Free indie rock downloads from Hanes, Rhapsody

Undergarment titan Hanes recently partnered with online music site Rhapsody to launch an "Indie Rock Downloads" section. Each week the site posts three completely free music downloads, provided the viewer can stomach a thirty second underwear spot.

The selection changes weekly and archives only date back one week. Artists range from the relatively well known (Apples in Stereo and Sloan) to the more obscure (Apartment, Sholi Sholi). All tracks are premium quality, full length, and advert free.

Listen Now - Apples in Stereo - Energy (Sound Advice Exclusive)
Get more music - Hanes' Indie Rock Downloads

Modest Mouse, Kaiser Chiefs, Andrew Bird to release new albums in March

The following is a list of new releases for this month. These dates are for U.S. releases unless otherwise noted. Release dates are subject to change, and sometimes do. This is by no means an exhaustive list of releases, but is chronological.

March 2007
[ 3.13 ] Rosie Thomas - These Friends Of Mine
[ 3.20 ] Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
[ 3.20 ] Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even
Sank
[ 3.27 ] Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truly, Angry Mob
[ 3.27 ] Klaxons* - Myths Of The Near Future (Available in UK)

Listen Now - Rosie Thomas - Say Hello (Feat. Sufjan Stevens)

*Sound Advice selection

WILCO's newest album released on Internet

Wilco fans can listen to the Windy City's favorite sons' new album Sky Blue Sky in its entirety starting March 11, 2007. Though the album will not be released in stores or be available via iTunes until May 15, 2007, the band has decided to let their fans get a first listen.

Listen Now - What Light
To the album - Sky Blue Sky

London Calling: Lily Allen's Alright Still

At first listen, Londoner Lily Allen's debut solo album Alright, Still sounds much like the other female pop efforts of the past several years a la Natasha Beddingfield. In fact, with all the hype surrounding the stateside release, it would be easy to dismiss it as yet another disposable pop album.

Yes, Allen's lyrics are street cred tough. Yes, she has a reputation as a "bad girl". If this were all to Allen and her album, she would merely be a U.K. version of Pink. They even dress alike and have enormous hair/wigs alike. Fortunately for us, there's more to Lily Allen than an accent and four letter words.

This reggae tinged album rocks staccato eighth note rhythms that conjure The Clash or Gang of Four. Her cockneyed sneer is reminiscent of the Sex Pistols. Allen also works in traces of trip hop with shades of the Sneaker Pimps and Estero. Her melodies are bubble gum catchy and absolutely hummable. And yes, she is a master of irony. "Everything is Just Wonderful" is as upbeat and sunshiny as a song can be but the lyrics tell a different story " Why can't I sleep at night/Don't say it's gonna be alright/I wanna be able to eat spaghetti bolognaise/and not feel bad about it for days and days and days."

While there are definitely the elements of Scary Spice on this album, "Take What you Take" comes to mind, the album demonstrates that an artist can be Top 40, plainspoken, and someone to take seriously. Alright, Still may not establish itself in the annals of rock history, but it is certainly worth a second listen. - Recommended

Listen - Alfie
Listen - Friend of Mine

The Best Album You've Never Heard: William Shatner's Has Been

William Shatner is a genius. Decades after being the dreamy, overacting captain of the Starship Enterprise, William Shatner's second career of self deprication has finally hit its stride. Last year's winner of the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor (Boston Legal) and sometime gameshow host (Show Me the Money) and Priceline.com pitchman has teamed with the likeliest of bedfellows for Has Been one of the most interesting albums of the year. Though the album was finished in 2001, he is just now beginning to promote it.

Rocker Ben Folds, who teamed with Shatner once before for "In Love", a track for Fold's first solo album 2001's Fear of Pop, co-wrote all the original tracks with Shatner and produced the LP which features appearances by Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson, and Henry Rollins among others.

