Whether you were at Coachella this weekend or got a bunch of limited edition vinyls for Record Store Day, a blast of new music might seem a bit much right now. But there are some great releases this week worth checking out, including new material from Radio Dept., Hot Chip, Roky Erickson and Okkervil River, Wesley Wolfe, Open Hand, Caribou, Horse Feathers, Prizzy Prizzy Please, Wye Oak, Bridges and Powerlines, Turin Brakes, Survive, Sparrow and The Workshop, Demander, Trans Am, Automata, Jordan Galland, Inlets, Night Driving in Small Towns, Cuff The Duke. Phew! Fire up this mix!

"Heaven's on Fire" - Radio Dept. from Clinging to a Scheme

"Never Follow Suit" - Radio Dept. from Clinging to a Scheme
- The Radio Dept. official website

"I Feel Better" (Adam Smith bootlet) - Hot Chip single release
- Hot Chip on MySpace

"Be And Bring Me Home" - Roky Erickson and Okkervil River from True Love Cast Out All Evil

"Gone for Good" - Wesley Wolfe from Storage

"Honey" - Open Hand from Honey


"Leave House" - Caribou from Swim

"Belly of June" - Horse Feathers from Thistled Spring

"I Hope You Die" - Wye Oak from My Neighbor / My Creator
- Wye Oak official website

"Large Hadron Collider" - Prizzy Prizzy Please from Chroma Cannon

"Lost" - Prizzy Prizzy Please from Chroma Cannon
- Prizzy Prizzy Please on MySpace

"You Were" - Bridges and Powerlines from Ghost Types


"New Star" - Turin Brakes from Dark on Fire

"Lunar Eclipse" - Survive from 10" EP

"The Gun" - Sparrow and The Workshop from Crystals Fall

"Math" - Demander from Future Brite
- Demander official website

"Apparent Horizon" - Trans Am from Thing
- Trans Am on MySpace


Burlesque pop/indie rocker Jordan Galland's second album, Search Party, available today, features two of the songs featured below, "Search Party" and "Football and Strippers."

Galland has opened for artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Cibo Matto, Phantom Planet, Adam Green, Rooney, and Ween. Jordan Galland is a musician, filmmaker and writer living in New York City. Best known for his songwriting collaborations with Mark Ronson, Sean Lennon and Daniel Merriweather, Galland released his debut solo album, Airbrush, in 2009.

The release of Search Party coincides with Galland's debut feature film, Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Undead, an independent romantic-comedy about vampires and out of work actors starring Jake Hoffman, Davon Aoki and Ralph Macchio.

"Search Party" - Jordan Galland from Search Party

"Football and Strippers"- Jordan Galland from Search Party
- Jordan Galland on MySpace

"In Which I, Robert" - Inlets from Inter Arbiter
- Inlets on MySpace

"Come & Tell Me"- Night Driving in Small Towns from Serial Killer
- Night Driving in Small Towns

"It's All a Blur" - Cuff the Duke from Way Down Here
- Cuff the Duke official website


Other Releases This Week We Haven't Heard, But Might At Some Point (list via Pitchfork)

The Apples in Stereo: Travellers in Time and Space [Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6]
Cornershop: Judy Sucks a Lemon for Breakfast [Ample Play] [U.S. release]
Cults: "Go Outside" b/w "Most Wanted" [Forest Family]
Cypress Hill: Rise Up [Priority/EMI]
The Delta Mirror: Machines That Listen [Lefse]
Doves: The Places Between: The Best of Doves [Astralwerks/Heavenly]
The Grateful Dead: Crimson White and Indigo [Grateful Dead/Rhino] [CD/DVD]
Kurupt: Streetlights [Penagon Entertainment]
Willie Nelson: Country Music [Rounder]
Ozomatli: Fire Away [Mercer Street/Downtown]
Plants and Animals: La La Land [Secret City]
The Ponys: Deathbed + 4 EP [Matador] [digital release]
Solvent: Loss For Words [Ghostly International]

Vinyl Reissues

The Magnetic Fields: 69 Love Songs [Merge] [deluxe vinyl box set reissue]
Deerhoof: Apple O' [Kill Rock Stars] [vinyl reissue]
Deerhoof: Green Cosmos [Kill Rock Stars] [vinyl reissue]

Reissues

Destroyer: City of Daughters [Merge] [reissue]
Destroyer: Thief [Merge] [reissue]
Destroyer: Streethawk: A Seduction [Merge] [reissue]

Blur’s new song Fool’s Day recorded especially for Record Store Day has sold out on limited edition 7 inch vinyl record of 1,000 pressings.

"Zebra (UK edit)" - Beach House from Zebra RSD 7-inch single

"Night Before The Funeral" - The Mary Onettes from RSD 7-inch

Labels: New Releases, Radio Dept

This is a big, big week for new releases that we've been listening to and preparing for the past month. All of songs featured in this mega-playlist mix are choice tracks off of new releases that officially drop this week, including Dr. Dog, Hacienda, Harlem, Javelin, Codeine Velvet Club, Jonsi, Matt Pond PA, Pepper Rabbit, Tung, Mi Ami, The Kissaway Trail, Red Sparowes, Rob Laufer and more. Many of the artists and bands in today's playlist mix were big draws at last month's South By Southwest in Austin. Following today's new releases, there is also a mix of MP3s of songs from re-issues of Elliott Smith, Cheap Trick, The Doves, and Ray Charles.

