AFCGT – “Two-Legged Dog” From the group’s forthcoming self-titled LP, out 1/26 from Sub Pop.

Buddyhead is kindly offering up a new free 2-song Dios EP, in advance of their sure-to-be-released-awfully-damn-soon-now new LP, We Are Dios. Grab the EP below:

James Rabbit - “A Closer Look” There is good anxiety, and there is bad anxiety. Tyler Martin has a way of making the latter sound like the former, and somehow turns every nagging question mark in his head into buoyant songs that come across like rows of exclamation points in a large bold font. Even the calm moments in “A Closer Look” feel manic and over-excited, but the music is not spazzy or unfocused. Just the opposite, really — the song bursts with enthusiasm and inspiration, but it’s a controlled, deliberate portrait of a mind overflowing with thoughts, concepts, neuroses, and urges. As in many of his songs, Martin sings about what he wants from his art and what he’s trying to express, but that doesn’t get in the way of actually saying something of value. He’s a guy who lives in his head, but desperately wants to connect with other people, and this music perfectly captures the nervous thrill of just nearly making that sort of meaningful connection, one way or another.

Buy it from Insound.

Spencer Krug’s new solo project Moonface has a 12″ (Dreamland EP: Marimba and Shit Drums) due out on 1/26– but you can download it now in high-quality FLAC format in exchange for a donation (or for free, if you wish). Pre-order the vinyl here.

American Songwriter interviews singer-songwriter Jason Isbell.

The Hold Steady's Craig Finn talks to New York Magazine's Vulture blog about the stories behind his Lifter Puller songs.

The Washington Examiner profiles singer-songwriter Lissy Trullie.

On sale at Amazon MP3: Phoenix's 10-track United album for $1.99

The San Francisco Bay Guardian recaps the decade in music.

Download free ringtones of 8-bit versions of Sufjan Stevens' holiday songs at Asthmatic Kitty.

Eye Weekly critiques prominent "best song of the year" lists.

Little Big Adventure – “Happiest Times”

Anorak LondonLondon trio The High Wire first got onto my radar over a year ago, as we were both headed to New York City for CMJ and while our paths would not cross – I believe their showcases were done before I even arrived – the samples I heard made a truly indelible impression. More than anything, they reminded me of my beloved Mojave 3 in the way they stitched together rootsy song structures with a threads of shimmering dream-pop, and also in the way that Tim Crompton and Canadian ex-pat Alexia Hagen’s voices intertwined overtop – the interplay was Halstead-Goswell-like, and you should know that’s not a compliment I hand out lightly. Add in touchstones like Mercury Rev and Spiritualized and there was really no way I wasn’t going to be entranced by this band.

Read more at Chromewaves →

MP3: The High Wire – “Leave Me In Love”
MySpace: The High Wire

The Line Of Best Fit reports that UK folk trio Peggy Sue have signed to Wichita Recordings and will release their debut album Fossils And Other Phantoms in April 2010. A new song is available to anyone who signs up to their mailing list. An old song is available to anyone who clicks the link below.

MP3: Peggy Sue – “Lover Gone”

NPR is streaming a World Cafe session with Fanfarlo

The Daily Growl is streaming “Goodbye England”, the new single from Laura Marling and offering downloads of live versions it and another new song from her next album.

The Times profiles Mumford & Sons, who will release Sigh No More on March 15.

Se7en Magazine has an interview with Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit, whose The Winter Of Mixed Drinks will be out on March 16. Only five days before the start of the Spring of Jell-O shooters.

This Is London talks to Lily Allen.

Hot Chip’s Al Doyle talks to Spinner about the making of their next album One Life Stand, out February 9.

Portishead have released a new single is “Chase The Tear”, all proceeds from which will go to support Amnesty International.

Video: Portishead – “Chase The Tear”