My Favorite Daytrotter Sessions of 2011 (so far)

I have been a fan of the site Daytrotter for several years now.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Daytrotter, it is a music site that has a little studio they call The Horseshack in downtown Rock Island, IL.  They invite bands to stop by in between shows while they are on tour to record a short little session, which is then put up on the site for free download along with a cartoon drawing of the artist and a short essay on the band and their music. Often the sessions are nothing more than spontaneous re-workings of songs on their previous records.  But every once and a while an artist will use this opportunity to unveil an unreleased song they’ve been working on or to give us a cover of somebody else’s tune.  Either way, they are a fun way to get introduced to a new band or to gain some fresh and unique songs from an old favorite to add to your collection.  Over the years they have become pretty popular and are now pumping out several sessions a week.  So I decide to take the time to share with you some of my favorite sessions of the year  (so far).  You can listen to one song from each session that I chose to give you the feel for the artist, and if you like it, I encourage you to head over to Daytrotter so you can listen to and download the full session.

11. Junip – Without You (removed 7/21/12)

If you don’t recognize the name Junip, you may be more familiar with their frontman, Jose Gonzalez, as I have mentioned him on here in the past.  This is a great session with two songs off of last year’s Fields and one from the Rope and Summit EP.

Listen: Junip’s Daytrotter Session

Purchase: Fields

10. Pete Yorn – Stronger Than (removed 7/21/12)

Surprisingly this is Yorn’s first Daytrotter session and it is a great one, with four songs off of last year’s Pete Yorn.  He is starting to reach veteran status in the music world, and his songs are really showing it.  I really like the maturity in his sound and songwriting.  It is showcased reallly well in this session.

Listen: Pete Yorn’s Daytrotter Session

On sale for $5.99: Pete Yorn

9. The Belle Brigade – Sweet Louise (removed 7/21/12)

I am falling more and more in love with this group the more I listen to them. I shared with you last week their excellent single, “Losers.” There is a great stripped down version of that song in this session.  These guys remind me of Simon and Garfunkel in the best of ways.  The whole session is four songs from their self-titled debut.

Listen: The Belle Brigade Daytrotter Session

Purchase: The Belle Brigade

8. Hurricane Bells – The Cold Has Killed Us (removed 7/21/12)

These guys came in and played a monster of a session with 8 songs from several different records.  This is a great introduction these southern rockers if you are unfamiliar with their catalog.

Listen: Hurricane Bells Daytrotter Session

Purchase: Tonight Is The Ghost (Deluxe Edition)

7. Guster – That’s No Way To Get To Heaven (removed 7/21/12)

Here’s another indie mainstay that is just now getting around to recording their first session and it’s a great one with 5 songs from 3 different albums.  My three favorites all coming from last year’s Easy Wonderful.

Listen: Guster’s Daytrotter Session

Purchase: Easy Wonderful

6. Frontier Ruckus – The Upper Room (removed 7/21/12)

These guys were actually back this year for their second Daytrotter session and I really wish I had taken the time to listen to them last year. I just recently found these guys via one of the last Paste Music Sampler CD’s.  His voice is a little off-putting at first, but I have actually grown to love it and now find it very endearing.

Listen: Frontier Ruckus Daytrotter Session

On sale for $5.99: Deadmalls And Nightfalls

5. Rosi Golan – Come Around (removed 7/21/12)

I wouldn’t know this girl from Eve if it weren’t for my lovely wife putting her on continuous rotation in our house.  I would’ve written her off as just another throwaway female pop singer, but that would’ve been a mistake. This girl can really sing and this session shows off how great she is live. I can’t wait to hear the follow up to her 2008 debut, The Drifter and the Gypsy.

Listen: Rosi Golan’s Daytrotter Session

Purchase: The Drifter and the Gypsy

4. The Low Anthem – Dreams Can Chase You Down (removed 7/21/12)

If you haven’t gotten the chance to hear their new album, Smart Flesh, this is a great introduction to it.  They play several songs from it, including the excellent “Dreams Can Chase You Down” which until now could only be heard on the deluxe edition of the album.

Listen: The Low Anthem’s Daytrotter Session

Purchase: Smart Flesh [+Digital Booklet]

3. Rooney – Holdin’ On (removed 7/21/12)

I bought these California rockers’ debut album about 8 years ago now based solely on the cover.  Boy was that a great decision.  Well fortunately for you, you don’t have to buy their new one based on the cover, you can just listen to their recent Daytrotter session and decide with your ears rather than your eyes.

Listen: Rooney’s Daytrotter Session

Purchase: Eureka

2. Best Coast – In My Room (removed 7/21/12)

These surf rockers actually recorded this session about a year and a half ago, before their debut album, Crazy For You, was even released. And for one reason or another it is just now being released for our listening pleasure.  It is another large collection of songs, none of which ended up on Crazy For You, which makes this session even more fun.

