With all of the buzz surrounding last week’s release of Arcade Fire‘s their third album, The Suburbs, it has a way of overshadowing other new releases. Nonetheless, there are some worthy new releases this week that you may want to sink your teeth into. Most notably in our eyes (well, ears) is the debut LP from an Illinois band no one has heard of, and who convincingly has made our ‘bands to watch’ list.
The Champaign-Urbana pop quintet, Elsinore, self-released their second EP, The Chemicals, earlier this year, and we were intrigued right away. Now, six months later, the band has dropped their debut LP, Yes Yes Yes, via the understated Parasol Records label. The LP contains a remix from Gentleman Auction House frontman Eric Enger. Elsinore have previously opened for St. Vincent, Headlights and The Generationals. We absolutely love the new LP, and recommend snatching it up, as well as their EPs, if you dig the tracks below. It’s time this band broke out.
“Yes Yes Yes” – Elsinore from Yes Yes Yes
“Even’s Basement Recording” – Elsinore from The Chemicals
“Lines” – Elsinore from The Chemicals
“Breathing Light” – Elsinore from The Chemicals
The Budos Band, a Staten Island, ten-piece afro funk band who’ve toured relentlessly over the years, and built somewhat of a following, dropped their aptly named LP, III. Plus, check out new music from Burnt Ones, Lost in the Trees, The Budos Band, Burnt Ones, Kathryn Calder, Titles, Bottomless Pit, Landing on the Moon, and more.
San Francisco musician, singer, and songwriter Mark Kozelek released a new album with his band, Sun Kil Moon, last week that we were dumb enough not to include in the weekly Best New Releases feature. Although we have not heard the LP, Admiral Fell Promises, in its entirety yet, this track, “Australian Winter” is typical Kozelek – sombre, melancholy and poetic, except there is definitely a traditional Spanish guitar aspect to this song that is simply wonderful.
Kozelek is one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of our time, somehow making his pain-soaked songs breath-takingly beautiful. Kozelek is also a founding member of the almost famous band, Red House Painters.
“Australian Winter” – Sun Kil Moon from Admiral Fell Promises – July 13th
You can also stream two other songs from the LP on Kozelek’sCaldo Verde Recordswebsite.
Dom is a synth-pop trio from Worcester (pronounced woos-tah; the R’s are silent), Massachusetts released their debut EP, Sun Bronzed Gods, in May. The EP includes the summeresque melodic track, complete with a catchy chorus, “Living in America”.
“Living in America” – Dom from Sun Bronzed Gods – May 1st
One terrific CD we didn’t get around to previously, but that we think you might want to check out, is the debut from Pearly Gate Music, an awesome new indie band on Barsuk Records. We heart their debut LP and the lead single, “Big Escape”.
“Big Escape” – Pearly Gates Music from s/t debut – May 18th
Lanterns is a San Diego punk rock jam band who along with Tape Deck Mountain, Wavves and Avi Buffalo are representing SD to the indie rock world. The band recently toured with Surfer Blood and Best Coast.
“Pharaoh Beach” – Lanterns, single released – April 6th
“To Whom It May Concern”– The Burning Hotels fromNovels – April 27th
“Austin’s Birthday”– The Burning Hotels fromNovels
“Rosa” – Grimes from Geidi Primes – May 5th
“Golden” – Brad Senne from Ariel Views – April 6th
“Not The Kid” – Communist Daughter from Soundtrack to the End – April 6th
“Things You Go Through” – Apollo Ghosts from Mount Benson – March 30th
“Hell’s Bells” – Cary Ann Hearst from Are You Ready to Die – March 9th
This week’s new releases include new singles from Japandroids and Panda Bear, plus new LPs from Secret Cities, K-X-P, The Books, Lower Dens, Goodnight Loving, Woods, and vinyl releases.
K-X-P is a drums, bass and synth trio from Helsinki, Finland, born out of the ashes of the seminal Op:l Bastards and The Lefthanded, led by the gifted musician Timo Kaukolampi, Tuomo Puranen, on bass and keyboards, and drummers Anssi Nykänen and Tomi Leppanen. K-X-P mixes electronics, krautrock, noise, and even rockabilly into a hypnotic and minimal motorik groove inspired by Raymond Scott, Moondog and Martin Rev.
