Rye 'n Clover - Pencils Paper & Scissors (2009)

Absolutely adorable anarcho-folk. That is something I feel is said all too uncommonly. Nonetheless, it is fully merited in use of this artist. I originally discovered it on the underutilized Collective Family website. Therefore this is a free album and another one of my guilt-free shares. As to the music itself, it sounds like a young man with a banjo and ultra-left literature on his mind. Perhaps it is because I am sympathetic to his political views, but it doesn't come off as preachy, but then again I find myself singing along to blues songs about Jesus with even more vigor despite being no fan of his. The songs are about liberation and utopian ideals, or in the case of "Get Away Song" merely a display of banjo-playing skills. The whole thing is barely describable as an album at only 19 minutes, but they're highly enjoyable and I claim good for any fan of folk, banjos, anarchy, or just cute shit.

To be had here:
Pencils Paper & Scissors [160 kbps]

Majmoon - Shimponauts Journey (2006)

Our old love, math rock, has reared its head again in my musical rotation. Majmoon isn't exactly breaking news, but they were sort of overlooked by me and I am pretty sure others when this album came out. The German band has considerable skills at making energized instrumental tracks that is on the fine, beautiful line betwixt math rock and post-rock. If you've been a reader for a bit you'll know of my intense desire to have long, building, epic songs on an album of this sort. Shimponauts Journey does not disappoint on this account. All in all, a finely-crafted addition to any math rock or post-rock collection.

To be had here:
Majmoon - Shimponauts Journey [256 VBR kbps]

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele - The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele (2009)

A good friend of mine and I all too infrequently are allowed to actually meet in person. In the few times a year this happens we normally spend half of it giving one another music. This is one the albums that he recommended and therefore gave to me. After shelving the album for an undue amount of time, I finally got to checking it out. I saw his picture on the cover and was really hoping that what he lacked in good looks he made up for in talent. He chiefly does so, with my focus lying on his deep, mesmerizing voice. Although billing the ukulele overtly the music doesn't hinge on the lone instrument to the determent of the overall performance. The pop songs are well rounded with my favorites being "You Can't Force A Dance Party" and "Oh, Paris!" The album isn't anything earthshaking, but the comparisons to Stephin Merritt are apt and justified and that alone makes it worth a spin.

To be had here:
The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele [160 VBR kbps]

Circulatory System

Circulatory System is a member of the vast Elephant 6 collective like the previous posts of Beulah, Marshmallow Coast and Bablicon. Will Cullen Hart, John Fernandes, and Peter Erchick made this group after the dissolution of the E6 world's prime mover, the Olivia Tremor Control. My girl is here so I need to keep the description breif as she's staring me down. Basically, they're psychedelic pop that is both cute and dream-like at different times. Their new album, Signal Morning, only came out recently and has been in constant rotation on my iPhone ever since. Before anyone sends me comments, I'm gonna give you the heads up the the second album, Inside Views, doesn't have any names for the tracks. In fact the album has no beginning nor end, when they made it they intended for it to be heard in random order, so ignore the numbers and enjoy.

To be had here:




Circulatory System (2001) [256 kbps]










Inside Views (2002) [192 kbps]










Singal Morning (2009) [320 kbps]

Mr. David Viner - Mr. David Viner (2003)

Now, I am sorry if I am messing this info up but I can't be bothered to confirm it all at the moment. Mr. David Viner is British and would play blues all the time for people. A Detroit garage band found him, and I can't recall which one at the moment. He came back to our lovely city and recorded with help from Detroit's adopted sons, the Soledad Brothers. This is his first album and I got it back when it was spankin' new. Merely that I still desire to here it from time to time is a testament to its value. It is strong it the tradition of folk and blues, going as far as to pay homage to the legendary John Fahey on a track. Overall it possesses a light-hearted feeling, although the first song "Nobody's Fault" is beautiful yet melancholy. So if bluesy folk is something you like here is a still active artist worth giving a whirl.

To be had here:
Mr. David Viner - Mr. David Viner

Leafes - In The Mountain's Belly (2007)

I apologize for my long absence. The summer was treating me too well to stop by at the internet. Birds, bees, and my black cat were distracting me, as well as my new hobby of homebrewing (beer, meads and country wine). However, I've moved yet again (I do believe I've lost count) and I'm ready and willing to restart my proselytizing. No place better to begin than with my favorite driving EP of the summer, In The Mountain's Belly. My access to information about Leafes is limited. I understand that it is a Swedish act and the small label is giving this album out for free, so no need to feel guilty today comrades. What the music is I feel more capable in describing. Lo-fi. That is the pivotal descriptor. The entire thing sounds like, and likely is, a bedroom or basement recording. Nevertheless it is unimaginably charming. The second and third track alone will make getting this EP more than worth the trouble to download. They're fuzzy, layered and unsophisticated yet that suits how I've felt this season perfectly. It has thoroughly impressed all my friends thus far and I willing to bet you'll like it too.

To be had here:
Leafes - In The Mountain's Belly