First up is the popular Philadelphia rock band, Dr. Dog, who have consistently put out one solid release after another during the past decade. As well, Dr. Dog has gained a strong reputation for their energetic and well executed live performances. Absent of writing a more thorough review (sorry, time squeeze here), we can tell you that Dr. Dog's latest release demonstrates the band at their best, and indeed has an aspect of their live sound throughout. "Stranger," is the lead single. Shame, Shame is already #31 of Amazon's best-selling albums.

"Stranger" - Dr. Dog from Shame, Shame
Dr. Dog official website


San Antonio band Hacienda dropped their sophomore album, Big Red & Barbacoa, today. Like the band's debut album, Loud Is The Night, Hacienda's new LP was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Big Red & Barbacoa throws down heavy grooves, 1960's style harmonies, and a blend of Tex-Mex roots rock, retro-pop and rhythm and blues, a formula that some call "South Texas soul music." In 2009, the band gained national recognition for their sets at popular music festivals and on tour opening for Dan Auerbach, Dr. Dog and Alberta Cross.

"I Keep Waiting" - Hacienda from Big Red and Barbacoa
Hacienda on MySpace


The roughly recorded guitars, drums and vocals on Harlem's Hippies may sound like they're coming from the neighbor's garage down the street, but the lo-fidelity rock that the Austin trio wields spills over with pop ambition and exuberance. Snappy rhythms, simple song structures and interesting lyrics may seem ordinary at first, but with each subsequent spin, reveal the album's brilliance, and elevate the band's position as one of Austin's hottest bands of the past year or so.

"Cloud Pleaser"- Harlem from Hippies

"Friendly Ghost" - Harlem from Hippies

Bonus: "Gay Human Bones" - Harlem from Hippies
Hacienda official website


Another much talked about SXSW band, Codeine Velvet Club, are Scottish alternative rockers featuring founding member John Lawler (aka, Jon Fratelli) of The Fratellis. While on break from The Fratellis, Lawler and the band released their debut album in December in the UK to wide acclaim. Today marks the official U.S. release of Codeine Velvet Club's debut via Dangerbird Records. We've listened to the self-titled LP enough now to say it is definitely one of the best debuts of 2010. If you like these two songs, you'll love the album. Highly recommended.

"Hollywood" - Codeine Velvet Club from Codeine Velvet Club
"Vanity Kills" - Codeine Velvet Club from Codeine Velvet Club
Codeine Velvet Club

"Vibrationz" - Javelin from No Mas
"Oh Centra" - Javelin from No Mas
Javelin on MySpace

"Transparent" - Awesome Color from Massa Hypnos
Awesome Color on MySpace


What else can we say about Sigur Ros' frontman Jonsi's new solo album, Go, that we haven't already said? If you are a Sigur Ros fan, you'll want to add Go to your 'music to get' list for spring of 2010. The project was recorded with help from Jonsi's partner. Also, we have a new track from Matt Pond PA's latest album and a Mojib mash-up/cover of UNKLE's 2007, "May Day Revisited," featuring The Radio Dept.

"Boy Lilikoi" - Jonsi Birgisson from Go (currently #17 on Amazon)

"Starting" - Matt Pond PA from The Dark Leaves

"May Day Revisited" - Mojib and The Radio Dept.

"Sea Waves" - Nice Nice from Extra Wow

"On Giving Up" - High Places from High Places vs. Mankind

"I Learned The Hard Way" - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings from I Learned the Hard Way (currently #2 on Amazon)

"Killing Kind" - Shark Speed from Education EP
Shark Speed on MySpace


In the follow-up to their triumphant debut, The Kissaway Trail's new album, Sleep Mountain, has it's strong points, but the Arcade Fire rip-off is a huge disappointment, and somewhat baffling. Afterall, one of Sleep Mountain's new tracks, "Don't Wake Up," has the muted vocals, accordion waves and choruses of some of AF's biggest songs, including, oddly enough, their very popular track, "Wake Up."

Whether Sleep Mountain is some misguided attempt to parody AF, or pay honor to the Montreal band's unique style and sound, The Kissaway Trail, their management and label have done themselves, and TKT fans, a disservice. As well, producer Peter Katis (Interpol, The National, Jonsi), should have known better as well to ditch the Arcade Fire copy-cat, and focus on TKT's strengths, not to mention provided his expertise to ensure this album demonstrated the band's growth and progression.

Here's what Pitchfork, which gave Sleep Mountain a 4.4, said: "From the palm-muted chords and chiming bells that open it, this album is stained to the point of unintentional parody by the Arcade Fire's influence." And, as the PF review points out, this is unfortunate because the album has some strong songs, yet most are on the second half of the LP.

