This eclectic and varied list of tracks is singles, records, random online discoveries which have taken up a considerable amount of my listening time over the last seven days. I can only hope that all you people out there like them as much as I do. Enjoy! And come back next month for more.

Monday – Lewis Takes Action – Final Fantasy

First single from the new album Heartland by Final Fantasy aka Owen Pallett, the track sees Pallett keeping with his winning formula, mixing his trademark ethereal vocals with the violin and strings. A positive indicator of what the new album is going to sound like; roll on the release date.

Download: http://www.dominorecordco.com/freelewis/

Tuesday – The Weary Kind – Ryan Bingham

Theme song for the new Jeff Bridges film Crazy Heart, the track is already garnering praise from all directions and has already been tipped to be nominated for the Best Original Song for the Oscars. Expect sparse acoustic guitars and grizzled country vocals. Produced by T Bone Burnett, it’s a perfect accompaniment to the trailer. Unless the academy overlook the track in the same way they overlooked Springsteen’s The Wrestler then this perhaps will be the winner come Oscar night.

Download: http://rebuilt.galleywinter.com/ryan-bingham-the-weary-kind/

Wednesday – Sweet Child O’ Mine – Taken by Trees

A lo-fi cover of a hard rocking song – shouldn’t really work – but somehow against all odds does. The singer’s delicate pop voice changes the song into a melodic and somewhat haunting track, fragile yet full of life. It is simplistically beautiful, a wonderful voice backed by sparse instrumentation – it’s a track which demanded my attention from the outset and every play since.

Listen: http://www.takenbytrees.com/music/

Thursday – Dominos – Big Pink

Whilst this wasn’t so much a discovery, so much as it was a re-discovery. I have had the album since its release, but hadn’t gotten round to giving it a thorough listen. The inclusion of the track in an advert on television rekindled my interest in the album. An indie anthem of sorts, perfect song to get you in the mood for a night out – or even a great song to fill any indie fuelled dance floor. As with all good records the track is centred around the hook, a repetitive but catchy chorus.

Download: http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-big-pink-dominos_080601.html

Friday – Swim Until You Can’t See The Land - Frightened Rabbit

The first single off the new Frightened Rabbit album due out early 2010, the Scottish band haven’t changed much since their previous record, the sound perhaps sounds a little more polished. The track is quite upbeat and anthem-like considering the somewhat melancholic and melodic feel to their previous effort. The track seems to be multilayered, there are the obvious elements, but then on top of this there is a quite ethereal string/choral aspect which adds gravitas and a sense of size to the track. If this is any indication as to what the new album is going to sound like, I can’t wait.

Download: http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=308

Saturday – Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen

A live track from Springsteen’s latest American tour, written and performed to commemorate the E Street Band and Bruce helping to close Giant’s Stadium for one last time. It opens with Springsteen solo on the telecaster, but it’s not long before the combined power of the E Street Band launch into the song. Some will argue that it’s not his most lyrically impressive track; the line Bring on Your Wrecking Ball, gets repeated quite a lot. But this isn’t really a bad thing. It’s a challenge, Bruce telling the world he’s not ready to retire just yet. He may be 60 but he’s hasn’t been knocked down by that wrecking ball just yet. It’s a track full of guts and power, the perfect opener for the concert, and a nice addition to the ever growing Springsteen songbook.

Listen: Full Official Video can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqASHIMbkcg

Sunday – No Time – The Heavy

No Time is a romping blues rock track, with a healthy injection of soul and funk. The track has an underlying riff that just keeps on going interspersed with some funky horn sections. This is a track which is full of energy and is sure to pull you out of any bad mood. It’s a track which you don’t have to think too much about, its unadulterated energy filled fun, sure to get you moving.

Download: http://www.shockhound.com/albums/462799-the-heavy-mp3s-no-time-ep