Rise - Eddie Vedder.

Now if you asked me if I wanted to hear ten new Pearl Jam albums in my lifetime or ten Eddie Vedder solo albums at the expense of Pearl Jam, I would take the Eddie option in a heartbeat. I realise my stance on this will make a few of you unhappy. So it goes.

I think Sean Penn really deserves more credit for doing whatever he did to make Eddie put that soundtrack together. That, and helping Scarlett get over me. 

Contributed by @nicrosslee.

People in Her Mind - Poor Moon.

Fleet Foxes breakaway duo Poor Moon feature Christian Wargo and Casey Wescott, who are bassist and keyboardist for their more famous band. Named after a Canned Heat song, they sound more like West Coast 60’s pop than the Chamber Folk of Fleet Foxes - but this song has a charm that’ll grow on you.

They’re signed to Sub Pop, with an album on the way.

Contributed by @djbadly.

Games For Days - Julian Plenti.

Julian Plenti is the alter ego of Interpol vocalist Paul Banks. Sonically, his solo pursuit doesn’t stray too far from the brooding art rock sound of Interpol itself, but this is more likely due to Banks’ distinctive vocal delivery than anything else. Which is a very good thing. Games For Days is the haunting lead single off his first solo record, Julian Plenti Is…Skyscraper.

Contributed by @orchidhunter.

Abstract Plain (I Want To Live On An) - Frank Black.

After the demise of one of the most seminal bands of all time, The Pixies, lead singer and guitarist Frank Black embarked on a solo career that probably won few new fans but went a long way to keeping diehard Pixies fans somewhat appeased.

Abstract Plain (I Want To Live On An) from the Teenager of the Year album has to be my favorite Frank solo tune.

Contributed by @lancedaniels

Lost In The World (featuring Bon Iver) - Kanye West.

This is how I discovered Bon Iver a year or two ago. Yep, via a Kanye West album. Who would have thought? I don’t think we’ve featured a tune from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy yet, so I thought I’d remedy that. In case you didn’t know, Lost In The World features a fair amount of samples, the most prominent is from Woods, which can be found on Bon Iver’s Blood Bank EP.

I don’t particularly enjoy Mr. West’s outbursts and delusions of grandeur, but really, I’m all ears when the chap puts an album out. 

Contributed by @rowaneva.

Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear - Meshell Ndegeocello.

There is so much I want to say about this song, but I also feel like nothing I say can do it any justice. No amount of superlatives could describe how this song makes me long for a loud rainy winters day with the nearby comfort of a fireplace and the promise of a lovers’ arms. This song makes me welcome a peaceful melancholy but is also in a lot of ways very hopeful in its sadness. Yes, it makes me feel sad yet I can’t stop listening to it, because it just sounds like the truth.

Contributed by @luminousmk.

Blood - The Middle East.

There’s a scene at the climax of Crazy, Stupid Love where this song plays where the song placement is right up there with Springsteen’s Secret Garden in Jerry Maguire or The Shins’ New Slang in Garden State. The kind of song choice in a movie that immediately gives you goosepimples.

Although the lyrics appear to be more about death than love I think it being a reference to the rom-com of the summer is enough for us to put it up in Valentine’s week. Better than Unchained Melody surely?

Contributed by @nicrosslee.

I Belong In Your Arms - Chairlift.

Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly are Chairlift. I Belong In Your Arms is taken from their recently released second album, called Something. You should make a plan to listen to it in it’s entirety.

Contributed by @rowaneva.

Default - Django Django.

Django are a fresh new band from Dalston, London - mixing some vintage UK sounds with electronica and an art school bent. Like the London version of Franz Ferdinand. Stand by for groovy, trippy, hook-laden, indie fun!

Contributed by @djbadly

Valentine - Martina Topley-Bird.

It’s Valentine’s Day. So here’s Martina’s lovely, melancholy take. Go out in the light.

Contributed by @orchidhunter.

Paperbag Writer - Radiohead.

A top drawer B-side culled from Radiohead’s Hail To The Thief sessions.

Contributed by @lancedaniels.

No Rest (All Saints Basement Session) - Dry the River.

Ok, so this isn’t technically live, but my god, what a band. It drifts easily somewhere between Peter Bjorn & John, Mumford & Sons and Gotye. I suppose it’s trite to point out the nostalgic semi-acoustic arrangement, and the childishly trusting lyrics, but they really make it work. Very nice.

Contributed by @comradesipho.

Tyrone (Live) - Erykah Badu.

“Now keep in mind that I’m an artist… and I’m sensitive about my shit”

This is how the flawless Miss Badu starts off this female anthem of the late 90’s/early 00’s. She then goes on to saaang her beautiful ass off whilst slating a lame dude who just ain’t ‘bout his money. I’m sure a lot of ladies can relate, but I can thankfully say I’ve never had to ask anyone to ‘call Tyrone’.

Not yet anyway…

Contributed by @luminousmk.

Burn One Down (Live) - Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals. 

The original version of Burn One Down can be found on Fight For Your Mind (1995). It’s not a bad tune all in all, but the live version on Live From Mars (2001), with The Innocent Criminals subsequently added to his line-up, is flipping magical.

If you’re not acquainted with Mr. Harper, get hold of this double album, it’s a great place to start. He’s on fire.

Contributed by @rowaneva.

The Gardener (Live on KEXP) - The Tallest Man On Earth.

Sits beside Nick Cave’s Where the Wild Roses Grow as one of the most beautiful murder ballads I’ve ever heard. The singer is prepared to murder anyone that threatens his position as the tallest man in his love’s eyes, and proceeds to bury them in his garden (because human flesh is naturally a great fertiliser).

The Tallest Man On Earth is in South Africa this weekend where he will proceed to grow diamonds in the chest’s of his fans. What a treat.

Here is the link to a video of his KEXP Radio live performance.

Contributed by @nicrosslee.