photo by Sarah Law

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is “I Want You To Keep Everything” by These United States from their 2009 album Everything Touches Everything on United Interests.

Already on their third full-length in 18 months, These United States have been blurring the lines between American rock & roll and country-tinged folk, and working damn hard at it. The Lexington, KY/Washington D.C. band led by frontman Jessie Elliot do their best impression of just about every cool bar band you could think of — almost to a point where you might ask yourself, “Haven’t I heard this before”? But make no mistake, this five-piece is crafting all original songs that make you want to tap your fingers and drink beer.  This is not the first time These United States have been chosen as a Song of the Day (see “First Sight” from last year), but today’s song, “I Want You To Keep Everything,” is a clear indication that the band chose to rock out a little more on their new release. File this under: Tom Petty heads out with The Hold Steady and picks up a hitchhiking Wilco. It’s one of the better roadtrip albums we’ve heard this year.

Speaking of hitting the road, the band is currently on tour and is scheduled to play Red Rocks next week and Seattle, at the Highdive on September 25. They’ll be live on KEXP that same day! You can find out more about These United States on their website and MySpace page. Right now, check out their video for “Honor Amongst Thieves” from Crimes, their second LP of 2008:

Seattle’s David Bazan, formerly of Pedro the Lion, has finally released his official solo album. The classically self-deprecating (just read his bio!) songwriter has written possibly his most probing album to date — given his relatively recent disillusionment with his faith — and yet it’s also perhaps his most listenable still. [For a fascinating article on Bazan's "breakup with God," check out Jessica Hopper's article in The Chicago Reader.]

Other new releases this week worth checking out include the third album from D.C.’s These United States, a welcome “best of” from Apples in Stereo, the return of Reverend Horton Heat, eccentric conceptualism from Alexis Gideon, and the next wholly entertaining educational album from They Might Be Giants, called Here Comes Science. Check out these other highlights from Largehearted Boy’s list before heading out to your favorite record shop: