more free music: lily allen/doctor rosen rosen + the backsliders

The Wednesday slot here at VoE will usually be filled with interviews with bands or musicians, but until gets fully underway, I thought I would clue you in to some more free tunes you can find online. Instead of just tracks, however, these two releases are full albums that are free for the downloading. It’s a brave new business model that so many artists are working in now. This is just the beginning of the avalanche.

Doctor Rosen Rosen/Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s Doctor Rosen Rosen: This L.A.-based producer took nothing but the vocals from Ms. Allen’s most recent album, building new tracks around them. Songs like the playful, bouncy “22″ and “Fuck You” are rendered in a wistful, funereal tone by Rosen Rosen.  It’s a stunning reinvention. There’s no hiding from Ms. Allen’s sometimes dour lyrical visions, and I think that only helps the cause of showcasing the young singer as a songwriter to be reckoned with. I’d love to hear what these two could do in a true collaboration. I only hope this release encourages Allen to take some advice from the good doctor.

THe BAcksliders – Thank You: I’m not sure who we have to thank for Kim Bonner’s interest and appreciation of raw rock ‘n’ roll, but they should deserve some small stipend or plaque celebrating their wherewithal to help Ms. Bonner find the proper career path. Or a job as a guidance counselor. Kim Bonner’s scratchy, yet sweet voice is custom made for fronting a blustery, bluesy rock outfit like this Dallas, TX group. Their latest album (the band’s third) has a hint of pop treacle to it – the mark of some songwriters who have grown up listening to plenty of albums and singles from the ’60s – but what takes you by the lapels are the songs that encourage you to push the gas pedal down a little further, the open highway tracks that could add a few extra points to your driving record.