“18 Hours (Of Love)” – K-X-P from K-X-P
Fargo, North Dakota has a glimmer of light in the indie music world thanks to its hometown psychedelic electro-acoustic indie band, Secret Cities. In January, the band signed with Western Vinyl Records in Austin to record their debut LP, Pink Graffiti, out officially today. Maybe it’s just coincidence, but the album title is interestingly close to the name of one of our favorite bands – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. Hmmm.
“Judgement” – The Gentle Guest from Cast Off Your Human Form
Vinyl (via BooBooRecords):
Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot – The Son Of Chico Dusty 2xLP (Def Jam) Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl.
Eric Clapton – Journeyman [Reissue] 2xLP (Reprise) Vinyl reissue of Clapton’s 1989 album.
Danger Mouse And Sparklehorse – Present: Dark Night Of The Soul 2xLP+2xCD (Capitol/EMI) Deluxe vinyl+CD box edition includes: 2xLPs, a copy of the album on CD, a bonus instrumental CD, poster, lobby cards and a 48-page 12×12 booklet.
Dirty Three – She Has No Strings Apollo [Reissue] LP+MP3 (Touch & Go) Vinyl reissue of Dirty Three’s 2003 album.
Gogol Bordello – Trans-Continental Hustle LP (American) Recently released on CD — now available on HQ-180 vinyl.
Indian Jewelry – Totaled LP (We Are Free) Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl. Totaled comprises the swamp electro of 2003′s We Are The Wild Beast, the nightmare throb of 2005′s Invasive Exotics, and the sonic angel dream of 2008′s Free Gold.
Japandroids – Younger Us b/w Sex And Dying In High Society 7”+MP3 (Polyvinyl) New Japandroids track backed with an X cover.
The National – Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers LP (Brassland) The National’s sophomore album — originally released in 2003 — is available for the first time on vinyl.
Rachels – Selenography [Reissue] 2xLP+MP3 (Touch & Go) Vinyl reissue of Rachel’s fourth album. Recorded between 1997 and 1999, Selenography is a collection of songs that have been staples of the band’s live shows.
School Of Seven Bells – Disconnect From Desire 2xLP (Vagrant) Recently released on CD — now available on vinyl.
Saint Vitus – Live [Reissue] LP (Southern Lord) Reissue of this essential album from the premiere American doom metal act of the ’80s.
Lots of folks were awaiting the official release of Stars‘ new LP, The Five Ghosts, over the past few weeks, and today, it officially dropped and moved on up the Amazon and other album charts. Other anticipated releases this week include the new single from Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Club 8, Owen Pallett, The Chemical Brothers, Tender Trap, plus great tracks from new LPs by Windsor for the Derby, Neighbors, Coliseum, Lille, Wovenhand, Son of the Sun, and Matt and Physics Club.
The Vita Ruins, an indie band from Washington D.C, was founded by Tim Kratzer and Greg Balleza in 2005. The band’s debut album, A Day Without A Name, features an unique and intriguing mix of dark, layered rock blended with romping electronica beats.
Following the release of their debut EP last year, the band attracted a following of fans, and soon were opening for artists like KENNA, VHS or Beta, Snowden and Malajube. We’ve listened to this song over and over – it’s terrific.
“Seven Sons” – The Vita Ruins from A Day Without A Name – March 2rd
There is no excuse for us missing this awesome new EP from Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh), but we did, so if you’re a Lou Barlow fan, apologies. Barlow’s solo EP, Sentridoh III, was released last week, and it sounds so good. The track here, “Loserscore” is really a terrific rock song. Not long ago the legendary rocker told NME that indie rock is so interesting because it incorporates every possible genre and era of music, and that musicians nowadays have so much source material to work with. And they know that, and are drawing from everything – punk, classic rokc, disco, grunge, folk and so on.
“Losercore” – Low Barlow from Sentridoh III EP – June 8th
Minneapolis folk rock band Communist Daughter, led by the bearded (beards seem to be ‘the thing’ of indie rockers nowadays) singer and guitarist Johnny Solomon, released their debut album in April; it’s a feast of upbeat, Beach Boys era harmonies, lo-fi, folky rock with contrasting lyrics about the pitfalls of life – loss, daily struggles and a ripe bit of cynicism.
