Ryan and Kyle Hunt from Austin, Texas. They take their name from the Velvet Underground song “The Black Angel’s Death Song” (video for that HERE). This song seems straight out of the late 60s, and guitarist Christian Bland told SPIN that this track was meant to be: “I bought a 355 12-string Rickenbacker in April ’09 while we out recording [Phosphene Dream] in L.A., and the song must’ve been stuck inside the guitar, because once I picked it up to play, it came right out. It was waiting for me to channel.” If you are in L.A. catch them when they play the El Rey on 11/24. Ticket information for that event HERE. Pre-order their new album HERE. Track via SPIN.
The Black Angels – Telephone

3. Matthew Dear – Little People (Black City)
Matthew certainly wears his influences (Talking Heads, David Bowie) on his sleeve, but manages to weave it into his own particular fabric that is both impossible to describe and incredibly timeless. Originally from Texas, he moved to Michigan as a teen, and it was the Detroit techno scene that would greatly affect his work from that point forward. This track sounds as if it could have made it to the “Total Recall” soundtrack; it’s science fiction done musically. He describes his new album as “a darkly powerful sound-world that envelops the listener like the arms of a malevolent lover.” Creative and genius. You can pre-order his album Black City (out 8/17) now HERE. Track via RCRD LBL:

4. The Walkmen – Stranded
The new album coming out next month (on 9/14) from The Walkmen, titled Lisbon, is one of the top albums I have been most excited about this year. Naming it after two amazing trips the band took to Lisbon, Spain, you can hear the bands evolution with this release. It has the Spanish influence, but it feels very much like an American rock release. There is a Tom Waits element, drawing from his blues-rock style way of singing. A drinking song for the modern day masses. Download this track for free on their website HERE. If you are in L.A. don’t miss them when they play on 9/15. Ticket information for that HERE.
The Walkmen – Stranded

5. Yadi – Guillotine
Yadi (Hannah Yadi) comes to us from London. THIS is a good pop song. A softer version of La Roux’s electro-driven pop (there is even a shade of Gwen Stefani there), she’s an interesting vocal balance of power and femininity. This song is listed as just being a demo, but it’s hard to believe it can pack much more of a punch. I love what she lists as her influences: “old maps, tree sap trolls from Norway, falling in love in a day, the people I’ve lost, the Banana tree in my grandparents’ garden, Russian hospitals, being homesick” to name a few. You can listen to more of her stuff on her MySpace page HERE. How is she still unsigned???
Yadi – Guillotine

6. GOBBLE GOBBLE – Lawn Knives
There is no other way to really describe this band other than “eccentric bedroom pop.” Don’t let the slow start fool you, this song is about to hit you like a train, and then proceed to take you on a ride that is akin to being inside some sort of crazy video game. Again, this is an example of pop that I can stand behind. It’s primarily the project of Cecil Frena from Edmonton, Canada although, from what I have read, he has a full band join him when playing live. Download this and other tracks for free on his tumblr page HERE. If you are in L.A. he will be joining Baths and Teen Daze at the Thesex Warehouse Party on 8/17. Information for that HERE.
GOBBLE GOBBLE – Lawn Knives

7. Miguel – All I Want Is You (Feat J. Cole)
I somehow totally missed this track when it came out, so I am posting it now to make sure you don’t do the same. Previous to this, The L.A.-based, Afro-Mexican musician had already found fame writing songs for Usher and Musiq Soulchild, along with his own mixtapes. This track has the sound of some of my favorite R&B from the early 90s, it’s smooth and not over-produced. He is currently working on his album State of the Art as well as helping out on Usher’s upcoming record. You can buy this single now HERE.
Miguel Jontel – All I Want Is You (Feat J. Cole)

8. Dent May – That Feeling
If you are looking for an answer to your desire for a modern day Beach Boys summer sound, Dent May is your answer. Coming to us from Jackson, Mississippi, May is listed in his Paw Track (Animal Collective’s label) bio as “part crooner, part falsetto, and 101 percent showman.” He met the Animal Collective guys while they were in Mississippi and they got into his stuff after seeing him live, later releasing his album titled The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele. You can buy that now HERE. You can download this track for free now HERE.
Dent May – That Feeling

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. The Fleetwoods – Come Softly To Me
This is the song that Eliza Doolittle samples in the song above. Definitely worthy of its own post.

