This is the second in the relaunch of the song obsessions posts, two and a half years after my last regular song obsession post . Song obsessions are those songs that get stuck in your head. This series of posts isn't about what I or the other panel members think is best, but what our brain latches onto, those ear worms that loop around and around in your head. - Adrian ( me ): Tyler Lyle - The Wine Maker's Love [...]

We know you have been waiting patiently, and just itching with anticipation about when our Lounge Acts series would make its 2010 debut. Well, wait no longer, because today we air the very first session of the new year. And just so you know we are serious, we have not only todays set to share, but a total of three before this week is complete. Today at 3pm ET, 2pm Central , we have a session with Lymbyc Systm that will be airing and if you haven't heard their excellent album Shutter [...]
Molina and Johnson - "Twenty Cycles To The Ground" from the self-titled album.
Even if his name isn't instantly familiar to you, Will Johnson has probably been a part of at least one musical project you're a fan of. After moving to Denton, Texas, in the early '90s for college, Johnson formed Centro-matic, which has released numerous records since 1996. In 2002, Johnson, his Centro-matic bandmates and guest [...]
Although it is always a quiet month for new releases, and much thought, time and space is given up to those obligatory end-of-year best of lists, we've still been lucky enough to hear and discovered some pretty fantastic new music in December.The best of our finds this month are below.Shearwater - Castaways mp3 (from The Golden Archipelago)Gorgeous advance from much anticipated new album.Molina &
If Americana, alt-country or whatever you may call it is your thing, do head over to the Bird List , where thirty of the ´web´s leading aficionados of twanglike music´ picked the best albums of the year. I participated as well, but my list didn´t make much of an impact on the final outcome I guess. Oh well. Maybe I´m just not twang enough. For the record, here´s my personal top 15 of 2009, as submitted to the Bird List ´s totally cool politburo. On the whole, I [...]
Jason Molina and Will Johnson's collaboration, the slightly uninspiringly titled Molina & Johnson have released a second free download from their (also slightly uninspiringly) self-titled album.Thankfully, the contents of the album itself is the antithesis of uninspiring. It is a lovely collection of unhurried, classic Americana. Check this track for living proof.Buy the album from Amazon

The fantastic Molina & Johnson project from Secretly Canadian has this not so secret Canadian thinking he found his next vinyl purchase. Yes, I think so - but wait! It is out of print! This is a shout out to all you readers to find me a copy to purchase, so either put a comment in or send me an email!! But I digress...the second track made available is "Almost Let Me In" and is a free download over on the SC site . So go visit and grab a copy of this [...]
It was after a Magnolia Electric Co. show in Austin, Texas, when Jason Molina and Will Johnson discovered their shared interest in hats and pumpkins and, more importantly, decided to combine forces. Two years later, the men behind Magnolia Electric Co. (Molina) and Centro-matic (Johnson) have an album to show for it, titled—you guessed it—Molina And [...]

DOWNLOAD: Molina and Johnson - Almost Let You In (MP3) DOWNLOAD: Molina and Johnson - Twenty Cycles To The Ground (MP3) Jason Molina w/ Magnolia Electric Co. @ E. River State Park ( more by Chris La Putt ) unfortunately, jason molina will not be able to tour in the new year due to his present health issues and the american dates for january and february have all been cancelled. jason molina is (still) extremely disappointed but it is impossible for him [...]

The right song on a pair of good headphones can be a transcendental experience. Seriously. Music, of course, is meant to be shared and heard amongst friends in large auditoriums and sun-drenched fields, but sometimes it's also solely an individual experience. Reflecting, daydreaming, or drowning out unwanted chatter, a pair of headphones is many ways a lens into a one-person world: one where the aperture is opened wide and shutter speed slowed, suspending time and space into a slow fluttering dance of tones and texture. Haven't tried it in a while? Cup your ears with one or all of these [...]
At a time when we are all witnessing the CD's imminent demise and the convenience of digital files running rampant, thankfully from an art perspective, a vinyl re-emergence is upon us. While sound quality is obviously seen as the most important reason why we are seeing audiophiles jumping back on the vinyl bandwagon, album artwork is also getting a much deserved close-up. With the vinyl album requiring more elaborate artwork packages, bands are re-thinking the overall aesthetic and producing some great work, which only enhances the overall music experience. 2009 has been a great year not only for the ears, [...]

So I saw the HBO Pay-Per-View of Pacquiao VS Cotto Firepower and it was certainly worth the paying for. It lasted 12 rounds and obviously Manny Pacquiao won. Damn, Cotto was bigger but Pacman just got the rhythm and the moves. "Manny Pacquiao is the saviour of world boxing. He is at present the pound-for-pound boxing king," (Time Magazine) and now that he won against Cotto, he's the ONLY 7 time world champion in different weights divisions. What more do I need to say? Back to main topic, I think it's [...]
Hello Slowcousticals, I bring you a weekend playlist because I don't have a feature post (let's just be honest here). There isn't even a compromise though because there is some really great music included. If you are a regular reader or are a member of the Last.fm group, you know I am a bit of a playlist fiend. So enough with the blather and let's get to your weekend soundtrack! Slowcoustic Saturday Playlist (November Edition) ~ Wonder Stranger [...]

It's Friday! Time to unwind with a bit of EAR FARM's Free Music Fridays , yes? This week we've got lots of FREE and LEGAL full album downloads, so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for LPs and EPs galore. Of course, all of the music in this post is entirely FREE and LEGAL: guilt free enjoyment, just like Tab ... just click the band name for the band's site and the song name for the MP3. In addition, we're continuing to offer music-related visual art education/appreciation with our Free [...]

Good work from Molina and Johnson on their recently released album. Considering their separate output both of these guys are a real value to the American songwriter quilt. Each carry a distinct slightly off-kilter voice with a subsequent induced mood that puts a shade of particular pale on their material. There is often an isolated or lonely ambiance in the wake of Molina's voice which reminds me of a less frayed Will Oldham. Johnson brings a voice of pine tar and old ashtray; when his song is good he emits a feeling as rich in somber earth as [...]
Molina and Johnson -- that's Will Johnson of Centro-matic/South San Gabriel and Jason Molina of Magnolia Electric Co. -- have collaborated on a new album. The self-titled effort was released by Se... Continue reading "Molina and Johnson at the Billiken Club in February + MP3" >

Avi Buffalo - What's In It For ? What's In It For ? ( Sub Pop - 2009) avibuffalomusic.com Roman Candle - They Say Oh Tall Tree In The Ear ( Carnival recordings - 2009) www.romancandlemusic.com Angela Desveaux - Shape You The Mighty Ship ( Thrill Jockey - 2008) [...]

This week Drake gets nostalgic with a couple of releases from hometown heroes Nirvana , and dismisses the Oscar Wilde inspired solo project from Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas . (I guess all that sunshine isn't inspiring him to do his best work.) -ed. Drake's Take: New Releases 11.03.09 We've officially moved into the gift-oriented release schedule, filled with deluxe reissues, box sets and other compilation/soundtracks to help (trick?) the average schmo get a gift for the music lover in their life. There's a couple [...]