# More Best New Releases from Firewater, Field Report, Neal Halstead, Sea Wolf, Avett Brothers, Hello Echo, Solos, Helvetica

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/more-best-new-releases-from-firewater-field-report-neal-halstead-sea-wolf-avett-brothers-hello-echo-solos-helvetica/
- Published: 2012-09-13T16:41:47-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

[[This week’s drop of more than two dozen fantastic, and some highly anticipated, albums continues to deliver memorable new singles from a mesmerizing range of artists, styles and genres. Yesterday, we posted the first half of this week’s Best New Music Releases, featuring [spectacular new singles](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/best-new-music-releases-week-of-sept-11th-the-raveonettes-the-xx-david-byrne-st-vincent-turbo-fruits-seapony/) from the
latest albums by music giants like **The Raveonettes, The xx, David Bryne & St. 
Vincent, Calexico**, and lesser-known, but terrific, indie bands like **Thee Oh 
Sees, Turbo Fruits, Seapony** and many others.

You may wish to start with [Volume One](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/best-new-music-releases-week-of-sept-11th-the-raveonettes-the-xx-david-byrne-st-vincent-turbo-fruits-seapony/)
before diving in and listening to this second volume. Also look out for posts highlighting**
Bob Dylan**, Band of the Week, and the Top Albums of September 2012. Plus, check
out popular recent posts like [Top 10 Songs Playlists for August](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/top-ten-songs-playlists-for-august-2012-divine-fits-ariel-pinks-haunted-graffiti-black-pistol-fire-red-kross/);
[Week of Sept. 4th Releases](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/best-new-music-releases-week-of-sept-4th-animal-collective-cat-power-stars-two-door-cinema-club-two-gallants-bob-mould-jens-lekman/)(
with Animal Collective, Cat Power, Two Door Cinema Club, Jens Lekman, Stars); [In Dee Mail, Vol. XII](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/in-dee-mail-vol-xii-great-bands-you-never-heard-of/);
[Thurston Moore’s Chelsea Light Moving](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/09/thurston-moores-new-band-chelsea-light-moving-burroughs/),
and [DIY Artist of the Week Dalton](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/08/diy-artist-of-the-week-dalton/),
to pick out just a few.

This playlist features an impressive collection of new songs from artists and bands
like **Firewater, The Avett Brothers, Neil Halstead, Patterson Hood, Sea Wolf, Field
Report, Hello Echo, Solos, Helvetica **and others. This second part of the top singles
from this week’s most notable albums was specifically designed to highlight what
is clearly one of the best weeks for indie music in 2012. In fact, the past few 
weeks’ sleuth of excellent releases has helped restore some credibility to what 
many consider to have been somewhat of a lackluster summer for record releases. 
That being partially true, there were still plenty of impressive singles and albums
dropped in the past eight months, which you can read about, stream and download 
by browsing through the Best New Music Releases archives for the entire summer.*

[⌊The-Avett-Brothers-The-Carpenter⌉⌊The-Avett-Brothers-The-Carpenter⌉[
 **New York
City** genre-bending band **Firewater** kicks off this playlist post with a heavy
groove of gypsy punk, ska and carabet on the new single, “A Little Revolution,” 
from the band’s seventh studio album, _International Orange_. It felt right to start
this playlist with a bang, followed by the dark, melodic folk-pop of **North Carolina**
bro band **The Avett Brothers**, before easing into a gorgeous trio of songs from
Field Report, Neal Halstead and Sea Wolf.

“A Little Revolution” – **Firewater** from _International Orange!_ on Bloodshot 
Records

Stream International Orange via Spinner

[“Live And Die” ](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/live-and-die-avett-brothers1.mp3)–**
The Avett Brothers** from _The Carpenter_ on Universal

[⌊FieldReportband⌉⌊FieldReportband⌉[

#### After Great Anticipation, Field Report Drops Their Stunning Debut LP

**Chris Porterfield** founded **Field Report** not long after the band **DeYarmond
Edison** disbanded. His former bandmate from that band, **Justin Vernon**, went 
on to found and front the wildly successful folk group **Bon Iver**. It wasn’t long
before Field Report began to attract its own praise from fans, bloggers and even
the mainstream press of some of their early demos and singles. In the past year,
Field Report has amassed widespread critical acclaim, growing their fanbase and 
packing venues. In the past few months, there has been a significant build-up of
buzz in anticipation of the release of Field Report’s self-titled debut album, which
officially dropped on Tuesday.

