Wandering the tangled web as I often do I came across some delightful music that I just couldn’t help but share. Hands For Bad Habits is Sophie Smith and Matt Morris, an acoustic duet from Mansfield Texas. Their relationship is still a mystery to me as to whether they are dating, married, courting, engaged, or just friends, but whatever their status I know they make beautiful music together. Though stylistically I believe they are significantly different, they have the feel of The Weepies or even the other great duo, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Their melodies and harmonies flow well together and the simplicity of their sound (basically exclusively acoustic and vocals) really works for their writing style.

I can’t seem to find much more information about them, but their MySpace page lists them as on a major record label and according to their blog they have released a free EP in the past. Be sure and check out the songs they have on their MySpace page, the song is “Heart Aphasia” is especially enjoyable. Oh, and if you happen to know more about Hands For Bad Habits or know where I could get my hands on their EP, please send me an email or leave me a comment–thanks.

It’s that time of year to grab a hot cup of cocoa or a frosty glass of egg nog, decorate the tree and wrap the presents, all while listening to your favorite Christmas music. We figured a list of the best Christmas albums ought to help put you in that jolly mood! So grab you frosty mug, put a new needle on the record player, and invite some friends over for fruitcake because here’s our list of seven of the best Christmas albums… read more

New Line
2008
It’s your basic post-Thanksgiving holiday comedy to see with the whole family. The only point worth noting about this film might be its slight resemblance to a certain Charles Dickens’ novel. read more

Disney
1990
Saturday morning with a large bowl of cereal and nothing to do all day might just be the perfect way to enjoy this movie. What to do? Just grab on to some Duck Tales. Woo Hoo! read more

If given one sentence to explain my thoughts about this album it would be this: The Freeep is an unexpected blessing on a Tuesday afternoon in December. That’s because I kind of feel like I stumbled upon something that was very unexpected, that is, a free, 9 song EP from a band I’d never heard of and am currently enjoying–all of which occurred this Tuesday afternoon in December.

After some quick research on Wikipedia I realized that I’m about ten years behind schedule on this band. Apparently Matt Pond PA started back in 1998 and Matt Pond is the only original member still in the band, but that hasn’t stopped this band from creating great music. Their latest EP, humorously titled The Freeep, is surprisingly satisfying–not to mention free! Balanced, fresh, and enjoyable are all words that are coming to mind as I’m listening to this. Their music is kind of a blend of some classic rock with some new indie. I’m not exactly sure how to narrow it down, except that I could see any one of these songs on the next big indie movie–maybe a movie like Once? Interspersed throughout the record are a few instrumental tracks that I’m also quite fond of (specifically the track titled “#3″). But don’t take it from me–give these guys a listen and see what you think:

Download Matt Pond PA’s The Freeep by going here and clicking “Download the whole EP!”. There’s no sign up or newsletter for downloading, it’s just a simple ZIP file with all 9 tracks. Enjoy.