Listen: Best Coast’s Daytrotter Session

On sale for $3.99: Crazy For You

1. Sarah Jaffe – Clementine (removed 7/21/12)

I have already posted one song from this session as my second favorite song of the year (so far) and I’m wondering if I sold it short.  I can’t say enough about how much I love this girl.  The control she has over her voice is absolutely incredible.  Her live show was completely enthralling.  I can’t stop listening to Suburban Nature and am dying for her to give us something new. This session has definitely helped tide me over til that day.

Listen: Sarah Jaffe’s Daytrotter Session

Purchase: Suburban Nature

New Album from The Antlers “Burst Apart”

A lot of people were high on Hospice, the 2009 debut album from The Antlers.  Well I am even higher on Burst Apart, the soon to be released sophomore effort from The Antlers.  The album will officially be released on May 10th.  Lucky for you though, you don’t have to take my opinion on the album, nor do you have to wait til May 10th to hear it.  NPR is streaming it now for free via their First Listen series. Shortly after the album hits stores they will be heading off on a month-long U.S. tour.  Check out the dates below.

The Antlers – Parentheses by Frenchkiss

05-17 Washington, DC – Black Cat *
05-18 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church Sanctuary *
05-19 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg * – 3/31
05-20 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom * – 3/31
05-28 George, WA – Sasquatch Festival
05-31 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall *
06-03 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey * – 4/1
06-04 Pomona, CA – Glass House *
06-07 Austin, TX – Emo’s * – 4/1
06-08 Dallas, TX – The Loft *
06-09 Tulsa, OK – The Marquee *
06-10 St. Louis, MO – Firebird *
06-11 Chicago, IL – Metro *
06-12 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick * – 3/31
06-14 Toronto, Ontario – Mod Club * – 3/31
06-15 Montreal, Quebec – La Tulipe ^
06-16 Boston, MA – Paradise * – 4/1
06-17 Hamden, CT – The Space *

* with Little Scream
^ with the Dodos

Pre-order the album here: Burst Apart (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) [Explicit]

Catching Up with Ryan Adams

The last time I shared anything about Ryan Adams on here was a little over two years ago when he had announced his supposed “retirement” from music.  Well since then, he’s released a Valentine’s Day EP with an unreleased track on it, a full-length double LP crafted from 2007′s Easy Tiger sessions,  III/IV, and most recently the Class Mythology EP, a Records Store Day release of outtakes from the Cardinology sessions.   Oh and I forgot to mention that he plans to tour Europe the entire month of June. That doesn’t really sound to me like the musings of someone who has retired from the music business.  That is because he is far from retired.

Ryan Adams – Your Name is On Fire (Vinyl Rip) (from Class Mythology EP)  thanks Tympanogram

He recently announced that he will be heading back into the studio soon to record a new album, and thanks to a surprise appearance at a recent Emmy Lou Harris show at El Rey Theater in L.A., we have a few new songs to hear.

“Dirty Rain”

Untitled New Song #1

Untitled New Song #2

The Best Songs of 2011 (So Far) – Part 4

So it’s time to bring you the final installment and my absolute favorite songs of the year so far.  I hope you guys have enjoyed listening to this list as much as I enjoyed putting together.  Again I want to remind you that if you enjoy these songs, please go and purchase some of these albums.

5. The Decemberists – Down By The Water (removed 7/21/12)

It’s no sea shanty or civil war folk-lore, but this R.E.M. influenced rock tune is pretty incredible.  I just can’t get enough of this entire album.  While most everyone seems to be going back to the 80′s for inspiration this year, these guys seem to have found the early 90′s early enough for them, and it really works.

4. The Head and the Heart – Lost In My Mind (removed 7/21/12)

Great harmonies, great lyrics, great melody, and with a fantastic continuous build and crescendo. This song is just darn-near perfect.

3. The Civil Wars – I’ve Got This Friend (removed 7/21/12)

This entire album is absolutely phenomenal, but I keep going back to this particular song over and over.  If you just sample this song, you won’t get it.  Just trust me. Download this song, let it get under your skin. Then go and buy the rest of the album.

2. Sarah Jaffe – A Sucker for Your Marketing/Vulnerable (removed 7/21/12)

This is a bit of an unorthadox choice for this list, especially to be this high, but I just couldn’t ignore it.  I usually don’t take the time to listen to very many live recordings, but this is just an absolute masterpiece.  The range and control she has over her voice is unbelievable and is showcased really well in this recording, not to mention the flawless and beautiful transition between the two songs.  This whole session is worth checking out.

1. Adele – Rolling In The Deep (removed 7/21/12)

This girl’s on fire and there ain’t nothing able to put her out.  Another album that could have had any number of songs on this list. As much of an affection I have for other songs on this album such as “Someone Like You” or “One and Only”, it had to be this song.  It is just so unbelievably catchy but has so much depth and character at the same time.  This is an absolutely epic song that will last for decades. It is the perfect opening track that sets the tone for one of the best records of the year.  A testament to the strength and power of this song is the numerous amount of covers that have already popped up from the unknowns to the legends, John Legend that is (more to come on that matter in future posts).

So there it is.  My personal favorites of the year.  I am sure that I have missed some great ones.  So please comment and let me know of the egregious errors in musical judgment that I have made.  What song do you think deserves that #1 spot?

Part 3 (#’s15 – 6)