Related Post:  Best New Music Releases, Week of July 3 - Sunglasses, Easter Island,
Gold Motel, Johnny Hickman, Teenage Bottlerocket

Man, was it worth the wait. We don’t want to give it away (stream the album here),
but the lead single, “I Am Not Waiting Anymore,” is a gorgeous, mellow folk gem –
complete with Porterfield’s nasally vocals and steel guitar slides. The song is 
presented in .wav format below, so the sound quality is greatly enhanced. The songs
lyrics are compelling as well and delivered with a poetic narrative: _I spent eight
long years, working on my screenplay/It’s a teen movie with young actresses that
plays to the middle aged/I’ve read between the lines, I have been wrong every time/
Burn up on the altar, but I am fine_. Here’s a little trivia for ya: Field Report
is an anagram of Porterfield.

[“I Am Not Waiting Anymore”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/3%20I%20Am%20Not%20Waiting%20Anymore1.wav)–**
Field Report** from _Field Report_ on Partisan Records

[[

#### Gorgeous New Songs from Neal Halstead and Sea Wolf

Singer-songwriter **Neal Halstead**‘s dreamy acoustic track, “Digging Shelters,”
is a simple, short song that makes every second count. You may find yourself noticing
moments in the song that beckon the spirits of **Elliott Smith** and **Nick Drake**;
we’re not sure if that was on purpose, but if it’s not, well that just says even
more about Halstead’s already solid reputation as a composer, vocalist and musician.
As usual, Halstead delivers an enchanting, introspective sound. Next, it is only
fitting to place **Sea Wolf**‘s latest single, “Old Friend” right after “Digging
Shelters” because they just fit back-to-back so well. “Old Friend” is a nostalgic
and romantic pop song, dipped in rich melodic hooks, deep, throbbing bass lines,
a catchy drum beat and the soft, sensual vocals of **Alex Brown Church**. It’s easily
one of 2012’s best love songs, and one that many of you will be listening to over
and over – as we have and will. This song is destined, for better or worse, to be
included in a major movie soundtrack, TV show or commercial.

[“Digging Shelters”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%201-%20%20Digging%20Shelters1.mp3)–**
Neil Halstead** from _ Palindrome Hunches _ on Sonic Cathedral Recordings

[“Old Friend”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01-Old-Friend.mp3) –**
Sea Wolf** from _Old World Romance_ on Dangerbird Records
 Track via AustinTownHall.
com

#### Drive-By Truckers Front Man, Patterson Hood, Snowblink and Helvetia

**Drive-By Truckers**‘ frontman **Patterson Hood** drops his newest roots-rock album
this week which prominently consists of autobiographical musings about the troubled
days of his youth, and the tumultuous evolution of growing up to discover who he
is and to secure his inner peace. The single, “Come Back Little Star” is mellow 
and intimate thanks to his fine vocal work and the infusion of a range of instruments
from guitar and piano to cello and banjo, giving the song a rich, full sound. Next,
the single from Arts & Crafts recording artist **Snowblink** changes the mood to
synth girl pop. And a band that we liked from the get-go, **Helvetia**, are back
with a new album, and the terrific, catchy lead track, “RyBro.”

Related Post:  Best New Releases for Week of Feb. 21, II - Damian Jurado, Terry 
Malts, Sara Radle, Archers of Loaf, Lampchop & DIY Exclusives

“Come Back LIttle Star” – **Patterson Hood** from _Heat Lightning Rumbles in the
Distance_

[“Black & White Mountains”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/04%20Black%20&%20White%20Mountains1.mp3)–**
Snowblink ** from _Inner Classics_ on Arts & Crafts

[“RyBro”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/02%20RyBro.mp3) – **Helvetia**
from _Nothing in Rambling_ on Joyful Noise Recordings

![helloecho](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/1345439340he_cc_digcov.
jpg)

#### New-To-Us Bands To Watch: Hello Echo and Solos

One of our favorite new-to-us bands this week is **Santa Monica**, California-via-**
Boston** band **Hello Echo**. Their fantastic lead single, “Country,” from the self-
released debut EP, _Coffee Cups_, features brilliant change-ups dominated by blazing
60s-like garage rock, psych-tinged guitar riffs that evolve into a full-on romp.
The build-up to the song’s climax is a thrilling ride, where grooving rhythms, thunderous
drumming and tambourine strikes give way to a ripping guitar solo that suddenly 
stops and eases into a mellow, lo-fi coda. The track is one of the best relatively
unknown singles of the summer, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself listening
to it again and again – as we have done at least a dozen times.

