Free Music Monday (okay, mostly free): Dot Dash, Jasko, Ballard and Rocket and The Ghost

Dot Dash are really on the cusp of greatness here – “Hands of Time” from their third album, Half-Remembered Dream, released a few months back is a gem, and here is the single as a free Bandcamp download.

Jasko. That’s all. I don’t have any other info on Todd Jasko, only that he did this free album, in the spirit of DIY power pop. Enjoy!

Ballard. Cool Lo-fi indie pop. The debut was kinda rough around the edges, but this band has improved quite a bit. And to make it worth your time they have added two free albums. The band still has that a garage punk pop ethic, kinda like The Eels.

Rocket and The Ghost. Okay this isn’t free, but it’s damn awesome indie power pop by what could be “the next big thing.”  Yes they have an EP out on iTunes, so be ambitious and get this.

Free Music Tuesday: Gleeson, Ghost to Go and Hector & The Leaves

I got a late start to the week, but the goodies are here, and all this music is available as name-your-price, or free download from Bandcamp:

Gleeson is out of Austin, Texas this band has been quietly toiling away for over 3 years on this massive 22 song album. Lead singer Ty Chandler gives us a great multi-faceted approach, “Pro Tool” is similar to Sloan, “Queen of Boulevards” channels ELO strings with a Fountains of Wayne. They prove to be adept at alt. country with “Out Of My Mind,”similar to The Jayhawks.  “Meanwhile Back At Home” shifts around like a Jackdaw4 or Bryan Scary song. They even cover Guided By Voices'”Smothered In Hugs” and Big Star’s “Blue Moon.”

They are all over the map stylistically and prove they can do it all. The bottom line is that each song is melodically sound and demands repeat listening. It makes my top ten list this year, so you have no excuse not to get this and spread the word. You can also get it from CD Baby, if you wish to donate $9.99


Ghost to Go
is a Brooklyn based garage pop band, and they approach “Icy” with the same gusto as Jet’s fave “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” Influences include The Rolling Stones and The Replacements.


Hector and The Leaves
gives us some great power pop, starting with the catchy “Problems” its the kind of debut that gets noticed. “Goodbye” has those  light harmonies that float above the guitar and piano. Fans of Elliott Smith, The Beach Boys and Paul McCartney will just love this. One of my favorite EPs this year. It will make my top ten too!

Free Music Monday: Grant Lindberg, Jesse Brewster and The Cheap Speakers

I am still recovering from the wild night at Power Popaholic Fest, this past Saturday. In the meantime, here are some cool free music to enjoy:

Grant Lindberg is a one-man band recording rock music in the vein of Superdrag, Cheap Trick, Jason Falkner, Nirvana and Ash. His album is a free download on bandcamp.

 

Jesse Brewster has a mission, and that’s a single each month for a year. In the end the tracks will be compiled into an album called March of Tracks in January 2014. Click on the Soundcloud link and it will take you to several free tracks.

 

The Cheap Speakers meld indie songcraft, alt-rock howl, and classic-rock riffs into a sound all their own. Formed in 2007 by Brennan Gault (bass, vocals) and Natalia Manzocco (guitar, vocals), the Speakers have grown into an explosive live act. Here’s the first single free!

Free Music Monday: The Kavanaghs, Salt III, The Kimballs, Dot Dash

The Kavanaghs “Need A Pity Day” EP
FREE 2013 EP includes the single “Need A Pity Day”, from the critically acclaimed Love Conquers Pain album, plus 3 unreleased tracks that were going to be part of the album but were not included on the final version.

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Salt III “Salt III”
A collaboration of American Michael Zwecker (The Poster Boy) to sit down with Russian Oleg “Toof” Zubkov (Kollaps) to hammer out a new pact under the guidance of Hungarian diplomats Zoltan Kovary (The Trousers) and Imre Poniklo (amber smith). Stockpile these tunes, they are awesome!

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The Kimballs
The Kimballs are Tom Burns (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Michael Mark (drums, percussion, vocals.) The indie rock duo grew up in suburban Colonia, New Jersey, where they met as drummers in their high school marching band. They have been recording and performing together for over a decade. Earlier releases available on CD Baby.

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Dot Dash
The new album Half Remembered Dream comes from this ever improving, ever impressive band in a few weeks. As a personal favor, they are letting you have their first song “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past” for FREE. Get it and look forward to the rest. So far the band is on track for an album each year. If you want to hear last years release, check this one out.