for beginners

m. ward drops 'hold time' in a few weeks. i have a few tunes to whet your appetite. it's classic ward so don't expect any big departures from his last few releases. it's solid from start to end and the songwriting is first rate, as expected.

m. ward (link to four songs)

before the beginning

here's a new one from the ever prolific john frusciante called, 'unreachable'. it's off of his upcoming release, 'the empyrean'. check out the amazing guitar work!

john frusciante - unreachable

southbound train

i love daytroter! "these songs are them as they are on that particular day, on that particular tour – dirty and alive" yes, exclusive, re-worked, versions of songs and unreleased tracks by some kick ass bands and by a lot of your next favorite bands. here's be kweller!

ben kweller (link to four songs)

daytrotter

the best music of 2008

better late than never . . . but honestly, i really don't care for these "best of" lists however, seeing as how i am exchanging a "best of 2008" collection with a co-worker, i figured i might as well post my list.

1. Gary Louris - Vagabonds
2. Jolie Holland - The Living & the Dead
3. Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
4. Beck - Modern Guilt
5. Tom Freund - Collapsible Plans
6. Hayden - In Field & Town
7. Eef Barzelay - Eef Barzelay
8. Henry Clay People - For Cheap or for Free
9. The Whigs - Mission Control
10. Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
11. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
12. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - Cardinology
13. Giant Sand - PROVisions
14. Wild Sweet Orange - We have Cause to be Uneasy
15. Birdmonster - From the Mountain to the Sea
16. Calexico - Carried to Dust
17. Lucinda Williams - Little Honey
18. The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers
19. She & Him - Volume One
20. Kings of Leon - Only By Night

Honorable Mentions:
Old 97’s - Blame it On Gravity
Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static
Ben Kweller - How ‘ya Lookin’ Southbound

download part 1

download part 2

lambs bread

sylford walker did not release a lot of material during his abbreviated musical career but his album 'lambs bread international' will go down as a classic in the annals of roots reggae. the album was recorded in the 1970's but was not actually released until 2000.

sylford walker (link to four songs)

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everything's an instrument

fort wayne, indiana's garage / blues / punk duo left lane cruiser is a hoot. full of raunchy slide guitar, nasty snare drum pops and husky harmonica solo's. if you like the black keys, then check out some of their stuff off of their 2008 album, 'bring yo' ass to the table".

left lane cruiser (link to four songs)

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doves and stones

gary louris & mark olsen were the creative forces behind the jayhawks. the two went their separate ways years ago but have returned to deliver, 'ready for the flood'. it's a beauty of an album with all of the classic harmonies, acoustic strumming, harmonica and sweet, sweet louris gibson sg licks. buy the album today.

gary louris & mark olsen (link to four songs)

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trouble weighs a ton

this just in . . . singer/songwriter/guitarist dan auerbach, best known as half of 'the black keys', will release his solo debut album, 'keep it hid' this february. if you're a fan of the keys then upon first listen, you'll be hooked.

dan auerbach (link to three songs)

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barstool blues

neil young's often overlooked album, 'zuma' was released in 1975. it's name was derived from the infamous zuma beach in malibu. zuma contains the standard young/crazy horse country-tinged rock, acoustic and rock anthems. personal favorites are 'danger bird', barstool blues' and cortez the killer'.

neil young (link to four songs)

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you are free

cat power is the stage name of atlanta, ga singer-songwriter charlyn "chan" marshall. she's known for her minimalist style, sparse guitar and piano, and sultry vocals. below are some tunes from 'you are free'. check out her latest and greatest stuff as well.

cat power (link to four songs)

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