Archive for February, 2006

Feb 28 2006

Hartley Goldstein

Hartley GoldsteinHartley Goldstein is a Jew and he thanks you for asking. He’s from New York and reviews as much music as he makes. I could explain to you exactly what makes Hartley Goldstein so awesome, but it’s far easier to do so in list form.

Reasons Why Hartley Goldstein Rocks:

1. He is incredibly nerdy. You may not think is cool, but godamnit I like my musicians to geek it up a little. Goldstein goes nuts with this, managing to get songs about excellent producer Brad Wood, Woody Allen and Diane Keaton films and somehow, George Harrison’s beard all during the course of a five song EP (Songs In The Key Of Zoloft).

2. He’s an excellent critic, writing a number of reviews (primarily of, no kidding, rap) for the pop culture bible and general coolness incarnate PopMatters.

3. His taste and influences in music are an indie kids dream, consisting of The New Pornographers, The Shins, Elliott Smith and Belle & Sebastian.

4. Most importantly, he crafts alarmingly catchy pop songs. Which when we get down to it, is the main thing that we’re interested in.

MP3 Hartley Goldstein - Brad Wood (expired)
MP3 Hartley Goldstein - Art Is A Lie (expired)

Buy it at Insound!Head over to his website where you can read his blog and enjoy lots of flashy type things that look very nice. You can purchase his CD for a mere $5 from the good folks over at Insound.

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Feb 26 2006

The Young Republic

The Young RepublicI spent quite a while debating exactly who I should use as my first entry on here. After all, first impressions are vital. There are a ton of bands I want to cover here, and narrowing it down to one just to start was a very difficult job. Eventually though I found my answer, The Young Republic.

I first discovered The Young Republic through a couple of other mp3 blogs, so it seems only fair that I would start my time here with them.

You wouldn’t think it to look at them, but these nine people are putting out orchestral indie rock of the highest order. The obvious comparison would be a slightly less twee Belle & Sebastian, but even that feels like I’m doing them a massive disservice. Lyrically their songs are simple, these are melancoly tales of love, but the beauty is in the delivery.

MP3 The Young Republic - Girl From The Northern States
MP3
The Young Republic - Always Together
MP3 The Young Republic - Seeing Someone You Know / Seventeen Miles Away
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The Young Republic - Modern Plays

You’ll find a ton more mp3s for your enjoyment on their website, where you can also purchase their cds.

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