“Not The Kid” – Communist Daughter from Soundtrack to the End – April 6th
Apollo Ghosts are a Vancouver based three-piece indie rock band whose journey began with renting out a small recording studio in 2008, where they embraced a ritual of practice, record, go to a show, eat, sleep, and repeat for months. Their dedicated lead to two widely praised EPs released in 2009, Hasting Sunrise and Forgotten Triangle. Influential blogger Ryan Catbird hailed the EPs as his “favorite thing to listen to all throughout the year” and Exclaim Magazine said the band’s music was “criminally under-hyped.”
In March, the band released their debut LP, Mount Benson. The lead single “Things You Go Through” is catchy and laden with choruses of the title again and again – very much sounds like a 1990’s indie rock pop song – and it’s a song that’ll be hard to get out of your head, so beware.
“Things You Go Through” – Apollo Ghosts from Mount Benson – March 30th
Cary Ann Heart‘s track “Hell’s Bells” romps forward out of the gates of hell straight for the jugular in the first seconds of the song, with it’s stomp-like percussions, reminiscent of the beast slowly walking towards you – and Dead Weather-like biker bar bravado, plus lyrics as gritty as the song itself: “Cocaine makes you grind your teeth out” and “You were leaning on me/I heard you asking for it.”
“Hell’s Bells” is a vicious, in-your-face and totally awesome cut; production-wise it sounds like it was recorded in a big empty kitchen, and although they are drumsticks smashing together, it sounds like those wooden cooking spoons banging on an overturned crock pot – all very lo-fi and raw. “Hell’s Bells” – obviously not the classic AC/DC song by the same name – reminds us a lot of another track that came out recently (not by Dead Weather) – but we still can’t think of the name of the mystery song or the artist. It’s a new artist that are on blogger radars; it’s driving us nuts not being able to spit up the artist or song name. Damn you info-overloaded brain matter! Can anyone help?
“Hell’s Bells” – Cary Ann Hearst from Are You Ready to Die – March 9th
Music lovers have many choices this week as far as new releases go. It’s a quite compelling selection spanning the spectrum of indie music, including anticipated releases from veteran and new indie rock artists. As we do every week, we’ve picked our favorite new releases which include Here We Go Magic, Teenage Fanclub, Villagers, Suckers, Ariel Pink, Deer Tick, Nada Surf, Yo La Tengo, Ratatat, Blitzen Trapper, BLK JKS, The Moondoggies, The Dig, Light Pollution, Casiokids and The Wailing Wall. Also, see details below about how to enter to win a CD of The Marching Band’s new album, Pop Cycle.
One of our favorite 1990’s pop bands, Teenage Fanclub, return to their roots with the release of their new album, Shadows. Teenage Fanclub broke through in Glasgow during the C86 (a collection of post punk music that was distributed underground on cassette tapes during the late 80’s and early 1990’s, mostly in the UK) craze, eventually transforming from a noisy and rough sound to a more cheerful, harmonic and melody lush pop, drawing comparisons with The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Neil Young and even Big Star.
As surprising as it may be to some music nerds, Spin Magazine‘s 1991 reader’s poll for best album of the year went to Teenage Fanclub’s album, Bandwagonesque (a must-have 90’s indie record), beating out Nirvana‘s legendary Nevermind, which is still one of the top-selling albums in rock history. Bandwagonesque also beat My Bloody Valentine‘s Loveless and REM‘s worldwide smash LP, Out of Time.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t until TF’s fifth album, Grand Prix, that the group had their first top ten album in the UK. Interestingly, at the height of the Britpop craze in the mid 1990’s, the notoriously outspoken Liam Gallagher, of Oasis (both bands were signed to Creation Records), called Teenage Fanclub, “the second best band in the world” (of course, only after Oasis). Following the demise of Creation, Teenage Fanclub continued to build on their critical acclaim, but were shifting between labels – from Columbia to Sony – until they launched their own PeMa label in 2005 to release the album Man-Made.
Today marks the release of Teenage Fanclub’s ninth studio LP, Shadows, via Merge Records, in the U.S. The single below, “Baby Lee”, clearly demonstrates the band still has the magic they had 15 years ago to craft perfectly simplistic, hi-fi pop jems that appeal to a wide audience.
