MP3: Bon Iver - "I Can’t Make You Love Me/Nick of Time"

I haven't been able to comment at-length on the beautiful new Bon Iver record, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, but it seems if you have a pulse and internet access, you've already read about its expansive greatness.

While I'm still putting together my review, people are clamoring for more Justin Vernon and their prayers were answered the other day when "I Can’t Make You Love Me / Nick of Time" popped up online.

The track, a two-part Bonnie Raitt medley/cover, is the b-side to Bon Iver's "Calgary" single. You've probably already heard it on your friend's Tumblr, but now you can take the MP3 with you. EDIT:// The links were broken, but they've been fixed. Download away.

I can't make you love me if you don't / I can't make your heart feel something it won't

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Bon Iver - I Can't Make You Love Me / Nick of Time
Bon Iver - Calgary

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Beirut's "East Harlem" Single Is So, So Much Win

You've got to hand it to Beirut, after keeping a low profile for two years, Zach Condon and co. up and drop a new single and the interwebs are ablaze.

For good reason though, "East Harlem" is the kind of rustic folk the band's always done best--the faded Polaroid colours of times past, the kind that make you wanna share beers with an old friend or waltz with an old flame. Fingers crossed the new song means a new album. The band has announced a new album, The Rip Tide, and it's due out August 30th.

UPDATE: The single's B-side has been released and "Goshen" is one of the most soft-spoken, gorgeous tracks Beirut's done thus far. You can download it below.

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Beirut - East Harlem

Beirut - Goshen

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Today's Best Song Ever - "Sailing" by Sutherland Brothers

Digging up rare, awesome or obscure tracks...
Today it's stripped-down folk from of the Sutherland Brothers, an early '70s British folk/rock duo...

Rod Stewart recorded a cover of the track in 1975. Though it ended up being his biggest-selling single in the UK, the original is so, so much better.

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Sutherland Brothers - Sailing

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Robin Pecknold Drops Some New Folky Tunes on Twitter

Yesterday, Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold dropped a free, three-song EP via Twitter. S'all good if your a fan of harmonies, acoustic guitars, and/or beards.

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Robin Pecknold - I'm Losing Myself (feat. Ed Droste)

Robin Pecknold - Derwentwater Stones

Robin Pecknold - Where Is My Wild Rose

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Artist Spotlight: The Dodos Might Be Returning to Form

I've been onboard The Dodo's bandwagon since "Jodi" made its way onto the blogosphere way back in February 2008 (proof!).

Then I was completely let down by the duo's junior effort, 2009's Time to Die. They all but abandoned their rhythmic, finger-picked guitar & drum sound in favour of more fleshed out nonsense, completely stripping away what made the band so interesting in the first place.

While I've got a little hope for their forthcoming record, No Color, "Don't Stop" is a pretty promising first single, sounding like a return to good form (I hope). Since it's a coin flip whether or not their next album will be any good, I'm hosting the new track, plus some older Dodo favourites.

I still spin my double-vinyl copy of Visiter when the weather get warm. Listen to "Jodi" first.

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The Dodos - Jodi
The Dodos - Don't Stop
The Dodos - Horny Hippies
The Dodos - Fools
The Dodos - Park Song

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Fleet Foxes Debut Helplessness Blues - Yep, Still Great

Folkies rejoice, Fleet Foxes have returned. "Helplessness Blues" is the first taste of the band's eagerly anticipated sophomore record, aptly titled Helplessness Blues.

I press play, close my eyes, and instantly picture July. I'm back home for the summer, driving the wooded, winding roads from Harbor Springs to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I can smell the birch trees. I can feel the sunlight on my skin.

Keep and eye out for this one, the beards and baroque harmonies are officially back on May 3rd when the album drops via Subpop.

Yeah I'm tongue tied and dizzy / And I can't keep it to myself / What good is it to sing helplessness blues? / Why should I wait for anyone else?

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Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

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Cass McCombs: Beautifully Tragic, Tragically Beautiful

Cass McCombs knows heartbreak and his latest is all the proof you need: "County Line" practically defines unrequited love. Man, I just wanna give this guy a hug.

Not only does McCombs sound so devastated, his mellowed warble and e. piano are so damn beautiful. The combination of 70's FM radio, folk subtly, and sober soul seems to go on forever, sticking with you even after its five minutes is up.

You never even / Tried to love me / What did I have to do / To make you want me?

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Cass McCombs - County Line

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Air Waves' New Single Is a "Knockout" (Har Har)

"Knockout," folk-pop perfection from Austin's Air Waves (aka Nicole Schneit). Wowee zowee, this song's simple twang hits all the right autumnal notes. Grab it below + listen on repeat.

Side note: Underwater Peoples (who are releasing Air Waves' debut Dungeon Dots later this month) is turning into one sweet label, putting out great stuff from Real Estate, Julian Lynch, Ducktails, Mountain Man, Tennis, Spectrals, and more. Not too shabby for the little New Jersey outfit.

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Knockout - Air Waves

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