Download Song

Cooper is a solid melodic rock band that writes noticeably radio-ready tracks for mass consumption. And they do it well. ‘Aftertaste’ has a sound that reminds me of the softer moments from Hoobastank. Same sort of approach as well. They shoot for the big hooks and choruses. These guys are ready-made for alt. rock radio.

Download Song

OK, I’m as giddy as a little schoolgirl… so forgive me for my excitement here. However, it’s a really rare thing to come across a track as good as the one that you’re about to indulge in. Now add to that the fact that this is a ‘Creative Commons’ release and you can see the source of my excitement. Not only does this wonderful band know how to write a killer track, they want you all to share it with the world! Rock on guys!!! Read the rest of this entry »

Download Song

For some reason I had always thought that Cat Power was J-Pop. I’ve been hearing about her for a very long time, but I’d never heard any of her music. No idea where the J-Pop thing came from. Maybe it’s because her first name is Chan, although it’s a nickname for Charlyn. Either way, that’s just what I’d always thought. Anyway, take a gander at this track from her most recent release also titled, ‘The Greatest’. And despite the confusion, this is NOT a greatest hits compilation. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t think it comes as a surprise to our regular visitors that we here at Gigatracks are something that one might call slack-asses. We don’t update as frequently as we ought to and all that jazz, but hey, we keep hangin’ around. And one of my resolutions is to post a little more frequently. And it’s already the fifth and I haven’t broken my resolution yet, so I’m doing better than I figured.

Anyway, I finally got motivated and have put together my list of the best albums of 2006. And since I’m not a critic who kisses very much ass or shares anything as far as taste goes with most music critics, don’t be surprised when my list looks different from everyone else’s. Too bad for them that my list is the right one and their’s is just so, so wrong. And it won’t surprise me one bit if ol’ Bogtrotter doesn’t come on here with his list and try to claim otherwise… but we all know better. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m addicted to this video. It’s just too damn funny. It’s an uncensored version of a skit from Saturday Night Live, featuring Justin Timberlake doing a parody of the 90’s ‘New Jack Swing’-style R&B. Think Color Me Badd. I swear I’ve watched this thing at least once a day for about a week now.

Also, be sure and listen for the tip of the hat to R. Kelly’s ‘Your Body’s Callling’.

Download Song

The Decemberists are an indie rock wet dream of sorts. They are an almost perfect melding of two perennial flagship indie rock bands, Death Cab For Cutie and Sunny Day Real Estate. They also work in a heaping helping of Celtic influence into their music. And I’m hooked! Read the rest of this entry »

Andy McKee makes my head asplode with this off-the-hook vid of him doing a little percussive fingerstyle git-fiddle playing. He manages to do what many a great guitarist has failed to do by balancing technical ability with melodic and gorgeous compositions (you listening, Yngwie? You could learn a thing or two here).

Check it out. And if you’ve ever played guitar, no matter how good you are, be prepared to feel the need to go practice.

Download Song

‘Control Freak’ is great track that is highly reminiscent of Mae or Switchfoot. It’s off their most recent release called ‘Eat, Sleep, Repeat’, which I can also recommend as it’s a very good album. This particular track, much like the rest of the album, packs an instantly likable chorus and a comfortable melody and washes the whole thing with atmospherics that just feels right without being overdone.

Also, according to their website, Copeland just signed on with Columbia, so I can just about guarantee you that you will be hearing much more from these guys soon.

A while back on this very website, I made the statement that I hadn’t heard a good album all year.  Well, that was before Pearl Jam and Jurassic 5 dropped theirs…and Bruce Springsteen did Pete Seeger…and we found The Lonely Hearts…and Fair…and before we finally let the critics have their way and picked up The Raconteurs.

That was also before my wife slipped Brandy Lindsey into the Civic for one of my road trips.  And I’ve got to honestly tell you, road trippin’ with Brandy Lindsey makes for a pretty good time! Read the rest of this entry »

Download Song

Jim Gilmour brings us a nice laid back track called ‘Quarterline’ that evokes the best aspects of Americana. Along the same lines of The Eagles or even more contemporary artists like Amos Lee, ‘Quarterline’ just goes down nice and smooth. Perfect listening for late-summer Saturday afternoons.