DOWNLOAD: My 5 favorite albums with less than 30 downloads

This blog is nearly two years old, and in that time I've posted about 100 records that are available for free. Some of those records have been downloaded almost 400 times (Hasil Adkins's Peanut Butter Rock and Roll) while others have been only been received 12 hits. Some of those rarely accessed albums are ones I truly love, and it disappoints me that more people have not heard them, which was part of the goal of this blog.

I am giving some of these records a second chance. These five demos, full-lengths or discographies are my favorites that have been downloaded less than 30 times, which frankly needs to be a lot more. So here are some haikus to try to convince you to put these tunes in your digital collection.

1. The Beautiful Down - Ashes and Vanity / Of Angels and Of Men (27 downloads)

Redneck boys from Boone
In vein of At the Drive In
Christian sure can shred

2. Horns to the Matador - We Own This Town, Johnny! (15 downloads)

Big guitars play emo
Think Journey as indie rock
Broke up way too soon

3. Malicious Intent - The Sound of Diesel (29 downloads)

As thick as gravy
Lighthearted death metal punk
Changed my fucking life

4. The Dick Brothers - The Dick Brothers (16 downloads)

Iafrate bros
Listen to Hazel Dickens
Play great folk music

5. Steel Nation - Forever Wounded (13 downloads)

Nineties hardcore lives
Hard style like Biohazard
Ethan Mania

DOWNLOAD: The Dick Brothers - The Dick Brothers

In their own words: "The Dick Brothers is a collaboration betwixt two native West Virginian singer-songwriter brothers, Michael Iafrate (The Minus Tide, M Iafrate & The Priesthood) and Andrew Iafrate. Powerful artists in their own right, the Iafrates, under this charming moniker, have made numerous live appearances on conventional stages and at Christmas party sing-alongs. Before migrating to homes away from their Appalachian birthplace in the summer of 2006, The Dick Brothers teamed up for a whiskey-soaked recording session which resulted in a 10-track record. The self-titled album was recorded in three hours time to one track through one microphone in a basement in [the brothers' hometown of] Parkersburg, and is made up of four original instrumentals and six bluegrassy/ol’ timey cover songs penned by the likes of Hazel Dickens, The Stanley Brothers, and Gillian Welch. The result is a beautiful tribute to the brothers' home state, 'the nearest thing to heaven that they know.' "

Artist: The Dick Brothers

Album: The Dick Brothers

Year: 2006

For Fans Of: Bonnie Prince Billy, Magnolia Electric Co., M Ward

DOWNLOAD: The Dick Brothers - The Dick Brothers

WATCH: The Dick Brothers - "West Virginia, My Home"

West Virginia music veterans Michael Iafrate (The Minus Tide, COBRA) and Andrew Iafrate (The Pariah Prophecy) make up the duo The Dick Brothers. With Michael based in Toronto, Canada, and Andrew in Louisville, Kentucky, The Dick Brothers is not a full-time band but instead a sporadic collaboration between the singer-songwriter siblings originally from Parkersburg. The pair have recorded two albums and one EP consisting of original tracks mixed with Appalachian/bluegrass/traditional cover songs penned by the likes of Hazel Dickens, The Stanley Brothers and Gillian Welch.

Here is a video featuring Dickens' bluegrass state-pride anthem "West Virginia, My Home" from The Dick Brothers' first self-titled album. (Albums will be made available for download in the near future.) Enjoy.

The Dick Brothers - "West Virginia, My Home."