She & Him, actress Zooey Deschanel, and folk hero M. Ward met up with Steve Lillywhite to record three songs for NPR. I didn’t ‘love’ their new disc, Volume One, but I sure as hell like this. Zooeys simple, sultry vocals make me wanna find a smokey jazz club and drink vodka gimlets.

This session is a breath of fresh air for what’s going on in folk music. It’s simple. It’s easy on the ears, and Lillywhite even compliments her voice - saying that it’s good, if not better than the preceeding album. I couldn’t agree more.

Hear the session, here.

Fionn Regan - Change the Locks

Today I bring you one of my favorite Irish artists. Fionn Regan is very young and extremely talented. Citing influences such as Bob Dylan, and Neil Young, Mojo magazine gave this singer songwriters second self produced disc 4 stars. While his second disc is exceptional, I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. This is my favorite song off of his first disc, the ‘Hotel Room Ep.’ Enjoy!

Tegan and Sara - So Jealous
As a guy, I find myself often falling in love with rock chicks. About 3 years ago, I stumbled upon Northwestern folk rock singer Brandi Carlile. I immediately bought her album, burned a few copies for friends, and actually paid their way into a show. After about 15 minutes into her set, I looked around and noticed that the normal venue clientèle was not there. In fact, the small 400 person Casbah was filled with gay women. I was smitten with a girl I could never have.

Then I discovered Tegan and Sara. Writing off their music initially because of it’s pop rock bubble gumminess, I found myself in a car with a friend rocking out to it months later. Once again, I bought the cd and headed off to a show. This time I knew about their sexual preferences, but I figured it was okay to still fall in love with them, seeing as how they couldn’t really manage to break my heart. (and still haven’t).

I just got to see them at Coachella for the third time, and they put on a damn good show. Make sure you check em out next time they’re around. I guarantee you that you’ll love the music, and everything in between it.

Why we like it: Once again, the Illinois/Southern California boys have written a record from the heart. It would be hard to top ‘All the Stars and Boulevards’ but sometimes this record comes real close. If you enjoyed some of the sub-tracks on their previous record (Sunday Best, Coffee and Cigarettes) you’ll like this. The lead singer, Daniel, cut his hair and looks like Brandon from The Killers now. It’s easily comparable. Sams Town is to Hot Fuss as Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt is to All the Stars and Boulevards.
Why we don’t: Often times, it sounds like they went into the studio with a track from other bands and said “Yeah, make it sound like them.” Some tracks are stellar, but a lot of them lose their flair, fast. At least it’s not like some bands sophmoric efforts. It could’ve been better, but by no means is a bad record.
Genre: Rock, Pop, Indie
Like Artist: The Fray, Jack’s Mannequin, Dashboard Confessional

Play Augustana

I had the pleasure of seeing the Ben Gibbard ’sway’ first hand this weekend at the raging Coachella festival. I’ll tell you more about that later, as I must rinse my Coachella sins away for the time being. But, in more Death Cab News, Daytrotter, the source for really cool articles on unknowns and knowns alike is hosting 6 live downloads from DCFC. Two of the tracks are off the new ‘Narrow Stairs,’ and the rest are assorted from Transatlanticism and The Photo Album. Free Music Tuesdays are the bestest.

(click on the picture to go to daytrotter)