Editors' Picks
17

EXCLUSIVE: Midtown

I don't care what you all think, I like Midtown a lot. This MP3 should make you like them, too:
Midtown - A Faulty Foundation
This is a spicy cut off the band's forthcoming album "Living Well Is The Best Revenge," due out on April 16th. Yes this song has been out before [it's available on their MP3.com page and it's also on the "Disarming Violence" compilation] but this is a brand spankin' new recording and the song has been structured a bit differently. Oh yeah, you can't find this song on any other website, so make sure you download it before next Sunday otherwise you'll miss out. For more info on Midtown go to MidtownRock.com.

Editors' Picks
8

Franklin

This is one of my favorite songs ever. Dub-influenced indie/punk rock from Philly. R.I.P. Franklin.
Franklin - Major Taylor
For those of you who are sticklers, this version is off their 7", there's a semi-different version available on their self-titled album. In Franklin-related news, their label, Tree Records, is going out of business, so if you like what you hear [or you're just looking to complete your Post Marked Stamps collection for cheap], head on over to their website and pick some of their stuff up at rock bottom prices.

Editors' Picks
17

Refused

Coming off of a few weeks' hiatus in the "MP3 of the week" department, what better way to kick things off again than with a live version of one of the best songs to ever reach my ears?
Refused - New Noise [live]
I think this is from some show in Europe, but I'm not sure exactly where. If you don't own Refused's life changing album "The Shape Of Punk To Come" then go to your local record store *right now* and get it.

Editors' Picks
8

Further Seems Forever

Further Seems Forever is a band that seems to exist for the people -- this band tours so much it's insane. Even with the loss of original singer Chris [of Dashboard Confessional fame], the band has kept going strong, touring with… well, just about everybody. This song is one of the first the band ever recorded, and it came out on volume 4 of Deep Elm Records' successful Emo Diaries comps [a review of which can be found here]:
Further Seems Forever - Vengeance Factor
This is one of my favorite FSF songs, but they don't play it live. Your job is to download this song, check out their tour dates below, go to a show, and request the hell out of it. I guarantee that they're playing somewhere near you [or they have in the past 6 months]. If you want more info on the band, go to Furtherseemsforever.com.

Editors' Picks
2

The Gadjits

So I've been gone from the whole "MP3 of the week" thing for a few weeks for reasons that would take too long to explain, my apologies. To get things back into high gear, here's one hell of a rock and roll song:
The Gadjits - Optimism
This song pretty much sums up the past week of the Gadjits' lives. That being said, the song kicks ass, reminiscent of Queen's "Stone Cold Crazy." It's also unavailable on any release any more, as it was exclusively on their "Someday Driver" single which is now out of print.

Editors' Picks
13

Orange Island

Orange Island is a band that most of you probably haven't heard of, but I'm guessing within a year a lot of you will be talking about. If I had to describe them by just this song, I'd say they're probably what Braid would have evolved into, or more aptly what Hey Mercedes wishes they were. This 2 minute long rocker is off their upcoming full length "Everything You Thought You Knew" coming out February 5th on Iodine Recordings:
Orange Island - Drinking To Bend
If you dig it [and I'm guessing you will], check 'em out on tour! They're playing just about everywhere in the coming months; tour dates are below.

Editors' Picks
2

Pretty Girls Make Graves

Pretty Girls Make Graves rock. The band features members/ex-members of Murder City Devils, Kill Sadie, Sharks Keep Moving, and a host of others. This song is the first track of their EP:
Pretty Girls Make Graves - 3 Away
It's got an awesome guitar part, great sounding male/female vocals, and overall it's infectious energy is off the charts. You can hit up Dim Mak Records to to get their EP, or just be on the Lookout! for their full length [which, if I'm not mistaken, is coming out on Lookout! Records]. If you want to find out more info about the band, check out PrettyGirlsMakeGraves.com.

Editors' Picks
6

Slow Gherkin

I love Slow Gherkin. I think they're one of the few bands still existing that can play ska well, and play it because they love it. Thankfully they're recording a new album now [it's about damn time!], but to tide all of you over, here's an older gem of theirs, written from the perspective of a rape victim. It's intense, and it rules:
Slow Gherkin - Turned Off
For more info on the band, point your browser to SlowGherkin.com.

Editors' Picks
2

Ted Leo/Pharmacists

Ted Leo is the motherfucking man. More people need to know this, so I decided to spread the word. Download this track off his latest album, "The Tyranny Of Distance," and tell me this isn't some good shit:
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Under The Hedge
Maybe now you understand why this album made number 3 on my Top 10 of 2001 list [my original review of the album can be read here]. If you want to find more info on Ted Leo, you can hit up his webpage right here. Oh yeah, Happy New Years to everyone, don't drink and drive.

Editors' Picks
7

Weezer

Since Christmas is right around the corner [at least for about 1/3 of the world], I thought I'd share one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, as well as a classic Weezer track:
Weezer - Christmas Song
While we're on the subject of Weezer MP3s, the band has been in quite the giving spirit lately, as MP3s of their new songs are being made for download on an almost daily basis at their webpage. A lot of them really rock, I'd recommend "Your Room," "Dope Nose," and "How Long," especially.