I had the pleasure of catching Blitzen Trapper play on Friday night at the Royale Nightclub in Boston.  Not only do Blitzen Trapper hold up live , but they’re quite amazing performers of all sorts, even when they strip everything down to the bare bones like they do on this track, “Jericho”.  These pitch perfect harmonies evoke the best of Americana, and this retelling of the fall of Jericho.  Check out the download for free below and do yourself a favor and see this band live.

This can be found off of their Cool Love #1 EP

Jericho- Blitzen Trapper

You can also check out their performance of “Love The Way You Walk Away” from the concert below

“Told myself that you were right for me/ But felt so lonely in your company/But that was love and it’s an ache I still remember”

Pronounced gore-ti-yeah, Gotye is the stage name of Belgian-Austrian Wouter “Wally” De Backer.  Strange as the name may seem, his music manages to be endearing with eclectic influences throughout, from sampling a Luiz Bonfa track “Seville” to a xylophone melody that sticks in your head. As the track progresses it becomes clear that “Somebody That I Used To Know” is a track that the Broken Bells would have loved to call their own, and the revelation later in the track of a counterpoint is a great addition.  Check out the free download below

Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye 

“I Got a Lust For Life and a Dangerous Mind”

This rollicking opener off of Deer Tick’s newly released Divine Providence is what rock should be; no holds barred with energy pouring out of the record.  With a riff out of “Instant Karma” John McCauley scratchy vocals end up sounding like what we could imagine John Lennon would at an older age.  It’s really a fantastic song off a fantastic record.  Check out the free download below

The Bump- Deer Tick