The SXSW 2005 Showcase bit torrent consumed much of my March listening time. Containing over 750 songs, it took me several months to listen to every song, but I choose most of my favorites in March. Here are my picks from the showcase, plus some other great tunes I enjoyed last spring.

Southern Bitch - "Free Man Now" (from SXSW 2005 Showcase): A dirty southern rocker from this Athens, GA band. Listen to "Free Man Now" (MP3) from the SXSW site.

Talking Heads - "Girlfriend is Better" (from Speaking in Tongues, 1983, Sire): David Byrne's show-stopping appearance with The Arcade Fire at Irving Plaza in February inspired me to become more familiar with the Talking Heads' 1983 album Speaking in Tongues. Byrne and Arcade Fire collaborated the uplifting "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)", but "Girlfriend" makes the playlist. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Man Man - "Zebra" (from The Man in the Blue Turban With A Face, 2004, Ace Fu): The Arcade Fire are also responsible for introducing me to the gloriously daft Man Man. When I saw this Philadelphia band open for the Arcade Fire, again at Irving Plaza, my reaction bounced from bewilderment to appreciation and ended up in annoyance. But I was curious enough about Man Man's drunken pirate shanties to listen to and become a big fan of The Man in the Blue Turban With A Face. Listen to "Zebra" (MP3) from the SXSW showcase.

Low Frequency in Stereo - "Man Don't Walk" (from SXSW 2005 Showcase): From the Austin Chronicle: "Enter Low Frequency in Stereo, a dapper quartet from Haugesund, Norway. Their latest album, Travelling Ants Got Eaten by Moskus, is space rock distilled into a lo-fi beat-driven sound. Live, that sound is bigger than Oslo. The songs are largely instrumental, save for one rollicking Cure-esque number sung by keyboardist Hanne Andersen." The writer of that article must be referring to "Man Don't Walk" (MP3), that features a stunning, barely-hanging-on vocal that reminds me of how Bjork sung on early Sugarcube songs.

Caribou - "Lord Leopard" (from Milk of Human Kindness, 2005, Domino): "Lord Leopard" is a brief pleasure; it's not much more than a minute-and-a-half of staccato drums and a scaling piano. Its purpose on Milk of Human Kindness is to serve as a bridge, but as a destination it is quite appealing.

Tom Vek - "Nothing But Green Lights" (from We Have Sound, 2005, StarTime International): This track remains my favorite from Tommy's excellent debut album.

Robyn Hitchcock - "Television" (from Spooked, 2004, Yep Roc): A delicate love song to T.V. The music may be calm and beautiful, but the lyrics full of Hitchcock's trademark warped perspectives. "You're the devil's fishbowl, honey / I undress before your lies," Robyn sings before promising eternal devotion. "Television, I'm so sorry / If I turned you off back there / I'm so small in your dimension / My kid will look like you I swear."

Masha Qrella - "I Can't Tell" (from Unsolved Remained, 2005, Morr Music): While perhaps not the best choice to highlight Unsolved Remained, "I Can't Tell" is a brooding, low-key delight.

U2 - "Seconds" (Live from Red Rocks, 1983): It was the Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky video that cemented my love for U2, circa 1984. I'm still holding out for a extended DVD release of this landmark show.

Back Porch Vipers - "When I Get Low I Get High" (from SXSW 2005 Showcase): From the SXSW site: "You've been abducted by aliens and transported back in time to a tea pad in Harlem, 1935. Benny Goodman, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and Charlie Christian are backing up Ella singing "When I get Low I Get High". Man, the smoke is thick! You step out onto the back porch for some air; it's suddenly SXSW 2005 and the Back Porch Vipers are swinging with a 30's vibe and a viper theme. You smile!" Listen to "When I Get Low I Get High" (MP3).

January's List | February's List