"Beat Your Heartbeat" - The Kissaway Trail from Sleep Mountain
The Kissaway Trail on MySpace

"Red Wine" - Pepper Rabbit from Shakes + Clicks
Pepper Rabbit on MySpace

"Giving Birth to Imagined Saviors" - Red Sparowes from Fear Is Excruciating But Therein Lies the Answer
Red Sparowes official website

"Latin Lover" - Mi Ami from Stealing Your Face
Mi Ami on MySpace

"Don't Look Down of Back" - Tunng from ...And Then We Saw Land
Tunng official website


We really love these two Rob Laufer songs that were sent to us by his manager. Laufer has a brilliantly melodic, soft voice, a penchant for creating memorable songs and lyrics, and an overall musicianship that is impressive. His new release, Excruciating Bliss, is out today.

"Mary Entertaining" - Rob Laufer from Excruciating Bliss

"Birds" - Rob Laufer from Excruciating Bliss


Reissues and Compilations We Like: Elliott Smith, The Doves, Cheap Trick, Ray Charles and Solomon Burke

"Angel in the Snow" - Elliott Smith from Roman Candle

"Twilight" - Elliott Smith from Basement on a Hill

"Sea Song" - The Doves from The Places Between: The Best of Doves

"Surrender" - Cheap Trick from One on One/Next Position Please

"Cry To Me/Take Me As I Am" - Solomon Burke from Nothing's Impossible

"I've Got News for You" - Ray Charles from Genius + Soul = Jazz

Labels: New Releases

In 2006, Raleigh, NC band Annuals turned quite a few heads with their debut album, Be He Me. Their expansive, energetic sound and tight pop sensibility captured the hearts and ears of both listeners and critics. They released their sophomore album, Such Fun, on Canvasback Records, in 2008.

Now, armed with a reputation for solid songwriting and several years of experience, Annuals go back to the formula and sound that first cemented their acclaim. Sweet Sister marks band leader Adam Baker's return to the producer role, Annuals' return to a more tight-knit DIY collective, and a pure distillation of their trademark quirky pop experimentalism.

"Loxtep" - Annuals from Sweet Sister EP
Annuals on MySpace

Velvet Davenport with Ariel Pink and Gary War

Psychedelic rockers Velvet Davenport drop their Get Out/Run 7' today via Shdwply Records. The tracks, "Get Out" and "Run," as well as, "Surfer Blood," were recorded in Los Angeles with Ariel Pink and Gary War on an 8-track in War's apartment.

"Run" - Velvet Davenport, Ariel Pink & Gary War from Get Out/Run 7"
Velvet Davenport MySpace


For those of you not familiar with the electro-pop, synth charm and heavy percussions of the Minnesota duo, Tarlton, we hope that you will dig this song from their album Evergreens, that dropped today. Hearing Tarlton's music was simply one of those artists or bands that you never heard of before, and within minutes you're absolutely stoked that you know about them - it has an added quality of specialness for that reason. The song "Learn By Example," has been on repeat here for the past few days.

"Learn By Example" - Tarlton from Evergreens
Tarlton on MySpace


Brothers Rock in Wales, Plus Seabear, Dum Dum Girls, Black Tambourine and Apollo Gold

Henry's Funeral Shoe is a Wales shoegaze rock duo of guitarist and singer Aled Clifford and his brother Brenning on drums. Growing up in a musical family, Aled became a gifted guitar player, with the guidance of Ned Edwards, a long time collaborator of Van Morrison.

Aled played with a few bands and even recorded with producer Ian Grimble; once even recording a session at Abbey Road studios, made world-famous by The Beatles before they founded Apple Studios. Brenning was also pursuing music as a drummer, starting at the age of nine. At 15, Brenning joined a local band and cut his teeth playing covers of The Clash and Thin Lizzy. In 2008 ,the brothers joined forces to create Henry's Funeral Shoe, and drop their debut album today that includes the souful rocker, "Don't Lose the Rhythm."

"Don't Lose the Rhythm" - Henry's Funeral Shoe from Everything's For Sale
Henry's Funeral Shoe on MySpace


"Lion Face Boy" - Seabear from We Built a Fire

"D.A.L." - Dum Dum Girls from I Will Be

"For Ex-Lovers Only" - Black Tambourine from s/t debut

"Things You Go Through" - Apollo Gold from Mount Benson

"Tribe" - Young Sinclairs from Songs of the Young Sinclairs

"Quarry" - Sneaky Thieves from Brotherly

Coming Attractions: Hacienda, Harlem and Nada Surf

"I Keep Waiting" - Hacienda from Big Red and Barbacoa - out April 6th

"Cloud Pleaser" - Harlem from Hippies - out April 5th

"Electrocution (Bill Fox cover)" - Nada Surf from if i had a hi-fi - out June 8th

Labels: New Releases

Woodhands' new album, Remosecapade, drops today.
This week's Best New Releases features new music from bands you may already like, others that you've heard of, but your unfamiliar with their music, and perhaps even some that you are finding out about for the first time.

Each week, we gather up a bunch of tracks from new releases that we like, and want to share and let people know about. Usually, not always, we write some type of review or profile of bands and artists being feature. But due to SXSW, this is one of those "not always" weeks. Official website and MySpace links are provided for almost all of the artists, giving you one-click access to find out more information about bands and new releases that you are the most interested in.

