Drake’s Take: New Releases 11.10.09

Another week closer to the holidays, and even more gift-oriented releases — this week featuring live (Robyn Hitchcock) and greatest hits (Snow Patrol) collections. There were a few new releases as well, from The Cribs (featuring Johnny Marr), Asobi Seksu, Wale, Grant-Lee Phillips, Caroline Herring, Ray Davies, Pants Yell! and Echo & the Bunnymen.

Playlist: New Releases 11.10.09

Robyn Hitchock lovingly recreates the beloved album I Often Dream of Trains live for a lucky New York crowd. Joined by multi-instrumentalists Timo Keegan and Terry Edwards, Hitchcock gives the eccentric material a more mature edge, reinterpreting the material for mid-afternoon tea (with a dash of Monty Python zaniness, just so you remember who it is we’re listening to here). There’s a DVD as well, the content of which debuted on Sundance back in June, you can check out some video clips from the concert film after the jump.

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
The Cribs – Ignore the Ignorant
Asobi Seksu – Rewolf
Wale – Attention Deficit
Caroline Herring – Golden Apples of the Sun / “Tales of the Islander” [mp3]
Ray Davies – The Kinks Choral Collection / Free AOL Album Stream
Grant-Lee Phillips – Ladies’ Love Oracle
Pants Yell! – Received Pronunciation / “Cold Hands” [mp3]
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Xenophanes / Free AOL Album Stream
Echo and the Bunnymen – The Fountain
Snow Patrol – Up to Now
The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back! Unreleased Masters
The Jackson 5 – 1967
Tori Amos – Midwinter Graces

Drake’s Take: New Releases 11.03.09

We’ve officially moved into the gift-oriented release schedule, filled with deluxe reissues, box sets and other compilation/soundtracks to help (trick?) the average schmo get a gift for the music lover in their life. There’s a couple gift choices from the archives of Nirvana, soundtracks from Fantastic Mr Fox, Glee, NCIS and Aqua Teen Hunger Force — which is actually a X-mas album, and my fave of the bunch. Of the few new releases, there’s ones from Julian Casablancas, Weezer, Molina & Johnson and Girls in Trouble.

Playlist: New Releases 11.03.09

If the gussying up a deluxe edition of an album made for just $600 seems a bit like a gratuitous cash grab, nobody will blame you. But Bleach’s place in the the canon of rock is unquestionable, namely as a blueprint for what was to come, but also as a raw document of Kurt Cobain’s talent, before Dave Grohl was added on drums. Remastering the album tracks added some punch, but the real jewel here are the live tracks, also pre-Grohl, from a performance in Portland in February of 1990, where the songs are brought to life.

Download: “Scoff” [mp3]
Download: “About a Girl” [mp3]

Speaking of live tracks, this document of their 1992 set (Live at Reading is Nirvana at their peak, and at their most jovial. The band headlined a lineup that included Nick Cave, The Beastie Boys, and NW friends Mudhoney, Screaming Trees & the Melvins. But it was Nirvana everyone came to see, and they didn’t disappoint, from the moment Cobain is wheeled out in a hospital gown, to the closing feedback, the entire set is electrifying, the way we all should try and remember them. (This is the Nirvana album to get of the two, by the way.)

It’s been three years since The Strokes disappointing First Impressions of Earth, and this solo release from the band’s frontman does little to change our belief that the band’s best days are behind them.

I haven’t heard the album yet, but this quote seems like the weakest endorsement of a record I’ve heard in a long time:

REISSUES
Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Devo – Freedom of Choice [Deluxe Remastered Edition]
Cold Cave – Love Comes Close [Deluxe Remastered Edition] / Free AOL Album Stream / “Life Magazine” [mp3]

We’re quickly approaching the point of no return as far as significant releases go, before the tide turns to that of gift-oriented, so we have to savor what morsels are thrown our way. This week that means the latest from The Swell Season, Devendra Banhart, Tegan & Sara, Wolfmother, Gemma Ray, Broadcast And The Focus Group, Boat, a live release from R.E.M., a compilation from The Breakaways and deluxe reissues of U2’s The Unforgettable Fire and James Brown’s Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition.