“Baby Lee”– Teenage Fanclub from Shadows
Teenage Fanclub on MySpace
Brooklyn indie rock band Here We Go Magic, originally the one-man moniker of singer Luke Temple, officially release their debut album, Pigeons, today, via one of the best indie labels, Secretly Canadian. Temple had previously released two folk LPs under his own name, but it was when he released a self-titled LP as Here We Go Magic in February 2009 – produced in his home with a 4-track recorder – that he hit almost instant fame within the ‘indie music scene’. Pitchfork wrote that the LP features “hazy electronic textures, endlessly-spiraling lyrical loops, occasional forays into extended sections of ambience and noise.” Within weeks, Temple had been booked for tours with Grizzly Bear and The Walkmen, and recently completed tours with White Rabbits and The New Pornographers. Music writer Jeremy Medina, comparing Pigeons to last year’s self-titled HWGM debut, observed: “The music is richer, more atmospheric and stranger than ever [with] catchy choruses and dance-ready beats.”
The Irish indie rock band Villagers are definitely one of the ‘break-through’ artists of 2010. Today marks the official U.S. release date of the group’s debut album, Becoming A Jackal. Villagers are fronted by former The Immediate band member Conor O’Brien. Villagers formed, ironically, immediately after the breakup of The Immediate, and within a relatively short period of time have become one of the most talked about overseas artists of 2010.
O’Brien said his lyrics are “transcendental darkness” and “dark imagery or feelings alongside really mundane domestic everyday things.” This will be a busy month for the band; this weekend they are booked for two festivals in the Netherlands, and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London at the beginning of next week before flying to New York to kick-off their U.S. tour at the legendary Knitting Factory and Union Hall in Brooklyn. You can get more information via the band’s pages on Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and Facebook.
In February 2009, Stereogum named Brooklyn’s Suckers a band to watch. And no wonder. Their debut self-titled EP, which was co-produced by Anand Wilder of Yeasayer and Chris Moore (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio), is spectacular. Today the band officially releases their debut LP, Wild Smile. This month, the band has four big shows, including two shows in Brooklyn with Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club and We Were Promised Jetpacks; the June 29th show at Prospect Park is sold out, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the June 18th record release party at the Music Hall of Williamsburg sells out as well. If you are in LA, Suckers are set to perform a 7 pm in-store show tonight at Amoeba Records.
Deer Tick has been on the uptick as far as a growing fanbase and respect from music professionals over the past couple of years, due in part to the band’s 2009 indie folk/country rock album, Born on Flag Day. Today, the Rhode Island band officially drop their third album, The Black Dirt Sessions. The Dirt LP is the most progressive album – full of darker, rougher ballads about growing up and the pain and challenges that love and life present.
“Twenty Miles” – Deer Tick from The Black Dirt Sessions
Nada Surf are nowadays pretty much veteran rockers (wow time goes fast), but the band are not stuck in the past, offering up their latest LP, if i had a hi-fi, to fans with the official release today. We haven’t heard it, but here is the lead single, a Bill Fox cover. Nada Surf head out on an European tour next month.
“Electrocution (Bill Fox cover)”– Nada Surf from if i had a hi-fi
Another veteran indie rock group, Yo La Tengo, are also appealing to 2010 with their first ever EP featuring remixes of their songs; quite surprising for a band so long associated with anything but techno music. Here we have a Pete Rock remix of “Here to Fall” from the like-titled Here to Fall Remixes. Lo Ya Tengo fans: dilemma, huh?
Subpop recording artist Blitzen Trapper, who have been important to the success of the Portland, Oregon indie rock scene, drop their fifth studio album today, Destroyer of the Void. The LP was recorded over a period of a year, from January 2009 to January 2010, with the assistance of Portland musician and engineer Mike Coykendall (Bright Eyes, M. Ward, She & Him). Subpop calls the album “an otherworldly experience”; a full albumstream of Destroyer of The Void is available via Blitzen Trapper’s MySpace page.
One of the best alernative bands to come out of South Africa in recent years is the Johannesburg Soweto-rock (hear that Vampire Weekend?) group BLK JKS (pronounced Black Jacks). The guys broke through in 2008 to a U.S. audience even though they officially formed in 2000. Can’t wait to hear Zol! especially after listening to title track available below.
The prolific duo from the electronic outfit Ratatat, consisting of Mike Stroud and Even Mast, drop their ironically titled LP4 today. Stroud told Paste magazine “most of it was recorded during the same studio sessions that yielded LP3.” Why is that so believable?
