Mr. Walker’s connected. For his first album he tapped REM’s drummer, Beck’s bassist and Wilco’s guitarist/keyboardist. Then he caught the attention of Earlimart’s Aaron Espinoza and Grandaddy’s Jim Fairchild. The three holed themselves up in Elliott Smith’s studio to record Young Gravity. Peter Walker sure has a lot to live up to and really it’s unfair of me to name-drop so liberally. I’m positive Walker wants his music to speak for itself. So I’ll let it do just that. Ask me though, and I’ll tell you he makes good use of his friends.
Woody Whatever
Athens, Ohio’s Erik Schmall has been recording frayed, cuddly lo-fi at a blistering pace. He’s already released over 100 songs since he first started in 2001, at age 17. Like many prolific bedroom songwriters, or any prolific songwriter for that matter, not every track will blow you away. But these ones here do, and I’m sure I’ve overlooked a few. If you’re looking for a good place to get started, hop (Happy Easter!) over to the lovely blog/netlabel Beat the Indie Drum to download Woody Whatever’s Big One Shout Out EP that just came out in March 2006.
Elf Power
There’s more than a passing resemblance between Elf Power’s latest, an organically trippy tempest in a teapot, and very early REM. But those who’ve grown to love Elf Power for their subtle vocal lullabies over inventive pop-folk arrangements will know that the resemblance is far from a ripoff. Elf Power are simply building on the “Athens Sound” – a genteel southern intellectuality that allows for fantastic sonic experimentation but keeps it as personal as a front-porch jam.
The Heavy Blinkers
People seemed to like the orchestral pop of Australia’s Architecture in Helsinki the other day, so I thought I’d pitch a Canadian take on the same genre to you. Hailing from Halifax, The Heavy Blinkers have some serious ’70s pop sensibilities — I mean, there’s even a smooth trombone solo in “Try Telling That To My Baby,” title song of the newest Blinkers’ album. With all the strings, horns and soft backing vocals, you practically have an ELO record. Not that I remember ELO, but my dad did have one of their 8-tracks, which would probably be the ultimate medium for The Heavy Blinkers.
Envelopes
In a perfect world I’d be able to feed you free music everyday, all day. Toilet and lunch breaks included, please. It just seems like I’m always playing catch up. Like the old saying goes, so much [great] free music, so little time. My other wish I have today is that my three children will grow up and form a power trio that cranks out music like the Envelopes: sugar-hyped jangly guitars, boy/girl vocals brimming with pop-tude and lots and lots of hooks. Kick me, hurt me, make me write bad checks, make me listen to that song ONE MORE TIME! And by the way, I have an extra copy of this CD (I tried to share with my compadres in 3hive, but they slept on the offer) for a random commenter who correctly divines the order and gender (girl, girl, girl? boy, boy, boy?) of my future power trio. Hit them comments! Good luck on ya.
About
Jason Forrest (aka Donna Summer) has a record label called, subtly enough, Cock Rock Disco. Said label will be releasing the full-length debut of Amsterdam’s Rutger Hoedemaekers (aka About). About is all about “shredded pop,” as the sticker on my review copy describes it. It is, in fact, more shredded in places (e.g., “Think Niles Drink”) and more pop in others (e.g., “Strike You As the Enemy”). But sometimes About get the balance just right, which they do on a track not currently available for free and legal download (i.e., “Nogato”). Hmm, if only I could share it with you. If only… You know, you really should sign up for our mailing list. Just felt like saying that. Oh, and check the neat stop-motion video for “Think Niles Drink”. And sign up for the mailing list (lower right corner of the screen, btw). Just felt like saying it again.
Dúné
Nothing is rotten in the state of Denmark. Musically speaking that is. Something’s very, very good actually. First Figurines and now Dúné. These Danes add the friskiness of Blur to the dancey moments of The Cure. Neither reinventing, nor redundant they’re definitely bringing a tasty plate of treats to the block party.
Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory
SoCal meets NoCal, baby. This collabo between LA fixture Elvin Estela (aka Nobody) and Santa Cruz couple Chris Gunst (Beachwood Sparks) and Jen Cohen (The Aisler’s Set) sounds as good as it appears on paper. Nobody brings his taste for unforced rhythms, textures, and beats. Chris and Jen bring pastoral pop vocals and timeless instrumentation. Really groovy, brilliant, and warm. Don’t think, just listen.
The Helio Sequence
So we just got schooled by one of our fine readers. Brittany P. wrote in with a “Currently Listening To” list of 45 bands. Everyone from The Books to Slowdive to Galaxie 500 to Boards of Canada. Then at the very end of the list was this little note: “I’m surprised none of these bands are on 3hive.” Everyone should know that we often surprise ourselves with what we haven’t featured on 3hive. It’s those surprises that keep us doing what we do. And I believe a reminder of what we do is in order: we only feature MP3s that are provided by the artists or their labels. We made that decision early on and it’s helped to differentiate us from the crazy amounts of audioblogs out there. There are a ton of bands we’d love to feature, like the ones mentioned above, but they don’t have free and legal MP3s available. That said, Brittany’s list is highly useful as I’m sure she includes more obvious oversights on our part. Like The Helio Sequence. So listen, enjoy their space-gazing sound, and if you live in the western part of the United States, be sure you see them on tour. And keep those suggestions coming!
Absinthe Glow
Thanks to Greg for suggesting Absinthe Glow, a band often compared to late 3hive fan favorite Elliott Smith. Chill out music, early morning music, music for the long drive, for the late late night alone, for looking out the window. This is anti-punk rock provided by Scott from the punk band The Fairlanes, and a new album’s worth should be forthcoming shortly.