Playlist: New Releases 10.27.09

As wrong as it is, it’s hard not to think of this album as a sequel to Once, where Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova have broken up and are putting it to song. Of course The Swell Season existed before Once, with many of the songs from their debut ending up in the film, so this technically is a follow up to that release, but for the vast majority of the record buying public, Once is the starting point. I’m not sure what Hansard & Irglova are thinking putting their Van Morrison impersonations front and center (opening songs “Low Rising” and “Feeling The Pull”). The rest of the album has worked wonders as a sincerity tonic, cleansing my palate of all the irony and sarcasm in indie rock that are part of my usual diet, and for that I am grateful.

The transition from folk to minimalist new wave pop is almost complete for Tegan and Sara, with this their sixth album, Sainthood. Their past two releases both signaled the change, but the subject matter was a little dark on So Jealous and The Con. Here, there’s a lighter feel to go with the witty banter the sisters showcase during their live set, and it just feels a bit more relaxed, confident… and yes, fun. And when your opening single is titled “Hell,” that’s saying something.

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Devendra Banhart – What Will Be
Wolfmother – Cosmic Egg
Gemma Ray – Lights Out Zoltar
R.E.M. – Live at the Olympia
Broadcast And The Focus Group – Broadcast And The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age
Yo Gabba Gabba: Music Is Awesome
Boat – Setting the Paces / “Lately (I’ve Been On My Back)” [mp3]
The Breakaways – Walking Out on Love: The Lost Sessions
Junk Culture – West Coast / “West Coast” [mp3]
Los Lobos – Los Lobos Goes Disney
Deleted Waveform Gatherings – Ghost, She Said
The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
Chet – Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home
Chuck Prophet – ¡Let Freedom Ring!
Del McCoury – Family Circle
Gov’t Mule – By a Thread
Awesome New Republic – Hearts
I Love You – Bell Ord Forrest / “The Colloquialism Is Simply ‘Gas’” [mp3]

REISSUES
U2 – The Unforgettable Fire (Deluxe
Reissue)
James Brown Live at the Garden: The Expanded Edition

Drake’s Take: New Releases 10.20.09

Like last week, those who’d already made their top albums list for the year (or decade, eh, P4k?) are out of luck, as another couple releases can slide right in. First one being Logos from Atlas Sound (Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox) and another being the latest from the UK duo F*ck Buttons. Other new releases of note come from Flight of the Conchords, Russian Circle, Spiral Stairs, El Perro Del Mar, Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Maps and soundtracks from Sufjan Stevens (from a musical production), Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard, and the much anticipated New Moon soundtrack.

Playlist: New Releases 10.20.09

In his first release as Atlas Sound, Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel, Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox sounded like we’d interrupted a private moment in his bedroom. With this second release, Cox has taken us out of the bedroom and into… the living room, I guess. Regardless, it’s a great album of found sounds and pop wonders wrapped head-to-toe in guaze, like a pop rock mummy. The standout track is the collaboration with Animal Collective’s Noah “Panda Bear” Lennox, “Walkabout,” which samples the Dovers’ “What Am I Going to Do”. Elsewhere, when Cox buries his vocals, it feels like Deerhunter’s more shoe-gaze-y moments, but somehow more artful in it’s presentation. With an album like Logos, it’s going to be hard for Cox us to convince us that Atlas Sound is a side project anymore.

While the first season of Flight of the Conchords was a cultural breakout* as far as comedies go, it was the second season where those kiwis Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement figured out how to better marry the songs and the story lines on the screen. As such, this second album is more of a soundtrack than the first, leaning more on your remembering the visuals and story context than the first.

*I say cultural breakout in that while viewer numbers wasn’t great for even pay cable standards, the few that saw it talked about it endlessly.

In that spirit, to celebrate the release of I Told You I Was Freaky (or, the practical title not chosen, Flight of the Conchords: Music from the Second Season of the Television Series) here’s a track by track breakdown of each song on the album (with videos after the jump). If anything, it reminds of how hungry we are for them to get back in a room with co-creator James Bobin and crank out a third season.

1. “I Got Hurt Feelings” / Purchase mp3
From episode 2.03 (”The Tough Brets”)
The obligatory return of Hiphopopotamus and Rhymenoceros has some fun with the tradition of rappers’ dissing each other, turning it on it’s ear with a “Sticks and Stones” sentimentality.

