This is some light solo chamber pop from Kevin M. Kirker. Similar to Elliot Smith, but with a single Harp as his only instrument. There is very little info about Kevin directly, but you get lots of insight from this interview I found. Despite the simple rhythmic backing, Kevin has a soft double tracked vocal and a knack for a good melody. Fans of baroque vocal pop will appreciate his work, and on top of all this he’s giving his music away for pop fans to enjoy. He has two albums here, ...and now, you’ll live forever (2008) and our story now begins… (2007) A minimalist delight for a lazy sunday. FREE DOWNLOAD of Kevin Kirker’s Music
Category: free downloads
Saturday EP Review Special FREE music downloads
I heard a few worthy EPs and emerging talent these past 2 weeks that deserves some attention from you Powerpopaholics out there. Here are some groups you might want to check out.
Princeton “Bloombury” EP
Twin brothers Jesse and Matt Kivel and Ben Usen are Princeton, a very Kinks-meets-Shins Chamber pop combo. The EP Bloomsbury, lyrically focuses upon a Victorian-era intellectuals. Portraits of Leonard Woolf, Lytton Strachey, Virginia Woolf and John Maynard Keynes are each presented in a different musical framework with lush orchestral arrangements. Just lovely pop gems perfect for summer.
MySpace | Imeem
MySpace | Imeem
The Very Most “Summer ” EP
After a very good debut album, The Very Most of Idaho have an EP of pure summer ear candy. After a Spring themed EP, this was the next logical step. Breezey, summer harmonies that recall the Beach Boys and The Davenports greet you on tracks like “The Motor-Vue Lights” and “You’re in Love With The Sun.” This is gently tailored pop touched by magic. You can even download the latter track for free! What’s not to like here?
MySpace | Indie Cater Records | FREE DOWNLOAD
MySpace | Indie Cater Records | FREE DOWNLOAD
Honey Brothers “Demonstration”
Combining banjo, ukulele, electric guitar, and three-part harmonies, their infectious rock sound touches on popular music from the Cars, Talking Heads to the Beach Boys, and further back into American folklore music of the 1920’s. The band has a pretty rich history and back catalog worth exploring too.
MySpace | Honeybrothers site | Download “Demonstration” single
MySpace | Honeybrothers site | Download “Demonstration” single
Don’t Be A Stranger “Perfect Problem” EP
Little EP from this Swedish pop outfit that sounds like The Cardigans met PJ Harvey in a dark alley somewhere. I have very little information on them, but the Swedish magazine Sydsvenskan.se loved them. Anyone know how to read Swedish? No? Well you’ll just have to download the tracks to see if you like them. Why not give it a shot?
MySpace | Don’t Be A Stranger | FREE DOWNLOAD
MySpace | Don’t Be A Stranger | FREE DOWNLOAD
David DiMuzio
“I Wanna Save The Last Koala Bear”
David is a straight up pop guy, trying to get noticed. He’s got a good voice, is a world champion juggler and know how to promote himself well. Currently singing on major cruise lines (Disney, Royal Caribbean) and working with Cirque Du Soleil, his music has plenty of passion and potential for great things. The album has plenty of high energy pop songs like “Lots of Girls Like You In Malibu” and “I’d Love You If…” that sound much better than those Jonah boys. A few power pop tunes poke through here like “Hey Julie” and “Broken In” and will definitely win you over.
MySpace | David DiMuzio | Itunes | Pure Volume
MySpace | David DiMuzio | Itunes | Pure Volume
FREE tracks from The Spinning Jennies!
Shortly before my Spinning Jennies called it quits back in 2003 the band recorded some basic tracks for two songs that were shelved and never finished. Well, Jeff Shelton of The Well Wishers has taken these tracks from his old band and finished them up for you!
DOWNLOAD “Down”
DOWNLOAD “I before E”
The band also turned up on the ABC show “Motherhood” with the track “Seashells” from the “How I Won The War” album playing at the beginning of a scene. Jeff is working on a new album due out in early 2010.
My Space | The Well Wishers latest “Jigsaw Days” album
Tinted Windows are almost here…
Main stream press has picked up the ball on this group that wowed the crowd at SXSW. Read Tony Sachs article about them here.
“How We Survive”, Grand Atlantic’s new album mixed by Magoo (Midnight Oil, An Horse, Regurgitator) set for release June 2009. These guys had a great debut album, so I expect more greatness to follow. Also the group has released it’s new single and you can download it now. Download “She’s A Dreamer” here.
The Kickbacks, Michael Carpenter and The Davenports EPs
With a big holiday weekend here, I’m getting the 2008 poll ready – here are some great EPs (some free) and new tunes which tell me 2009 will continue to offer great music:
The Davenports “Thinking About You, Maryann”
It’s been way too long a wait for this EP from these NYC favorites. The title track is a gentle McCartneyesque ballad with intricate acoustic picking and upright bass that just hits the sweet spot. The holiday song “Whore for The Holidays” has just a lovely melody and wry wit that recalls Fountains of Wayne and is one of the best new Christmas songs I’ve heard. It’s rounded out by “Don’t Cry Mary” – another winner, if this EP doesn’t perk you up — you’re probably “dead, dead, dead”. Plus on Amazon, you get one song for FREE!
My Space | E Music | Amazon (free song)
The Kickbacks “Even the Blues”
Here’s your chance to get yet another goody this holiday season, The Kickbacks have parts of the new album still available for free download. Tad Overbaugh and Steve Scott, brings quality musicianship to this highly polished rock and roll album. If you are fans of both The Lemonheads and The Gin Blossoms you’ll enjoy these laid back guitar lead melodies. “Figure You Out” has a Westerberg-like growl and steady guitar rhythm. The other songs have a Stonesy feel with a modern twist. The EP is a free download but, I would encourage you to get the whole album.
My Space | Kickbacks website (Download here) | CD Baby
Michael Carpenter and The Cuban Heels “Give the Dog a Bone”
This time we find power pop legend Michael Carpenter has gathered together The Cuban Heels, a loose collective of musicians. The name of the game here is rootsy Americana, evidenced by the Gram Parsons-like “Bad Poetry” and though the guitar and melody of “Wonder Why” is along the lines of Beach Boy song, its got the slide guitar and catchy honky tonk goodness to make it real ear candy. The country shuffle of other tracks (“Bleeding Money”) make me want to suggest he should tour with Gary Louris or Rhett Miller . The sound is as rich as ever and he sounds like he’s having a ball on “Different With You” – you will too with this highly recommended EP!
My Space | Not Lame | big radio