The Fleetwoods – Come Softly To Me
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2. Donny Hathaway – Jealous Guy
Mind blowing. Thanks to my friend Chris for sharing his music with me last year.

1. Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang – Lonely Lonely Night
Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang (the Get Real Gang = Ms.Carrie Battle, Steven Stens jr., Sean Stens, Jefrey Wilkerson, Master Collin Smith) come to us from Philadelphia, PA. Juston Stens was previously the drummer for Dr. Dog for 6 years, known by the nickname “trouble.” Juston decided to break off on his own stating, “After a long break, I needed to return to myself, my guitar, my piano, my pencil and paper, and my voice.” His bio starts out with: “Hello earth. My name is Juston Stens. I share a birthday with Ringo Starr. When I was about 7 years old I taught myself to play guitar by listening to my parents albums and cassettes from the 60′s and 70′s.” It is kind of magical that such a great drummer shares a birthday with Ringo. I fell in love with this track at first listen, and it really captures that emotional sadness and longing that comes along with long-distance love. You can download this album for free now HERE until 8/16. A full length album coming soon, produced in part by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys).
Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang -Lonely Lonely Night

2. Arcade Fire – Rococo
It’s certainly no secret that Arcade Fire released their new album Suburbs to critical acclaim this week. Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, band members Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry, William Butler, Tim Kingsbury, Sarah Neufeld, Jeremy Gara have created something truly special with this album. This song in particular has been in my head for days and I have to wonder if it’s a sort of alarm clock wake up call for a generation of hipsters conforming to an image, “Let’s go downtown and watch the modern kids. Using great big words they don’t understand…..They’re moving towards you with their colors all the same. They want to own you but they don’t know what game they’re playing.” There is a definite undercurrent of fear and anger to the album, almost foreboding. You can grab the digital album for an incredibly low $3.99 now on Amazon HERE. Check out the 8 album covers the band created HERE. Watch a video from their Madison Garden performance, filmed by Terry Gilliam, below.
Arcade Fire – Rococo

3. We Are Trees – Sunrise Sunset
This is one of those gems that ended up in my inbox this week. Led by 19-year-old James Nee from Virginia Beach, the band also includes Rocky Capizzi, Pearl McReynolds and Josiah Schlater. Easily drawing a complimentary comparison to Grizzly Bear, I think we can expect big things to come from this band. It was pretty difficult to find out much info about them, but I feel that the hard work that is evident in the production value of this track speaks for itself. Put it on and go watch the clouds go by on a sunny summer afternoon. You can download their EP Boyfriend for free on their bandcamp page HERE.
We Are Trees – Sunrise Sunset

4. Bravestation – White Wolves
Bravestation = Devin Wilson, Jeremy Rossetti, Andrew Heppner & Derek Wilson from Toronto, Canada. So much good music coming out of Toronto lately, and this band certainly adds to that roster. They do the dark post-punk genre proud and there is something just utterly enjoyable about listening to them. Jeremy, Devin and Derek originally met in recording school, creating music as more or a project than a real musical venture. They picked up Andrew in Toronto and the bands sound began to really flesh out. I also like that their Facebook bio simply lists an excerpt from Robert J. Hastings book The Station: “Sooner or later we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion–it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory, tomorrow’s a dream. So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.” You can download their EP for free now HERE.
Bravestation – White Wolves