This week's best new releases include tracks from Woodhands, Thunderhawk, Archie Bronson Outfit, Quadron, Yukon Blonde, Love is All, Bettie Servert, SayCet, and Let's Wrestle. Also, there are recent releases from Red Ink, Four O'Clock Balloon and The Dustbowl Revival, plus "coming attractions" from Radio Dept., Annuals and The New Pornographers with Neko Case.

"Dissembler" - Woodhands from Remosecapade
Woodhands on MySpace

"King Basement" - Thunderhawk from VI
Thunderhawk on MySpace

"Shark's Tooth" - Archie Bronson Outfit from Coconut
The Archie Bronson Outfit official website


"Average Fruit" - Quadron from s/t debut
Quadron on MySpace

"Blood Cops" - Yukon Blonde from s/t debut
Yukon Blonde on MySpace

"Horses Warriors" - Radar Brothers from The Illustrated Garden
Radar Brothers:

"Repitition" - Love Is All from Two Thousand and Ten Injuries
Love Is All official website

"Deny All" - Bettie Servert from s/t debut
Bettie Serveert official website

"Easy" - SayCet from Through The Window

"Opal" - SayCet from Through The Window
SayCet on MySpace

"We Are the Men You'll Grow to Love Soon" - Let's Wrestle from In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s
Let's Wrestle on MySpace

Due to the craziness of planning for SXSW and traveling to Texas, there were some new releases that we didn't get to feature in last week's Best New Releases of the Week.
Melbourne, Australia's unsigned band Red Ink have been rising in popularity in the land Down Under over the past year, playing concerts and festivals with artists like Cat Power, LCD Soundsystem and Architecture in Helsinki.

Now it's time to bring Red Ink to North America. Hope you like the band's sound as much as we do. The band officially drops their self-titled, debut EP today in the States.

"Battlescars" - Red Ink from s/t EP

Red Ink on MySpace

Red Ink official blog


South Florida band Four O'Clock Balloon might not have the coolest band name, but they came as a pleasant surprise after their label, Killer Music Group, sent us a single to listen to. The band describes their music as "power pop without apologies," delivering bright, catchy melodies, sweet hooks and 1970's ELO-like harmonies.

Four O'Clock Balloon could be one of south Florida's new buzz bands. It doesn't hurt that the band was founded by Santana band member Tommy Anthony (guitar/vocals) with friends John Allen (guitar), Micheal Quinn (bass) and Omar Hernandez (drums). Their debut, self-titled LP is out this week on Killer Music Group records. And finally, a song from The Dustbowl Revival's new LP, out today.

"Real" - Four O'Clock Balloon from s/t debut

"Dan's Jam" - The Dustbowl Revival from You Can't Go Back To The Garden Of Eden

The Dustbowl Revival on MySpace


Coming Attractions: Radio Dept, Annuals and The New Pornographers

Sweden's Labrador Records' recording artist Radio Dept. are back with a new single from their upcoming album, Clinging to a Scheme, set for release on April 21. Plus, the Annuals are back next week with a new EP - can't wait to hear that, and based on the advanced single, it could be another winner for Annuals. The New Pornographers and Neko Case serve up throwback 1960s power pop rock on "Your Hands" from the upcoming LP, Together.

"Heaven's on Fire" - Radio Dept. from Clinging to a Scheme (April 21)

"Loxtep" - Annuals from Sweet Sister EP (March 30)

"Your Hands" - The New Pornographers (w/Neko Case) from Together (May 4)

Note: Post SXSW fest, we have so much not necessarily SXSW related music to share with you, including a bunch of amazing songs from bands you probably have never heard of - many of whom sent their music in to us to review.

Labels: New Releases

With South by Southwest the major deal this week for most music freaks, it is fitting, and not surprising, that some of the best new releases of the week are from artists who are scheduled to appear at SXSW 2010.

Firstly, Athens, Georgia's Drive-By Truckers officially release their new album, The Big To-Do, today - perfectly timed for their SXSW show this Thursday at Stubb's in Austin. Unfortunately, and unlike many other bands at SXSW, TBT have only appearance booked at SXSW before they head to New Orleans for back-to-back concerts on Friday and Saturday. From the little bit we've heard of the new album, The Big To-Do, it sounds so good, so far.

"This F*cking Job" - Drive-By Truckers from The Big To-Do

Drive By Truckers on MySpace

Drive By Truckers SXSW Show:

March 18 @ 10:30pm at Stubb's

From the UK to Austin, Texas, and three shows at SXSW. Not a bad deal for a relatively new band; Standard Fare specialize in catchy post-punk influenced pop songs, and are one of the lesser-known bands that should win over some new fans this week. The band's debut album, The Noyelle Beat, is available today.

"Fifteen" - Standard Fare from The Noyelle Beat

Standard Fare on MySpace

Standard Fare SXSW Shows:

Mar 17 @ 3:00P Music For Listeners Day Party
Mar 19 @ 1:00P SXSW Day Party @ Waterloo Cycles
Mar 19 @ 8:00P SXSW Showcase at Mohawk inside

Casper Bangs are a relatively new indie pop band from Washington, D.C. In the past year of so, the band has created their own good buzz within the "music underground." Casper Bangs are booked for two shows this week at SXSW, including a spot on Sneak Attack Media's Thursday night showcase, and the daytime BYT Party at the Red Fez. The DC band received good reviews for the DIY release of their debut, self-titled EP last year, and have since been building a modest, but loyal following. Casper Bangs started as the band project of Rob Pierangeli.

