John Darnielle may not be singing into his trusty Panasonic boom box anymore, but his incisive, tuneful narratives are as raw and compelling as ever.
Spokane
Spokane slow things down to reveal the fragile melody and uncomfortable detail of people trying to get along.
Foreign Legion
Still on the introspective tip at times (check “How Do It Feel?”), SF’s unsung hip-hop heroes try their hand at club tracks, FL-style…to mixed results.
The Robot Ate Me
TRAM’s sunny disposition belies their dark, warped lyrics. They sand down pop songs like you would a rocking chair for that “distressed look.”
Goldrush
Coldplay might sound like this if they didn’t sound so damned much like Dave Matthews.
All Girl Summer Fun Band
Chick-fronted pop romps with unexpected twists on the usual themes (i.e., boys, boys, boys).
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Troublemaker [MP3, 1.9MB, 128kbps]
Video Game Heart [MP3, 2.44MB, 160kbps]
Jason Lee [MP3, 2.76MB, 160kbps]
Later Operator [MP3, 2.86MB, 160kbps]
Girl #3 [MP3, 3.33MB, 160kbps]
Grass Skirt [MP3, 1.86MB, 128kbps]
Dreamy You [MP3, 1.90MB, 128kbps]
Say Hi to Your Mom
This pick inspired by Sam’s 3/4/04 pick: SHTYM is what you’d expect from someone who grew up using a Commodore 64, Atari 2600, Compaq Portable II, and an Epson dot matrix printer. Now he’s making music on those machines about the girlfriends who beat him in Centipede.
Her Space Holiday
We’ll keep adding MP3s ’til the wheels come off… Our growing talent showcase proves again (if needed) that emotronica wiz Marc Bianchi can play confessional singer/songwriter, bedroom beatslinger, or sampler symphonist with equal artistry. And yet, somehow, my man still finds time to get his remix on.
Tree Wave
Warm, familiar, soothing tunes — just what you’d expect from a Commodore 64, Atari 2600, Compaq Portable II, Epson dot matrix printer, and a 100% human chanteuse.
Ill Lit
Melancholic folk-tronica with an emphasis on the folk and the rubble of lo-fi electronics.