5. Chromeo – Don’t Turn The Lights On
This track has grown on me by leaps and bounds since it first surfaced on the blogosphere a few weeks ago. It has a very 80s Lionel Richie vibe to it, and you really can’t go wrong with that. The duo is made up of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I love that they describe themselves as “The only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture.” Both are only 32, and I have a feeling we have only seen the very beginning of what these guys can turn out. It’s pretty impressive that aside from constantly creating amazing electrofunk tracks (e.g. Bonafied Lovin. Video for that HERE), singer Dave 1 is also earning a Ph.D in French Literature. Their new album Business Casual is set to come out on 9/14. Pre-order it on Amazon now HERE (you gotta love the album cover art). You can watch a video for this track now below.
Chrmeo – Don’t Turn The Lights On

6. Devendra Banhart & Beck – Life During Wartime
This song come off the soundtrack to Todd Solondz’s latest film “Life During Wartime”. According to an article in Spin, Banhart states that Solondz actually wrote the lyrics himself and the film’s composer, Mark Shaiman, wrote the music. Devendra does most of the singing on this track, Beck mainly providing the background vocals and the music experimentation he does so well. How can you not love a song that features lyrics like this?: “Oh why did I, why did I roam around on my own? I should’ve stayed home and thrown out your iPhone.” Information for the film HERE.
Devendra Banhart & Beck – Life During Wartime

7. Little Deadman – Shooting Seagulls
Little Deadman comes to us from sunny San Diego, CA. I love nothing more than to support bands from my original hometown, and living in SD, I can guarantee they know a thing or two about seagulls. They are everywhere! I searched and searched and could find just about nothing about this band. On their MySpace page, they say they sound like “Tecate.” There is a video for the track which you can watch HERE, and you can download it for free on their MySpace page HERE (it’s under the video section). Let’s hope to hear more from these boys soon. Track discovered at the amazing Future Sounds blog.
Little Deadman – Shooting Seagulls

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Parents Just Don’t Understand
“I asked her for Adidas and she bought me Zips!”

2. Sonny & Cher – Baby Don’t Go
Love this.

3. Lionel Richie – All Night Long
Alllllllllll niiiiiiiiiight looooooong

Out on vacation. New post up on 8/6.

Out next week for vacation…. will be re-posting again on 8/7.

1. Deerhunter – Revival
Deerhunter = Bradford Cox, Moses Archuleta, Josh Fauver and Lockett Pundt from Atlanta, Georgia. Originally formed in 2001, they have certainly seen their fair share of band members coming and going. This new song finds the band’s sound tighter than ever, and it truly does seem like a revival for the band. It’s optimistic and hopeful, a lighter side of Bradley Cox. You can visit the website set up for this album HERE and you can get the song courtesy of Gorilla VS. Bear HERE. Halcyon Digest is out on 9/28 via 4AD.
Deerhunter – Revival

2. Dreamend – Pieces
Dreamend is the project of Chicago-based Ryan Graveface, also known for being a member of the band Black Moth Super Rainbow. In the band bio the album is described as, “a nightmarish American folk sound that evokes the faded scenery of ghost towns and eerie midnight drives.” It sounds a bit like a lullaby with a twist, topped off with rolling banjo and Edgar-Allan-Poe-esque lyrics. Ryan was joined by members of The Appleseed Cast for this record and also Tobacco from Black Moth Super Rainbow. You can pre-order the album So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite now HERE.
Dreamend – Pieces

3. Chief – Night & Day
Definitely my pick of the week. Chief = Evan Koga, Mike Moonves, Danny Fujikawa and Michael Fujikawa from Santa Monica, CA. Paul Lester from The Guardian described their sound perfectly as “a romantic idea of listlessly driving along a freeway in the smog-drenched midday sun, in a semi-stoned state, sometime between 1970 and 1977, i.e. before disco, new wave and metal took hold.” There is definitely a 1970s Laurel Canyon sound to this band, and it works perfectly. If you are in LA, please go see them when they play at the Bootleg Theater on 8/20. Ticket information for that HERE. Their album Modern Ritual is out on 8/20. Pre-order it now HERE.
Chief – Night & Day

