Around the Blogosphere: New Pornographers, Low Budgets, Schroeder, Hives, Dinosaur Jr, Weakerthans, Screaming Trees, Said The Whale, Young Galaxy

A good way to end the year, imho. (That "h" could mean "haughty.") Some of these are on "Best of" lists, so you might have to scroll. Sincere appreciations to the hosts.

The New Pornographers – Mutiny I Promise You – Battle of the Midwestern Housewives
The Low Budgets – Plastic – Battle of the Midwestern Housewives
Aaron Schroeder – Fake Crimes – Battle of the Midwestern Housewives

The Hives – Tick Tick Boom – Dead Flowers – Maybe you got it elsewhen; if not, maybe now. Certainly one of my favorites of the year.
Dinosaur Jr – This Is All I Came To Do – Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?
The Weakerthans – Tournament of Hearts – Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?

Screaming Trees – Cold Rain & Bed of Roses & No One Knows – Gaper’s Blog - Good job, Gape! These Ellensburgers are long-time faves.
Said The Whale – Live Off Lamb – i (heart) music
Young Galaxy – Come And See – i (heart) music

Around the Blogsphere: Dodgy, Young Galaxy, Walker Kong, The Promise Ring, Pernice Brothers, Blackpool Lights

May I, as always, extend sincerest thanks to the generous spirits hosting these excellent pieces? Thanks.

Dodgy - In A Room – Music of the Moment – You may like the other four Dodgys better.
Young Galaxy - Come And See & No Matter How Hard You Try - Good Hodgkins
Walker Kong - We Are The Falling Stars – Good Hodgkins
The Promise Ring - Skips A Beat (Over You) - Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?
Pernice Brothers - One Foot In The Grave - Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?
Blackpool Lights - Goodnight To Romance - Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?

Ash, Starky, Young Galaxy, Kelly's Heels

So much music, so little time. Over the weekend I dug back into the SXSW 2005 site and found another 50 or 60 songs I rated at three stars or better. (Translation: I like 'em a lot.) For the next several weeks I'll be working in a few per day, along with current goodstuff I happen upon. Thanks to visitor "John's" recent tout, Ireland's Ash have been for me one of the most exciting close encounters of the heard kind in many a moon. Imagine if you dare (and why not) my embarrassment/excitement to find them right there as one of the SXSW Showcasing bands back in 2005, which is by way of saying we lead off with them. Next we're calling Sydney for a song by Starky I've liked for a year or two now. (I posted Starky's "Hey Bang Bang" at Big Bloc 4, which I must confess is one of my favorite posts since I started blogging.) Then we get a bit more au courant with a goodun by Montrealers Young Galaxy, brought to earth at the excellent AOL Spinner.com. We close this set with a pleaser brought to our attention by a representative of the London band, Kelly's Heels. Thanks, Katy! Click the artists' names for more info, music, etc.

Ash - Meltdown mp3
Starky - Girl Talk mp3
Young Galaxy - Outside the City mp3
Kelly’s Heels – Invisible Hold mp3 (pic)