(photo: Mark Maryanovich)

The Awkward Stage first won my heart with their the awesome debut album, Heaven Is For Easy Girls in 2006, and even though I didn’t give it a lot of blog love. this year’s follow-up, Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights was definitely a worthy successor.  Shane Nelken made the most of his time in A. C. Newman’s band, learning the delicate intricacies of crafting the perfect pop song, and I’m sorry to say that I mistakenly left “Animé Eyes” off my list of best songs of the year.  It’s been one of those tracks that I almost never forward over when it comes up on random shuffle; most of the times I go back and play it again.  It’s a bolder, heavier sounding album than it’s predecessor, as The Awkward Stage is now a fully-realized band.  Nelken and co.’s sophomore album was one of the highlights on Mint Records’ 2008 roster, and one that you should hear before the year is out.

Which is why I’m offering a promo copy (without artwork) to one lucky reader.  To get it, all you have to do is email your name and mailing address to CONTESTS [at] QUICKBEFOREITMELTS [dot] COM with “Slimming Mirrors Flattering Lights” in the subject line and it’s yours.  Contest will close at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 21, and I’ll endeavor to mail it out the very next day, before the second promised dumping of snow comes.  I’ll also throw in a few other goodies I have laying around the house, too.

MP3: The Awkward Stage “Animé Eyes”
Video: The Awkward Stage “Animé Eyes”
Myspace: The Awkward Stage
Buy: The Awkward Stage Slimming Mirrors, Flattering Lights

Benjy Ferree has released a preview of material from his upcoming album Come Back To The Five And Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee. His track “In The Countryside” from debut album Leaving The Nest was one of my favourite tracks of 2006.  The new album is set for release on February 3, 2009.

Stream: Benjy Ferree”Fear”