2. “Sugalumps” / Download: “Sugalumps” [mp3]
From episode 2.02 (”A New Cup”)
Probably the funniest episode of the season is a domino of tragedy – Bret buying a used cup for $2.79 leads to Jemaine turning to prostitution. Oh, and two great songs, this one and “You Don’t Have to be a Prostitute” (#10). Obvious parody of the unfortunate “My Humps.” (See Drake’s post on song and episode from January.)

3. “We’re Both in Love With a Sexy Lady”
From episode 2.06 (”Love Is a Weapon of Choice”)
Brett & Jemaine both fall for the same lazy-eyed dog owner (Kristen Wiig). Great parody of R. Kelly.

4. “I Told You I Was Freaky”
From episode 2.09 (”Wingmen”)
Title track plays homage to the band Empire of the Sun, which features Aussie Luke Steele, formerly of The Sleepy Jackson (who get obscure homage in track #12). Also bits of MGMT, Electric Six and even Beck.

5. “Demon Woman”
From episode 2.07 (”Prime Minister”)
Mary Lynn Rajskub plays the psychotic Karen, inspiration for the song. Cliff Richard was (and still is) a huge star in the UK and his song “Devil Woman” seems an obvious reference here, even if obscure to us Yanks.

6. “Rambling Through The Avenues Of Time”
From episode 2.09 (”Wingmen”)
A silly song that sounds a lot like Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” but may also be an homage to Peter Sarstedt’s “Where Do You Go To (My Lovely),” recently revived for Wes Anderson’s short film Hotel Chevalier (the prolugue to The Darjeeling Limited).

7. “Fashion is Danger”
From episode 2.08 (”New Zealand Town”)
Gets its visual inspiration from the music video for Visage’s “Fade to Grey”, and audio from David Bowie’s “Fashion.” Dig the Babylon 5 get-up.

8. “Petrov, Yelyena and Me”
From episode 2.10 (”Evicted”)
Of all the songs on the album, this one feels the most shoe-horned into the storyline, much like “Bowie Song” from season one. And like that song, it gets a fantastical video, making it worth the ’stretch.’

9. “Too Many Dicks (On the Dancefloor)”
From episode 2.05 (”Unnatural Love”)
Michel Gondry directs the episode, and his music video background shines through.

10. “You Don’t Have To Be A Prostitute”
From episode 2.02 (”A New Cup”)
See #2, “Sugalumps.”

11. “Friends”
From episode 2.04 (”Murray Takes It to the Next Level”)
Jim Gaffigan guests in the episode and music segment as Murray’s friend Jim.

12. “Carol Brown”
From episode 2.05 (”Unnatural Love”) / See Drake’s post from February
Easily the best FOTC penned song from either season, this one is reminiscent of the band The Sleepy Jackson, a band from Australia, which works nicely with the context of Jemaine accidentally sleeping with an Australian and dealing with the consequences.

Watch all 14 FOTC videos after the jump.

REISSUES
Pylon – Chomp More / “Beep” [mp3]
Black Dynamite (Original Motion Picture Score)
The Cult – Love (Expanded Edition)

Flight of The Conchords Season 2 Music Videos

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We’re rapidly approaching the point of no return for releases this year, but mid-October always seems to toss a couple wrenches in folks’ year end list plans. The latest from The Flaming Lips fall in that category – you think Pitchfork might want an amendment to their ‘Best Albums of the 2000s’? Toss the new one from Neon Indian in as well, in that regard. Elswewhere, there are fine/interesting/worthy releases from Har Mar Superstar, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, The Heavy, Erin McKeown, Fanfarlo (US release), Grant-Lee Phillips, Nellie McKay, The Temper Trap, a box set of goodies from Hall & Oates and a Christmas album from Bob Dylan (that’s right, Christmas).

