Download a Free Bear Ceuse EP, Stream a new Story of the Year Tune

Tip to Largeheartedboy for reminding me that Bear Ceuse -- the moniker under which singer-songwriter Cameron Matthews now performs -- has a new EP available for download at his website, Westminster Labs. It's a solid, vibrant release from the young musician, one which features strong songwriting and vocal performances. Fleshed out with chiming, Britpop-hinting guitars and twangy undertones, the five songs sound confident and strong; think My Morning Jacket-in-training or a baby Britpop band. Grab another free song, "Marxist Marriage," from this link.

Story of the Year also just posted the first song from its forthcoming album, The Constant, on MySpace. The big, crashing rock song "I'm Alive" is much more straightforward than the band's previous singles; it sounds tailor-made for radio and has oodles of crossover potential. The Constant is due February 16 via Epitaph.