Stunning preview track from the Somerville, MA duo's forthcoming third full-length, "Robber On The Run", due out on June 10th from Own Records. I'm fortunate to have heard the whole thing, and whenever I'm sure they can't top themselves, well, they go ahead and do it.

Travels' next live appearance is on Friday, April the 16th at PA's Lounge in Somerville with headliners Guillermo Sexo, Freddie T & the People (ex-Hoover/June of 44/The Crownhate Ruin), and Ghost Box Orchestra. Now there's a lineup for ya.

Another preview track, this one closely connected to another (former) Boston-area duo. The short story: Alex Chen is 1/2 of wonderful electro-pop twosome Boy In Static, who after leaving Boston for a brief stay in San Francisco, headed to Sweden and recorded a solo project as The Consulate General, recruiting guests stars like Antoine Bedard (of Montag), John Chao (of Misha), Ryan Fritch (of Sole & The Skyrider Band), and former Slowdive drummer Simon Scott (yes, Slowdive). The resulting album, "Person Number", arrives on April 6th courtesy of Circle Into Square / Fake Four Records.

As someone who lived and breathed everything Burlington, Vermont for most of his life, and left because of a lull in good bands and a rock-show scene (ok, and for a girl), it pained me that The Cush showed up in town after I left. Were I still there, it's a band I would have seen often, and trumpeted throughout the land. But having fled the BVT to the BOS in 1998, it took a hometown visit a few years later to discover them in an upstairs Winooski apartment space early in the decade. Instant love. Here we are almost ten years later, and the band (at the core, a married duo) is releasing their third full-length (out April 20th) titled "Between The Leaves". I absolutely adore this first taste. They make me miss Burlington, where this album has been available for months.

The Cush plays next at The Living Room in NYC on April 2nd. Be there on my behalf.

One of those bands that forces you to abbreviate in order to maintain proper line justification (I'm looking at you, "Tim and Sam..."), the above should actually read as follows: (The) Slowest Runner (In All The World) - "A Blind Captain, A Whispered Portent, An Infirm Navigator". Thanks to an introductory email and a wonderful session on the indispensable Band In Boston podcast (shout-out to Jen + Andy!), I have fallen hard for Montreal/NYC instrumental combo TSRIATW (easier, right? nope.).

I know bands generally bristle when compared to other bands (and I always hesitate to do so), but there is such a Rachels vibe here that I cannot resist the mention. It's absolutely beautiful, and so worth hearing, especially given its total freeness. Yes, it's free to stream at the BiB site, and even if it wasn't, I would pay muchly. Own it officially by visiting the Grinding Tapes site. The above song is my favorite track from the their "Flophouse Session" EP.

I'm going to assume you've already heard this, right? Multiple times, at least. Ted + his company's latest notch in their rock-n-roll belt, "The Brutalist Bricks", came out last week, so it should already have gotten several dozen spins on your iPod/Turntable/Winamp/Boombox/whatever. No?! Well, if you're not already on board, there's not a lot I can do for you. Please, seek help.

Ted and his Pharmacists will headline the Paradise in Boston on Saturday, April 10th with Screaming Females (!) and Obits (!!) opening. Hello, sell out (buy tix, seriously). I mean, jeez.

Is it possible to have a crush on a couple? If I wasn't already married, I'd totally ask the Baltimore-based duo known as Wye Oak to marry me. A musical marriage. Because I love them. Truly. I fell with the first note, but harder when I got to know Jen + Andy a little bit. Despite the fact that they write better songs and play better shows than most of today's so-called 'rock stars', they are anything but. So refreshing.

Instead of over-hyping a new release that could not possibly be over-hyped, they sprang a brand new EP on us a few days ago with no warning whatsoever. The very definition of a surprise present. Download the "My Neighbor / My Creator" EP from Merge, or pre-order the CD if you're (like me) into the physical thing. They've been playing lead-off semi-title track "My Neighbor" live since last summer, and all I could think was "Oh, I can't wait until this is released". Well, that time has come.

Not a lot I can say about this song... it's Canadian superstars The New Pornographers. And it's rockin'. It may, in fact, be more rockin' than anything on their entire last album, which is no small statement. Their new long-player, "Together", arrives on May 4th, 2010. And I want to hear the whole thing. Right now.