“Country” – **Hello Echo** from _Coffee Cups EP_ (self-released)

[⌊hello-echo band⌉⌊hello-echo band⌉[

Based on “Country,” and a couple other tracks we’ve streamed via MySpace, **Hello
Echo **have enthusiastically been added to our bands to watch list, and their EP
is one of our favorite DIY drops of 2012. Another track that has received a lot 
of play is [“All The Time,”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/all-the-time-2702636)
which again showcases spectacular guitar work. The band delivers, as _KEXP_ wrote,
an “east meets west coast sound.” Hello Echo is recommended for fans of bands like**
Good Old War**, **Cage The Elephant, The Black Keys** and **A Place To Bury Strangers**.
Another new band to watch, **Solos**, launches into a celebratory folk pop gem on
the single, “All My Tribulations,” from the just dropped _Beast Of Both Worlds_.
Don’t be surprised to find yourself singing along with the chorus. We’ll definitely
be keeping tabs on these two bands.

“All My Tribulations” – **Solos ** from _Beast Of Both Worlds_ on Joyful Noise Recordings

![willjohnson](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/scorpion-500.jpg)

#### New Singles from Albums by Will Johnson and Agent Ribbons

**Will Johnson**‘s new single, “You Will Be Here, Mine,” is a slow, mellow folk 
rock track featuring Johnson’s heart-aching vocals and introspective lyrics. **Austin**-
via-**Sacramento** band **Agent Ribbons** label themselves as a “tree house club
of post-feminist dreamers.” Their new single, “Family Haircut,” transitions from
meandering, ghostly rhythms to feel-good garage rock with a heavy emphasis on vocal
and chorus arrangements. The band’s songs have been featured on TV shows like _Vampire
Diaries, Revenge_, and _Cougartown_.

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when applicable.

Related Post:  Best New Releases, Vol. II (Week of 3/27) - Justin Townes Earle, 
Tyburn Saints, Way Yes, Races, Cats on Fire, Sleep Wave Sleep

[“You Will Be Here, Mine”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%20You%20Will%20Be%20Here,%20Mine.mp3)–**
Will Johnson** from _Scorpion_ on Undertow Music

[“Family Haircut”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%20FAMILY%20HAIRCUT.mp3)–**
Agent Ribbons** from _Let Them Talk_ on Antenna Farm Records

![edgeofparadisemask](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/artworks-000011689721-
30ehtv-crop.jpg?330b92d "edgeofparadisemask")

#### Los Angeles Metal Band Edge of Paradise Drops Debut LP, _Mask_

**Los Angeles** rock band and **Shredock** recording artist, _Edge of Paradise_,
dropped their debut album, _Mask_, this week. While it was not included in most 
other music blogs that focus on new releases, the double set of tracks below from
Mask demonstrate what many listeners who visit other indie webs are missing out 
on – IRC frequently posts music available almost nowhere else on the web.

Even though Edge of Paradise was only formed earlier this year, the band features
the rhythm section of bassist **Tony Franklin** (Blue Murder, The Firm) and drummer**
Gregg Bissonette** (David Lee Roth Band). Next, add the powerhouse vocals of **Margarita
Monet** and the towering guitars of **Dave Bates**, and you have a pretty solid 
melodic metal band to reckon with. In fact, their debut recently ranked as the sixth‘
most added’ on national CMJ Radio, right behind bands like **Machine Head** and **
Five Finger Death Punch**. _Mask_ is chockfull of industrial-tinged metal coupled
with soaring vocal hooks. _Legendary Rock Interviews_ wrote: “Once in a while a 
new band comes along that not only has a unique sound of its own, but draws upon
all the things we love about metal or rock to begin with. Edge of Paradise are one
of the best independent bands to come out of L.A. in some time.”

“Thrown It All Away”  – **Edge Of Paradise** from _Mask_

“Walk The Line” – **Edge Of Paradise** from _Mask_

*Note regarding MP3 song links:_ Unlike most blogs and sites, 90% of the song links
we publish are still working, sometimes even months and years after they were posted.
IRC is one of the few and free indie music resources on the Internet that doesn’t
remove song links a couple of weeks following the original posting. However, many,
if not most, of the indie blogs and sites we like and visit do just that. So, we
know how annoying it is to be browsing through an older review or playlist only 
to discover that the song links have been removed. Of course we can’t control when
bands and labels remove a song link they provided, but in our experience that only
happens about 10% of the time for post younger than one year. We hear all the time
from people that one of the things they like about IRC is that they can listen to
a playlist that is two years old and all or most of the MP3 links are still working.
While it costs us a bit more in bandwidth and resources, it’s worth it for our dedicated
listeners and new visitors. _