Playlist: New Releases 10.13.09

Something happened to the Flaming Lips right after releasing The Soft Bulletin and the four-CD experiment Zareeka, as the band turned from wondrous experimentation to exhibiting an unnatural need to be loved. Bunny costumes, confetti bombs, singer Wayne Coyne inside a ball practically begging for our applause. Yes, it’s very entertaining, but it all felt like it was making up for some paint-by-number recordings. Was the lengthy Christmas on Mars project siphoning off all of the band’s creative juices, or was the band just done. Well, with an album like Embryonic, the point is moot, as it’s the Lips at their most deliciously experimental (and least accessible). Full of odd sounds and brimming with paranoia, it’s great to have the old Lips back. There’s not a hit on the album, and that’s fine with me. Opener “Convinced Of The Hex” sets the tone and masterfully moves into the second track, “The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine,” and from there, you just have to surrender to it’s (un)charms. Other highlights include the similarly pounding “See The Leaves”, the endearing “I Can Be A Frog”, and the space-y “Watching The Planets.”

Profile in Ear on TV post

Stream album from flaminglips.com

Review coming… here’s discussion of the single and video for “Tall Boy.”

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: “Tall Boy” [mp3]

It’s a late harvest for releases, with acres of goodness dropping on us like over-ripe apples. Top of the list for me are the veterans, Mission of Burma, Built to Spill, Robert Pollard’s Boston Spaceships and The Mountain Goats. Beyond that, there’s also new releases from Lou Barlow, Califone, The Xx, Port O’Brien, Raveonettes, Daniel Johnston, Noah and the Whale, Brandi Carlile, No Age, The Duchess & the Duke, Alela Diane, Grant Hart, Jamie T, The Cinematics, Kurt Vile, a live album from Gogol Bordello and a slew of reissues from The Jesus Lizard, Betty Davis and Kraftwerk.

Playlist: New Releases 10.06.09

Mission of Burma is one of my favorite post-punk bands, and since they’ve reunited a few years back, they’re albums have helped set the bar for the reunion joints since. The Sound, The Speed, The Light is the third release post-reunion, and while the first two were remarkable, this one is the sound of a real working band. “1, 2, 3, Partyy!” kicks off the album playfully, in the vein of The Minutemen’s D. Boon, and kind of moves into blue collar mode after that. For some, that might sound like a negative, but for MoB it’s definitely positive. Nearly as good as 2006’s amazing The Obliterati and superior to the (still great) ONoffOn, if TSTSTL falls on deaf ears, it’s only because folks like a good comeback story more than a “keep coming back” one, which is too bad.

Download: “1, 2, 3, Partyy!” [mp3]

Speaking of a working band, Built to Spill is the definition of a working band, and their latest There Is No Enemy certainly fits the description. There’s nothing too surprising here musically to distinguish it greatly from the past few albums, although I’d argue there’s an agreeable reduction in ‘noodling’ on guitar. Along with the tighter focus on guitar, there’s also more focus on the lyrics here, bypassing Doug Martsch’s usual obtuse delivery opting instead for a more direct approach.

Read Drake’s Preview of album

REISSUES
The Jesus Lizard – Head
The Jesus Lizard – Goat
The Jesus Lizard – Liar
The Jesus Lizard – Down
Betty Davis – Is It Love or Desire
Betty Davis – Nasty Gal
Kraftwerk – Autobahn
Kraftwerk – Radio-Activity
Kraftwerk – The Man-Machine
Ladytron – Light and Magic

Compared to last (and especially next) week, it’s a sparse one for new releases. The Avett Brothers major label debut tops the list, at least for me. The other headliners are mainly compilations, one being the 7 Worlds Collide benefit album (featuring Jeff Tweedy, Neil Finn, Johnny Marr and more) along with soundtracks Where the Wild Things Are (Karen O & friends) and Whip It! (a hodgepodge including Jens Lekman). Then there’s a new one from the mostly reunited Alice in Chains, and releases from Hope Sandoval, Zero 7 and Whip It! contributors The Ettes & Landon Pigg.

Playlist: New Releases 09.29.09

With their major label debut, The Avett Brothers have continued to expand their sound from the simple folk trio of their beginnings. Rick Rubin must have heard them as another The Jayhawks (whom he kind of owns), as with the harmonies and the lushly arranged ballads (like the title track) filtered through Southern sensibilities. (The brothers seemingly rewrote “Let it Be” several times here.) Sure, there are a few uptempo numbers (like the exceptional “Kick Drum Heart”), but it’s the slower numbers that rule the day. There is some exceptional songwriting here, which bodes well for future releases.

