Danny Malone - Cuddlebug

"Did you know I whispered something low to you that morning, but you were half-asleep?"

I finally found my way down to Waterloo Records on Saturday (with two kids in tow) and picked up Danny Malone's "Cuddlebug". I've been waiting for this one forever and I'm not disappointed. As I've said too many times before, I think this guy is a rare talent and a great songwriter.

My favorite song has to be "Song for the Year", the video of which I've watched/listened to about a 100 times already. Here's the CD-version of the tune. Go buy it.

Danny Malone - "Song for the Year". Buy here.
Danny Malone - "Lightning Bolt". Buy here.

Twitter

For more frequent musical tips, follow me on twitter: @acrblog. See you there.

Elephant Parade

I just recently found out about Elephant Parade, the new project by Estelle from The Brittle Stars (arguably the best band to ever record for Shelflife Records). The band have a new album coming out soon, but this tune is an utter classic that belongs in a movie soundtrack. Enjoy.

Elephant Parade - "For You".
Brittle Stars - "This Trip".

Generationals

"And when they fight, they fight
And when they come home at night they say
"I love you, baby".

Generationals - "When They Fight They Fight".

Peggy Sue - Lover Gone

Without pretense, without purpose, without drink, without remorse
I gave to you four years out of my twenty-four
I couldn't bring myself to give you more...

Peggy Sue - "Lover Gone" (on Yep Roc).

The Rural Alberta Advantage

"And we will burn our eyes, seeking out these purple nights..."

There was an old Sarah Records single insert that loosely described their selection process as a record label by stating that the chosen bands' demos typically (paraphrased from memory here) "had all the wrong notes and all the right everything elses". That's pretty much the perfect way to describe all those bands you know aren't perfect musicians but still embody that perfect ramshackle charm that matters so much more.

So it is with The Rural Alberta Advantage. The voices veer noticeably off at times, but their spirits are never lost. I've listened to these two songs all summer and I'm starting to defy the law of diminishing returns. I can't stop feeling it. Go Canada.

"And once in awhile I know our hearts beat out of time.
And once in awhile I know they'll fall back in line..."

The Rural Alberta Advantage - "Edmonton".
The Rural Alberta Advantage - "In The Summertime".