Paper Bag Records (or PBR, as they like to call themselves) are a Toronto-based indie label that specializes in indie label music from bands with names like You Say Party! We Say Die! and Andre Ethier (though I’m pretty sure it’s not the guy from the Dodgers). You can score a free 10 song download from Amazon by clicking here.

Home to artists like the Dutchess and the Duke, Le Loup, the Moondoggies and Talbot Tagora, Hardly Art is a two-year old, Seattle-based indie founded by Sub Pop. They’re offering a free 15 track sampler through Amazon. Go get it here.

Some years ago, my friend Matt Rubenstein made this comment about Santana in concert: on a good day, he’s transcendent. On a bad day, he’s simply amazing.

The same can be said about Elvis Costello records. Some of his musical adventures have been groundbreaking (My Aim Is True), some have been adventurous (The Juliet Letters) and some have been thoughtful and tributary (The River In Reverse). But always (always!), E.C. brings an inventiveness and pure brand of musicianship to the table.

His new record, Secret, Profane And Sugarcane, is no exception. Elvis has left London for south Alabama with nothing in his pack but a notebook of songs and a beat up acoustic guitar. Along the way, he’s picked up masters like Jim Lauderdale (who sings the close harmonies throughout the record) and Jerry Douglas (who contributes the dobro work). They land in the recording room with T-Bone Burnette and magic happens.

Take a listen and offer your opinion…

Elvis Costello – Down Among The Wines And Spirits
Elvis Costello – Complicated Shadows
Elvis Costello – I Felt The Chill Before The Winter Came
Elvis Costello – My All Time Doll
Elvis Costello – Hidden Shame

You can hear the remaining tracks at his website, which is very cool.