4. Still Corners – Endless Summer
This band, much like Cults, is shrouded in a bit of mystery. After all of my research, I was only able to get 3 of the 5 band members names: Olivia (singer), Greg and Leon. They are from London and list their influences as cathedrals, automatic writing and John Carpenter. It definitely sound like something David Lynch would have used in Twin Peaks; It has a perfectly mysterious, spooky and sensual quality to it. You can listen to other tracks on their MySpace page HERE. You can get this single now HERE.
Still Corners – Endless Summer

5. Cut Copy – Where I’m Going
Cut Copy = Dan Whitford, Tim Hoey and Mitchell Dean Scott from Melbourne, Australia. It sounds to me that the boys of Cut Copy have been listening to The Beach Boys. They have given their electronic sound a much more laid-back surfer vibe. It’s Britpop and Surf Rock, hidden under the guise of upbeat electronica. It’s what you want playing in your car on the way to the beach or on a long road trip. Get this track for free now HERE. Their yet to be titled album is due out January, 2011.
Cut Copy – Where I’m Going

6. Menomena – Taos
Whether or not it’s true, I am pretty into the rumor that this band’s name comes from the muppet song Mahna Mahna (watch the video for that HERE). Made up of Brent Knopf, Justin Harris and Danny Seim, the band formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon. Their new album Mines, has been in the works since 2008 and Danny stated the band was “working on a U2 time frame…We have a ton of material to use and we have to structure the stuff, pick up instruments and find songs.” The track is indie rock at its very best. Track courtesy of Stereogum HERE. You can pre-order Mines now HERE.
Menomena – Taos

7. Robyn – Dancing On My Own
Sweden-based Robyn, to me, surpasses both Lady Gaga and Katy Perry in her ability to make electropop tracks that have a real depth to them. How can you not fall in love with her song “With Every Heartbeat”(Video for that HERE)? This track came out last month and immediately charted in the UK top 10. It is off her first of 3 albums set to be released this year. She’s come a long way from her discovery at 12, when she wrote the theme song for a Swedish television show, officially becoming a pop songstress at 16. Perhaps it is her already long career length (she is 31 now) that explains why she continues to reinvent and recharge the female electropop genre. You can buy her album Body Talk Pt. 1 now HERE. Body Talk Pt. 2 and Speak Your Body: Body Talk Pt. 3 are due out later this year.
Robyn – Dancing On My Own

8. Family Trees – Dream Talkin
Currently unsigned, Family Trees = Yan Trott, Amanda Finn and Joe Pruitt from Brooklyn, NY. Their MySpace page lists their influences as: Yes, Beach Boys and Microphones. They definitely have a sleepy Beach Boys quality to them, but they also have an incredibly catchy-stick-in-your-head sound. This should fit in perfectly with your summer soundtrack. You can buy this single now HERE.
Family Trees – Dream Talkin

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. The Animals – House of the Rising Sun
Badass.

2. The Persuaders – Thin Line Between Love & Hate
Live & amazing

3. Jose Feliciano – Sunny
Sunny indeed.

1. Kula Shaker – Ophelia
Kula Shaker is made up of Crispian Mills (son of Hayley Mills), Alonza Bevan, Paul Winterhart & Harry Broadbent from London. The bands name is taken from King Kulasekhara, an Indian emperor from the 8th century, and much of the bands sound and influence comes from Indian music and culture (partly due to the pilgrimage Mills took to India in the early 90s). This song struck me on first listen and I almost wanted to post it as a standalone track. It’s that good. You can buy their album Pilgrim’s Progress now HERE. Watch a great live video of this track HERE.
Kula Shaker – Ophelia

2. Kid Cudi, Best Coast & Rostam of Vampire Weekend – All Summer
Part of the Converse “Three Artists, One Song” project, they brilliantly picked three artist that somehow flow together perfectly. A little LA (Best Coast) and a little NY (Kid Cudi & Rostam), it captures that feel-good-let-loose feeling of freedom that comes along with summer months. You can download this track for free on the Converse website HERE. You can also watch the video for the track below.
Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam – All Summer