The fact that these last five songs are featured at the end of this week’s best new releases should not in any way be misconstrued as inferring that they are any less amazing as the numerous other songs listed in today’s mixtape. In fact, the first three bands – Light Pollution, The Moondoggies, and The Dig – are IRC Bands to Watch in 2010. Both albums, and the one EP, are worth checking into further if you like the singles.
As usual, we are stoked to be sharing all of this great music with as many people as possible, especially if we help turn you on to music and artists you had previously not been aware of, or just made it easier and more convenient to decide which albums you want to add to your collection, or what artists you hope to see live this summer. The whole thing about sharing great music, and turning people on to music they might not otherwise know about, is the fuel that drives our desire to keep doing this. In addition to the three BTW mentioned above, we are including new tracks from Casiokids and The Wailing Wall.
CD Contest: Easily enter to win a free CD of The Marching Band‘s latest release, Pop Cycle.Just pick a song from today’s new releases that you like the most and in the Comments write a 50 to 75 word review. Even if someone else is selected, your review will be seen thousands – potentially tens of thousands – of people from around the world who visit IRC every day. We’ll pick a winner at the end of the week, and announce his or her name (unless he/she asks not to) via our Twitter and Facebook pages.
The debut LP from Brooklyn‘s popular band, Beach Fossils, officially drops today. The band is one more break-through band in the past couple of years with a name that conjures up images of the ocean, sand, and sea mammals (Surfer Blood, Freelance Whales, Wavves, etc.). At this year’s South By Southwest festival, Beach Fossils put on one of the most spirited shows of the fest at The Wave Rooftop in Austin.
“Youth” –Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils
“Daydream” – Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils
On June 18, Beach Fossils will kick off their summer tour with a number of different bands we like, including Here We Go Magic, Frog Eyes and Small Black.
Other new releases today include the latest album from Damien Jurado, plus Tobacco, Peter Wolf Crier, Junip, Kurt Vile, Ducktails, Elephant Stone, This Piano Plays Itself, Pure Ecstasy and Snow & Voices.
This is yet another week of many great new indie rock releases from The Dead Weather, Delorean, Thee Oh Sees, Sage Francis, The National, Japandroids, Phosphorescent, Coco Rosie, Sleigh Bells, Naked Hearts, We Have Band, Household Names, Holy Fu*k, GAYNS, Salteens, Hosannas, and Ryan Bourne. Less words, more music.
“Hustle and Cuss” – The Dead Weather from Sea of Cowards (vinyl)
Yesterday, we published the Best New Releases of the Week mix featuring fresh tracks from new releases by The New Pornographers, Broken Social Scene, The Hold Steady and many others. Since there are so many great new releases this week, we broke up the usually one installment into two parts. In today’s mix, Part Two of the best new releases, we feature mostly bands that sent their music to us, including Seabellies, Tim and The Same Band, Inspired Flight, Unbunny, Snowglobe, The Sister Ruby Band, Shodes, Cast Spells, and Gift Horse. As with Part One, today’s mix offers you a chance to hear a lot of fabulous music that you may not have otherwise heard.
Despite an overwhelming consensus among music bloggers who find the North Wales band name, Tim & Sam’s Tim & The Sam Band With Tim & Sam, ridiculous, annoying, and so on, the band has managed to create some great songs that allow for a pass on the stupid band name. The band have toured and performed at In The City Festival, as well as other fests, like Latitude, Swn and The Great Escape. They also opened for bands like Slow Club, Metronomy, Peggy Sue, Maps, and Scouting For Girls.
We’re going to refer to the band as The Tim and Sam Band, and will list them as such on our 2010 Bands to Watch list. It would be smart on the band’s part to shorten the name now, rather than later. Anyways, the band members employ lush instrumentation, craft sweet, melodic songs that are daydream inducing and all just all around luring. Hope to hear more from them soon.
All four members of Tim and Sam Band are accomplished multi-instrumentalists, effortlessly switching between instruments such as glockenspiel, marmonium and clarinet, as well as melodies of light xlophones , accordions and rich choruses during live shows. Their new album, Life Stream, out now, has been in the works for two years. If you like the songs included here, you’ll probably love the album. Their debut album, Put Your Slippers On, was released in 2008.
