Yesterday, we published part one of the Best New Releases of the Week; it was necessary to make two installments because there is a lot of great new music out this week. In the first installment, we featured The Morning Benders, Ted Leo, Free Energy, Titus Andronicus, Josh Rouse and others. So far this year, there have been at least eight weeks of solid new releases that have made for some fantastic playlists of 2010 songs, including today’s playlist. Listen to it from start to finish with the built-in player to get the full experience of the diversity of terrific songs.
First up is new music from Broken Bells (a collaboration between The Shins’ James Mercer and Danger Mouse). Broken Bells performed on The Late Show with David Letterman last evening in what must have been a difficult performance for Danger Mouse and Mercer, both of who had collaborated with the late Mark Linkous, who founded the band Sparklehorse in 1994. Sparklehorse was arguably one of the most influential groups of the alternative rock movement that grew in popularity from the mid to late 1990s, and into the new millenium. Linkous was also a frequent influenetial bands of the alternative rock movement that who died last Saturday in Knoxville following a reported suicide. IRC paid tribute to Mark Linkous and his music in a special feature on Monday.
“The High Road” – Broken Bells from s/t debut
Stream the entire album via Spinner
Broken Bells official website
LA alternative rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club‘s new album, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, was released yesterday on Vagrant Records. After streaming it a few days ago via Spinner, fans of the BRMC are likely to be well satisfied – it rocks from start to finish. The band is currently on an extensive tour that will cover much of North America over the next three weeks, and then on to a six-week European tour. The band is set to perform one show next week during Austin’s annual South By Southwest music festival and conference.
“Conscience Killer” – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club from Beat The Devil’s Tattoo
Brooklyn’s power pop band, The Canon Logic, sent in two singles to share with all of you from their new album FM Arcade. Sounds like yet another promising band to break out of Brooklyn. Also, Emanuel and the Fear, a New York City band, have a new album release that dropped yesterday via the growing line-up of indie label, Paper Garden Records.
“Avenue of Criminals” – The Canon Logic from FM Arcade
“Nights at Armour Mansion”– The Canon Logic from FM Arcade
Canon Logic official website
“Dear Friend” – Emanuel and the Fear from Listen
Emanuel and the Fear on MySpace
In addition, don’t miss these splendid fresh tracks from new albums (worthy additions to your music collection; otherwise, we wouldn’t recommend them) by Frightened Rabbit, The Besnard Lakes, The Ruby Suns, Mighty Tiger, Thunder Power (produced by Ian Aeillo [Bright Eyes, Cursive, Matthew Sweet]), Jatun and others.
“Swim Until You Can’t See Land” – Frightened Rabbit from The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Frightened Rabbit on MySpace
“Albatross” – The Besnard Lakes from The Roaring Night
The Besnard Lakes official website
“Cranberry” – The Ruby Suns from Fight Softly
The Ruby Suns on MySpace
“33 1/3” – Mighty Tiger from Western Theatre
Mighty Tiger on MySpace
“Heartifact” – Thunder Power from Hearts Intersect EP
Thunder Power on MySpace
“Circuit Eater” – Jatun from Blanket of Ash
Jatun official website
“Fare Thee Well” – McCabe & Mrs. Miller from Time for Leaving
McCabe & Mrs. Miller on MySpace
“Song for Dreaming” – Judson Claiborne from Time and Temperature
“Leave Me Alone” – Pretty Good Dance Moves from PGDM
“No Logic” – White Hinterland from Kairos
As if releasing their debut record Witches last week wasn’t enough, FUR teamed up with Coyote Clean Up on another EP available now for free download. The two artists took a crack at remixing each others tracks, both ironically titled “Lackadaisical” and added a few more of their own to boot. The Lackadaisical EP was described by Gorilla vs. Bear as “haunted lounge-house” and is available for free download via the Waaga Records website. Power Animal also have a new song out from their new album, People Songs, out later this month, and will be performing at next week’s SXSW, followed by a month-long U.S. tour.
“Lackadaisical” (Coyote Clean Up Dub) – FUR from Lackadaisical EP
“Dear My Body” – Power Animal from People Songs
Other Posts and Playlists You Might Dig:
RIP: Artists Remember Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse (1962-2010)
In Dee Mail Special Edition, Vol. VIII: The Middle East, The Love X Nowhere, Emanuel and the Fear, Solfege Radio and More
Disbanded: Band Break-Ups, Vol. I: New Faces, The Fake Fictions and The Catholic Comb