The latest installment of the New Indie Releases playlist series presents a dozen hand-picked songs from a diverse selection of artists and bands that are either making a name for themselves, or reaffirming their relevance in a very saturated music market.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina has been the home base for bands like Ben Folds Five, Archers of Loaf, Doleful Lions, Polvo, Southern Culture on the Skids, among others. But perhaps the best "newest" export from Chapel Hill, the band Roman Candle, has delivered an indie rock-alt country/folk masterpiece with the release of their third LP, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear. The LP is chock full of memorable songs, brilliant lyrics, magnificent musicianship and stellar vocal delivery.

Following Roman Candle is a terrific new single "Day Glo" from Austin's progressive folk pop band Brazos. The band kicks off a dozen-plus city tour with spastic indie rock trio White Demin, and fellow Austinites, tomorrow night in Austin.

The next song, "Suicide Blues," from the Omaha band Brimstone Howl, offers up refreshingly ballsy guitar rock delivered in a punk (think Ramones) meets blues (think Velvet Underground) style heavy with attitude and determination. In 2006, the band had a mini-hit with the single Blood on the Rocks, Bones in the River, which was recorded and mixed by Jay Reatard. The following year, the band released their second LP, Guts of Steel, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach. Brimstone Howl's newest LP will drop next month.

Plus, check out new music from Josh Rouse's new album that will drop in February 2010; a new demo from Say Hi; a cool hip hop track from Big Boi and guests; a remastered Nirvana classic; fresh grooves from Memory Tapes; a Sean Bones tune we missed earlier this year; and last, but not least, The Subjects return with the single "Winter Vacation" off their latest LP release.

"They Say" - Roman Candle from Oh Tall Tree in the Ear (2009)
Double-shot: "Modern Radio Is OK" - Roman Candle from Oh Tall Tree in the Ear (2009)
Flashback: "Winterlight" - Roman Candle from The Wee Hours Revue (2006)

"Day Glo" - Brazos, new single (2009)

"Suicide Blues" - Brimstone Howl from Big Deal. What's He Done Lately? (2009)

"Valencia" - Josh Rouse from El Turista (2009)

"November Was White, December was Grey" - Say Hi, demo leak (2009)

"Shine Blockas" - Big Boi w/Sir Lucious Leftfoot and Gucci Mane, single (2009)

"About A Girl" (remastered) - Nirvana from Bleach double-CD reissue (2009)

"Bicycle" - Memory Tapes from Seek Magic (2009)

"Dancehall" - Sean Bones from Rings (2009)

"Winter Vacation" - The Subjects from New Soft Shoe (2009)

Labels: 2009 Indie Songs