“Choices” – The Tim and Sam Band from Live Stream
“Hope’s Garden”– The Tim and Sam Band, instrumental single (2009)
Tim and Sam official website
You can also hear more of the band’s songs on their MySpace page.
From Sydney, Australia comes yet another Band to Watch – Seabellies. The band is signed with indie label Hub/Albert Music. Seabellies have opened for bands like Mum and The Temper Trap, and also performed at the V Festival along side Phoenix, The Pixies and Pet Shop Boys. Their music is rich and lush, full of ethereal electronic sounds, strings, metalaphones and melodicas, soaring guitars and Scandinavian-influenced melodies.
Swapping instruments throughout the set, the bands onstage presence is akin to bands like Architecture in Helsinki, Broken Social Scene and the Go! Team. They broke through last fall with the release of the single “Orange X” (see video) and their US release include the new single included here, ”
The unsigned San Diego indie electronica band Inspired Flight show a lot of promise from what we’ve heard thus far. Rooted in hip-hop and dipping into elements of indie rock, down-tempo, dub and dance, Inspired Flight is taking your pre-conceived notion of what a band and DJ are and merging them into something new and quite appealing. By creatively integrating traditional DJ elements, like sampling and scratching, the San Diego musical duo perform live using multiple laptops, keyboards and turntables while incorporating guitars, kalimbas, melodicas and vocals, translating into the ultimate electric, live experience.
“Missionaries” – Gift Horse from Mountain of Youth
Do you have a favorite song in this mix? Let everybody know in the comments section. And if you like these playlists, send the links to friends; it’s let’s us know better what folks like and don’t like :)
Album cover for Broken Social Scene’s new LP, Forgiveness Rock Record
The always growing and morphing Broken Social Scene release their fourth studio album today, which you can also stream on Spinner. So far, from what we’ve heard, it sounds like BSS have out done themselves once again. To give you an idea of what the album is like, check out the lead single, “World Sick.” All in all, BSS have proven once again why they are one of the biggest bands of ‘indie rock’ in the past half decade-plus. The Toronto based band kicked-off a two-month long tour of the U.S. and Europe with a sold out show last evening at Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Threatre, and also have upcoming sold out shows at New York’s Webster Hall and London’s Brixton Academy (would love to be at one or both of those shows).
“World Sick” – Broken Social Scene from Forgiveness Rock Record
One of the most talented and popular Canadian indie bands of the past decade has been Vancouver’s The New Pornographers. Over the years, the band launched into the upper stratosphere of the indie rock world, selling out shows and winning praise from music critics, bloggers and respected musicians. Now, the band is back with the new album, Together, featuring the thrilling, buzzing power-pop relic, “Your Hands,” as the lead single. The band will set out on a 10-week tour of the U.S. and Europe with a kick-off performance Thursday night in Woodstock, New York.
“Your Hands” – The New Pornographers from Together
Like a line-up from a great festival set, today’s releases feature one amazing band and artist after another (even the ones further down you probably have never heard of). The Hold Steady also dropped a new LP today, Heaven is Whenever, which also sounds – so far – like another impressive work from one of Brooklyn‘s most popular bands. The band are currently on a nine city U.S. tour with an IRC Band to Watch, Twin Tigers, opening. The Hold Steady will embark on a European tour in June and then again in the U.S. in July.
“The Weekenders” – The Hold Steady from Heaven is Whenever
Josh Ritter is easily one of the best singer-songwriters of the past decade, amassing a splendid discography of albums that are cherished like gold by his most enthusiastic fans. Today, Ritter released his sixth album, So Runs The World Away; based on the track presented here, the LP is sure to be another great success for the incredibly talented artist, and likely bring him new fans, as well as sell out shows for his upcoming 13 city tour of the eastern United States.
“Change of Time” – Josh Ritter from So Runs The World Away
The following are other tracks from new releases this week that we like, including music from The Whitsundays, Steve Mason, The Joy Formidable and Future Islands. But first, check out this debut single from New York’s The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt‘s debut LP, I Love You (the title is much longer, but we edited it). The band has been featured in The New York Times, New York magazine, NME and many other publications and blogs, especially for their splashy live shows.
On it’s way: Part Two of the Best New Releases of the Week (5/3/2010) profiles artists and bands that many of you have probably never heard of – but we think you will be glad once you have. Many of the artists in Part Two would otherwise be featured in IRC’s long-running profile and mix series, In Dee Mail – that’s music we dig that has been sent in via email from artists and bands around the world.
