Saturday, September 13, 2014

Three for Free, Legal and Recommended (“FL&R”) – A September Entry

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of new releases.  The end of the offer might be based upon reaching a maximum number of downloads or the expiration of some period of time.  But at least for now, here are songs that qualify as Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) downloads.
    This FL&R post spans genres and continents. 

     You’ve been paying attention over the last month if it seems that Indie Obsessive has been frequently posting its appreciation for Australian bands. And you are particularly perceptive if you’ve noticed that a number of posts include songs inspired by the death of a loved one. “Awake" fits both descriptions. “Awake” is the first song released by You, The Wolf. We are looking forward to subsequent offerings.
     There are a number of features that draw us to “Awake.” With a focus on the instruments, the first 20 seconds are merely an acoustic guitar and percussion. Then, a piano enters, but only for two or three notes at a time, since short pauses provide division. It is effective in helping establish the intended emotion. At the 0:51, the piano is allowed to play more than three notes, but remains simple and respectful. Turning to a focus on vocals, obviously the more minimalistic the instruments remain, the more pressure there is on the vocals. The male lead withstands the pressure. Then, it gets better each time the harmonization with the female voice occurs. At least as enjoyable, while simultaneously sorrowful, is the deeper male vocalization starting at the 3:40 mark. Then lyrically, "If I could keep you by my side, we'd fight away all the cancer..."
     The members of You, The Wolf are Tim Mitchell, Finn Nelson and Esh Thomas. They are from Canberra, Australia, and are scheduled to release a debut EP (“Little Brother”) in October. We will be paying attention.
      “Awake” by You, the Wolf (currently a free download)


     “Moments of Silence” by Alex Feder lightens the mood of this post. In fact, it takes the post to an upbeat environment. The three best lines are:
1. The emphasized “These days, the kids dance to moments of silence;”
2. The one borrowed from the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood,” with only a change of tense – “She told me she works in the morning and started to laugh;” and
3. “Recovery's a bitch to wake up from.”
     Alex Feder recently relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. “Moments of Silence” is his first single.
        “Moments of Silence” (currently a free download)


     The Choir has a Noisetrade offer of a free download (tips appreciated). We particularly like “What You Think I Am,” with its saxophone and shoegaze guitar.
      The members of The Choir are Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong, Tim Chandler, Dan Michaels and Marc Byrd. The band is based in Nashville, Tennessee and its adjacent towns.
      “What You Think I Am,” by The Choir


     If you’re looking for more, there is the 2014 sampler of [Pias] America. It is available via Noisetrade. 
     “Fuel to Fire” by Agnes Obel (Germany)

     “Six Months in a Cast” by The Trouble with Templeton (Australia)

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