Slim pickings is about the best way to describe this week of new releases. In fact, this is one of the thinnest weeks for new albums that we’ve seen all year. So far, 2011 has delivered a steady flow of one week after another of terrific new releases from virtually unknown bands to the most popular ‘indie’ and alternative rock artists of the day.
Traditionally, releasing new albums right after a holiday is not a smart strategy because so many people’s attention is divided up between vacationing, catching up with work after the holiday, visiting with friends and family, and so on. So, not surprisingly, the offering of new albums out this week is rather thin compared to most other weeks so far this year.
While there are no “big” or highly-anticipated releases out this week, coming close to that would be the newest LPs from popular artists like Brian Eno, Kaiser Chiefs (who are not ‘indie’ anymore), Memory Tapes, and the Old 97s. In our opinion, the album that we look most forward to listening to from this week is the newest offering from the legendary Brian Eno, whose influence on indie music – especially synth pop and rock – is unmistakable.
“Pour It Out” (taken from Drums Between The Bells) by Brian Eno
“Yes I Know” – Memory Tapes from Player Piano (stream)
“Little Shocks” – Kaiser Chiefs from Future Is Medieval via whenthegramophonerings.com
“Brown Haired Daughter”– Old 97′s from The Grand Theatre Vol. 2
There are also some other new ‘bands on the radar’ this week, most notably the dreamy lo-fi synth sounds of Big Spider’s Back, and the shoegazey electro-pop of Digitalism. Plus, while we generally stopped posting remixes some months (because, as we see it, the remix craze has gotten out of hand; but mostly, because there’s simply too much good original music to focus on already). Nevertheless we make exceptions, such as this remix from Arc in Round of A Sunny Day in Glasgow‘s “II.”
And there is also the new track from the self-titled debut from Gardens & Villas, which sounds more like the title of an elitist magazine then some rock band – so, hate the band name, but the track “Black Hills” is alright. (Hint: Guys, change your name now rather than later; trust us; it’s hard to market and publicize a band name “Gardens & Villas” – hello).
Secret Chiefs” – Big Spider’s Back from Memory Man
“2 Hearts” – Digitalism from I Love You, Dude
“II (A Sunny Day in Glasgow remix)” – Arc In Round from || EP (self-released)
“Black Hills” – Gardens & Villa from Gardens & Villa
If you are a fan of female pop singers, then you may enjoy the singles below from Bright Archer, and a melancholy track from Circuit Des Yeux. And if you like a little bit of indie country/folk from time to time, then check out the new single from The Express.
We also included a track from the new album by The Glorious (via the site ThisBonusTrack.com), but it’s not exactly going to prompt us to buy the album (which you can stream here). We’re including it mainly to see what you guys think of it. While we don’t share the enthusiasm (not even close; we hear far better bands no one has ever heard of all the time) that the writer at TBT does for the Americana folk band’s debut album, we’re pretty sure some of our readers and visitors will appreciate the inclusion.
“Carry Me Home This Way” – The Glorious from Stories from A Fractured Youth
“Hidden Systems” – Bright Archer from Hidden Systems
“3311” – Circuit Des Yeux from Portrait
“Nobody Knows” – The Express from The Express (self-released)