Archive for the ‘Downloads’ Category

Spotlight: American Music Club | Veteran group readies album, North American tour

American Music Club / Courtesy of Merge RecordsAmerican Music Club, who released their first album in 1985, are preparing to release their ninth full length album, The Golden Age, on Merge Records. The album is set to be released on Feb. 19 in the US and Feb. 4 in the UK, on Cooking Vinyl. Posted below is “All the Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco,” an exquisitely crafted indie pop track that holds a certain amount of energy beneath its mellow demeanor.

American Music Club — “All The Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/sanfrancisco.mp3]

Read after the jump for purchase links and North America tour dates beginning in April.

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Spotlight: Panther

Panther / Photo courtesy of Kill Rock Stars, photo by Ingrid RenanPanther’s thumping dance-funk-indie-rock (on a more funky side of the spectrum than, say, The Faint; rather more in the vein of !!!) is a thing to behold. With a sound that ranges in influence from Tower of Power to Pavement, these two guys (Charlie Salas-Humara, of The Planet The, and Joe Kelley, of 31 Knots) produce engaging, interesting music that’s liable to induce dancing, or something a little like it. “Puerto Rican Jukebox” and “Violence Diamonds,” both posted for listening and download below, are excellent examples of the band’s addicting style. Panthers will be releasing 14 KT GOD on Kill Rock Stars on Feb. 19.

Panther — “Violence, Diamonds” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/violence-diamonds.mp3]

Panther — “Puerto Rican Jukebox” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/01puertoricanjukebox.mp3]

Purchase 14 KT GOD from Kill Rock Stars

Review: Rings – Black Habit

Rings / Photo by Kathy LoIt’s hard to classify Rings on first glance: This all-female band incorporates elements of experimental music, the modern pop tradition and Eno-inflected ambient, creating an ultimately unique style of music somewhere between the ranks of The Books, Broken Social Scene and Gorge Trio.

Invoking such diverse musical styles is difficult when creating experimental music, and Rings certainly managed to succeed in the matter. What’s interesting, though, is that these elements are not forefront endeavors; rather, a fair bit of examination is required to infiltrate the obscurity that surrounds the band and Black Habit.

Rings — “Mom Dance” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/mom-dance.mp3]

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Spotlight: Hammer No More The Fingers

Hammer No More The Fingers / Courtesy of Fanatic PromotionThe three-piece Chapel Hill, N.C.-based play an energetic sort of indie rock. Hammer No More The Fingers, seemingly inspired by a plethora of progenitors to more recent indie rock trends, released their self-titled debut EP on Power Team Records On Nov. 16, 2007. The group, with their Pavement-inflected style, provide something that’s been missing in prominence from the indie scene: unabashed energy and attitude that doesn’t end up woefully over-the-top.

Four tracks are posted below for listening and download: “Black Harmony,” “Fall Down Play Dead,” “O.R.G.Y,” and “Vodka Grasshopper.” The tracks all exhibit the flare with which Hammer No More The Fingers approaches their unique brand of indie rock.

Hammer No More The Fingers — “Black Harmony” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/black-harmony.mp3]

Hammer No More The Fingers — “Fall Down Play Dead” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/hammernomorethefingers-falldownplaydead.mp3]

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Spotlight: These United States

These Unitd StatesThese United States, a Washington, D.C. based group, release their debut album, A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden, on March 4. The band, who occupy a vaguely psych folk musical domain. “First Sight,” posted below, is replete with engaging electronic influence; it holds attention with almost-breathy vocals and a bouncy demeanor.

These United States — “First Sight” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/firstsightbytheseunitedstates.mp3]

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Kaki King announces U.S. tour dates

Kaki KingKaki King, the previous subject of a MusicGeek.org spotlight, announced 2008 U.S. tour dates, detailed below. Her entire catalog is essentially made of gold; it’s certainly worth of more than a few listens.

Kaki King — 2 O’Clock | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/2oclock.mp3]

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Spotlight: Reed KD

Reed KD / Courtesy of Fanatic PromotionReed KD, a northern California-based act with a refreshing indie-centric folk-bluegrass-pop style and a penchant for vocals that sound at least a smidgen influenced by Elliott Smith, are set to release The Ashes Bloom on Feb. 12. The album will be released on Dirty Laundry Records. The two tracks posted below, “Empty Bottles” and “Even If I,” are well-written, well-timed pop songs, and they’re certainly worth an attentive listen.

Reed KD — “Empty Bottles” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/empty-bottles.mp3]

Reed KD — “Even If I” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/even-if-i.mp3]

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Spotlight: The OaKs

The OaKs / Photo by Steven TaylorThe OaKs, a band steeped in humanitarianism, are preparing to self-release their upcoming album, Songs for Waiting, which will be released on March 4. Posted below is “Masood,” a track based on personal experience during frontman Ryan Costello’s experience in Afghanistan, is a well-produced pop-rock track with some genuine feeling behind it.

The OaKs — “Masood” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/theoaks-masood.mp3]