3. Dumbo Gets Mad – Plumy Tale
Not much could be found on this solo project out of Italy. I found the track over at the amazing site The Needle Drop (seriously, go there), and other than that, there is a pretty simple MySpace page up HERE. It’s fun, swirling psych rock. I’m all about the ’60s sound and this captures it oh so well.
Dumbo Gets Mad – Plumy Tale

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Vocal Chords
“Life’s too short to play it safe.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. = Joshua Epstein & Daniel Zott from Detroit, MI. There is something just so happy and smiley about this track. They say it best on their website: “The music is easy to become infatuated with, as if they hooked directly into your pleasure receptors and refused to relent.” It’s an upbeat, hopeful anthem. You can buy their EP Horse Power now HERE.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. -Vocal Chords

5. The Drop Squad – Lights, Cameras
I’ve had my eye on The Drop Squad for a few months as they have continued to release amazing free songs over at their bandcamp site. They remind me of some of the best hip-hop from the 90s, flowing lyrics with an amazing backing of beats and effects. The Drop Squad is made up of Madoa and Botti who actually met in 2001 while serving in the U.S. Army. They say in their bio that, “Drop Squad’s main goal is to bring quality Hip-Hop to those people who are patiently waiting for the music to return to its essence.” Download this song and a bunch of other great tracks on their bandcamp site HERE.
The Drop Squad – Lights, Cameras

6. Foxes In Fiction – Flashing Lights Have Ended Now
Foxes In Fiction is the solo project of one Warren Hildebrand from Toronto, Canada. It’s light and fuzzy, lo-fi and dreamy. According to Warren’s site, “Most of these songs are tracks that arose from restlessness, breaks between classes, insomnia and 5am isolation while in my apartment in Toronto.” You can download the entire mixtape on his site HERE. I was fortunate enough to discover this track over at the blog I Guess I’m Floating.
Foxes in Fiction – Flashing Lights Have Ended Now

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. Nina Simone – Baltimore
A cover of a Randy Newman song, this comes of Nina’s 1978 album Baltimore. Kind of like if Nina Simone and Bob Marley met in a bar….

2. The Police – So Lonely
Yes, yes, yes.

3. The Association – Never My Love
Written by American siblings Donald and Richard Addrisi, The Association’s recording of this song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1967. Love.

1. Dead Confederate – Giving It All Away (Feat. J Mascis)
Dead Confederate = Hardy Morris, Brantley Senn, Walker Howle, John Watkins, Jason Scarboro from Athens, GA. Singer Hardy Morris describes them as “kind of like a Jackson Pollack painting, brutally honest. There isn’t some big twist or turn, it just lays it all out there. Immediate, no frills, primal, emotional.” It’s Southern rock meeting alt-grunge and this song sees help from J Mascis of Dinosaur, Jr. fame. Their new album Sugar is out on 8/24 and you can download this track for free on their website now HERE.
Dead Confederate – Giving it All Away (Featuring J Mascis)

2. Record Club – Never Tear Us Apart
Somehow I totally missed Beck’s Record Club’s take on the INXS album Kick. According to the Record Club site it is an “informal meeting of various musicians to record an album in a day….there is no intention to ‘add to’ the original work or attempt to recreate the power of the original recording. only to play music and document what happens.” They recorded all of the songs from Kick over a 12 hour period on March 3, 2010. This song features Annie Clark from St. Vincent and is such a pretty take on a song that I remember very clearly from my youth. You can download all of their version of Kick now HERE. You can check out Record Club’s other album interpretations (incl. Velvet Underground and Nico and Leonard Cohen done by a handful of amazing artists) now on Beck’s website HERE.
Record Club – Never Tear Us Apart

3. Cults – Oh My God
“Oh My God” comes as the 8th and final single featured as part of the 8 free tracks over 8 weeks Adult Swim/KIA program. I have such a crush on this New York by way of San Diego couple. At only 21, Brian Oblivion (a Videodrome reference) and girlfriend Madeline Follin took the blog world by storm with their song “Go Outside” (you can listen to that in my entry HERE). If you are in Los Angeles, please do yourself a favor and check them out when they come to the Bootleg Theater (opening for Maps & Atlases) on 7/22. Ticket information for that show HERE.
The Cults – Oh My God

