I'll Find You And God Help You

Brendan Benson's latest You Were Right was officially released today. Many of the tunes have been released throughout the year as one-off singles so check out iTunes to see if their Complete-The-Album feature works! Technology FTW!

Power pop perfection. I've never been disappointed by any of his albums. I was still working in radio when he released Sittin' Pretty from the stunning One Mississippi. I worked tirelessly to get it added to the station's playlist, which it was until someone pointed out the disturbing lyrics. Killjoy.

Official Site | iTunes (on sale now for $7.99!) | Amazon

REDACTED

Man I love NoiseTrade! Who doesn't love free downloads?! Guster has released a new live compilation called Guster Live With The Redacted Symphony.

Guster are proud to present Guster Live With The Redacted Symphony, a ten-song live album that puts a new spin on fan favorites like "Satellite," "Come Downstairs and Say Hello," and "Fa Fa." The album was recorded in REDACTED CITY, REDACTED STATE with the REDACTED Symphony Orchestra.

Damn copyright. Per the usual, who knows how long it will be available via NoiseTrade and of course NoiseTrade recommends a "tip" of $8. If you gusta Guster like I gusta Guster then that's a small price to pay!

NoiseTrade

Sing A Joyful Tune

I had a discussion with my kids today about the virtues of vinyl records. My 13-year-old is nearly convinced, but my 11-year-old has a ways to go. Of course it would help to actually get a record player so my dusty LPs from my teens can get some use. I digress.

Today Brandon Schott and An American Underdog (aka Andy Reed) release four perfect-pop gems on their new EP reasonably titled The A/B EP. An American Underdog's The Show Goes On and Good Girl grace Side A while Brandon Schott's Henry and Verdugo Park (Part 2) carry the load on Side B. It's well documented here how much we value Brandon and it's a thrill that he's really tapped into his poppy parts that we heard emerge front and center with his last full-length 13 Satellites. An American Underdog is a revelation and new to me. I've read his 2011 release Always On The Run is a must yet here I am without. The shame.

All four tunes will be on their respective forthcoming full-length albums so this is just an enticing taste of what's to come. The Show Goes On is absolute gold and I'm in love. If someone asked me what a perfect pop song sounds like, that would be a fair answer. Good Girl proves that a marriage between the musical echoes of Elliott Smith and Jeff Lynne is very welcome. Henry is the Penny Lane we knew Brandon had in him. It's pure Beatley joy emanating from the headphones. And Verdugo Park (Part 2) is a bit moodier and suggests a cliffhanger for what's next. I can't wait to hear.

So back to vinyl. In retrospect it was less a digression and more of a set-up. I can't imagine a more appropriate format than vinyl for this release that is so deeply steeped in vinyl's golden age yet such a breath of fresh air. The 7-inch vinyl edition is limited to only 100 copies! Have a power pop fanatic in your life that you think has heard it all? This will blow them away. You can settle for the digital version as well, which is how I've been enjoying it, but these four tunes have inspired me to share a now unique musical experience with my kids that may elevate their love of music to record heights. Pun intended.

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Pretty Soon The Connection Is Made

Whoa. Neil Finn. Divebomber. You have our attention. Even my 11-year-old son asked if this tune was The Beatles because it's sounds like one of their "drunken stupor" songs. I'll give him credit for even knowing those tunes!


That is certainly one of the oddest tunes Finn has ever released, but I'm a bit in love with it after my first listen. Dizzy Heights is Finn's new solo album and it's out Feb 11, 2014. Pre-order on iTunes now and get two immediate downloads including Divebomber! Also check out his recent Morning Becomes Eclectic session here.

Official Site | Official Store | iTunes | Amazon

Don't Act So Surprised

Check out another gem from Jeff Litman ...



Go is now available via Bandcamp for $49.00. Well, you could pay that or whatever you want. Or download it via iTunes if you don't appreciate the freedom of naming your own price.

It's becoming quite clear that Jeff's ongoing hodgepodge of singles will be significantly better than 98% of the albums released this year.

Without These Moments There Isn't Much We Can Do

Next week, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs are finally releasing the third volume of their covers series Under the Covers. This time they hit the 80s, which you already knew. Popdose has a great interview with Matthew Sweet to discuss the new compilation. More interestingly for us Sweet super(deformed)fans is a series of questions about past albums and the new one he'll be working on next year!

I think it’s going to be a serious album album.

Can't wait. Under the Covers Vol. 3 is out next week.

iTunes | Amazon

You And Your Angelic Shout

"In their continuing expedition of Jellyfish...."

Normally I get irritated when a band who only released two studio albums is subject to a seemingly endless release of box sets, greatest hits, and live albums decades after those original albums, but with Jellyfish I'll allow it. Out December 10 is Radio Jellyfish, a compilation of mostly-unreleased live, acoustic renderings of those beloved tunes...

1. NEW MISTAKE 
2. SHE STILL LOVES HIM 
3. I CAN HEAR THE GRASS GROW* 
4. BABY’S COMING BACK 
5. THE MAN I USED TO BE 
6. JOINING A FAN CLUB 
7. THE KING IS HALF-UNDRESSED 
8. THE GHOST AT NUMBER ONE 
9. THAT IS WHY 
10. NO MATTER WHAT 
 All tracks previously unissued, except *

God bless Omnivore Recordings. Pre-order here.