"Skylark" - Casper Bangs from I Woke Up

Casper Bangs from MySpace

Casper Bangs SXSW Shows:

Mar 18 2010 8:00P SXSW - Sneak Attack Media Showcase
Mar 20 2010 1:00P SXSW - Red Fez - BYT Day Party

Not all of the band's with new notable releases this week are scheduled for SXSW, but it would have been good if they had been. We previously wrote about the Hamilton, Canada band, The Rest, in praise of their last album, Everyone All at Once, most especially for the tracks, "Apples and Allergies" and "Modern Time Travel."


Acclaim of the album reached across the oceans to Europe as well, and landed the band opening tours with Final Fantasy's Owen Pallet, Deerhoof, The Besnard Lakes and The Twilight Sad. The band's new EP, Cried Wolf, drops this week on Autuer Recordings, and includes the invigorating, forward-driving rocker, "With Every Heartbeat," perhaps the EP's most accessible track, followed closely by the sprawling, artistic folk rock of "Cried Wolf (and Other Animals)." Thanks to the band for sending these songs in to share with the world.

"With Every Heartbeat" - The Rest from Cried Wolf

"Cried Wolf (and Other Animals)" - The Rest from Cried Wolf

- The Rest on MySpace

If you haven't heard of Eddy Current Supression Ring, here's your chance. The band is definitely on our radar for 2010. Also, check out new tracks from Moneybrother, herMajesty, and One For The Team.

"Anxiety" - Eddy Current Suppression Ring from Rush to Relax

Eddy Current Suppression Ring

"Born Under a Bad Sign" - Moneybrother from Real Control

"World Smiles" - herMajesty from Images from the Vanishing Night EP

herMajesty on MySpace

"Hard for You" - One for the Team from Ghosts

One for the Team

Labels: New Releases

The Morning Benders widely anticipated new album, Big Echo, officially drops today, March 9th. We have two terrific singles, the album opener, "Excuses" (via Stereogum) and "Promises," from the folks at Beggars Group. The band will embark on a six-week tour of the U.S. and Canada with a kick-0ff show tomorrow in Philadelphia (see the tour schedule).

"Excuses" - The Morning Benders from Big Echo

"Promises" - The Morning Benders from Big Echo


It goes without saying that Free Energy are one of the hottest indie bands of the past year. With their blissful 70's pop rock sound and energetic live shows, the band have won wide praise from the music blogging and mainstream press communities.

"Hope Child" - Free Energy from Stuck On Nothing

"Dream City" - Free Energy from Stuck On Nothing

- Stream Stuck on Nothing


One of our favorite shoegaze bands from the Garden State, Titus Andronicus, released the follow up album to their widely acclaimed debut, The Airing of Grievances, this week, and so far, it sounds like a real keeper. The band were nice enough to share not one, not two, but three tracks from the new album. Titus Andronicus will be performing a free in-store performance during SXSW at Waterloo Records on March 18 at 1pm in downtown Austin.

"A More Perfect Union" - Titus Andronicus from The Monitor

"Four Score and Seven (Part One)" - Titus Andronicus from The Monitor

"Four Score and Seven (Part Two)" - Titus Andronicus from The Monitor

- Titus Andronicus on MySpace

"The Mighty Sparrow" - Ted Leo and The Pharmacists from The Brutalist Bricks

"Even Heroes Have to Die" - Ted Leo and The Pharmacists from The Brutalist Bricks

- Ted Leo on MySpace

"I Will Live On Islands" - Josh Rouse from El Turista

- Josh Rouse on MySpace

- Stream El Turista via Spinner

"Do The Method" - Method Actors from This is Still It

"Bleeding" - Method Actors from This is Still It

- Method Actors on MySpace

"Crystals" - Thrushes from Night Falls

- Thruses official website

"Song for Dreaming" - Judson Claiborne from Time and Temperature

- Judson Claiborne on MySpace

Check out Part Two of the Best New Releases of the Week featuring Broken Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Frightened Rabbit, Mighty Tiger, The Ruby Suns, Thunder Power, The Besnard Lake, The Canon Logic and more.

Other Posts You Might Enjoy:

Feetz to Da Beatz, Vol. I - Bands That Get You Dancing: Body Language, Yes Giantess and Friends Electric

2010 Releases You Might Have Missed: Boy Eats Drum Machine, Phantogram, ArpLine, BlueBrain, Wakey! Wakey!

Best New Releases of the Week: Bear Hands, Local Natives, The Hush Now, Field Music, Son Lux, The Good Listeners

Band to Watch: Nashville's The Vermicious K'nids

Labels: New Releases

There are so many great new releases this week, that we had to break them up into two installments (and it's looking that way for next week as well). A list of artists and bands for part two of this week's best new releases is featured below. That playlist mix will be published tomorrow. But first, here is part one. Enjoy and share with friends.

The fourth LP from California rockers Rogue Wave comes on the heels of some recent bad news for the band, including the tragic death of an ex-band mate, Evan Farrell, and serious health issues suffered by band founder, Zach Rogue.

