Last Week in Free MP3s 8-19

“Idiot Heart” – Sunset Rubdown

From the album “Dragonslayer,” this track features your average fair of experimentation with sound.  There is a buildup that leads to the song bursting open at the end with its driving beat and overlapping harmonies.  However, what makes this song compelling are the lyrics.  With lines like “Until the Icarus in your blood, in your blood drowns,” you want to play it over and over again to understand just what Spencer Krug is singing about.  Well worth your time.

“Change is Gonna Come” – Bettye Lavette

From the album of the same title Lavette expresses the pain, sorrow, burden and trauma of the civil rights movement through song.  Her voice is rich and vibrant with experience.  To hear the root of rhythm and blues, you need to listen to this song.  Now this is music.

“A Whole Lot Better” – Brendan Benson

Do you want to rock?  Then the opening chords of this song is for you.  However, once the mediocre lyrics chime in, it slows the full rock-out intensity to a slow crawl.  This track would have been amazing were it not for the simple, sing-song words.  Don’t bother.

“Ambulance Dancehall” – Minus 5

Remember Dexys Midnight Runner’s “Come On Eileen”?  Well this song seems to be its watered down little brother.  With its limp lyrics and sorry harmonies “Ambulance Dancehall” is not worth the two minutes it takes to download it, much less listen to.  Skip it.

“On My Way” – Cocoon

The beginning of this track has promise, but then the lyrics come in.  The words (“If my bed songs upset you/And if my arms can’t warm you/You just have to try”) sound insipid alongside the sing-song melody – making this two minute and 53 second long song longer than it should be.  Pass; better still let us not speak of this song.  Ever.

“Fuego” – Bomba Estereo

It’s difficult to think of Spanish rap without that phone commercial playing in your head, and unfortunately “Fuego” lyrically reminds you of it.  The constant repetition of fuego (meaning fire) can be annoying.  If the beat of the music was turned up and the words sung as background, then this would have been a palatable song.  Instead you get that irritating commercial jingle constantly playing in your head.  Let’s hope that the remix version won’t have any lyrics at all.

“Sunday Boys” – The Blacks

The description of how this group came to be made can make one apprehensive in regards to listening to this song.  You’d expect a mish-mosh of influences leading to a migraine that only Midol would cure.  Instead, you will be pleasantly surprised.  This punk-infused track will cause you to look for this band’s other albums.  If you like Blondie when they were Blondie, then you’re going to love The Blacks.  Download this as quickly as you can while it’s still free.