The Green Child

Aussie band The Green Child dropped a new album last month of their particular brand of quirky, synth-laden, psych and jangle-tinged indie-pop, and it's got things moving and grooving over here.  Dig on new tune "The Lawn" below and snag the "Look Familiar" LP here from Upset the Rhythm.

Ka

I've begun prepping some selections for my year-end best-of lists, and new things keep creeping into my favorites of the year, like the latest from the New York rapper and firefighter Ka.  Somehow, i failed to hear that the artist released a new record a couple of months ago with the absolutely astounding "The Thief Next to Jesus."  I also missed that the album is his swan song, as he unexpectedly passed away in October at the age of 52.  RIP Ka.  The new album is quite the statement to go out on though, a mix of gospel and hip-hop with the artist's hushed delivery and insight.  It's really something.  Listen to "Tested Testimony" below and download the album here or wherever you like to stream or download things.

Daily Jam - The Sight of You

Sometimes i like to put on some Antonio Carlos Jobim and just let the jazz and bossa nova sweep everything away, like one of those commercials where a woman's shampoo magically whisks her away to a bathtub in the middle of paradise or something.  Ahhh.  Here's "The Sight of You," our Daily Jam.

Slow Salvation

To get us into the Christmas spirit, here's a haunting and dreamy new one from Jersey band Slow Salvation.  Check out "The Ghost of Last Christmas" below and download it here from Velvet Blue Music.

Mondaze

Because shoegaze is always on the menu around these parts, here's the latest from Italian shoegazers Mondaze.  New album "Linger" is out now.  Get it here from Bronson Recordings and listen to the album opening "Lines of You" below.

Lars Danielsson & Verneri Pohjola & John Parricelli

Here's some soft and tranquil jazz from the trio of Swedish bassist and cellist Lars Danielsson, Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, and English guitarist John Parricelli.  New album "ACT x Chateau Palmer" was recorded at the Chateau Palmer vineyard in France and would probably pair pretty well with a glass of wine.  Check out "Le Calme au Chateau" below, get the album here from ACT Music, and just chill out for a while.

Daily Jam - Loveless Love

Years and years ago i found a copy of The Feelies' great debut LP "Crazy Rhythms" in a used book store in College Station, Texas of all places.  Still feel pretty stoked about that find.  Here's a track from it.  Listen to "Loveless Love," our Daily Jam.

The Mellons

Utah band The Mellons specialize in crafting sweet little psych pop nuggets that worm their way into your ears and stay there.  Here's a new sweet little psych pop nugget from the band, "Tell My Why."  Check the song out below and get the 7" single here from Earth Libraries.

Paint & Matt Baldwin

Here's a weird mix of exotic guitar and drone that plays like some kind of fever dream from Brooklyn-based band Paint (Allah-Las member Pedrum Siadatian) and LA artist Matt Baldwin.  Dig on the warbled mess of "Dead Ringer" below and snag the "Cherry Lagoon" cassette from the artists here or here.

Daily Jam - Big Long Now

I had a pretty cool weekend, starting with a visit to Houston and the historic River Oaks Theater to see a holiday horror double feature of "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (1984) and "Black X-Mas" (2006) hosted by none other than Joe Bob Briggs.  I also got to revisit one of my favorite Houston area craft breweries, eat some excellent sushi with the in-laws, and then meet actor David Howard Thornton (AKA Art The Clown) back in Austin at the annual Horror for the Holidays event and market.  A Texas victory over Georgia would have been the nice little bow to tie it all together, but alas, that part was not to be.  Hope you all enjoyed your weekends as well.  Here's Nirvana with "Big Long Now," our Daily Jam.