# Best New Releases – Okkervil River, The Antlers, Wild Beasts, Manchester Orchestra, Man Man, The Cars, Sleepy Viking

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2011/05/best-new-albums-okkervil-river-antlers-wild-beasts-manchester-orchestra/
- Published: 2011-05-10T17:27:23-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

The long-awaited **Okkervil River** new album, _I Am Very Far_, dropped officially
this week, and although we have yet to hear the studio version (compared to last
week’s live webcast performance of the LP) all the way through (probably this weekend),
but what we’ve heard so far is very promising.  In 2005, Okkervil River broke out
big time to the national stage with the release of _Black Sheep Boy_, and several
months later, the _Black Sheep Boy Appendix E_P. In 2007 and 2008, the band released
_The Stage Names_ and _The Stand Ins_, respectively. Make sure to check back later
today or tomorrow for Part Two of this week’s Best New Releases.

[“Wake and Be Fine”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/wakeandbefine1.mp3)–**
Okkervil River** from _I Am Very Far_

![](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/51yi2i9cRiL._SS500_.jpg)

**The Antlers**‘ 2008 debut album,_ Hospice,_ received overwhelmingly positive reactions
from music critics, bloggers and new fans when it first came out, and over time,
became, arguably, one of the best indie folk debuts of the decade, and one of the
best overall debut LPs of 2008 despite, or not, the fact that it was basically a
concept album about a hospice worker and a terminally ill patient falling in love.
With their new follow-up album, _Burst Apart_, the band continue their relationship
and love concept album mastery. These two tracks from the album, “I Don’t Want Love”
and “Parentheses” were provided by the blog, _Whale in a Cubicle_.

“I Don’t Want Love” – **The Antlers** from _Burst Apart_

“Parentheses” – **The Antlers** from _Burst Apart__ _

![](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/51CiSpxe9xL._SS500_.jpg)

Following on the success of their critically acclaimed and **Mercury Prize** nominated
second album, _Two Dancers_, the band **Wild Beasts** have unveiled their next chapter
in their career with the release of their new album, _Smother_.  The band have released
the first single from the album, “Albatross,” a track washed with sonic layers and
textures of abstract sounds combined to form something typically bold and unique.

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Friendly Fires, Yourself and the Air, Bird Call, David Bazan, Boris

[“Albatross”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/WildBeasts_Albatross5.mp3)–**
Wild Beasts** from _Smother_

“Invisible” – **Wild Beasts** from _Smother_

“Invisible” is provided via the blog, [_Said The Gramophone _](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/inherited_debt.php)

#### Manchester Orchestra’s Fantastic New Single, The Cars Return

Another anticipated release this week is **Manchester Orchestra**‘s,_ __Simple Math__,_
which you can stream[ via this link](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/manchester-orchestra-simple-math.html).**
Andy Hull** called the title track, which we absolutely are loving, “the best song
we have ever written.”

[“Simple Math”](http://whatstheruckus.typepad.com/files/01-simple-math.mp3) – **
Manchester Orchestra **from_ Simple Math_

For some reason, **The Cars**‘ latest single, “Sad Song,” seemed to fit in place
right after Manchester Orchestra’s “Simple Math.”  What we like about this track
is the fact that is sounds a lot like The Cars’ of the 1980s, when they were at 
the height of their career. Despite the track name, it’s actually an upbeat track,
washed with synths, led with **Ric Ocasek **easily recognizable vocals, thumbing
bass and uptempo beats. “Sad Song’ is from The Cars’ new album, _Move Like This_,
out now. The track is streamed via _TheMusicFm.com_.

“Sad Song” – **The Cars** from [_Move Like This_](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/613YET3K7zL._SS500_3.jpg)

**Colourmusic**’s new album showcases an ever-evolving mass of melancholic melodies,
gauzy vocals, shifty beats, and monophonic musical structures. Not to mention glimpses
of agnostic gospel grooves like the lead single, “You For Leaving Me.”

Pile them on – the other Best New Releases of the week include new albums from **
Michael J Epstein Memorial Library**, the popular indie rock **Man Man**‘s latest
new track from their new album, and **Salt Lake City**‘s new-to-us band, **The Devil
Whale** (as if we need another band with ‘whale’ in the name) drop their sophomore
album, _Teeth_, featuring 60’s and 70’s garage and pop influences such as The Animals,
The Kinks, and Harry Nilsson.

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The Lower 48, The 65's, Dolfish, The Coast of Nebraska

“You For Leaving Me” – **Colourmusic** from _My \_\_\_ Is Pink _

“Amylee” – **Michael J Epstein Memorial Library** from V_olume One_

“Knuckle Down” –** Man Man** from _Life Fantastic_
 Song via _SeizureChicken_

“Barracudas” – **The Devil Whale** from _Teeth_

![](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/love-inks-esp.jpg?w=455&h=455)

#### Love Inks, Sleepy Viking, Howe Gelb, Phil Cook, Liturgy, Peter Case

Plus, stream and download new music out this week from **Sleepy Viking, Howe Gelb,
Phil Cook **(of Megafun), **Liturgy **(both the latter and Cook’s tracks are instrumentals
from two different worlds); **Peter Case’**s lead sounds a bit like if T. Rex gone
country rock.

“Blackeye” –** Love Inks** from_ E.S.P._

“4 Door Maverick”  – **Howe Gelb** from _Alegrias_

“Calm”  – **Sleepy Vikings** from _They Will Find You Here_

_

“Ballad of a Hungry Mother”_ _ – **Phil Cook **from _Hungry Mother Blues_

“Generation” – **Liturgy** from _Aesthetica_

“Round Trip Stranger Blues” – **Peter Case **from _Breaking Bones_

**_Don’t Miss [Part 2 ](https://indierockcafe.com/2011/05/releases-part-ii-shivers-lives-wilderness-manitoba-sloan-sam-roberts-band-sea-cake-sewing-circle/)
of this week’s Best New Releases _ **