4. Fol Chen – In Ruins
Fol Chen = Samuel Bing, The Booksman, Gmo, Julian Wass, Patrik-Ian and Sinosa Loa from Los Angeles, CA. Shrouded in mystery, this band delivers music that doesn’t quite seem to fit into any specific genre. Their Facebook description includes this description: “You know that mysterious black object that the creepy family is staring at on the cover of Led Zeppelin’s Presence album? Fol Chen sound like that.” You can check out their video for the song below. You can download this song for free on the Asthmatic Kitty website (under the section labeled mp3s) now HERE. You can buy their new album Part II: The New December now HERE. You may also want to check out the bands twitter poetry HERE.
Fol Chen – In Ruins

5. Sunbirds – Sunshine
Sunbirds are based in London but the band members (James Buttery, Dean Reid, Ben Axtell and Denis Vittoz) hail from London, Los Angeles and Paris. You can feel the mixture of those places in their interpretation of the hazy indie rock sound. They chose the song title perfectly as the track is exactly what you would put on for one of those perfectly, lazy summer afternoons, beer in hand. It’s mellow but still surprises you with it’s musical complexity. You can download this track for free on their website now HERE. Their EP River Run, comes out on 7/19.
Sunbirds – Sunshine

6. Wavves – Baby Say Goodbye
After a drug-induced meltdown at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound Festival last year, it wasn’t clear what to make of what would happen to Wavves and it’s singer Nathan Williams. Proving he wasn’t even close to being finished, he spent three months with producer Dennis Herring (Modest Mouse) at Sweet Tea Recording Studio in Oxford, Mississippi working hard on Wavves latest creation, King of the Beach. The band also sees the addition of two former touring Jay Reatard bandmates Stephen Pope and Billy Hayes. We see a much more hopeful Williams with this album as he states, “we all wanted to make something inspiring. It’s the type of thing where you have this much, but you could have more, so go get it.” You can buy their album digitally now HERE. You can also listen to the whole thing on their MySpace page HERE.
Wavves – Baby Say Goodbye

7. So Many Wizards – Nico
So Many Wizards = Nima Kazerouni, Erik Felix and Warren Woodward from Long Beach / Los Angeles, CA. Labeling themselves as “bedroom pop” this song perfectly captures that sleepy-late-afternoon-weekend kind of feeling. It’s dreamlike and slow and has just a tinge of longing heartbreak about it. Very Nico and very pretty. You can download this track for free now HERE. Their album Love Songs for When You Leave Me (produced by Morning Benders Chris Chu) is due out this year. If you are in Los Angeles, check them out when they play at LA’s Historical Monument One Fifty-Seven on 8/17. Info for that HERE.
So Many Wizards – Nico

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
Since I am featuring the Record Club’s cover of this song, I figured it was only fair to post the original:

2. Röyksopp – Poor Leno

3. Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me

Traveling this week so the entries are short but sweet:

1. of Montreal – Coquet Coquette
Band members: Kevin Barnes, James Huggins, Bryan Poole, Dottie Alexander, Davey Pierce
Band location: Athens, GA (album recorded in LA at Ocean Way Recording)
Album information: False Priest is out on 9/14. Pre-order it now HERE. Download this track for free now HERE (under the track listings section). Album is being produced by Jon Brion. The bands name supposedly comes from a failed romance Kevin Barnes had with a woman from Montreal.
MySpace: of Montreal
of Montreal – Coquet Coquette

2. Florence & The Machine – Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)
Band members: Florence Welch (primary), Robert Ackroyd, Chris Hayden, Isabella Summers, Mark Saunders and Tom Monger.
Band location: London, England
Album information: Cosmic love is going to be officially released as a digital single on 7/4. You can pre-order it now HERE. This remix comes as part of the digital bundle.
MySpace: Florence and The Machine
Florence and the Machine – Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)

