Music I've been listening to: Camera Obscura, Andrew Bird, Jaga Jazzist, Hanne Hukkelberg

For the first two Music Fridays, I talked about a few of the most exciting new bands/artists I've been listening to lately. Here are some quicker snapshots of other new music that I highly recommend ("new" as in the last few years -- my musical tastes exist on a pretty wide time-scale, as does this very blog).

As usual, each YouTube link goes to one of their songs (in extra-large format -- click on the screen if you want the regular format), and each MySpace link goes to their official profile with free streaming songs.

Camera Obscura -- throwback to '60s girl groups with a jaded '00s twist

[youtube - Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken]

[myspace]

Andrew Bird (photo below) -- guitarist / violinist / whistler / singer / songwriter extraordinaire

[youtube - A nervous tic motion of the head to the left]

[myspace]

[complete concert]

Jaga Jazzist -- electronic jazz, or jazzy electronica (instrumental)

[myspace]

Hanne Hukkelberg -- slinky singing over quirky instrumentation

[myspace]

[complete concert]

(Photo of Andrew Bird from his MySpace.)