The Mountain Goats - Come, Come to the Sunset Tree (2005)

In 2005, John Darnielle released a milestone of a record called The Sunset Tree. His most autobiographical release to date, it told stories of drug use ("Dinu Lipatti's Bones," "Dilaudid" and "Song for Dennis Brown"), stories of abuse suffered at the hands of his stepfather ("This Year," "Lion's Teeth," "Hast Thou Considered the Tetrapod" and "Pale Green Things"), as well as a bunch of just plain awesome tracks ("Love Love Love," "Magpie," "Dance Music," and "Up the Wolves"). With the first 1000 copies of the album on vinyl, listeners got a bonus record of demo tracks and B-sides from around the same time. Now, friends, you get the same treat. These songs are even more raw than the ones on The Sunset Tree, and here they are for your listening pleasure.

P.S.: "High Doses #2" is a doozy. :)

For fans of: John Vanderslice, The Extra Glenns/Lens, Marc with a C

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Maria Taylor with Andy LeMaster - Savannah Drive (2008)

This record is wonderful for a myriad of reasons. First, it's a collection of good songs, which is essential for any good record. Second, it's a sampler of sorts of Maria Taylor's solo catalog thus far. Six of these seven songs are acoustic renditions of songs selected from all three of her releases. Third, it includes Andy LeMaster of Now It's Overhead, and for those of you who have never heard a Now It's Overhead record, you're missing out. Fourth and certainly not last, despite the fact that it is made up of material previously found on other albums, it is something new entirely. The first, second and fifth tracks ("Song Beneath the Song", "Birmingham 1982" and "Leap Year," respectively) were taken from 11:11, Maria's first solo record. Track 4 ("A Good Start") was taken from her sophomore release, Lynn Teeter Flower, and tracks 3 and 6 ("LadyLuck" and "Time Lapse Lifeline") were taken from my personal favorite album of hers, 2009's LadyLuck. The final track is brand spanking new, a lovely little number called "Tell Me." Enjoy, friends!

For fans of: Azure Ray, Orenda Fink, Jenny Owen Youngs, Damon and Naomi

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Sibylle Baier - Colour Green (2006)

This record is a perfect example of the fact that ninety-nine percent of the world's best music never makes it to the radio. Recorded by German actress and singer/songwriter Sibylle Baier at home on reel-to-reel between 1970 and 1973, Colour Green was almost never publicly released. It wasn't until around three decades later when her son compiled the songs on compact disc and distributed them to family members as well as J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., who then showed the album to legendary indie label Orange Twin, who released it in 2006. Baier's whispering melodies carry deeply personal lyrics like, "I grew up in declivities, others grew up in cities where first love and soul take rise. There were times in my life when I felt mad and deprived, and only the slopes gave me hope," over fluttering finger-picked guitar. I can't believe this was kept away from the world for so long, but now that it's been released, I'm unceasingly grateful for its presence.

For fans of: Nick Drake, Vashti Bunyan, Karen Dalton

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Jeff Mangum - Live at Jittery Joe's (2001)

Recorded in 1997 by documentary filmmaker Lance Bangs (known for the awesomely spastic video for Death Cab for Cutie's "Talking Like Turnstiles," among many, many others), but released in 2001 to combat the gargantuan prices that bootlegs were going for on eBay, Live at Jittery Joe's is a recording of a solo performance by Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Mangum at Jittery Joe's in Athens, GA. It's a wonderful and intimate performance, as there was no official setlist prepared, so Jeff accepted and honored requests from audience members. Being that's it's Jeff Mangum and it's not a studio release by Neutral Milk Hotel, it of course includes the track "Engine," as well as a cover of Phil Spector's "I Love How You Love Me." The rest of the setlist is a captivating mixture of songs from both of Neutral Milk Hotel's studio releases. Get comfortable, plug in your headphones and give this a listen. It's really something else, and has that prodigious quality that a choice few records possess, and that is that it never plays the same way twice. It's unpolished and unadulterated, but as most of us know, some of the world's most prolific beauty can be found in imperfections.

For fans of: Neutral Milk Hotel, The Mountain Goats, The Olivia Tremor Control

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Watercolor Paintings - Open Your Mouth (2009)

Released in 2009 by sibling duo (don't confuse them as husband and wife, they'll ruin your weekend) Rebecca and Josh Redman, Open Your Mouth is ten songs chock full o' indie folk goodness. Rebecca acts as the primary songwriter as well as lead vocals and harp and Josh does some vocals while playing one hell of a baritone ukelele. With songs like "Indiana" and "Telephone Wires," this record is yet further proof that you don't have to be overly complex musically or have some juggernaut studio equipment to put out a great record.