3. Best Coast – Boyfriend
Band members: Bethany Cosentino & Bobb Bruno
Band location: Los Angeles
Album information: Crazy For You out on 7/27. You can Pre-order album HERE. It’s worth noting that the album art features her cat Snacks. Download track for free on NME HERE.
MySpace: Best Coast
Best Coast – Boyfriend

4. Orphan Boy – Remember
Band members: Rob Cross, Paul Smith and Chris Day
Band location: Manchester, England
Album information: Passion, Pain and Loyalty is out on 7/26. You can pre-order it now HERE. You can download this track for free when you register on their website HERE. Their first album Shop Local (2008 release) is also worth owning. You can buy that now HERE. Find their MySpace page HERE.
MySpace: Orphan Boy
Orphan Boy – Remember

5. Quantic Presents Flowering Inferno – Dog With a Rope
Band Members: Will Holland
Band location: Cali, Columbia (previously from the UK)
Album information: Dog With a Rope comes out on 7/13. Buy this single now HERE. You can hear the entire album now via NPR HERE. This is Quantic’s 12th album – the Flowering Inferno moniker represents his latin dub reggae style.
MySpace: Quantic
Quantic Presents Flowering Inferno – Dog With A Rope

6. The Young Sinclairs – Girl I’m For Real
Band members: John Thompson, Daniel Cundiff, Sean Poff, Jonathan Woods and Samuel Jones.
Band location: Roanoke, Virginia
Album information: We Spoke Our Minds comes on on 7/20. Pre-order it now HERE. Download this track for free now HERE. Amazing 60s throwback splendor. They are currently on tour with The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Catch them if you can.
MySpace: The Young Sinclairs
The Young Sinclairs – Girl I’m For Real

7. Geographer – Kites
Band members: Mike Deni, Nathan Blaz & Brian Ostreicher
Band location: San Francisco
Album information: Their EP Animal Shapes is out now. You can buy it now HERE.
MySpace: Geographer
Geographer – Kites

8. Electric Sunset – Soda
Band members: Nic Zwart (previously of Desolation Wilderness)
Band location: San Francisco, CA
Album information: His debut album will be out on K Records on 9/7.
MySpace: Electric Sunset
Electric Sunset – Soda

9. Tortoiseshell – This Girl
Band members: Rick Mansfield, Dom Broadhurst, Paddy Dagg, Dom Kirkwood & Will Mansfield
Band location: Sydney, Australia
Album information: Buy the single “This Girl” now HERE. They describe their sound as: “Tortoiseshell ride the sunny currents of Talking Heads, ESG, afro pop, the 80s, Howard Arkley, deep wave, Roxy Music et al. They will take you to crystal, clear turquoise waters”
MySpace: Tortoiseshell
Tortoiseshell – This Girl

10. Ugly Cassanova – Here’s To Now
Band members (current): Isaac Brock, Eric Judy, Tom Peloso, Joe Plummer and Clay Jones
Band location: Issaquah, Washington
Album information: This track comes off of the soundtrack for “180° South” which also features songs by Mason Jennings and James Mercer.. You can buy that now HERE. You can buy the movie HERE. If the voice sounds familiar that is because Isaac Brook is also the singer for Modest Mouse.
MySpace: Ugly Cassanova
Ugly Cassanova – Here’s To Now

11. Brasstronaut – Slow Knots
Band members: Bryan Davies, Edo Van Breeman, John Walsh, Brennan Saul, Tariq Hussain & Sam Davidson
Band location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Album information: Buy their album Mt. Chimaera now HERE. Download this song for free on their MySpace page now HERE. Brasstronaut was nominated for a 2010 Polaris Music Prize.
MySpace: Brasstronaut
Brasstronaut – Slow Knots

Oldies but worth a re-listen:

1. George Harrison & Bob Dylan – If Not For You (Live)

2. The Rolling Stones – Miss You