More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:

Karen O and the Kids – Where the Wild Things Are OST
7 Worlds Collide – Sun Came Out / Free AOL Album Stream
Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue / Free AOL Album Stream
Whip It [Music From The Motion Picture] / Free AOL Album Stream
The Raveonettes – In & Out of Control (AOL Album Stream a week early)
Zero 7 – Yeah Ghost
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions – Through The Devil Softly / Free AOL Album Stream
Metalocalypse: Dethklok – Dethalbum II
Miranda Lambert – Revolution / Free AOL Album Stream
The Ettes – Do You Want Power / Free AOL Album Stream
Kill Hannah – Wake Up the Sleepers
Panther – Entropy
Beaujolais – Admirations
Landon Pigg – The Boy Who Never / Free AOL Album Stream
Melvins – Chicken Switch
Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ – Great American Bubble Factory
Langhorne Slim – Be Set Free / Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUES
Elvis Costello – Live At The El Mocambo

The advent of fall brings us some ripe apples in the new release department, and this week sees the much anticipated reunion of The Traveling Wilburys Monsters of Folk, featuring Conor Oberst, Jim James & M. Ward, but we covered that the other day. The other noteworthy releases this week include new ones from Volcano Choir, Islands, Times New Viking, The Twilight Sad, Amy Millan, Pearl Jam, Castanets, Vic Chesnutt, Sea Wolf, Brother Ali, Noisettes, Basement Jaxx, The Pastels, Hallelujah the Hills, Richard Hawley, Le Loup, The Big Pink and the Roller Coaster Project, along with some reissues from Beastie Boys, Elvis Costello and Ween.

Playlist: New Releases 09.22.09

Justin Vernon’s brief aside from Bon Iver has produced this esoteric collection of atmospheric songs with him backed by the experimental Collections of Colonies of Bees. The album is far less accessible than fans of For Emma, Forever Ago would likely expect, but upon repeated listens, finds itself grooved into the synapse firings of your brain. The enchantment of “Island, Is” especially is hard to escape, with Vernon’s vocals dreamily floating along to the closest thing to pop that the album has to offer. (Is it wrong that I find myself eagerly awaiting its inclusion in a future episode of Chuck?) The rest of the album has many fine moments coupled with a few passages that kind of just pass through, easily forgotten. All told, it’s a project that deserves a follow-up release, to be sure.

Free AOL Album Stream
“Island, IS” [mp3]

For those that found Islands’ sophomore release Arm’s Way a bit too prog-y, I’ve got good news for you. Vapours is a return to the kitchen sink-pop that Nick Thorburn joyously captured on their debut, Return to the Sea. Vapours is a bit all over the map, though – including a couple tracks (“Shining” and “The Drums”) that slip into Arm’s Way-like trappings, but the songs always find their way to sounding like the quirky pop-driven Islands you’ve come to know and love. Highlights include the title track, the soulful (and auto-tune utilized) “Heartbeat,” and the bright pop of “Tender Torture.”

Free AOL Album Stream

REISSUES
Beastie Boys – Hello Nasty (Remastered Edition)

Drake’s Take: New Releases 08.04.09

While the past few weeks have been hot, the releases have been all smoke but no fire. This week, there’s plenty of flames between the full length debut from Vancouver, BC’s Japandroids finally getting released on this side of the border and new releases from Fruit Bats, Modest Mouse, YACHT, Throw Me the Statue and Joe Pernice releasing a Novel Soundtrack (perhaps I should’ve trademarked the name!). Also, two releases from frontmen going solo in disguise (sort of). My Morning Jacket’s Jim James releases an EP under the name Yim Yames while Interpol’s Paul Banks releases a full length under the moniker Julian Plenti.

