Eardrums Pop

I got an e-mail from Insect Guide letting me know about their new free music release coming up on 12/20. When I went to the Eardrums Pop website to look around, I found a few other cool freebies, and immediately snagged them for my iPod.

First I came across Baffin Island, a band led by Melanie Whittle of The Hermit Crabs, and including members of The Very Most. Their sound reminds me of the music I listened to a lot back in the mid-90's when I lived in Boston (Roslindale), bands like Velocity Girl and Jale. Their 3-song offering is cute and upbeat, and will be perfect for upcoming dreary winter days.

Then I opted for the 4-song EP by Sometimes Always. The music reminds me of My Bloody Valentine mixed with R.E.M., when both bands were first starting to form their signature sounds. It's a cool blend, and rather surprising that the band is just one dude from Indonesia. And since my iPod is generally dominated by female singers, it's always cool to find music with a decent male voice.

Next up was Tiny Fireflies. It was the first music that caught my eye (and ear) on the site, but I tried to download it twice to no avail. Luckily there was another download option, and it finally worked out fine. Kristine's ethereal voice is right in the bulls eye of my personal taste. These songs will fit seamlessly into a mix of Ivy, Olive, Mazzy Star, and An April March.

And last but not least, three songs by the aforementioned Insect Guide. And amazingly, track 2 features Graeme Naysmith of one of my all-time favorite bands, Pale Saints, on guitar! They do a great job with their e-mails of keeping me up to date on great new music in the genres I am partial to, as well as giving me "blog fuel" for my music journal, Not Lame Minus.

So if you happen to be reading this, and want some cool music, click the link of each band above, and be swept away to each artist's page for some free audio magic...