More Releases for Week of May 3, 2010 (compiled by Pitchfork)
8Ball & MJG: 10 Toes Down [Push Management/Grand Hustle/E1]
Batusis: Batusis [Smog Veil]
Blank Dogs: Quiet Years [Captured Tracks]
Booka Shade: More! [Get Physical] [North American release]
The Fall: Your Future Our Clutter [Domino] [U.S. release]
The Flaming Lips/Stardeath and White Dwarfs: The Dark Side of the Moon [Warner Bros.] [CD release]
Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma [Warp]
Minus the Bear: Omni [Dangerbird]
Stereo Total: Baby Ouh! [Kill Rock Stars]
Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!: I Love You. I Love You. I Love You and I’m in Love With You. Have an Awesome Day! Have the Best Day of Your Life! [Luaka Bop]
Paul Weller: Wake Up the Nation [Yep Roc]
With so much new music coming at us from all directions all the time, there are going to be those that slip through the cracks. The fact that these tracks are part of an ‘almost missed’ mix does not in anyway diminish what we think about the songs themselves (thus the reason for this series). So, without reviewing the tracks individually – which we’d love to do but there simply isn’t time – we hope the music speaks for itself.
Not many people, even those who follow “indie” music, know who Sam Billen is. And for those that do, they might say you’ve been missing out. Irregardless, we have been really digging Billen’s cover songs and remixes lately, including his repurposing of songs from – Removers – Sufjan Stevens, Postal Service, Deastro, and Capybara. We’ve included two of our favorites here. Enjoy.
Sam Billen’s Removers EP is available as a free download. Sam Billen on MySpaceIf you haven’t already heard of the band The Press (making it hard to Google their name), now is your chance. The Brooklyn band brilliantly produces songs that are melodic and dreamy, “Jellyfish Wrangler,” as well as raw and in-your-face guitar rock, “Master,” as well as other styles. Put them down as a Band to Watch. Following The Press is Makaras Pen, whose songs hover somewhere between shoegaze, pop and indie rock.
“Master” – The Press from INTEOTWIJTEOAE – April 6th
“Jellyfish Wrangler” – The Press from INTEOTWIJTEOAE – April 6th
“Falling Deeper” – Makaras Pen from Makaras Pen – April 1st
Blind Man Colour’s Other Half Releases More Solo Work
Kyle Wess of Blind Man’s Colour, a band that received a lot of attention in the second half of 2009, just released his second DIY EP under his moniker Chromatic Flights. The EP is pretty much an extension of the type of the electronic experimental ‘surf’ sounds and styles he’s recorded in the past, and with BMC; so there are no real standout tracks, except for the title track, which will quite possibly make it on to one of our summer playlist mixtapes.
Ridgewood, New York’s Boy Without God has proven to be a promising one man band who has collaborated with dozens of artists, including members of Slaraffenland. BWG is recommended if you like Beirut, Neutral Milk Hotel, Stephin Merritt, and Sufjan Stevens. The album art above is from the first BWG LP released last summer.
“City Kids” – Boy Without God – single – Jan. 18th
Sun Hotel started as a two-piece folk act when Tyler Scurlock and Alex Hertz moved to New Orleans for college. After writing and recording “spooky” songs in their college dorm room, the duo released the lo-fi EP, Oh N.O! to great fan and critic response. Since then, the six-piece post-gospel family band has released their 2009 debut LP, Halloween Mean, and their follow-up LP, Team Spirit, in January 2010.
“Plantation Land” – Sun Hotel from Team Spirit – Jan. 15th
“All Ways” – Sun Hotel from Team Spirit – Jan. 15th
Lastest Release from Peasant Reaffirms Remarkable Talent
When Damien DeRose turned 18, he dropped out of school, packed up his guitar, and bought a sailboat in California with a friend. A few years later, DeRose released his home recorded debut, Fear Not Distant Lover, and penned the moniker Peasant. The DIY release is full of lo-fi folk pop songs that caught the attention of some influential bloggers. In 2008, Peasant signed with Paper Garden Records, which released Peasant’s first studio LP, On The Gound.