Playlist: New Releases 08.04.09

Finally, the throwback guitar and drums duo from Vancouver sees their full length debut released in the states after buildig plenty of ‘next big thing’ buzz upon it’s release North of the border. Japandroids trade in the kind of teen angst that I can still get behind, and perhaps that’s because they rely on late 80’s (Husker Du) and early-to-mid 90’s (Superchunk) crunchy guitar pop sounds. It’s tempting to lump them into the lo-fi No Age/Wavves noise rock movement, but there’s a lot more epic pop at it’s base. And while the youthful exuberance, especially demonstrated at their recent Capitol Hill Block party gig, might seem distant to an aging (yes, aging!) rocker like myself, but Brian King & David Prowse aren’t just young, dumb and full of cum. Witness the album’s highlight “Young Hearts Spark Fire,” with the lyric ‘We used to dream/ Now we worry about dying/ I don’t want to worry about dying, I just want to worry about those sunshine girls.’ That’s some forward thinking from lads who are barely into their twenties. The other highlight, “Sovereignty”, tells of distance from one’s home, a mature theme, but sprinkled with enough timely f-words to illustrate the youth/experience juxtaposition that Post-Nothing has in spades.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: “Young Hearts Spark Fire” [mp3]
Video from Capitol Hill Block Party

Sub Pop may have lost The Shins, but Fruit Bats’ latest, while guaranteed not to sell nearly as much, makes for a nice consolation prize. The band had plenty in common with the former S/P big sellers even before singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Johnson became a member of The Shins. The Ruminant Band is the fourth (third w/ Sub Pop) album that Johnson & co. have been delivered, and it’s a continuation of what I could only call ‘elegant pop,’ this time helped out by Califone’s Tim Rutili and Jim Becker. There’s nothing exhilarating about a FB release, but you don’t always need that. Just some fine song craftsmanship and execution for another solid Fruit Bats release.
Highlights: the title track and the twang-y “Hobo Girl.”

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: “The Ruminant Band” [mp3]
Download: “My Unusual Friend” [mp3]

Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t address this execution of a former staple of this site, the Novel Soundtrack*. Joe Pernice (Pernice Brothers, Scud Mountain Boys) has always seemed like a novelist dabbling in pop music, and now the tables are turned. His first novel, It Feels So Good When I Stop, is released this week, and so is this album, meant as companion. Instead of just compiling the songs mentioned in the novel, Pernice puts his on spin on several of them, ranging from Del Shannon’s “I Go to Pieces” to Todd Rundgren’s “Hello, It’s Me”. Also sprinkled in is Pernice reading passages from the book. As you might already guess, the album doesn’t work as well without the novel, but that’s not its purpose. But Pernice fans who buy it are sure to want to pick up the novel, and vice-versa, I’m sure, and that’s something, right?

*thus spake drake used to be the number one search result, but my NS posts have been few and far between of late.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 07.21.09

A few more releases this week that I’d been looking forward to, including the latest from The Fiery Furnaces and the sophomore release from Baltimore’s Wye Oak. Also some interesting new releases from Portugal.The Man, Megafaun, Magnolia Electric Co., Florence & The Machine, Wheat, Blue Roses, Bad Veins and the seventies sequel to Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs covers collaboration.

Playlist: New Releases 07.21.09

Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger’s team up with Sebadoh’s Jason Loewenstein is the most straightforward release the band has had since EP. While I’m sure the cult following are missing the crazy concepts and prog-rock noodling solos from Matthew, the Furnaces have always been better when they work off a simpler blueprint, like they do here. Songs like the title track, “Charmaine Champagne” and “Even in the Rain,” beg to be hummed immediately/hours/days/weeks later (”Charmaine” so much, the song even reprises itself with “Cups & Punches” – “she could sing you the squarest thing on the jukebox”).

“The End Is Near” [mp3]

Wye Oak’s debut was a pop album at heart but deliciously heavy on the My Bloody Valentine, but you wouldn’t know it from their second release. Nearly all MBV references have been scrubbed, and in their place is an Alt country foundation. There’s still some sweet feedback and the first two songs are have some of the bands’ best moments on record. The album, unfortunately, kind of falls flat after that, and I’m left wishing for some of the sweet 90’s sound they pulled out for their debut.

