July has been an interesting month for new releases, with many impressive releases from indie and DIY artists and bands that we never heard of before. In fact, if you missed any of the Best New Releases mixtapes for July, we encourage you to check them out because there are awesome lead single MP3s for streaming or downloading that you might be really surprised by, including Best New Releases for July 5th; July 12th; July 19th.
This week’s Best New Releases is the last installment for July, and we have some additional new albums, with new singles, that we are really enjoying a lot. While there have been few “big” new releases in July, there have been plenty of under and on the radar releases that have made us take a second look at some of the top new bands of 2011. As we did in 2010, we’ll be rolling out mixtape profiles of top new breakout bands of 2011, that will include voting scripts so that you can pick your favorite new bands of the year.
That said, July 2011’s new albums – in quantity and quality – falls far below the Best New Releases of July 2010. In fact, this week is one of the thinnest weeks for new albums, EPs and singles, but there are still some noteworthy drops that we think many of you will find intriguing – again, mostly from bands that few people – even indie enthusiasts – have heard of before. A number of bloggers have commented on the relative lack of buzz bands so far this summer. While we understand that view, there are still plenty that are worth highlighting, including releases that we think are exclusive to IRC because the artists sent them in directly to us, such as Pallers.
London’s Breakout Band The Fair Ohs Drop Debut in the States
Our favorite new album of the week is from East Londoners The Fair Oh’s tropical indie pop debut, Everything Is Dancing, which is fitting for this album because it is full of uptempo, lo-fi Afropop influenced psych-rock. In fact, Everything Is Dancing is more of a tropical lo-fi psych rock blast than the releases from The Fair Oh’s Lefse Records‘ labelmates Ganglians, and, as KEXP stated: “trashier than either Woods or Dinosaur Feathers.” Yes, indeed. If you are a fan of any of the aforementioned bands, you’ll probably want to get The Fair Oh’s debut. We are stoked to have three singles from Everything Is Dancing below for your review; and it is a good representation of what is easily one of our favorite debut albums of the summer, thus far.
“Baldessari” – The Fair Ohs from Everything Is Dancing
Double-shot: “Eden Rocks” – The Fair Ohs from Everything Is Dancing
Triple-shot: “Summer Lake” – The Fair Ohs from Everything Is Dancing
Other than the spectacular debut from The Fair Ohs, there really is not much else going on this week in the realm of new releases that has us excited. Coming in a close second would have to be the debut from The Features, who appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last evening on the release date of their debut LP. We need more time to listen to The Features’ Wildnerness, but so far, so good. As well, we are really digging the fresh track from Tidelands, “Holy Grail.” While we sill have yet to listen to the entire self-released debut, If…, we expect it will be satisfactory, if not more so.
“Content” – The Features from Wilderness
“Holy Grail” – Tidelands from If… (self-released)
The lead track, “Think in Stereo,” from Boy + Kite‘s new, self-released debut, Go Fly, is an undeniably catchy indie pop track, and one of the standout tracks of the week. Next, the Dex Romweber Duo are 1950’s-style rockabilly revivalists, and we have absolutely no problem with that. The lead track featured below, “Jungle Drums,” is a certifiable bluesy rock romp that should get you up from your chair and dancing in your cubicle (cube dwellers: that’s your cue, in case you didn’t get the clue). We recommend inviting your fellow cubeivores to join you.
“Think In Stereo” – Boy + Kite from Go Fly (self-released)
” Jungle Drums” – Dex Romweber Duo from Is That You In The Blue?
Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five Cover The Kinks’ “Alcohol”
And, in keeping with the bluesy, older style rock theme for a moment, don’t be afraid to taste “Alcohol,” a Kinks’ cover song from the band Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five. Also included is the original track from The Kinks’ now-classic 1971 groundbreaking (at least in the annals of country/rock infusion) concept album, Muswell Hillbillies. The track “Alcohol” is one of the album’s many highlights, and is yet another example of Ray Davies‘ genius songwriting abilities, as demonstrated by some of the lyrics included below. It’s also a great sing-along drinking song.
The track, which is an interesting combo of marching band, theatrical, country and jazz styles, is also somewhat autobiographical – Ray, and his legendary guitarist brother, Dave Davies, were notorious in the rock world of the late 1960’s and early to mid-1970’s, for their drunken antics on stage during the early 1970’s, which sometimes included fist fights between the two. The Davies brothers were the Liam and Noel Gallagher of their time – there’s no question about that. In fact, even now, in their 60’s, the brothers squabble with one another, which has unfortunately or their fans, kept them from reuniting for the past 15 years.
“Alcohol” (The Kinks) – Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five from Delirium Tremendous
The Original: “Alcohol” – The Kinks from Muswell Hillbillies (1971)
“Alcohol” lyrics:
“Barley wine pink gin,
He’ll drink anything,
Port, pernod or tequila,
Rum, scotch, vodka on the rocks,
As long as all his troubles disappeared.
But he messed up his life and he beat up his wife,
And the floosie’s gone and found another sucker
She’s gonna turn him on to drink
She’s gonna lead him to the brink
And when his money’s gone,
She’ll leave him in the gutter”
Little Horn and Blind Atlas New Singles
We are fans of some country/folk rock (think Neil Young, Akron/Family, Wilco, Iron & Wine), but it has to be great to keep us interested. The two applicable tracks below, from Little Horn and Blind Atlas, are OK tracks, but probably not strong enough that we’ll remember them a month from now; however, we do prefer Little Horn’s “Bridges Break” over Black Atlas’ “Mary Anne”. In fact, Little Horn’s lead singer does remind us a bit of the Eels‘ lead singer Mark Oliver Everett (aka, “E”). Anyone else reading this agree with this assessment?
“Bridges Break” – Little Horn from Twelve
“Mary Anne” – Blind Atlas from Iron Wall
Another great band, Pallers, from our favorite Swedish label, Labrador Records, released their debut LP this week. After three years spent in apartments, basements, villas and cabins in Pallers, La mar, Stockholm, Miami and Cape Town, the indie pop/atmospheric/dark duo has completed their debut, The Sea of Memories. The single ”Come Rain, Come Sunshine” is the lead track from the album. In exactly four minutes, the track builds from weird, stripped down electro to a grandiose dance epos with thumping percussion, massive choirs and a monumental chorus.
“Come Rain, Come Sunshine” – Pallers from The Sea of Memories
“Evergreens” – Debbie Neigher from Debbie Neigher (self-released)
Double-shot: “My My My” – Debbie Neigher from Debbie Neigher (self-released)
“Always Like The Son” – Release the Sunbird from Come Back To Us (stream)
July 26
America – Back Pages
Beoga – How to Tune A Fish
Chuck Loeb – Plain n’ Simple
Debbie Neigher – S/T (7/26)
Kindred the Family Soul – Love Has No Recession
Jeff Johnson – Shine
Jimmy Vaughan – More Blues, Ballads & Favorites
Joss Stone – LP1
Kelly Rowland – Here I Am
Mara Carlyle – Floreat (U.K.)
Oh Minnows – For Shadows (U.K.)
Queen – Expanded Catalog Remasters
Release the Sunbird (Zach Rogue) – Always Like the Son DC
The Horrors – Skying
Vanessa Carlton – Rabbits on the Run