10.9 Listening Assignments

1. Blitzen Trapper - Summertwin - Ah, blessed obscurity, you allow bands like this to make their noise with noone watching to the benefit of everyone. Apollo Sunshine would be proud of these Portland, OR boys who employ some beachboy-esque harmonies and some entirely weird sounds that end up working really well. Listen for what sounds like a coach's whistle high in the mix on multiple occasions. Cracks me up every time. [buy Field Rexx]

2. Badly Drawn Boy - Once Around the Block - If you have a pulse, this should have you swaying ever so slightly. This multi-instrumental Britpop gets arrangement comparisons to Elliott Smith, but oozes hope and creativity. Some really great guitar tones on this one. [buy The Hour of the Wilderbeast]

3. Josh Ritter - Harbortown - The perfect choice of vocal reverb on this one takes it to another, more intimate level. He's on stage, you're 5 feet away, but the entire place is empty otherwise. His voice bounces faintly around the corners of the room and you can tell he's singing without thinking. His eyes are closed and he's there, his mouth the door between the memory and the moment. [buy Girl in the War EP (itunes only)]

4. What Made Milwaukee Famous - The Jeopardy of Contentment - This isn't the first WMMF song to make the assignments and I can't promise it'll be the last, but I can promise if you like these songs, you'll love the record. 12 pop gems, for rizzle my brizzles. [buy Trying to Never Catch Up]