Last Week in Free Amazon Music Downloads 8-04-09

“Arc of the Sun (Featuring Mike Gordon of Phish)” – Assembly of Dust

This song is a solid introduction to the album Some Assembly Required (released July 2009).  “Arc of the Sun” could have easily fallen into the trap of having the instruments and lyrics fight for dominance; instead, what you hear are words that punctuate the appropriate heavy-handedness of the instruments.  With lyrics as strong as “Black and white images encircling you//Raising you like the Arc of the Sun”, you need that driving beat.  Otherwise the song would seem hollow and fake. If the other tunes are remotely as good as this track, then you should definitely pick it up.

“Ichthus Hop” – Talbot Tagora

At first listen, you ask yourself, “Is this a joke?”  No, instead it’s noise – two minutes and three seconds of continuous, monotonous, mind-altering noise.  From the album “Lessons in the Woods or a City,” there might be words, but they are chanted in the same way your annoying little brother would get on your nerves on a long road trip. Don’t bother with this one.

“Fireflies” – Owl City

The lead vocalist makes this track irresistible in a good way. The mixture of instruments and multi-layered vocals gives this song a futuristic tone. It’s also happy sounding without being obnoxious.  Get this song while it’s still free.

“So So Happy Making” – Hatcham Social

With a melody dangerously similar to “The Mary Tyler Moore” theme song, it’s difficult to take this track seriously.  It also doesn’t help that on first listen the only lyrics that can be heard are from the title.  It takes two to three listens to get the sense of what this song is about –  which is too much trouble to go through.

“Describing The Sky” – Big D and The Kid’s Table

This track starts off with great promise.  It has a big band feel with drums and horns’ heralding in what is sure to be amazing vocals.  No such luck. In the beginning of the song, the singer sounds as if he doesn’t know how to use his diaphragm and someone is playing keep away with his inhaler. By the time the song gets to a place where you can listen to it, it’s nearly over.

“Naturally” – Lisa Donnelly

This is an infectious tune that you will be happy to hear continuously in your head.  The opening throngs of this track with its segmented instruments that then come together when Donnelly starts to sing, draws you in and keeps you there.  It shows a unique style of arranging that can be heard in songs from Sheryl Crow – except you don’t have to be deliriously happy or well adjusted to hear “Naturally.”

“The Bachelor” – Patrick Wolf

Wolf’s use of violin and electronic-instrument experimentation helps give the lyrics to this track a lament-type tone.  He claims that “No one will wear my silver ring” and therefore, grieves for the love and security that marriage gives.  It is a thought provoking song filled with symbols of things and people that are only happy and complete in pairs.  You will bemoan his bachelorhood as if it was your own.