While it is difficult to take this album seriously at first, the straightforward pop style is meticulously crafted, clever, and most of all enjoyable. Far from the novelty album one might expect, Has Been is emotionally and lyrically complex. From a cover of Pulp's "Common People", a lament for a wasted chance as fatherhood, to Shatner's Western themed address to his often vocal critics, it is clear that everyone on this album made it because they wanted to not because there was a political message, existential crisis, or pitch for a Peace Prize nomination. Has Been is the most pleasant musical surprise in a long time. - Highly Recommended

Listen - Common People
Listen - That's Me Tryin' (Feat. Ben Folds & Aimee Mann)

An open letter to all the Rosie O'Donnels

It may not be musical, but poet Beau Sia's "Open Letter to all the Rosie O'Donnels" regarding Rosie's remarks on The View reminds us the purpose and power of art in all its forms.



Here's a link to the comments Beau references: Rosie's Comments

"Arranged Biographically": Saint Louis' The Record Exchange

Boasting "the second biggest record collection in the world", The Record Exchange is Saint Louis' premiere record store and modern marvel. The sheer amount of vinyl at the Hampton location is at once breathtaking, intimidating, and overwhelming. This shop actually smells like an old record. Stacks and stacks of records line the walls and reel to reels, tape decks, and old school turntables litter the floor.

The atmosphere is positively "Hornby-esque". Male. Collectors. Quietly singing along with the Beatles record blasting through the quiet. Other than that no chit-chat. Staff that expects the customer to know what he (and the occasional she) wants. For the record snob and musical elitist, it is close to perfection.

Check it out, but be prepared to drop some cash. Vinyl prices can run from two to ten dollars, tapes are almost as much. Don't bother with the negligible CD collection. The point of this store is the vinyl and the days of the record store. The Record Exchange is by far the most extensive collection of vinyl in Saint Louis and a reminder of what fun shopping for records used to be.

Say hello to Captain Howdy

On Saturday March 3, Local Saint Louis trio Captain Howdy played the Schlafly Tap room in honor of the release of their first studio album, Rocks. Opening bands Highway Heat and John Boy's Courage led the way for Captain.

The vocal levels were a bit overpowered by the guitar work at the night's outset, but evened out at the night progressed. And though the amp levels were a bit askew making it seem as though CH's sound was too big for the room, the boys were musically sound with forthright guitar work, precision rhythm, high energy, and an eagerness to blow the doors off venue.

Captain Howdy stormed their way through their newest release, and while it took a song or so to settle in, the gents from Captain Howdy eventually found their groove. For fans of guitar driven, no nonsense rock, Captain Howdy is one of Saint Louis' finest.

For the Captain Howdy Photo Gallery, click here...

Demand BEN FOLDS in STL

Click on this link to help bring Ben to Saint Louis again.

Barenaked Ladies take a step forward: Are Men

The problem with the Barenaked Ladies is, that just when they look like they are ready to settle into their place as an average, straightforward, unremarkable pop band, they do something interesting. Are Men, the latest album in their now two decade long career, is just that: interesting.

Technically Are Men is not a new album. This collection is part of the same recording session as the lads' previous album Are Me. Though there are similarities between the two, Men is livelier, and more energetic than Are Me. Longtime fans will be glad to know that many of the tracks, "Running Out of Ink" for example, on the album are done in the simple, guitar driven, clever lyric style to which they've grown accustomed. What is interesting are the risks.

First, the band makes an unapologetic foray into politics with "Fun and Games". Scathing and clever, it is as brash a statement as any war protest song ever was, complete with New Orleans jazz band at the bridge. Also, Are Me implements musical layering and tonal work which is another first for Ed Robertson and the boys. Tracks such as "Another Spin" or "One and Only" combine vocal work and harmony reminiscent of Brian Wilson or late Beach Boys circa Pet Sounds or Endless Summer.

The latest album demonstrates that while the Barenaked Ladies are still a reasonably straightforward, pleasant rock group, they are capable of creating interesting, sometimes captivating works and are far from finished. Not a perfect album, but still worthwhile. - Recommended