Rogue (his real last name is Schwartz), found himself bed-ridden for months after a freak back accident. During his recovery, Rogue told drummer Pat Spurgeon that he "wanted to make a dance record," later elaborating that Permalight, the band's newest album out today via Brushfire Records, was about "physical music, about the visceral experience of hearing music and letting your body move to it." Indeed.

Next, John Gourley, lead vocalist of Portugal. The Man, said recently that the band has kept their latest album, American Ghetto, purposely under wraps, stating: "Nobody gets the record early; we will not be soliciting reviews, airplay or any support from the industry." The band's new single is available today along with the official drop of the LP.

Also, check out fresh tracks from The Whigs (with another free download on their website), the popular UK indie electronica band, These New Puritans. Scroll down for new songs from A Weather, Dinosaur Feathers, Peasant, Butterfly Explosion, plus advanced tracks from next week releases by Titus Andronicus, Jatun and Method Actors.

"Good Morning" - Rogue Wave from Permalight (via Stereogum)

Rogue Wave on MySpace

"The Dead Dog" - Portugal. The Man from American Ghetto

Portugal. The Man on MySpace

"In The Dark" - The Whigs from In The Dark

The Whigs official website

"Orion Hidden" - These New Puritans from Hidden

These New Puritans on MySpace



Portland, Oregon's A Weather are an indie-folk band whose sophomore album, Everyday Balloons, drops today via Team Love Records (the label founded by Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes).

As with their debut album, Everyday Balloons was engineered by Adam Selzer (M. Ward, The Decemberists, Norfolk & Western) at Portland's Type Foundry Studios. Also, the rising popularity of Brooklyn's Dinosaur Feathers have made them a favorite on many bands to watch in 2010 lists. They debut their first LP, Fantasy Memorial, also drops today.

"Giant Stairs" - A Weather from Everyday Balloons

A Weather official website

"Vendela Vida" - Dinosaur Feathers from Fantasy Memorial

Dinosaur Feathers on MySpace



Peasant is a Pennsylvania indie artist with a growing following.
"Well Alright" - Peasant from Shady Retreat

Peasant on MySpace


Butterfly Explosion are a shoegaze, post punk band from Ireland that blend powerful spiraling music with delicate vocals to form rich soundscapes of lush melodies, weaving moments of ethereal dream-pop and explosive sonic bliss. The debut album, Lost Trails, was released in the UK and Ireland in February on the Irish label, Revive Records, and recorded and produced by Torsten Kinsella (God Is An Astronaut). It's official U.S. release date was yesterday, March 1, 2010.

"Closer" - Butterfly Explosion from Lost Trails

"Chemistry" - Butterfly Explosion from Lost Trails

Butterfly Explosion official website

Check back tomorrow for part two of the Best New Releases of the Week, featuring reviews and music from the debut Twin Tigers' debut release, plus Emma Pollack, Kate Miller-Heidke, The Paparazzi, Jen Wood and The Megaphone Thrift. You might also want to view previous playlists of Best New Releases of the Week - packed with great music.

In Advance: Titus Andronicus, Jatun and Method Actors

A new feature we are adding to the end of each New Releases playlist mix provides a sneak peak at a few tracks that will be coming out next week. Look out for more new releases next Tuesday - it's a huge week for drops, so stay tuned.

"Four Score and Seven (Part One)" - Titus Andronicus from The Monitor

"Circuit Eater" - Jatun from Blanket of Ash

"Do The Method" - Method Actors from This is Still It

Labels: New Releases

This is a blockbuster week for music releases as evidenced by the sheer number of tracks featured in this post. Brooklyn's prog-rock quintet, and grads of the Rhode Island School of Design (which has also given us The Talking Heads, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Les Savvy Fav), Fang Island, belt out punk inspired pop with spirited vigor, triumphant harmonies, riff-heavy jams and uplifting tempos.

The Shout Out Louds return with their third album, Work, that will be followed by an extensive European and North American tour, including a sold out show next week at New York's Music Hall of Williamsburg. Shearwater are back with a new album, The Golden Archipelago, and the featured track, "Black Eyes."

Denmark's experimental pop band Efterklang released their new album, Magic Chairs, and will kick off a U.S. tour next week. The recently disbanded The Fate Fictions dropped their final album today, and the long-awaited new album from San Francisco's Brian Johnstown Massacre also dropped today. Another San Francisco band, Man/Miracle, released their new LP, Shape of Things, today. The band will perform tomorrow night as part of the city's 18th annual Noise Pop festival.

We also have new singles from fresh releases from Blood Feathers, Wolf People, Toro Y Moi, We Are Wolves, Holy Fiction, Xiu Xiu, Quasi, Holly Miranda, The Exhibition and others. Enjoy.