It's been almost four years since Sweden's S-M gave us their self-titled debut (and since they blew my mind with a 2006 TT the Bears live set), but if you were worried they'd switch gears for the follow-up, have no fear. "S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor", which comes out on March 22nd from the esteemed 4AD record label, has all of the MBV-inspired vocal and guitars, and throws a serious dose of Moonshake-style rhythm action. For those familiar with Moonshake, this should trigger some excitement. The fact that they are returning to the confines of TT the Bears on Sunday night, April 4th (with PoBP@H pals The Depreciation Guild and Black Fortress of Opium) should trigger more of the same.

A couple of things you should be aware of from the onset: The new Nada Surf album, "If I Had A Hi-Fi" is all covers. And if you want it, you need to go see them live. Severe punishment, I know. Oh, and it's also a palindrome. The merch table of their upcoming tour, which kicks off with a sold out show on March 25th at NYC's Bowery Ballroom, is in fact the only place you can grab that all-covers disc (which includes songs written by Depeche Mode, the Go-Betweens, Kate Bush, Spoon, and more). So be there, or hang tight for details on where you can buy it later. The trio hits the Paradise in Boston on April 3rd (tickets here) with Dawn Landes & the Hounds.

While we wait for a brand new Rival Schools album (yes, it's happening), we're given lead-guy Walter's first official solo effort, "Open Letter To A Scene" (out May 4th on Academy Fight Song) which most-resembles 2004's Walking Concert full-lengther. It's essentially a way for Mr. Schreifels to get his pop-rocks off, his more low-key troubador side. That's not to say it's all-acoustic, for there are a couple of fairly rockin' numbers on here, but for the most part these are catchy, strummy diversions along the lines of WC's "Audrey". And that's not at all a bad thing. It should tide us over quite well indeed.

For those heading to Austin with a hankerin' to see Walter in person, he'll be playing solo on Friday, March 19th at the AFS/Dine Alone SxSW Party at the Iron Gate, and with Rival Schools on Saturday, March 20th at Red 7 Patio. And I'll only be a couple thousand miles away. Sigh.

Labels: freesongs

Arms and Sleepers - "Matador"
(on Fake Chapter Records)

My favorite ambient album of '09, from a Boston/Portland duo that's been around for awhile and finally made it onto my radar with this album's release in November. Collaborators abound on "Matador", including this gorgeous duet with Catherine Worsham of Uzi & Ari, which also features a bit of guitar work from Mona Elliott of Travels...

[MP3] Arms and Sleepers - "The Architekt"

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The Beatings - "Late Season Kids"
(on Midriff Records)

I wrote a bit about the triumph of persistence that is The Beatings' sixth album right here, and it still rings true. In case you missed it, be sure to freely download the entire (and entirely excellent) Midriff Records 2009 Sampler on which this song also resides...

[MP3] The Beatings - "All Things You've Been Missing"

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Caspian - "Tertia"
(on The Myelene Sheath)

My inclusion of Beverly's Caspian on this list should come as no surprise to anyone who has been reading the 'Nac for awhile. They continue to grow, stretching the bounds of instrumental post-rock, writing songs that may shine on record, but are near-blinding in a live setting. I love that their label - The Mylene Sheath - treats us to limited edition, hi-quality Caspian vinyl, and that they'll also be putting out deluxe CD reissues of the bands' previous work in a couple weeks. Go here for details and pre-order action.

[MP3] Caspian - "Of Foam and Wave"

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The Channels - "Cold Comfort"
(self-released)

This album took me by surprise, only because I came upon it in a most unusual and unassuming way - it was handed to me by my temporary bandmate, guitarist/singer/cartoonist Rob Sergel, on the night of our first and only show together (so far?) as the Marvelous Marbles. I had no idea what to expect when I popped it into my computer a couple weeks later - but within a couple listens I considered myself very, very lucky. Rob and his friend Ben have crafted a bedroom pop gem, somber in subject, uplifting in execution, and waiting to be discovered by a whole hell of a lot more like-minded listeners.

Y'know, as much fun as I had playing with my MM bandmates, I wouldn't have predicted I'd walk away from the experience holding onto one of my favorite albums of the year. I've shared one track with Rob's permission below, but you can stream the entirety of "Cold Comfort" right here.

[MP3] The Channels - "Don't Come Over"

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Hallelujah the Hills - "Colonial Drones"
(on Misra Records)

Hallelujah the Hills' second album damn well delivered on the promise made by their first, proving yet again that literate songs need not be boring - hell, they can be downright catchy. They've found the perfect studio balance, layering dense, detailed instrumentation in a blanket of warm production that sounds like no one else - you hear an HtH song and you know it's them. Here's one to make you dance...

