Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) - Crawling Back to You (Tom Petty Cover)

“Crawling Back to You” by Justin Vernon // Originally by Tom Petty

Because it should always be on my page, here is Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) being backed by the Dessner Brothers (The National) and the string collective, Ymusic at the 2010 Cincinnati MusicNow fest. They do an absolutely stunning version of Tom Petty’s “Crawling Back to You”. It’s beyond gorgeous. With Bon Iver being out on tour again, I thought I’d repost this in hopes of sending up some cover vibes so that we might hear them tackle some other great covers in the coming weeks. 

Mozart Parties - Black Cloud

“Black Cloud” by Mozart Parties // from the digital release, Black Cloud

This is something in which I can really sink my teeth. I’m finding it increasingly rare to find strong pop sensibilities and solid writing in the ocean of new music that finds its way onto the internet on a day to day basis. Sure, there are plenty of wonderful, atmospheric experimental tracks by forward thinking artists, but sometimes it’s just nice to hear someone use those pop sensibilities in conjunction with their other song experiments. That being said, the songcraft here is what shines. It’s got a great forlorn new romantic vibe with strong vocals and solid lyrics and smart, never-over-wrought production. It’s just a great song. Fuck it. Ignore all of what I wrote up there. None of that matters. This is what matters -

I think this is a wonderful, sweet, melancholic song worth a couple dozen listens. .

(mp3 @ Altered Zones // Mozart Parties @ Myspace)

Chelsea Wolfe - Mer

“Mer” by Chelsea Wolfe // from the forthcoming album, Apokalypsis

I saw some write-ups about this album a couple of months back and then didn’t hear much about it again (it’s not being released until August 23rd), but luckily Pitchfork reminded me this morning through their forkcast posts. This track has a dark, ethereal, goth pop / doom folk kind of thing (think Zola Jesus, Salem) and it’s pretty fucking intense. It’s also pretty much awesome, so it’s also got that going for it.

(mp3 @ P4K // Forkcast // Chelsea Wolfe Site

Ryan Garbes - Perfume

“Perfume” by Ryan Garbes // from the album, Sweet Hassle

What a great way to start off the morning. This track by Ryan Garbes (of Wet Hair & Raccoo-oo-oon) has a hazy, chilled out, psych folk vibe that is perfect for rolling around in bed for an extra few minutes before creeping out into the lazy holiday weekend.

The entire album is loaded with gems like this. Sounding like a sonic collage that cherry picks from great moments in garage rock, psych pop, and ambient experimentation history. Raven Sings the Blues nailed it when they said it sounds “… as if Lou Reed had done a record for Creation …”. Excellent stuff.

(Ryan Garbes - Sweet Hassle @ Woodsist // iTunes)

Kitteh Fur - Road Side Memorial (Coma Cinema cover)

“Road Side Memorial” by Kitteh Fur // Originally by Coma Cinema

Kitteh Fur are two for two at the moment on turning in great covers (they previously did a tremendous version of Doves’ “The Cedar Room”). This time around they take a dark, ominous track from the excellent new Coma Cinema EP, and use some synths to work down the sharp edges into something a little more dreamy. It’s a great cover. I am very excited to hear more from Kitteh Fur.

(Get the track for FREE @ Kitteh Fur’s Bandcamp)

Bachelorette - Sugarbug

“Sugarbug” by Bachelorette // from the album, Bachelorette

A sweet, haunting lullaby of a song complete with cooing backing vocals, distant synths, a twinkling xylophone, and a folksy melody (sung by frontwoman Annabel Alpers) that oddly reminds me of Jeremy Enigk (that’s a good thing).  Oh and the last minute offers up a nice explosive send off when a full band erupts with gorgeous shimmering guitars and crashing drums. It’s a pretty incredible track from the wonderful new self-titled album.

(Bachelorette @ Myspace)

Arrange - When'd You Find Me

“When’d You Find Me” by Arrange // from the Bandcamp release, Plantation

Well holy shit, I didn’t expect to be hearing something with this sort of gravity today. I can’t pull myself away from this track. Pitchfork nailed it when they said it sounded ” strikingly like Conor Oberst at his most subdued, singing over Kompakt-style ambient”. Yep, that’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like, and then it starts to swell and build into something more. Something better. The beat picks up some steam and the second half is essentially a flat out gorgeous instrumental. Check this out immediately. It’s damn good music.

(Get the mp3 @ p4k OR grab the whole album for FREE at Bandcamp)

The Horrors - Still Life

“Still Life” by The Horrors // from the forthcoming album, Skying

The Horrors are back and luckily they’ve kept the sounds from Primary Colours on their plates because “Still Life” is a dark, synthed out post-punk anthem that has me amped to hear more - immediately. It’s not as flat out gorgeous as “Who Can Say” or “Sea Within a Sea” but it’s a different beast altogether. More confident and focused and yes, still pretty damn gorgeous.

The new album is released on July 26th, on XL Recordings.

(The Horrors:: New album announcement)

Coma Cinema - Burn A Church

“Burn a Church” by Coma Cinema // from the Abandoned Lands

Mat Cothran of Coma Cinema was kind enough to offer up an excellent new (free) EP to make the weekend a little brighter. It’s pretty absurd how much I love the output of this band. In very little time, they’ve become one of the my favorite bands in the world right now. I adore the work. Speaking of the work, this track contains a sample from one of my all-time favorite songs (“Cheree” by Suicide) which makes it that much more stellar. Give it a listen and grab the new EP. It’s really great work.

(Coma Cinema Free Sounds :: “Abandoned Lands” // Everything Else)

Moonface - Fast Peter

“Fast Peter” by Moonface // from the forthcoming EP, Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I’d Hoped

New music from Spencer Krug is never anything to turn away from, so here is the first bit of music from his new EP under the Moonface moniker. It’s pretty great to have him back after being away for a little while.

(download mp3 @ Pitchfork)

Film School - Sick of the Shame

“Sick of the Shame” by Film School // from the 2006 album, Film School

I’ve been on a Film School kick as of late and I’d never really noticed this track in the past, but this gorgeous ballad has had me in a trance all morning. Sounding like it’s being projected through some shoegaze fever dream, it never really swells and explodes like some other Film School material, but that’s just fine. It takes it’s time getting under your skin, but once it does it’s hard to shake. It’s got a chilly, autumnal feel to it and that’s right up my alley. With all the amazing music that’s found it’s way into my rotation lately, it’s pretty shocking to find myself coming back to a song that’s over five years old, but here i am - and i’m absolutely fine with that.

(Film School @ Myspace // Home Site)