"Life Coach" - Fang Island from s/t debut
"Daisy" - Fang Island from s/t debut
Fang Island on MySpace

"Walls" - Shout Out Louds from Work
Shout Out Louds official website

"Black Eyes" - Shearwater from The Golden Archipelago
Shearwater official website

"Hot Sprawl" - Man/Miracle from Shape of Things
Man/Miracle official website

"Modern Drift" - Efterklang from Magic Chairs
Efterklang on MySpace

"Parallel World" - The Fake Fictions from Magic Infinity EP
The Fake Fictions official website

"Let's Go F**king Mental" - Brian Jonestown Massacre from Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?
Brian Jonestown Massacre

"Don't Know You at All" - Blood Feathers from Goodness Gracious
Blood Feathers on MySpace

"Repulsion" - Quasi from American Gong
Quasi on MySpace

"October Fires" - Wolf People from Tidings
Wolf People on MySpace

"Blessa" - Toro Y Moi from Causers
Toro Y Moi on MySpace

"Gray Death" - Xiu Xiu from Dear God, I Hate Myself
Xiu Xiu official website

"Iron Eyes" - Holy Fiction from Hours From It
Holy Fiction on MySpace

"Colors" - April Smith & The Great Picture Show from Songs For A Sinking Ship
April Smith & The Great Picture Show

"Waves" - Holly Miranda from The Magician's Private Library
Holly Miranda on MySpace

"Rapture" - Elaine Lachica from I Think I Can See the Ocean (feb 23 via
Elaine Lachica on MySpace

"Half Truth" - Dead Leaf Echo from Truth
Deaf Leaf Echo on MySpace

"Bright New Worlds" - The Exhibition from s/t EP
The Exhibition website

We realize that all of this music is a bit overwhelming, but it would be a disservice to our regular visitors, subscribers and new visitors to exclude certain tracks for the sake of creating a smaller list of releases - we feel all of the tracks we represent are worth the space they consume. While we do filter which tracks from new releases to present to you all (many do not "make the final cut"), we also try to be as thorough and eclectic as possible, and let you decide which songs you like the most in an effort to help you decide which albums you want to purchase for your music collection.

Reminder: You can stream continuously all of the songs in any of the playlists featured on IRC - while you do other things - just by clicking on the first song.

Next Week: Rogue Wave, Dinosaur Feathers, Portugal. The Man, The Whigs, Butterfly Explosion, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, Peasant, Kiki Pau and more.

Previous New Releases Mixes

2/16/10: Music Bear Hands, Local Natives, The Hush Now, Field Music, Son Lux, The Good Listeners

2/9/10: Music Showstar, Yeasayer, Hot Chip, Galactic, Vinca Minor, Drew Danburry, FM Belfast and More

2/2/10: Music from Midlake, The Album Leaf, King of Prussia, Seth Augustus, The Heligoats and More

1/26/10: Music from Beach House, The Magnetic Fields, No Through Road, Woodpigeon, Retribution Gospel Choir, Citay, Boy Genius and More

Labels: New Releases

This week's new releases include the fresh songs, as well as some tracks that have already made the rounds and are now being repackaged and re-issued in various forms. For example, Brooklyn's popular, but still unsigned, band Bear Hands, have re-issued their single, "What a Drag," today on white vinyl, and will celebrate this evening at The Studio at Webster Hall in New York, a kick-off show for an extensive tour of the U.S. with We Were Promised Jetpacks and Passion Pit. The band's shows with Passion Pit have already sold out in cities like Chicago, Minneapolis and Vancouver.

Los Angeles blog buzz band Local Natives' LP, Gorilla Manor, celebrates its official release today, but some of the tracks - and good ones at that - were leaked last fall, making them a band to watch in 2010. Bear Hands kicks off a European tour tomorrow night with a sold out show in Paris, and will then return to the perform three shows at next month's South by Southwest in Austin, followed by sets at Coachella and Bonnaroo music festivals.

Other tracks featured below from new releases include The Hush Now, Field Music, Son Lux, SPEAK and El May, as well as a handful of releases from last month that we didn't have time for, or that we just recently learned about, but are worth checking out.

"What a Drag" - Bear Hands from What a Drag
Bear Hands on MySpace

"Sunhands" - Local Natives from Gorilla Manor
Local Natives on MySpace

"Constellations" - The Hush Now from Constellations
The Hush Now on MySpace

"Measure" - Field Music from Field Music
Field Music on MySpace

"Weapons V" - Son Lux from Weapons EP
Son Lux on MySpace

"Carrie (Mindfull)" - SPEAK from debut EP
SPEAK on MySpace

"Don't You" - El May from s/t debut
El May on MySpace


Los Angeles indie folk pop band The Good Listeners released their third album, Don't Quit Your Daydream, last month via Three Finger Records. The LP was recorded during a month long journey to twelve cities across the US, and also made into an indie film documentary by the same name. At each stop on their adventure, the duo collaborated with a cast of strangers and musicians who forced them to reconsider what a life dedicated to the pursuit of music really means.

"Insect Losing Balance" - The Good Listeners from Don't Quit Your Daydream
The Good Listeners on MySpace

January Releases from Cop Shades, Sun Hotel, The Houston Brothers and More

In January, the experimental indie rock band Cop Shades released their debut album as a free download via Superbob Records - a label formed in 1993 by Ken Kelley, the drummer of The Monoxides. Cop Shades deliver gritty and fuzzy guitar rock almost guaranteed to attract rock fans who are hungry for something fresh and edgy.

Sun Hotel is an indie band from New Orleans that we are really beginning to like; we'll have more about them in our upcoming Bands to Watch in 2010 issue. The band released their LP, Team Spirit, on January 28th. Also, check out tracks from January releases by Adam Green, The Houston Brothers, Gobotron, and Charlie Hunter.

