There was a time when two artists were flying sky high on top of the country-alt/folk scene. Those artists were Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes and that time was I don’t know, pretty recently or something. Less prominent was a third player in the mix, My Morning Jacket. I don’t know if you ever got the chance to hear My Morning Jacket but let’s just say this; If you didn’t you’re a philistine and I hate you. I actually hate you.

Musical salvation is here and it’s come in the form of a reverb soaked masterpiece. In much the same way God sent Jesus to save a people who’d turned their back on Him, I’m sending you this, a taste of My Morning Jacket’s 2005 album Z, even though you’re sinners. This analogy is really breaking down. When all is said and done though, I’m truly doing you a favour here. When your bud starts talking about the new Fleet Foxes record in a few months and their “epic harmonies” you can smugly look at her and say “yeah… I guess… My Morning Jacket did this like, a hundred years ago though”.

So here are two monumentally gargantuan tracks from Z. Buy the record. Trust me. Be sure to give ‘Dondante’ sufficient time (at the very least 3:30) to explode in yourear.

My Morning Jacket- Gideon

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My Morning Jacket – Dondante

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Rich, emotional and as similar to Arcade Fire as one can be without breaching copyright, Margolnick hit me in the same way the Gaslight Anthem’s American Slang did mid last year: With balls. And before you leave comments saying “Did you just suggest that the Gaslight Anthem teabagged you last year?” I’m talking about weight. A little bit of bravado that isn’t there in much of the whispy dulcet tones of the Angus and Julia Stone plagued folk scene. Wait… You like Angus and Julia? Thanks to Dan Codyre who brought this gem to my attention. I recommend starting with track 3, ‘The Ladder’.

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Jonathan Boulet – You’re A Animal

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[FREE DOWNLOAD via Stereogum]

I don’t know why so much is made of the fact that Jonathan Boulet is 22. It’s not that young. Old mate from Tim & Jean is 12 or something, isn’t he? That‘s young. Two things should be said though: when I say 12 I’m exaggerating and Jonathan Boulet has more than the combined talent of Tim AND Jean.

After releasing his hugely successful self titled debut album, Boulet is back with a new single called You’re A Animal. While I don’t absolutely love the recording you can bank on it being enormous live. The first time I saw J. Boulet was at Manning Bar late last year in support of the recently discussed Middle East. The energy of his live show was pretty attractive so I can’t wait to see how the pace of this You’re A Animal fits into his set. You can catch the tail end of the You’re A Animal Tour on any of the below dates.

December 3 – Newcastle – CBD Hotel
w/ Grace Woodroofe, Nova and the experience

December 4 – Sydney – Beach Road Hotel
w/ Grace Woodroofe, Megastick Fanfare

December 9 – Brisbane – Alhambra Hotel
w/ Grace Woodroofe, Sunshine Ensemble

December 10 – Adelaide – Uni Bar
w/ Grace Woodroofe, Jimmy and the Mirrors, East End Villians

December 17 – Melbourne – The East Brunswick Club
w/ Grace Woodroofe, The Parking Lot Experiment

“the self-absorbed musical equivalent of having 12 browsers open at the same time”. That’s just one of the things that Pitchfork had to say about Man Alive, the debut album from Everything Everything. I don’t even think they meant it as a positive though, which is just baffling. In fact I know they didn’t mean it as a positive since they gave them a scorching 3.2/10. Ouch. Luckily, my readership is on par with Pitchfork and I’m going to negate that poor review with a rating of 12 stars. That’s HEAPS of stars. I haven’t heard the album yet (and if it doesn’t arrive soon I’ll be leaving some negative eBay feedback) but if this one track is anything to go off it should be a positive experience.

Everything Everything – My Kz Ur Bf

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[FREE DOWNLOAD] of Everything Everything – My Kz Ur Bf (Grum Remix) here

Also, I’d be remiss not to mention that Katie Brown recommended I listen to these cats at least 11 years ago. I didn’t pay attention because I’m simple.

When Tommy told me that he had a secret mission for me I was understandably sceptical. Especially since the last “secret mission” left me 40 dollars out of pocket and bound to a telegraph pole. This one would be more simple he said. I just had to write one post for Sound Doctrine about a track I loved. So here I am, Sam Manchester, currently in the act of guest posting.

This is the most involved I’ve been with Sound Doctrine since sharing with Tommy Cee-Lo Green’s cover of Band of Horses, or the new Sufjan EP [which made us all delighted (people); wordplay!]. Or even when Tommy and I were brainstorming names for his blog – I suggested “tommy faith’s music blog” or “the sound of music” but he took it in a different direction (did he make the right decision? you be the judge).

And now i’ve got some more gold for you! Melpo Mene! They’re an “indie pop” band from Stockholm, Sweden. Their name Mel•pom•e•ne is from mythology meaning “the Muse of tragedy” so you already know they’ll agree with your polaroids and typewriter lifestyle.

Snakes and Lions is their best song; long vocals with clean acoustic and some jonny buckland-esq high points on the electric guitar. If you get it and listen to it while you’re driving I don’t know how you can not be pleased with the results.

Melpo Mene – Snakes and Lions

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[Click here to buy this track on itunes]

they also have a great (live) cover of Kids by MGMT

This has been Sam Manchester, guest posting for The Sound (of Music) Doctrine