[MP3] Hallelujah the Hills - "Blank Passports"

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Mean Creek

"The Sky (Or The Underground)"
(on Old Flame Records)

When I first heard this, Mean Creek's second album, I knew I liked it quite a bit, but that I'd need to spend more time discovering just how much. Before that happened, I caught the band downstairs at the Middle East as part of the Mark Sandman Memorial Concert, and was frankly flat-out blown away. That live performance, the power of it, the perfect sound mix and harmonies of that afternoon set... well, it brought even greater life to the studio versions and elevated the songs in my ears. I'm generally not a fan of music-related awards contests and such, but this is one I can get behind.

[MP3] Mean Creek - "The Sky (Or The Underground)"

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The Novel Ideas - "The Sky Is A Field"
(self-released)

I said it back in December, and I'll say it again: Songs that make me swoon. Their introductory email hit my inbox just when I needed it most, in October, when various life-related dominoes started falling around me, and this album helped keep my head up. Still does. Stream the whole thing here.

[MP3] The Novel Ideas - "The Sky"

I'm also compelled to mention that Novel Ideas' member Alex Caplow has released a pretty stunning new album titled "Real Life Color" under the name Magic Man. The songs, co-written and recorded with his old friend Sam Lee (of The Tumbled Sea), came together while the two were working together on organic farms last summer in France. More than worth a free download right here. I'll be spending a lot more time with this one as winter becomes spring.

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Pants Yell! - "Received Pronunciation"
(on Slumberland Records)

The simple fact is that "Not Wrong", the next-to-last track on "Received Pronunciation", is hands down my favorite song of 2009. And without the 'Boston' qualifier, either. I don't like to settle on absolute faves, because my mood changes too much for me to be sure of such things, but over and over again I come back to this simple, understated, perfect little gem that gets me every single time. And it sits on this album among so many other pop treasures, showing that these three guys can craft songs that add up to so much more than the sum of their parts.

[MP3] Pants Yell! - "Cold Hands"

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Taxpayer - "Don't Steal My Night Vision"
(on Lunch Records)

A bona fide rock record, refreshingly self-assured without being at-all cheezy. There are far too many bands in this town who cross that line, who are all cocky showmanship but no substance - who have the swagger but not the songs. Taxpayer ain't one of those bands. There are also a ton of bands here who have some good music, but settle for a mediocre vocalist because he plays guitar and writes the songs. Well, Taxpayer ain't that either, thanks to singer/guitarist Jared Marsh, who has the confidence and the range to handle what's going on behind him. Like Mean Creek, these guys deserved all the accolades thrown their way in '09.

[MP3] Taxpayer - "We Have Arrived"

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You Can Be A Wesley - "Heard Like Us"
(self-released)

I've professed my love for the Wesleys many times before, and their debut full-lengther was pretty much guaranteed a spot on my yearly faves list from the get go. Can't wait to see what's up their sleeves for a follow-up.

[MP3] You Can Be A Wesley - "Creatures"

I really dug the Christians & Lions "Bird's Milk" EP, which you can download for free (and under a Creative Commons license) at the bottom of this page. Here's the title track...

[MP3] Christians & Lions - "Bird's Milk"

I fell quickly for Girlfriends after hearing the five songs from their debut cassette EP, and fell even further after I saw them play Great Scott in January. They are, in fact, the real deal. And they happen to share a member (and label) with Christians & Lions. Which I didn't realize until after I got into both bands independently. Seems Ben Potrykus has my number. Go listen.

I sang the praises of Dylan In The Movies in that December fave songs post, and I can't resist an opportunity to do so again. The long-in-the-making next album is now titled "Josephine If You Only Knew", named for what is now the title track, and it'll be out on American Laundromat this year. Given how much I love this song, how much I played it last year, and how great the new stuff they played on last week's KEXP studio session was (seriously, go listen), my anticipation has reached new heights. Added bonus: One of the songs on the album features backing vocals from the Watson Twins and the track "Girl With the Black Tights" was co-written with Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, Breeders, + Belly, of course). Download the "Josephine" single here, and keep an eye on the American Laundromat site for updates on the album's eventual release.

Age Rings are dead; long live Hot Protestants. With a lineup shift, the new name emerged last summer when the band played their first show at Great Scott and offered up an excellent 4-song EP. A second 4-song blast quickly followed in October, and you can download both (naming your own price) right here. Full length on the way? Here's hoping. Here's the first track from that first EP...

[MP3] Hot Protestants - "Sad About An Ice Age"