Music Exposure: free songs that don't suck

posted by Andy

Here's some singles that I happen to like - mostly in the "adult contemporary" genre. Your own take on their suckatude may vary. Song titles link to legal* MP3 downloads.

"Crystal Frontier (widescreen version)" by Calexico - could be a soundtrack on a south of the border movie.
"Quicksilver" by Abbie Huxley - Not sure who this sounds like, but me like.
"Loosen Your Hold" by South - so good it's scary, also try "Colours In Waves". Who are these guys? Sounds like Stone Roses.
"Benefits of Lying With Your Friend" by The Apples in Stereo - Retro psychedelic indie pop.
"Summer Sun" by Koop - jazzy happy fun song.
"She" by Round 2 - another garage band you'd swear you've heard before but haven't.
"Clementalisque" by Peter Adams - great garage band song. Also try "Listen Harmony". This band will go places.
"Once Around the Block" by Badly Drawn Boy. Also check out "The Shining (Avalanches Mix)"
"The Hook" by Stephen Malkmus - a pirate song.
"The Staunton Lick" by Lemon Jelly - kitschy tune.
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinane - not my favorite song of his, but it's free. Also try similar sounding The Killers "Somebody Told Me".
"Daydream in Blue" by I Monster - If you love Nick Drake you'll either love or hate this (he-he).

Mellow
"Waltz #2" by Elliot Smith - of course you know who he is, right!? Anyway here's a demo.
"Swingset Chain" by Loquat - excellent songwriting stuff in this one.
"Stand" by Sci-Fi Lullaby - sounds like ... um, you know ... that guy.
"Firefly" by Greta Gaines
"Summer Wine" by Evan Dando and Sabrina Brooke
"Lion's Mane" by Iron & Wine - not sure if link is copyright kosher, check for yourself.
Camera Obscura - if you like Belle & Sebastian you may like this.
"Photobooth" by Death Cab for Cutie - decent stuff, but I like artist Sea & Cake better.
"Two Stones In My Pocket" by Neil Halstead - quiet guitar song, ala Nick Drake.

Some other things to check out
Ambulance Ltd. - esp. "Antidote", sounds like Marroon5/Kara's Flowers.
Snow Patrol - lots of good stuff, esp. "Run", "Ways and Means" and "Ask Me How I Am"
Pinback - anything by them.
Manu Chao - esp. "Bongo Bong", "Le Vent Nous Portera" and "Le Rendez-Vous"
The Delgados - esp. "All You Need is Hate" and "Coming In From The Cold"
The Shins - now that they're popular you have no excuses not to know.
"Duvet" by Boa - folksy, appeared in the anime series "Lain".
Jamie Cullum - hoppin jazz piano, I like his version of Hendrix's "Wind Cries Mary", and "Twentysomething"
"Bees and Butterflies" by Girls In Hawaii - sounds like Radiohead.

OddbAlls OUt
"Witchi Tai To" by Future Pilot AKA - This song always reminds me of the Rugrats cartoon.
"Geppetto" by Optiganally Yours - answers that age old question, what did Pinocchio's dad do while stuck in that whale?
"Next Time" by Little Wings - another oddie but funny.
... and if you like try these bands: 'Dogs Die In Hot Cars' or 'Of Montreal'

*As far as I can tell these sites look official, but IANAL. Don't shoot the messenger.