# Best New Releases for Week of March 6th – The Magnetic Fields, Andrew Bird, Good Old War, Said The Whale, White Rabbits

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2012/03/best-new-releases-week-of-3612-part-i-the-magnetic-fields-andrew-bird-good-old-war/
- Published: 2012-03-07T19:50:35-05:00
- Author: Max Hammer

This is one of the best week of new releases so far this year. If you’re having 
a bad day, or week, this singles playlist from the Best New Releases of the week
is a damn good antidote. This is only Part One of all the singles/albums we’re reviewing
for the week; [Part Two](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/03/top-new-singles-of-week-part-two-ceremony-nite-jewel/)
will be out soon.

Still, this post is loaded with enough infectious and superb new singles from established
to relatively new-on-the-scene indie artists that it should keep you busy for a 
while. And if you missed past **Best New Releases**, we encourage you to check them
out.

Kicking things off is **The Magnetic Fields**‘ own song similar to **The Kinks**‘
classic hit, “Lola,” complete with a witty, gender-bending love anthem, “Andrew 
In Drag.”

How interesting is it that both songs – separated by 42 years – are about sexually
ambiguous men who have an attraction to a man who is “a little bit of both,” as 
a matter of speaking.

But The Kinks’ – and with a band name like that – were way ahead of their time four
decades ago, and caused controversy, no question about it. Radio stations refused
to play “Lola” in the U.S., even though it was a Top 10 single here in the States
and a No. 1 (or Top of the Pops, as they say) in the U.K.

The Magnetic Fields definitely take the Lola baton to the next level, since they
can be more direct nowadays, and a step beyond **Aerosmith**‘s “Dude Looks Like 
A Lady” and other similar she-man songs since the days of Lola. However, the exploits
of men with other men of varying degrees of feminimity is something that goes back
to ancient times in texts and art.

Related Post:  The Format's Sam Means and Nate Nuess Release New Music Since The
Duo's Official Break Up

It was completely coincidental – other than it being another great single – that**
Andrew Bird**‘s wonderful 60’s pop style single, “Eyeoneye,” turned out as the follow-
up track to “Andrew In Drag.”

[“Andrew In Drag”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/The%20Magnetic%20Fields%20-%20Andrew%20in%20drag.mp3)–**
The Magnetic Fields** from _Love at the Bottom of the Sea_ via Merge Records

![andrewbird-breakityourself](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/61uEoH6nKiL.
_SS500_.jpg "andrewbird-breakityourself")

“Eyeoneye” – **Andrew Bird** from _Break It Yourself_ via Mom + Pop

![goodoldwarband](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/good-old-war.jpg "
goodoldwarband")

Great band, Good Old War, still waiting their turn

#### Good Old War, Said The Whale and White Rabbits’ Terrific New Singles

Continuing on, we’re loving on Philly band **Good Old War**‘s stand out new single,“
Calling Me Names,” followed by **Said The Whale **indie rockers superb track, “Heavy
Ceilings,” complete with a very “My Sharona” main riff-off.

Next, Brooklyn-via-Missouri’s consistently good indie rock/post punk revival band**
White Rabbits** reset the mood with the blazing, Jack White-like ripping guitar 
rocker, “Temporary.”

“Calling Me Names” – **Good Old War** from _Come Back As Rain_ via Sargent House

“Heavy Ceiling” – **Said the Whale** from _Little Mountain_ via Hidden Pony

“Temporary” – **White Rabbits** from _Milk Famous_ via TBD Records

![bowerbirdstheclearing](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/41Ti2dEXmIL.
_SS500_.jpg "bowerbirdstheclearing")

#### Bowerbirds, Miniature Tigers, Yellow Ostrich and newbies Uncle Roman’s Jetboat

Interestingly, the **Bowerbirds**‘ latest single, “Tuck The Darkness In,” is not
dark, but does have kind of a melancholy sunniness to it. In fact, it sounds a lot
like Andrew Bird in some ways. Now, we start to get into some of the lesser known
bands and artists to many people, and others to ourselves. We’re happy to have the
fresh single from **Brooklyn** band **Yellow Ostrich**.

[“Tuck the Darkness In”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/tuckthedarknessin.mp3)–**
Bowerbirds **from _The Clearing_ (+Digital Booklet) via Dead Oceans

Related Post:  Best New Releases, Week of Jan. 17 - Guided By Voices, Howlers, Paul
Brill, Frankie Rose, Old Monk, Buried Beds, Ani DiFranco

“Marathon Runner” – **Yellow Ostrich** from _Strange Land_ via Barsuk

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

**Miniature Tigers** is a band we locked in on back in 2010, especially with the
release of their album, _Fortress_, which contained the single,[“Gold Skull,”](https://indierockcafe.com/2010/05/songs-dee-mail-2010-vol-iv-here-we-go-magic-and-more/)
produced by **Neon Indian**.  This week, Miniature Tigers, released their new album,
and from what we’ve heard so far, it’s a solid record. We’ve got the first single
from the LP, “Female Doctors,” which is a mix between indie rock and dance pop, 
with an underlying **Prince** influence running throughout.

[“Female Doctor” ](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/02%20Female%20Doctor.mp3)–**
Miniature Tigers** from _Mia Pharaoh_ via Modern Art

![](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/61cG8y4mOOL._SS500_.jpg)

Following Miniature Tigers is a note-worthy new track from a band new to us, **Uncle
Roman’s Jetboat.** Created from the remains of bands like **The Kindness Kind** 
from **Seattle**, and fronted by British singer **Thomas Beecham**, URJ dropped 
their debut EP, _Floodlights In The Sunlight_, this week to fairly wide coverage
on indie blogs, not so much though on sites like _Stereogum_ and _SPIN_.

The album is a mix of disparate influences comprising psychedelic/alternative rock,
tango, raggae, indie pop and others. The title track below is easily the best new
single from a debut out this week. Keep your eyes and ears open for more from Uncle
Roman’s Jetboat soon.

“Floodlights in the Sunlight” – **Uncle Roman’s Jetboat** from _Floodlights in the
Sunlight_ via Don’t Be a Lout Music

![](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/51Ge-lgdQ5L._SS500_.jpg)

#### Jack Wilson’s Debut; New-To-Us Artist Eric Chenaux

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself listening again and again to this mix of
new singles – we’re on like our seventh or eighth time already. The next track, “
Valhalla,” from new-to-us Austin folk-pop songwriter** Jack Wilson**, changes the
mood a bit with a kind of alt. country mixed with folkish type of melancholy. The
track is from our second favorite debut of the week – _Jack Wilson_ via **Fluff &
Gravy Records**. Yet another artist we were not previously familiar with, **Eric
Chenaux**, delivers one of the surprise tracks of the week with the single, “Amazing
Backgrounds.”

Related Post:  Best New Music Releases, Week of Sept. 18th, Vol. One - Grizzly Bear,
Band of Horses, Dinosaur Jr., Allah-Las, Alt. J, Menomena

[“Valhalla”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/jackwilson_valhalla.mp3)–**
Jack Wilson** from _Jack Wilson_ via Fluff & Gravy Records

“Amazing Backgrounds” – **Eric Chenaux** from _Guitar & Voice_ via Constellation
Records