Speedstar* - "New Orleans Funeral No. 1". Another tip from Laura, Said the Gramophone's fine Australian correspondent. It may come as a disappointment to some that Speedstar's got nothing to do with Strong Bad or The Cheat, but on the bright side they play slightly sorrowful alt-pop, with trumpet and piano that's reminiscent of The Reindeer Section (whom we visited yesterday). A couple of non-American artists have turned to Louisiana's funereal horns, of late: Radiohead, in "Life in a Glass House," and Kid Koala, in the terrific video for "Basin Street Blues". I've gotta say that Speedstar don't quite get it (at least, not here,) but there's still much to like about this track. Everything's laid out flat, like traintracks straight on to the horizon. Alister Bell's vocals recall Coldplay's Chris Martin, as does the optimistic pulse of piano. If that kind of earnestness repels you then by all means stay away, but if not - dig those jingling bells. (The band's links page lists a whole whack of fine people: the aforementioned Reindeer Section and Coldplay, as well as The Frames, Sun Kil Moon, Wilco, Mazzy Star...) [buy] (anyone with a better n. american buy link, please leave me a note in the comments!)

Alexi Murdoch - "Orange Sky". Scottish-American Alexi Murdoch released an EP called Four Songs, and lo and behold, the four songs are good. "Song for You" is sweet and hands-off, a pastoral love song with neat rhymes and a chorus that sparkles. "Orange Sky" is my favourite, however, a song that's totally obvious in its structure, patterned on so many that preceded it, but lovely all the same. Murdoch fits right in with the newish crop of britfolk patterned singer-songwriters, the cult of which seems centered in Ireland (Damien Rice, Josh Ritter, David Gray, heck, Van Morrison). "Listen to my hands," he sings, cutting himself off, leaving just the understated play of fingers on acoustic guitar. Gorgeous use of strings, of organ, little glimmers that underlie the rest. Good-natured and a little dumb, but if I wanted clever I'd turn on the Weird Al. [buy]

Womenfolk is a brand new mp3blog with a wonderful bubblegummy design. It's still the very early days, but I like what I see (and hear!).

I also neglected to mention Sixeyes, a musicblog that's highlighting a bunch of artists that are near and dear to my heart, linking to offsite mp3s when possible.

Oh - If any of you Gmail-ers haven't logged in to notice, you likely have some invitations to distribute. Make some friends!