(Every day, I receive dozens and dozens of emails from publicists, full of free music to share on blogs -- legally. And so every Friday at noon, I'll point people to some of the best or more interesting tracks I've received that week. Enjoy!)
MP3: New Pornographers, "Your Hands (Together)" Repetitive, candy-coated pop from the Canadian collective that's not Broken Social Scene; could be an outtake from leader A.C. Newman's last solo record.
MP3: Balmorhea, "Bowsprit" These Austinites were supposed to be in town tonight at the Firebird along with Grace Basement, Northwoods and Brothers Lazaroff, but had to cancel due to illness. Bummer: This tune features slow-building strings braided together with acoustic guitars and hefty percussion, like the Avett Brothers struggling to find words.
MP3: Stat Quo, "'Success (Back to U)" An Atlanta rapper, Stat Quo's been recording with Dr. Dre and Game. This song sounds like Outkast slowing its roll with some old-school soul.
MP3: Ted Leo, "The Mighty Sparrow" The agit-power-punk returns in fine, biting form on the March 9-released The Brutalist Bricks. Exhibit A: This propulsive, muscular tune.
MP3: Freelance Whales, "Generator 2nd Floor" Turn that xylophone up to eleven. Delicate indie rock from New York, all twinkling atmosphere and earnest whimsy. MP3: Sereena-Maneesh, "I Just Want To See Your Face" Louder than fuzzbombs, shoegaze with a grudge, Krautrock through a smudged window -- all describe Norwegian act Sereena-Maneesh's sweet-and-dirty distorto-rock. S-M2:Abyss In B Minor is out March 23.
MP3: The Plimsouls, "Zero Hour" (live) The legendary LA power-pop innovators released a live album, Live! Beg, Borrow & Steal, earlier this week. Recorded on Halloween night, 1981, Steal features stellar covers, originals and even impromptu tunes with show mates the Fleshtones.
