The second week of August is a fairly thin one for the weekly Best New Releases when compared to previous weeks so far this summer , but the good news is that because there are fewer releases, it just puts more of a spotlight on the new albums that are included in today’s post mix. Also, the fact that it is a thin week for new album releases is convenient since we’re really busy preparing for San Francisco‘s three-day Outside Lands Festival 2011 that kicks off on Friday. Check back later today for an overview of the schedule and a mix of tracks from the bands we are most looking forward to seeing in Golden Gate Park this weekend.
Our top two albums out this week are the newest release from post- punk revivalists and shoegaze UK rockers, The Horrors‘ , and the electro psychedelic rock duo – and a 2011 breakout band – Pepper Rabbit‘s new. The L.A. musical outfit are also one of our Breakout Bands of 2011, thanks largely to the duo’s debut album, Red Velvet Snowball. It’s one of our favorite LPs of the summer, and often reminds us of The Helio Sequence, but with a wider range of instruments.
“Moving Further Away” – The Horrors from Skying
“Murder Room” – Pepper Rabbit from Red Velvet Snow Ball (stream)
Double-shot: “Allison” – Pepper Rabbit from Red Velvet Snow Ball (stream)
After a two-year split, the band members of Chicago indie pop rock band Scattered Trees return with their first album in four years, and a new single that sounds like an alternative rock track from the mid-1990’s, with extra helpings of synth and guitar notes, and a chorus that reminds us of another popular song that we just can’t put our fingers on. Anyone? In case this really chill track gets you sleepy, we followed it up with
Following Scattered Trees, kick back and float away on the calm, warm waves of lush synthesizer melodies and double vocal dubbing on the new track, “Surface,” from Teen Daze’s new album, A Silent Planet.
“Four Days”– Scattered Trees from Sympathy (stream)
“Surface” – Teen Daze from A Silent Planet
With a similar intro as Teen Daze, the band Prophets and Kings’ new track, “Die To Rest,” off their self-titled debut album, is a standout song in this week’s Best New Releases mix.This week’s In Dee Mail (songs we receive in the mail directly from bands) features the largely overlooked Pittsburg indie pop band Falling Andes, and their terrific lead single, “San Francisco,” from the band’s debut album, titled Frantic.
“Die to Rest” – Prophets & Kings – from Prophets & Kings (self-released)
As far as bands that are new to us, we really like new singles from albums out this week by Jason Ajemian & the HighLife, Kites With Lights, The Irrepressibles, and Sleeping Bag.
“Bliss Is This” – Jason Ajemian & the HighLife from Riding The Light Into The Birds Eye
“Harsh Realm” – Widowspeak from Widowspeak
“Cosmonauts“ – Kites with Lights from Cosmonauts
“Forget The Past” – The Irrepressibles from Mirror Mirror
“Smile” – Sleeping Bag from Sleeping Bag