Downloads by the dozen

I've got a new addiction, and at 25 cents a fix it's my cheapest yet: eMusic.com.

Now the second-biggest music download site after iTunes, eMusic actually has benefited from its lack of major-label recordings. Only indie labels are willing to go as cheap as its monthly subscription rate of $9.99 for 40 songs.

Thus, all the Soulja Boys and Fall-Out Boys who dominate iTunes are automatically whittled out, and we're left with a fascinatingly eclectic but challenging catalog.

Experts help you sort through it all with their "eMusic Dozen" lists. But even sorting through one of my own areas of expertise -- Minnesota music -- has been trying. Nothing from the Twin/Tone or Red House labels is on eMusic, which cuts out a huge chunk of local music. Only some of Rhymesayers' releases are on there, i.e., Atmosphere's first and last albums, but not its best, "Seven's Travels."

You'll even find some collections cut in half: Paul Westerberg's "Stereo" but not "Mono," and Disc 1 but not Disc 2 of Lifter Puller's "Soft Rock" compilation.

With that in mind, here are 12 local albums worth seeking out on eMusic -- random by default more than by choice, but that's what the site is all about.

Leadbelly, "Private Party Minneapolis, Minnesota, '48" -- OK, so picking a long-dead Texas bluesman is an odd lead-off choice. But the guy who influenced everyone from Bob Dylan to Kurt Cobain made one of his last recordings here when civil rights were blooming under Mayor Hubert Humphrey, and his set list included such localized songs as "Mississippi River" and "Lake Superior." He was ours for at least one night.

The Trashmen, "Tube City! The Best of" -- Not only is this the definitive collection by the "Surfin' Bird" hitmakers, it's the kind of classic '60s garage-rock album that appeals to eMusic's target audience: nuggets-seeking rock geeks.

Leo Kottke, "6- and 12-String Guitar" -- The acoustic guitar whiz's genre-defining, dexterity-defying 1971 debut for the Takoma label makes for great background/chill-out music to throw onto the iPod or computer for a later, hectic day. But heck if it won't rock your socks off if you listen close.

Gear Daddies, "Let's Go Scare Al" -- Chances are you left your cassette copy of this innocent and charming 1988 debut in the glove compartment when your 1979 Plymouth Horizon finally crapped out, and you've never replaced it, either because it's hard to find on CD or you're saving up for their next reunion show.

The Cows, "Cunning Stunts" -- At least one nationally known Twin Cities label of lore is available on eMusic: Amphetamine Reptile, whose reputation for abrasive, searing, dangerous and outright insane bands in the pregrunge era was largely defined by this record.

Minnesota Orchestra, "Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, etc." -- Classical lovers have flocked to eMusic, too, where they'll find all of the MN Orch's albums from the past decade, including the recent recording of Beethoven's Ninth that is one of the site's top-ranked downloads. At these prices, I'm even willing to try an album or two. I was attracted to this particular one, for the Reference label under Eiji Oue, because I remembered that Yngwie Malmsteen liked Stravinsky.

Lifter Puller, "Fiestas + Fiascos" -- Craig Finn and Tad Kubler made you plop down money for three Hold Steady albums in three years, so go ahead and get their previous band's final effort at a cut-out price. It's definitely not cut-rate.

Various, "Left of the Dial: A Pop Tribute to the Replacements" -- You probably don't even remember the one Minnesota band, Florapop, or any of the other acts featured on this 'Mats indie tribute (circa 2001, New Jersey's Face Down Records). But you know the songs and will appreciate hearing them done up with surprising gusto and a smattering of originality.

Babes in Toyland, "Minneapolism" -- A bootleg-quality recording of the trio's final tour, it shows they went out roaring even as the in-fighting set in.

Brother Ali, "Shadows on the Sun" -- If you bought into the hype surrounding his new album "The Undisputed Truth" (as you should), you probably want to buy the rapper's back catalog, too.

Happy Apple, "Happy Apple Back on Top" -- The site is also up-to-the-minute with new releases, including this rock-solid one from the always-shaking-things-up jazz trio, which didn't get its due when it came out this summer.

Low, "Christmas" or Sounds of Blackness, "The Night Before Christmas II" -- 'Tis almost the season, so choose your flavor.

Owls birth "Daughters"

It's hard to believe, but the Owls are just now about to release their first full-length CD. The girl/boy harmony-layering group formed in 2003 with singers Allison LaBonne, her husband, Brian Tighe (of Hang Ups fame), and Maria May, plus drummer John Jerry. They earned great press and continue to get airplay off their 2004 EP "Our Hopes and Dreams," but instead of rushing the follow-up, they focused on building a studio and honing their craft.

Smart move. "Daughters and Suns," which comes out this week on Magic Marker Records, is full of meticulously crafted vocal parts and a refined but not over-polished sound. There's a sunny-but-chilly ambience to the record that's perfect for fall. LaBonne, who previously sang with the Legendary Jim Ruiz Group, handles the bulk of the lead vocals, sounding more Nico-like than ever in tunes like the shimmering opener "The Way On" and "Apocalypse," one of the bubbliest songs ever written about the end of the world. May turns in the album's most poppy and catchiest tune, "Peppermint Patty," while Tighe still echoes Ray Davies beautifully in two charming little ditties.

With that Kinks influence and their coed vocals, the Owls could now fall in alongside New Pornographers in the buzz band bin nationally. The CD party is Thursday at the Cedar Cultural Center (8 p.m., $10 advance, $12 door).

Random mix

Nineties funk/rock/soul darlings the Sensational Joint Chiefs are playing their first show in about three years tonight at the Uptown Bar (10 p.m., $5). The chief Chief, J.G. Everest, continues to host the "Making Music" series at the University of Minnesota and has a big one coming up Nov. 29 with Slug (details at www.coffman.umn.edu). ...

Trampled by Turtles fans will get their love of the banjo tested twice over in TBT member Dave Carroll's new quartet, Two Many Banjos, which is promoting its self-titled live CD tonight at the 331 Club (10 p.m., free). Rounded out with violin and slap bass, the group has more of a barn-dance vibe than TBT but still relies heavily on bittersweet harmonies. ...

A little semi-incestuous shuffling of music bookers: Brian McDonough has left the Hexagon Bar to take the reins at the Uptown Bar, where Mark Holland has stepped down after four years. Taking McDonough's place at the Hex is Ross Nueske, a sound tech at the Uptown and Big V's. ...

The December calendar is filling in with some familiar names: Tickets are on sale for Curtiss A's Dec. 8 John Lennon tribute at First Ave, which falls on a Saturday this year (read: possible sellout). Also, Soul Asylum has booked its home-for-the-holidays gig there on Dec. 21. Over at the Fine Line, tickets are also on sale for two gigs with the Gear Daddies, Dec. 28-29. And the Bad Plus will be at the Dakota Dec. 26-29.

chrisr@startribune.com • 612-673-4658