"I Sh*t Ponies" - Cop Shades from s/t EP
"The Sorority" - Cop Shades from s/t EP
Cop Shades on MySpace

"Allways" - Sun Hotel from Team Spirit
"Plantation Land" - Sun Hotel from Team Spirit
Sun Hotel on MySpace

"Castles and Tassels" - Adam Green from Minor Love
Adam Green on MySpace

"Confederate Dunce" - The Houston Brothers from The Archer
"Wasted Youth" - The Houston Brothers from The Archer
The Houston Brothers website

"Never Turn Around" - Gobotron from On Your Mark, Get Ready...
Gobotron on MySpace

"High Pockets and a Fanny Pack" - Charlie Hunter from Gentlemen, I Neglected to Inform You That You Will Not be Getting Paid
Charlie Hunter official website

Labels: Bear Hands, Field Music, Local Natives, New Releases, The Good Listeners

The new releases for 2010 are starting to pile up folks, so we'll have a new batch of songs ever Tuesday from all the latest, and greatest, releases.

Showstar are from the small Belgian town of Huy, and are quite popular in their home country, France and the UK, and are still chipping away at building a strong North American following. Think Ringo was produced by Gareth Parton (The Go! Team, Foals, Pete And The Pirates) and recorded in London and Belgium. Showstar has previously opened for bands like The Rakes, The Thrills, Ash, Mogwai, The Charlatans, and Stereophonics. Think Ringo is available for pre-order now, and officially drops on Monday, Feb. 15th. We'll have another track from Showstar in our Valentine's playlist mixes later this week.

"Gold Mine" - Showstar from Think Ringo

"We Are the Residents of the Lost Club" - Showstar from Think Ringo

Showstar Official website

Showstar on MySpace


New Releases from Yeasayer, Galactic, Hot Chip and More


More great releases this week worth your money include Yeasayer, Vinca Minor, Galactic, Hot Chip, Shellshag, Pantah Du Prince, Drew Danburry, Puerto Muerto. We also have new songs from recent releases from Yours Til Death, FM Belfast, and Brother Gruesome.

"Ambling Alp" - Yeasayer from Odd Blood
Yeasayer on Secretly Canadian

"Many Are Cold" - Drew Danburry from Goodnight Gary
Drew Danburry on MySpace

"Waves" - Vinca Minor from Isolation
Vinca Minor on MySpace


"One Life Stand" - Hot Chip from One Life Stand
Hot Chip official website

"Dark Water" - Galactic from Ya-Ka-May
Galactic on MySpace

"The Splendour" - Pantha Du Prince from Black Noise
Pantha Du Prince on MySpace

"Resilient Bastard" - Shellshag from Rumors in Disguise
Shellshag on MySpace

"Your Neighbor's Trampoline" - Raina Rose from When May Came
Raina Rose website

"Drumming for Pistols" - Puerto Muerto from s/t debut
Puerto Muerto on MySpace

Recent releases from Yours Til Death, Brothers Gruesome & FM Belfast


The following are songs that were either sent to us late, or that we didn't have time to listen to and publish prior to the release date. First up, a double shot from the Silverlake (an area of LA east of Hollywood) band Yours Til Death. The band was the brainchild of singer/songwriter Adam Ross, who recently completed a world tour as guitarist for Rihanna. Ahhh, but don't worry, the band, which also features drummer Hayden Scott and bassist Dave Berg - are alternative rockers who can deliver a thrashing, forward-driving sound ("Cut and Paste"), as well as catchy, melodic ballads, such as on the track, "Look the Other Way." Following Yours Til Death is Iceland's popular electro-indie band, FM Belfast and OK City's relatively unknown Brother Gruesome.

"Cut and Paste" - Yours Til Death from their Delivered EP - released Jan. 7th

"Look The Other Way" - Yours Til Death from their Delivered EP

"Par Avion" - FM Belfast from How to Make Friends - released Feb. 2nd
FM Belfast on MySpace

"Naked Girls.com" - Brothers Gruesome from s/t EP - released Jan. 12th
Brother Gruesome on MySpace


More Posts/Playlists You Might Enjoy:

Best New Releases of the Week: (2/2) Midlake, The Album Leaf, King of Prussia, Seth Augustus, The Heligoats and More

Best New Releases This Week (1/26): Beach House, The Magnetic Fields, No Through Road, Woodpigeon, Retribution Gospel Choir, Citay, Boy Genius & More

Best Rarely Heard Songs of 2009, Vol. II - Ex Norwegian, We All Have Hooks for Hands, Pistol for Ringo and Fredrik

Artist of the Week: DIY Singer/Songwriter Brent Nettles

Indie Record Label Spotlight: Standard Recording's Everthus The Deadbeats, Amo Joy, Everything, Now! and Big Big Car

Band to Watch: Nashville's The Vermicious K'nids

In Dee Mail Special Edition, Vol. VIII: The Middle East, The Love X Nowhere, Emanuel and the Fear, Solfege Radio and More

Labels: FM Belfast, Hot Chip, New Releases, Showstar, Yeasayer