DAVE GAHAN - "LIVE FROM SOHO"
One of my favorite releases of '07 was Dave Gahan (vocalist of Depeche Mode) 'Hourglass'. You can read up on that, here:
http:///weblogs.cltv.com/entertainment/tv/metromix/2007/10/pogos_new_music_102407_1.html

But this is an iTunes exclusive EP of 7 tracks recoded live at New York's Apple Store (which is in, you guessed it..SoHo). All the tracks come from "Hourglass"..but still have that nice "in-store" feel to them. And damnit, I wish I was at the store that day to see him do his thing in such close proximity.

JACK JOHNSON - "IF I HAD EYES" (single)

This is the first single to come off the upcoming record entitled 'Sleep Through The Static' from surfer/strummer Jack Johnson. You'll probably remember his 2005 record 'In Between Dreams' with the track "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing", and he really hit it big with that Curious George soundtrack, which spawned the single "Upside Down".

Folks are already talking about the fact that he used an electric guitar (gasp!) on this song..but from what I've read so far, the rest of the album will for the most part be more of his sunny, slacker acoustic pop. 'Sleep Through The Static' arrives on Feb. 8th, and if you pre-order it, you'll get "If I Had Eyes" now, plus a bonus track.

And if you just can't get enough of Mr. Johnson, his label has posted up a seasonal song that he's done called "Someday At Christmas". Hear it here: http://www.brushfirerecords.com

THE YARROWS - "PLUM"

This record from New Jersey's The Yarrows is something that came across my desk and I pretty much instantly like it from the get-go. Perhaps it's because I tend to get into more mellow music in the winter, or perhaps because it's simply a good record. There's some strong melody in these delicate sounding tracks, most of which open right up somewhere in the middle. If nothing else, I see this debut as a sign of really good things ahead for these guys.