ExploreMusic » Recommendation

Free Download of Billy The Kid’s new album, “Ours”

Adam Morrison — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:49:54 +0000

Vancouver singer/songwriter, label founder—Lost Records, which she created to support poignant underground music—and ExploreMusic favourite Billy Pettinger aka Billy The Kid has released 3.5 albums with her punk band, Billy and the Lost Boys, and a five-song EP (“The Lost Cause”) that was produced by Our Lady Peace’s Raine Maida.

She’s now ready with a brand new full length album, “Ours,” and we’re excited to bring it to you.

Right-click here to download Ours by Billy the Kid & the Southside Boys, and click here to check out Billy The Kid’s official site.

JK Mantis: “Waves”

Adam Morrison — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:45:56 +0000

Toronto-based quartet JK Mantis plays alternative rock with a classic rock feel.

The band formed in June 2008, and the lineup was completed in September 2009.

Their self-produced debut release, 1, came out in March 2011.

Listen to “Waves,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out JK Mantis’s official site.

Shoot the Image: “Lithograph”

Adam Morrison — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:45:20 +0000

Things got rolling for Toronto-based five-piece Shoot the Image when they met producer and guitarist Boz Boorer (The Polecats, Morrissey) on MySpace.

After a year of online communication with Boz, the band was surprised when he showed up at a show of theirs in London (England) and, after a few pints, he invited them to record at his Serra Vista Studios, which is located deep in the mountains of Portugal.

Recording lasted 12-15 hours a day for three weeks, with no cell phone or internet service.

The result is Shoot the Image’s ten-track debut album, Cranes In The City.

The band plans to have a video created for each of the album’s tracks—a working relationship with Vancouver director Olaf Blomerus, who helmed the band’s debut clip, actually began with a Tweet from ExploreMusic’s own Alan Cross about another video that Olaf had directed.

Listen to “Lithograph,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out Shoot the Image’s official site.

Mark Davis: “Eliminate The Toxins”

Adam Morrison — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:45:22 +0000

Edmonton-based roots artist Mark Davis helped guide Old Reliable through fifteen years and four recordings, and, in the studio, he’s collaborated with the likes of Joey Burns and John Convertino (Calexico, Giant Sand), Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), Corb Lund, Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco, Freakwater), and Romi Mayes.

Mark’s third solo full length, Eliminate The Toxins, is the follow-up to his highly-acclaimed 2007 dual release, Don’t You Think We Should Be Closer? and Mistakes I Meant To Make.

Listen to the title track, “Eliminate The Toxins,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out Mark Davis’s official site.

JF Robitaille: “Modern Love Song Pt. 1″

Adam Morrison — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:45:08 +0000

Folk artist JF Robitaille, a former member of indie-rock band The Social Register, was playing in New York City in 2006 when he was discovered by Nona “Lady Marmalade” Hendryx.

Robitaille’s six-track The Blood in My Body EP was recorded by Howard Bilerman at Hotel2Tango (the Montreal producer and studio behind Arcade Fire’s Funeral album) and released in 2007 via Hendryx’s label, Rhythbank.

After the label folded in 2008—meaning that a fully recorded and mastered full length will likely never see the light of day—Robitaille returned home to Montreal.

He wrote a dozen new songs, then recruited drummer Chris Wise (Elephant Stone, Sunfields), bassist Tavo Diez De Bonilla (Octoberman, Two Minute Miracles), and guitarist Andrew Johnston for his backing band.

The new album, Calendar, was recorded with producer Adrian Popovich (ex-Tricky Woo) and released on July 5th, 2011.

Listen to “Modern Love Song Pt. 1,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out JF Robitaille’s MySpace page.

Metro4: “Disease”

Adam Morrison — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:45:50 +0000

London, Ontario-based band Metro4 formed in 2005 and went through three vocalists before finding Jason Mercer, the right fit for their catchy, emotional rock sound.

Their new album, Day One, is more guitar-driven than their debut self-titled album, since it’s the first Metro4 release since keyboardist Adam Plante left the lineup—meaning that there are now four members of Metro4.

Listen to the lead-off track, “Disease,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out Metro4′s official site.

Priory: “Lady of Late”

Adam Morrison — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:45:52 +0000

Portland-based indie-pop/electronic-folk four-piece Priory has followed up their 2010 EP, Cold Hands, with their self-titled debut full length.

“It’s finding that balance between the standard acoustic instruments and partnering them with huge electronic bass and keyboard licks,” says the band’s Kyle Dieker when asked to describe their sound. “Priory is all about tones and where those sounds sit in a song. Blending folk melodies with pop sensibility, Priory takes from a collection of sounds and brings them together into something that is familiar yet innovative.”

Listen to “Lady of Late,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out Priory’s official site.

Rebel Emergency: “Up All Night”

Adam Morrison — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:45:43 +0000

After Panic was forced to leave an emerging band called Panic and the Rebels, one of the remaining members, Roddy, took over vocal duties… and Rebel Emergency was born.

The Toronto-based four-piece plays a mix of rock, reggae, and ska, taking influence from the classics of each of those genres.

Their third and latest album is Aphrodisiology.

Listen to “Up All Night,” right-click here to download an MP3 of the track, and click here to check out Rebel Emergency’s MySpace page.

Scream, Dave Grohl’s First Professional Band, Returns

Alan Cross — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:30:36 +0000

Before Dave Grohl joined the Foo Fighters, he was in a DC band called Scream. It was only when they broke up in mid-tour on the west coast during a girlfriend crisis that Dave heard about this gig up in Seattle and—well, you know the story.

Back in February, Scream reconvened. They recorded a reunion EP in Dave’s Studio 606 called Scream’s Complete Control Recording Session. This is the original line-up of Pete Stahl, his brother Franz (who was in the Foo Fighters for a couple of years), bass player Skeeter Thompson and drummer Kent Stax (the guy Dave Grohl replaced).

I’ve heard it and it’s good. Watch for the EP August 16.

The Coolest SONGS in the World for Thursday, June 30, 2011: A Treasure Trove of Radiohead Covers

Alan Cross — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:11:02 +0000

If you’re into Radiohead, you know that htye love to do covers. They’ve tackled material by Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Joy Division, Blondie, Portishead and even Bjork.

I found a cache of all kinds of Radiohead covers, each available for download. Grab them all while you can.

Personally, I like their take on “Wonderwall”–but there’s lots more to choose from.