hackthis_archive | Music post.

I just wanted to give some music away because I can, so there.

If you like Ben Folds, try Ben Lee. I know everybody loves Ben Folds, he rocks the suburbs, he's sarcastic, he tells stories, he writes haunting songs like 'Brick' that depress the shit out of you, and you keep coming back for it like a sucker. Ben Lee is a lot like that just shorter. And Australian. And doesn't play the piano. Whatever. Try one. Try both. You'll be better for it. Ben Folds 'Landed'; Ben Lee 'Grammercy Park Hotel

Ah, Gomez how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: Ian, Ben, Blackie, Ollie, and Tom. That's five ways. Five whole ways. I can't compare Gomez to anybody else, I wouldn't even try. Their sound is distinctive. Their personalities eccentric. They're blues/indie/rock/cult-following-inducing and truly one of the best live bands that you'll ever come across. Their music has suddenly popped up all over Grey's Anatomy apparently, but I recommend them unilaterally anyway (that would be sarcasm) -– and not just because Ben tells you to tie him up and seal his mouth with gaffer tape. Gomez 'The Best in Town'; Gomez 'Woman! Man!'

If you liked Ryan Adams before he went all, well, Ryan. And if you like, um, singer-songwriters that do that blues/I'm so depressed/oh god, my woman left and took my dog/my iPod/ my money/ my clothes, then yeah, you want to hear Jeffrey Foucault. Plus, he gets bonus points for being from Baltimore. I hope y'all are watching The Wire, just saying. Jeffrey Foucault 'Money Blues'; Jeffrey Foucault '4 & 20 Blues'

If you like Lady Sovereign, um, try Lily Allen. Yeah, okay Lily doesn't rap or anything, mostly she just has that sort of sarcastic white chick thing happening, but she amuses me, so she should amuse you too. Plus, she'd Keith Allen's daughter so if that doesn't amuse you (read scare the crap out of you), you know, hey. Lily Allen 'LDN'; Lily Allen 'Cheryl Tweedy'

Back in the early 90s there was a whole progressive hip hop movement with A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School, where it was okay to be smart and rap and then gangster rap came along and screwed it up. Now, we don't have much in the way of that, but if you like Kanye West or ATCQ try Lupe Fiasco. Where Kanye talks about the black middle class experience and trying to fit in the middle, Lupe talks about trying to be whomever you are, black, white, yellow, pink, purple, skateboarder or what have you and how you have to be yourself regardless. Lupe Fiasco 'The Emperors Soundtrack'; Lupe Fiasco 'Just Might Be Okay'

Pulp is not new in any way shape or form. In fact, Pulp is so old that they're retired, but during the great 80s and 90s brit-pop/stool rock/madchester/here let me take 20 E's/ britrock/lanky-pasty-bloke-with-too-tight-pants-phase, there was nobody better than Jarvis Cocker and Pulp, especially not that scary looking Brett Anderson. Yuck. Anyroad, Pulp are like Bowie, and I know you lot like Bowie. Pulp 'Last Day of the Miners Strike'; Pulp 'Common People'

I you like Ed Harcourt, Rufus Wainwright and/or Damien Rice try M Ward. Matt Ward to be exact. I can't even begin to explain why I like Matthew, there's just something about his voice that I find incredibly elegant and soothing at the same time. 'M Ward – Let's Dance' (David Bowie cover)'; M Ward 'Chinese Translation'

If you like Ok Go, I highly recommend What Made Milwaukee Famous, who are, uh, from Austin, TX. About a year ago one of you lovely people dropped 'Hello Drama' in this LJ. At the time WMMF didn't have a website or proper CD or anything you could pick up. This has all changed, hell, last month they were on Morning Becomes Eclectic, which is a very big deal in singer/songwriter music scene so. What Made Milwaukee Famous 'Sweet Lady' ; What Made Milwaukee Famous 'Hello Drama'

As always here is the zip, with a few extra surprises: If You Like…zip

ETA: Now with even more singles, because you can't decide you like a singer/songwriter based on one song. Believe me, I've tried.

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Current Music: Damien Rice '9 Crimes'