the mp3s are (non-Rick) rolling (fanfarlo, CTFPA, red cortez, bishop allen)
Fanfarlo at the Soundcheck party during SxSW last year
Things come in groups, I think. Or, they come randomly and our brain groups them to try to make sense out of chaos. Either way, I’ve noticed that there are a lot of noteworthy free (and legal) mp3s floating around right now.
Fanfarlo – I’m a Pilot (mp3) (via LHB)
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You know I have a crush on Brits Fanfarlo (myspace). They’ve made some great songs so far. Looks like they’ve wrapped on their debut album and I’m really looking forward to it, after hearing the above song (great product, great song) and a redone version of “Harold T. Wilkins”–already loved the 7″ version–which appears in the video below.
No San Francisco dates in the future for them, but they will be at SxSW.
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Old Panda Days (w/ Nick Krgovich) (mp3) (via LHB)
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My favorite depressing ex-San Franciscans Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (myspace) sound more like Rich Synths for the Painfully Alone on this track, but I’m a sucker for close-vocaled, dark-synthed, loud-drummed numbers like this.
Red Cortez – All the Difference (mp3) (via MOKB and LHB)
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I didn’t really know Red Cortez (myspace)–apparent formerly called Weather Underground–before, but I like this track. I think it first caught my ear because the piano part is similar to a sped up, less bluesy version of Cat Power’s “Willie” (from the Greatest). But after I’d listened to it a few times, it grew on me on its own merits.
The band will be in Fresno and Merced, but not San Francisco on their next tour. They’ll also be at SxSW.
Bishop Allen – the Ancient Commonsense of Things (mp3) (via bv)
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Bishop Allen posted two songs on their website from their forthcoming Grrr album. I’d heard both, I believe, when they last played in San Francisco. Seems like a continuation of where they left off; I’m not complaining!
Bishop Allen will be at the Rickshaw Stop on March 24. They’ll also be at SxSW.
