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Kind of all over the map today. Let’s go for a ride, shall we?

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Here’s a little mix of retro psychedelia and just flat out weirdness from Strangers Family Band. It’s like finally getting a date with that gorgeous girl, taking her to see a revival showing of Blowup, then getting so lost in the movie you forget to make your move.

MP3: Strangers Family Band – Wooden Hands
[From Strangers Family Band EP, free download]

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I’ve sort of been resisting The Xx due to the overwhelming blogosphere hype, which tends to feed on itself long past where the quality of the band involved reaches. I’m coming around though – these cats have got some pull. A gentle, understated pull.

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On the whole, I wasn’t knocked out with the Insound CMJ 2009 Digital Sampler, despite its free download. The Deastro track included with it, though, is superb. I mean, everytime I type his name I keep thinking of this guy, which kinda helps, but I think this chap deserves to stand on his own.

MP3: Deastro – Toxic Crusaders
[Off Moondagger, out now. Also available as part of the Insound CMJ 2009 Digital Sampler free download]

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One of me best mates, Seany McSean, is reporting on the new The Asteroids Galaxy Tour album Fruit as only he can – by spending the majority of the post ruminating on cover art. Oh Sean, don’t ever change!*

MP3: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Sun Ain’t Shining No More

* For the record, I totally advocate using cover art as a decision making basis for purchasing an album. I’ve used this method for decades and it works well 98% of the time.

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The Peephole boy Kent Odessa is back (I still can’t come up with a way of saying that where it doesn’t sound dirty) with another free EP, which makes me think he likes (a) writing excellent songs and (b) ramen noodles, in roughly that exact order. Someone please send this guy some money – he deserves to at least upgrade to the dollar menu!

Seriously tho, the new Strawberry Told Me EP is a big step forward in songwriting prowess from the Cold Dime EP. Both are worth your time, but the new one has a more cohesive feel, like the songs were meant to be together as opposed to slapped together like a mix tape. Download it!

MP3: Peephole – Who Will Love You ‘Till The End
[Off Strawberry Told Me EP, free download now]