Jackdaw4 "Retrospectacles" Album Tracks FREE

If you never got the chance to get either of Jackdaw4’s last albums “Gramophone Logic” and “BiPolar Diversions” – well now a combined double album of the two has been released as “Retrospectacles.” You can get them on CD and vinyl here on Januray 25, 2010. These are some of the best recent power pop tunes I’ve heard in past few years. To read me gushing about this music further, then read here and here. But to fans who already bought these albums in the past, and you still want the bonus tracks from this compliation, the band is making it available for FREE on Bandcamp. Thanks guys! To get the separate albums from CDBaby go here:
Gramophone Logic | Bipolar Diversions

The band is also making a concert appearance in London on January 21. Tickets are available from Brilliant Music and We Got Tickets.

A huge pile of FREE holiday songs for you!

Zach Curd strikes again! Suburban Sprawl Music put together a holiday compilation available for free download full of weird and wonderful holiday classics. In fact, there are holiday compilations dating back to 2002! That a massive amount of tracks, some good – some painful to listen to. To listen/download everything visit Suburban Sprawl Xmas Music page.

Here are a few more holiday gifts for you. Dave Milligan from Penguin Party has released a Christmas song “It’s Only Christmas – It’ll Soon Be Over” as a free download. Another free goodie comes from The Sexy Accident. They have released a new version of “A Merry Christmas To You.” Remixed by Steve Fisk and features lead vocals by Michelle Plaitis, and featuring clips from It’s a Wonderful Life. And finally, Swedish powerpop band The Genuine Fakes have a free download of their
version of Mariah Carey’s hit “All I Want for Christmas”. Ho, ho, ho!

The Recital FREE album download

Musician, label owner, and producer Zach Curd has been a member of many bands, notably The Pop Project and has donated music to the masses before. Well this group from his Suburban Sprawl called it quits – The Recital from Detroit. Adam Kempa (Pop Project’s drummer) is the Recital’s bassist. A decent indie pop band with some quirky minimalist songs, they took all their leftover songs and created The Succulent Leftovers EP for fans.

Listen to “Kid You’re Wrong” right here:

My Space | DOWNLOAD FREE EP

Bands On The Edge: Friday Review Special

I get lots of music and some of it doesn’t fall into the power pop genre, but may be worth a listen or two — especially if it has at least one good ipod worthy track. Here are a few artists that passed my desk this month, some come with FREE downloads – so gobble it up while it lasts.

Tereu Tereu “All That Keeps Us Together”

This is a mixed stew of a band, with bits of many genres – but it falls in the alternative pop category. They run ear-pleasing hooks through oddball time signatures and punctuate their songs with feedback-laden freak outs. The result is adventurous but accessible. Fans of Apples in Stereo may find something here to like. Some tracks here stand out well: “Beyond The Coast,” “Cage Was Right” and “The Skeptic”
MySpace | Tereu Tereu Site | Bandcamp

Dinosaur Feathers “Early Morning Risers” EP

Really out-there spaced pop, these Brooklyn boys Greg Sullo and Derek Zimmerman use synths, guitars, noise and sometimes slip in a melody or two. Fans of Animal Collective and Paul Simon may find the weird sonic textures refreshing. And hey… did I mention it’s a FREE download from the band’s site?
MySpace | Dinosaur Feathers Site – FREE DOWNLOAD

Oh My God “The Night Undoes The Work Of The Day”

Quirky Chicago band lets loose a flow of strong emotions, after a car accident nearly wiped them out, they did both physical and music therapy here. The new album starts with a sure fire pop hit in “My Own Adventure.” OMGs striking sound of distorted organ, overdriven bass guitar, driving drums and rich vocals, draw comparisons to everyone from Quasi to Queen. Worth more than a look, also listen to the dynamic piano ballad “Bring Yourself.”
MySpace | Oh My God site | FREE Download “My Own Adventure”

Hockey “Mind Chaos”

Hockey is a sport where men try to hit a puck into the net. Hockey is also a dance-punk band from Portland, supported by Talking Head Jerry Harrison. This is funk-infused dance-rock, with nice hooks in songs like the amazingly catchy “Song Away” and hipper-than-hip “Too Fake.” The music is fun and easy to dance to, fans of Scissor Sisters take note, this could be your newest guilty pleasure. Enjoy a cool music video made by the band right here. All this and no time in the penalty box!
MySpace | Amazon | CD Baby

Boh Runga “Right Here”

Boh is a star in her native New Zealand and plays straight up pop music with clean flair and a wonderfully soft voice. The new album “Right Here” was helped with musical heavyweights Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Wendy Melvoin (Prince and the Revolution), Kevin Savigar, (Rod Stewart’s songwriter) and Shelly Peiken who wrote ‘Bitch’ for Meredith Brooks and also ‘Genie in a Bottle’ for Christina Aguilera. The result is a polished product that would fit nicely in any music collection. And she sells a line of fine jewelry as well – talk about multi-talented!
MySpace | Boh Runga Website | “Evelyn” FREE Download here

Zach Curd "BLOGEP" FREE Download

Saturday Night Special: A few of you may remember Michigan-based Zach Curd from The Pop Project last year. Well, he also runs one of the Midwest’s most prolific indie record labels; Suburban Sprawl, and recently dug up some old songs that he recorded for this new digital EP that is FREE for download. Take a listen right here:

Download BLOGEP here.


Visit Zach on My Space