For fans of: Elephant Parade, Kate Micucci, Erin Tobey

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The Cripple Lilies - La Bête (2007)

This is yet another gem from a band who is no longer among the living. Hailing from Pensacola, FL, The Cripple Lilies were a heavenly blend of harmony, strummed strings and woodwinds that stole the heart of your humble narrator a few years back. With this, their sole full-length, they achieve a level of pleasantness that is so remarkably hard to find these days. My heart skips a beat every time I hear, "Bella of the Rocks." Not too soft and not too cheesy, La Bête is just right. Play this record while you have yourself a cup of coffee. You'll be astounded when you realize that you won't be requiring any sweetener.

For fans of: Winterpills, Kings of Convenience, The Wooden Birds

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Paul Baribeau and Ginger Alford - Darkness on the Edge of Your Town Tour (2008)

Back in 2006, Paul Baribeau and Ginger Alford (Good Luck, One Reason) decided to go on tour playing nothing but Bruce Springsteen covers. Of the fourteen that made up the setlists, ten were recorded. These ten songs are the result of two people coming together (they'd hardly met before this tour and had never played together) over a mutual love of Bruce Springsteen. Kinda brings a tear to your eye, huh? No? Then, my friend, you don't have a soul. Sorry I had to be the one to tell you. From "Bobby Jean" to "Thunder Road," these fast-paced, heart-filled tunes are really quite expectional. Baribeau's howl and Alford's timbre come together in a match made in folk-rock heaven. 'Cause tramps like them? Baby they were born to run...

For fans of: The Boss, Good Luck, Ghost Mice, Andrew Jackson Jihad
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Allison Weiss - Live at Sidewalk NYC (2008)

Recorded last year at one of her live performances, this album is such a wonderful representation of singer/songwriter Allison Weiss. For those who were up until now unfamiliar with her work, it provides a delightful introduction. For those who are longtime fans of hers, it provides what so many people yearn for from their favorite artists; a live album that doesn't completely blow. It makes sense that an Allison Weiss record can multitask like that, because those who have had the privilege of attending one of her shows are given a perfect display of multitasking. She manages to fulfill the audience's need to hear good music while also making them laugh a few times, all the while completely kicking ass. She's no studio-only band, she's actually got musical prowess and it's on display for all to see (well, hear). Live at Sidewalk NYC is home to such gems as "I'm Ready" and "July 25, 2007," and like her friend and fellow musician Jenny Owen Youngs did on The Take Off All Your Clothes EP, includes a pretty bitchin' cover song. I won't spoil the surprise and tell you what it is, you'll know it when you hear it. Well, what are you waiting for? Get to clickin', already!

For fans of: Jenny Owen Youngs, Madeline, Julia Nunes

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Jeffrey Lewis - It's the Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through (2003)

The second (more widely available album) by singer/songwriter Jeffrey Lewis, "It's the Ones Who've Cracked That the Light Shines Through" is a neo-classic anti-folk treasure. The album's demeanor is reminiscent of early '90s releases by The Mountain Goats, not just for its lo-fi splendor, but also for the razor sharp wit it carries in songs like "Back When I Was 4," a fictional account of Jeff's life so far, from ages 4 all the way to 128. When the zombie apocalypse happens (yes, WHEN), we can find comfort in the fact that we listened to this album, and learned survival skills from the song "If You Shoot the Head You Kill the Ghoul." Just like Dylan and Oberst, he's not the world's most phenomenal vocalist, but that doesn't matter one bit. The songs are perfect just the way they are. If they weren't like this, they'd lose so much. Give this a listen and you'll see what I mean.

For fans of: Kimya Dawson, The Mountain Goats, Diane Cluck

***Hey guys, Jeff has contacted us and kindly asked us to take the link to the full album down, so I've done just that. I'm now directing you to http://www.TheJeffreyLewisSite.com. There are plenty of awesome downloads, samples and awesome things for your listening and viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - I See a Darkness (1999)

This album is pure, unadulterated folky awesome. This record not only ranked #9 on Pitchfork's Top 100 albums of the '90s, but they also rewarded it a rare 10/10 rating. Bottom line is, if this is not among the records in your collection, that collection is lacking.


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The Love Of Everything – Piano.Bedroom.Florida

Bobby Burg of Make Believe and Joan of Arc, very chill soft music. Childlike toy keyboards and soft singing. Guests from Mirah, super good indie album.

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