Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Free and Easy – “Mellow” Music Downloads


     Almost everyone goes through music-related phases.  [If you want to find out who your true friends are, go through a bagpipes-in-rock phase (the best use of bagpipes is the AC/DC song “It’s a Long Way to the Top.”)]
      Well, during a portion of last year, there was a phase of greater appreciation of a more melodic sound and simple vocals.  Junip, a Swedish band, will release an album this spring that would have fit well within that phase.  As a means for gaining exposure, Junip is allowing free downloads of the first single “Line of Fire."  The vocals and the timbre of the guitars are attractive enough, but the song takes off when the strings and Mellotron are introduced in the last portion of the song. 

The download is available at http://soundcloud.com/junip/line-of-fire/download, until the band decides otherwise.

     Another song that fits this blog entry and is free and legal is “Taking Alcatraz” by Field Report.  The song is about the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz by American Indians, but its message applies to courageous stands we see in newscasts today – “And if I die, well at least I have made a choice” and "That a line in the sand don't matter, if you don't care."
 

     And then there’s the Lord Huron song “Time to Run,” which is still free from the band’s recording studio.  It’s this song that is responsible for our most memorable day of 2012.  The song provided justification for going to a World Series game in San Francisco and afterward driving to see Lord Huron perform the song at The Independent.  The lead singer is originally from Detroit and voiced his unhappiness with the Giants’ victory over his Tigers.  However, his performance was unaffected.  


     Lastly, while it’s NOT being offered for free download, a song that we strongly recommend is “Embers” by Maitland.  This is a project of Josh Hines and Jeff Mach.  “Embers” is on the EP “from a cabin in the woods.”  The simplicity of the song is a plus, since there is no interference with the quality of the vocals.  Don’t make the mistake of judging the song before you hear the final 70 seconds.



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