Comprised of brothers Phil and Brad Cook and drummer Joe Westerlund, Megafaun (MySpace) is based in Raleigh, NC and is creating experimental folk music that’s got great harmonization and guitar picking and strumming that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My favorite song of theirs is “Kaufman’s Ballad,” which is dark at times, but warms up during the chorus and naturally invites you to sing or hum along.

Seeing Megafaun perform live is perhaps one of the more riveting experiences I’ve witnessed yet. You’ve got the Westerlund on the drums, who at times goes by “Bad Jesus.” The Jesus part is obvious open appearance, but the bad part is because he’s just plain naughty on the drums. Then there’s Phil Cooke, who plays guitar, harmonica, banjo and sings, and he seems like the good boy of the band who just happens to sweat a lot. But then there’s the beast: Brad Cooke, who, may I mention, plays in about five other bands, one of which is Gayngs. Brad has this thing he does on stage where he rocks and stumbles back and forth while he plays guitar. It may very well be a subconscious thing for him, but to the crowd, it’s a way of showing through body language how engulfed in the music he is. I love it.

One last note: these three guys were once in a band with one other guy. His name was…oh man, what was it…uhhhh…OH! RIGHT. Justin Vernon. You know…frontman in Bon Iver…wingman to Kanye west these days…no big deal.
(Megafaun coverage on Sunset in the Rearview)

[BUY] Megafaun – Heretofore EP on CD @ Rough Trade | Amazon | HMV | Play
[BUY] Megafaun – Heretofore EP on MP3 @ AmazonMP3 | Play | 7digital | iTunes

http://vimeo.com/10851474

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I’ve written about Fitz & The Tantrums (MySpace) a fair amount lately on Sunset in the Rearview, so if you’re a regular reader of my site, I apologize for seeming redundant. But these guys need to be heard. Their music is absolutely incredible. They’re offering you and me the chance to relive the Motown years. They combine soul with incredibly catchy choruses that can get anybody dancing and singing. It’s got some swing, it’s got attitude, and it’s got to be something you hear more about in the new year.
(Fitz & The Tantrums coverage on Sunset in the Rearview)

[BUY] Fitz & The Tantrums – Pickin’ Up The Pieces on CD @ Topspin | Amazon
[BUY] Fitz & The Tantrums – Songs for a Break Up as MP3 @ Amazon | iTunes

Fitz & The Tantrums – Don’t Gotta Work It Out by Sunset in the Rearview

Blogger Picks Home & Away is our way of showcasing 12 of the best music bloggers around as we move towards 2011, and getting out of them a favourite band from their home town alongside a more international act they would like to hear more from. This post was written by Lydia from Sunset in the Rearview which she has built from nowhere a couple of years ago to winning the blogger’s favourite in this year’s Recommender Awards. She’s that good.