Weekly Haul: August 22nd Edition

Okay, I know I said I wouldn't do it ever again but....I did it again.  I went on a massive free downloading spree and ended up with pretty damn near 60 songs and no plan on how to make time to review them all.  I know....I'm a bad, bad girl.  I decided to break them up into more manageable groupings.  Needless to say, I'm set on weekly haul material for a couple weeks and, if this week's bunch is any indicator, most of them are going to be incredible.  This week was a great haul and most of them I believe I got off Spinner's "MP3 of the Day" so you should be able to find them easily over there if you would like to download them yourself.  They backlog them, too, so you'll find a lot more than what I mention here.  Happy Listening, my Music Slut brethren!

This is Young Buffalo....Um...
Just hanging out on an ugly couch, I guess...

• Only We Can Keep You From Harm by Young Buffalo -- You might remember that a few weeks back, I reviewed Young Buffalo's latest album, Young Von Prettylips, and I was really like this track, which is the first on the album.  Thus, I was very happy when it was available for free download.  I've listened to it like 5 times already....it's so good.  The intro and ending have that tribal chant quality I told you about and the meaty body is equally rhythmic but with a lighter feel.  The song is like a recorded jam session, where they latch onto a few choice lyrics and repeat them over and over but switch it up with great harmonizing and singing in the round.
• Black Dog by Witches -- Not to be confused with the Korean ska band of the same name, Witches hails from Athens, GA with some smooth, hypnotic indie punk.  The singer's voice reminds me of someone from the early 90s, but I can't seem to recall.  I'll think of it one of these days.  Nice lyrics, even better guitar and drumming. 
• Amore Fati by Washed Out -- Washed Out's latest album, Within and Without, is being hailed out as one of 2011s best and this track makes it apparent why.  The chillwave musician -- Ernest Greene by birth -- says that he's influenced by hip hop, which is not obviously apparent in this track.  The music is what should be emphasized here, the vocals and lyrics just kind of being a topping on a thick layer cake. 
• Birds by The Submarines -- Come on people....you know I can't turn down a free Submarines song.  It's still the same California vibe, still the same trite-but-poignant lyrics and sweet harmonies.  The track does make keen use of the higher piano registers, though, playing them staccato in the background, just another beautiful element.  I also detected some violin picking, too, but I'm not entirely sure on that.
• Machine Gun Blues by Social Distortion -- Ah, something hard in this vast sea of chillwave and mellow chanting.  I like the story behind this song -- 1930s gangster culture intrigues me, as does the fashion, the details of which the song's lyrics get spot on.  It's told from the point of view of a gangster running from the law -- like Al Capone or even my personal faves, Bonnie & Clyde -- and the jaded mindset of such an individual is highlighted by a particularly telling lyric during the bridge.  I'm public enemy number one/I'm sorry for the deeds I've done/If indeed we do cross paths/It's nothing personal.  Chilling, but has a grain of truth, I imagine. 
• Sun of a Gun by Oh Land -- Every time I hear something from Oh Land, I like her more and more.  If you enjoy Goldfrapp or Metric, you probably will, too. This song is very peppy considering the lyrics are basically Oh Land telling an ex-boyfriend to go fuck himself.  In fact, every time she's says the titular lyric, "son of a gun," I substitute "bitch" for "gun."  It just feels right.
• Danger by Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside -- This reminds me of a cross between those rival sounds of the late 1950s/early 60s, rockabilly and dance hall (I don't have a better word for it).  I love the singer's voice -- the only comparison I could make would be to that of Save Ferris' Monique Powell and it wouldn't be a good comparison.  It is sort of big band mixed with ska-ish.  Good song that gets back to basics musically.
• Gone, Gone, Gone by Nikki Lane -- Here's something a little folksy and western, vaguely reminiscent of Patsy Cline.  As such, it has great lyrics.  The vocals are of the high-pitched-but-gravelly sort, and it brings to mind a party-turned-performance of a folk group my best friend randomly hung out with a few years back.  It's a fun story I'm saving for later this week.  A similar artist to Nikki Lane would perhaps be Kasey Chambers, a self-professed cowgirl musician.
• Prisoner of Love by Jessica 6 feat. Antony -- If you're nostalgic for the days of En Vogue and other early 90s R&B groups who dabbled with a synth mixer, this is the track for you.  I like it -- it's hella catchy and fun to listen to.  The soulful alto vocalizing throughout out sounds a little like Des'ree.  Jessica 6 is considered Nu-Disco which is a blending of Europop, Electronica, and other musical styles like funk and R&B.  It's an interesting sound, even if it's not entirely original.
• Changes by Dirty Vegas -- Changes is the kind of song you put on when you are about to go out with your friends and tear up a town.  It's the hard drinking, hard partying song that you start out with, especially if you're debuting a new side of yourself.  The chorus -- there's been some changes X3 -- screams of a guy who was dumped by a girl and is showing her she f*cked up by becoming a stud.  Or vice versa.  This is off Dirty Vegas' latest album, which released in April.  The mix utilizes a cow bell.  You've been warned.
• Nico Regrets by Candi and The Strangers -- Another band that kind of reminds me of Goldfrapp, which is fine with me because I think Goldfrapp is awesome.  The song combines wistful lyrics with powerful synthpop.  The vocals are what I would call light and fluffy -- like cotton candy.  Very breathy and seductive and high-pitched.  Nico had a deeper pitch but, hey, it's not like many people my age have heard Nico's music.
• Make Your Heart by Azure -- Azure Ray's music always has this dream-like quality.  This track also has a way at grabbing that nostalgic, homesick heartstring, too, in addition to the ethereal quality, much like Sarah McLachlan songs.  The background vocals seem to me influenced by celtic chants and vocalizations.  Needless to say, Azure Ray has some really lovely harmonies. 
• Strange Beauty by Adam Harding Feat. Murph and Lou Barlow -- This song has that low growl often found back in early 90s grunge -- you know what it is?  Understated rage.  Yep, Adam Harding is really pissed that this girl that he worships as a goddess is flitting into the arms of one of those jay-holes who pops the collar on his polo shirts.  But, instead of punching the douchebag's nose, he's wrapping up all his frustration in a package of psychedelia and rock chords.  This track has an amazing bass guitar -- trush me...I have a thing for good bassists.

Wow.  That took me a lot longer than anticipated.  But, with 13 great downloads, it's a sacrifice I am happy to make.  What else am I going to do?  Read?  Well....okay, I could be reading and usually I would be but I feel like such a slacker for not having a weekly haul last week or even being on time with one (having it ready for Sunday) this week.  I'm sorry!!!  I've been busy toting people (i.e. my family) to school and the airport.