Last year, one of the songs from the album was included on the season premier of the TV show, Bones. During his tour of 2008-09, Peasant recorded live sessions for Daytrotter and WOXY radio (RIP), and shared the stage with Cursive, Delta Spirit and Deer Tick, including shows at South By Southwest and the Montreal Pop Fest. His newest album, Shady Retreat, was recorded in the attic of a 200-year-old farmhouse.
“Well Alright” – Peasant from Shady Retreat – March 2nd
…And So We Listened Really Closely
We don’t usually publish instrumentals here – mainly because there are already so many great songs with vocals(gotta draw the line somewhere). Plus, most people find instrumentals boring. But …And So I Watched You From Afar instrumental “The Voiceless” lights up with ambient guitar licks, chord progressions and a calm to climatic interludes, making it well worth a listen.
“The Voiceless” – …And So I Watched You From Afar from s/t debut – April 6th
VoicesVoices Make Their Voices Heard
The final song in this mix straddles the line between instrumental and vocal, layering smooth sounds with choruses to create a truly inspirational, relaxing and memorable track from a band no one has heard of – Voicesvoices. Check ’em out.
This week’s Best New Releases includes new tracks from a bunch of artists and bands that we think more people need to hear. Long Beach, California band Avi Buffalo – one of our bands to watch late last year – drop their self-titled, debut album today after a long build up – the band has been rising on the blogger radars and on the mainstream music websites as well over the past six months.
Next, the Alcoholic Faith Mission have released their terrific new LP, Let This Be The Last Night We Care. Common Prayer drop their new LP, There Is A Mountain, today, and if the single, “Us vs. Them” is any indication of the album, than it’s one to jot down on the “to get” list.
Even though we’ve already featured a number of Ariel Pink‘s new music during the past couple of months, his latest LP officially drops today. Drew Danburry sent us this fantastic country-folk-rock (best way can think to describe it) song, “Nirvana, by Kurt Cobain,” that we’ve played multiple times.
Plus, check out sweet new tracks from The Lights, Sonoi, The Mynabirds, Sonoi, Ceremony, Polock, Frog Eyes, The Pack A.D., Unnatural Helpers, Gogol Bordello, and The Whiskers. We wrap with a new album from Princeton frontman Jesse Kivel and Zinzi Edmundson as the duo Kisses. By the way, we could give a rats ass that Hole (Courtney Love) has a new album out today.
“Remember Last Time” – Avi Buffalo from s/t debut Avi Buffalo official website Stream Avi Buffalo’s debut here
David Holmes: The Dogs Are Parading [Best Of] [Universal]
Various Artists: Kitsune Maison 9: The Petit Bateau Edition or The Cotton Issue [Kitsune]
Team Ghost: You Never Did Anything Wrong To Me [Sonic Cathedral]
Acid Mothers Temple: From 0 to Infinity [Important]
B.o.B.: B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray [Rebel Rock Entertainment/Grand Hustle/Atlantic]
The Black Swans: Words Are Stupid [St. Ives]
Blunt Mechanic: World Record [Barsuk]
Chin-Chin: Sound of the Westerway [Slumberland]
Eric Copeland: XXXX 7″ [PPM]
Frightened Rabbit: Nothing Like You 7″ [FatCat]
Iggy and the Stooges: Raw Power: Deluxe Edition [Columbia/Legacy]
Juan MacLean: DJ-Kicks [!K7]
The Lodger: Flashbacks [Slumberland]
Mono: Holy Ground: NYC Live With the Wordless Music Orchestra [Wordless/Temporary Residence]
Mount Carmel: Mount Carmel [Siltbreeze]
The Mynabirds: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood [Saddle Creek]
Naked on the Vague: Heaps of Nothing [Siltbreeze]
Paul Flaherty & Randall Colbourne: A Distant Roar [Family Vineyard]
Brian Posehn: Fart and Wiener Jokes [Relapse]
Terry Riley: In C (GVSUNME, Live at Le Poisson Rouge, NYC) [Wordless/Ghostly International]
The Sadies: Darker Circles [Yep Roc]
Various Artists: We Are One, In the Sun: A Tribute to Robbie Basho [Important]
The Wave Pictures: If You Leave It Alone [Moshi Moshi] [U.S. release]
The Wave Pictures: Instant Coffee Baby [Moshi Moshi] [U.S. release]
White Fence: White Fence [Woodsist]
Wounded Lion: Wounded Lion [In The Red]
If you haven’t already heard of the band 
