This is a huge amount of FREE music for your ipod. R. Stevie Moore has compiled a huge list of artists, many of them power pop favorites doing a bunch of covers. The massive project is posted on the blog Sick Of The Radio and spread out over 2 massive posts and a mind blowing 47 tracks. Many of my favorites are represented like Lane Steinberg, David Gregory (XTC), Jason Falkner, Martin Newell, Eric Matthews, and The New Pornographers. Note: The quality of the music varies from artist to artist so listen to the track before you download.ENJOY!
Pop Boomerang Records owner Scott Thurling and partner Sarah Halligan compiled this group of tracks based on their own poetry. Many of the impressive roster on Pop Boomerang contributes to this album, so it’s the cream of the Australian pop crop. The songs themes are universal, so if you’ve ever loved, lost, lusted or laughed you’ll identify with these tunes.
Opening with the sweet “Sarah Sunshine” is typical Carpenter on a summer’s day, with a perfect sing-along chorus. Adrian Whitehead shines on the moving “Ballad Of The Blue Butterfly” and Tim Reid’s acoustic “18 Floors” recalls the Finn Brothers best ballads. Bryan Estepa adds his charm to the jangling “The Good Egg” and pop favorite Kelly’s Heels delivers “The Bigger Picture.” Another standout is Brilliant Fanzine’s Matthew O’neill on “Love Bus” and “If Our Days Are Numbered” by D.Rogers and Emma Heeney. Even though there are ton of tracks here, most of them work on a deep emotional level making this compilation the best one I’ve heard since the last IPO.
One of the best tracks from Frank Royster’s new album Innocence Is Bliss. This music video is pretty involved with high production values, but it’s Frank’s jangling guitar that’s the real star. Read my review for this album over here.
FREE is good right? When it comes to “pay what you think it’s worth” music or just free, Bandcamp is a great site for artists just getting their feet wet. Here are two…
Stu Lewis “Waste Not What Not” Stu Lewis counts The Cars and The Rentals as major influences for his synth heavy pop sound. It’s a solid 5-track EP featuring “With Authority,” “Don’t Really Matter” and “Stay Free” which have a good songwriting structure and remind me of Doug Powell or Martin Gordon with its multi-layered composition. A love letter to our first lady “Michelle” is a bit creepy, but it’s catchy all the same and the best song of the bunch here. Stu’s music is definitely worth your time.
Bandcamp
Excuse Me, Princess “The Sun and The Moon” Here is an arty 9-track album full of indie pop music created by Jack Campbell. Jack shares some vocal duties with Greta Konkler on a few songs like “Miss” and “Totoro.” Some ambient stuff, but plenty of spirited music – listen to the Cure-like “Fool” with it’s “do-do-do” hummable chorus and a solid guitar tune in “Stop The Flow” which has Velvet Underground and Bowie as influences here. This homemade album was made in his basement, and it’s got plenty of lo-fi charm. Give it a listen.
Dublin native Duncan Maitland is joined by an all-star guest line-up on his smashing debut Lullabies for The 21st Century. Colin Moulding from XTC plays bass on the opening track, and also helping out are Fran King, Barry O’Brien, Keith Farrell and Tosh Flood (Pugwash). Recorded at his in-home studio, the album draws influences from many favorites. Starting with the richly melodic “Your Century” it has glowing background harmonies and driving bass line. Followed by the flowing narrative of “Terry The Toad” it adds a great hook in the chorus, and “Crash Position” is a perfect example of modern Beach Boys pop, similar to Rick Gallego (Cloud Eleven). These songs are not simple ear candy, but complex pop symphonies that don’t rely on a straight formulaic approach. Every song on the album is a meticulous study in pop smarts from the Beatlesque touches of “Alien At Home” and “Horror Stories” to the wistful atmosphere of “Supermarket Dream.”
Not every chorus here sticks in your head, but each track is stuffed with details that demand repeat listens. Most tracks come close to the four minute mark or longer, and the last song “Insect Under The Stone” at 5:31 is a Nilsson-like epic that’s just fascinating. The legacy of XTC will always be safe as a Duncan joins the stellar group of bands that take the similar musical approach (Pugwash, Jackdaw4, Paul Steel). Overall a serious pop gem that can’t be ignored and deserves to be on the top ten list for this year.