“Take It In” [mp3]

REISSUES
Bert Jansch – L.A. Turnaround (Remastered + Bonus Tracks)
Bert Jansch – Santa Barbara Honeymoon (Remastered + Bonus Tracks)
Bert Jansch – A Rare Conundrum (Remastered + Bonus Tracks)

Drake’s Take: New Releases 07.14.21

Jack White’s latest project, The Dead Weather, headlines this otherwise thin week, which also features the latest from The Most Serene Public, New Roman Times, Baby Teeth, and a great compilation from songwriter Emitt Rhodes.

Playlist: New Releases 07.14.09

Between his work with Loretta Lynn and The Raconteurs, I’ve found myself preferring Jack White’s projects outside White Stripes, as it finds White working with other artists who push him a bit more and, more importantly, he’s no longer working within the blues-rock box he and Meg built to work inside. With his latest project, The Dead Weather, White is straddling both the collaboration of his non-White Stripes work and that blasted aforementioned box. Even with White stepping out of the spotlight (instead playing his first instrument, the drums), his fingerprints are all over Horehound, sounding very much like the blues-rock w/ John Bonham-like drums that we’ve come to expect from the Stripes. This here is a much darker beast, though, with Alison Mosshart (The Kills) snarling out lyrics about a horse named Lucifer and selling “you off to the devil.” I’m still more partial to The Raconteurs, as far as White projects go, but this album has been growing on me.

The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Emitt Rhodes has operated on the margins of rock history, which is due his recordings being nearly impossible to find. Hopefully now, with this collection of his solo work (on Hip-o Records), more people will discover his genius, expanding his cult status. From 1969-1973, Rhodes released three albums for ABC/Dunhill Records, writing, singing, and playing every instrument, sounding every bit like the nickname he acquired during this time – “the one man Beatles.” Soured on the music industry after a bad contract (one that dictated he release six albums in three years w/ ABC/Dunhill, a schedule impossible for him to meet), Rhodes called it quits and hasn’t released an album since, even though he’s continued to record. Part of the timing of this collection has to do with Rhodes returning to the studio with a new band and new material, which is good news indeed. Fitting also that it comes in conjunction with Paul McCartney popping his head up stateside this week as well, given Rhodes uncanny vocal resemblance (w/ a dash of Harry Nilsson for good measure). While the closest thing Rhodes go to a hit was “Fresh As a Daisy,” there are plenty of tracks that ‘woulda coulda shoulda,’ including “Let’s All Sing,” “Pardon Me,” or even “Live Till You Die.” Those who love the film The Royal Tenanbaums are already familiar his song “Lullabye,” which appeared on the soundtrack as well.

REISSUES
Beastie Boys – Ill Communications
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows That This Is Nowhere
Neil Young – Afer the Gold Rush
Neil Young – Harvest

Drake’s Take: New Releases 07.07.09

Saturday, July 11 was the first ever No Depression Music Festival, and it featured a slew of alt-country/americana acts, many of which were ina similar vein to this past week’s new releases. The week of July 7 brought us new records from Son Volt, Bowerbirds and the latest from Scott McCaughey’s The Minus Five.

Playlist: New Releases 07.07.09

At one point, during standout track “Ambulance Dancehall”, Scott McCaughey delivers the line “Burn bright and leave a beautiful tail,” a phrase that’s as far from the Kevin Bacon of the Northwest music scene. McCaughey is akin to a sure and steady light that leaves an endearing shamble of a tail. This latest endeavor, like past releases, features Peter Buck but also members of The Decemberists backing him, and the result is a breezy and relaxed country rock affair, with McCaughey’s dry wit intact. And it has a song ostensibly about Scott Walker (“Scott Walker’s Fault,”) so of course it’s my pick for the week.

And if the album feels more laid back than usual for McCaughey, it might be that his other band, long-time Seattle faves Young Fresh Fellows, is releasing an album concurrently. With Robyn Hitchcock turning the knobs, YFF’s first album in nearly eight years is their most focused. It’s been far too long since I heard drummer Tad Hutichison’s driving beat and Kurt Bloch’s melodic leads, so even if I Think This Is occasionally falters, on the whole, it’s a welcome sound to the ears.

From the beard-rock wing of the Americana sound comes Bowerbirds second album Upper Air. They spend a little less time navel-gazing this time, already putting it ahead of their fine enough debut (Hymns for a Dark Horse). It’s both wild-eyed and backwoods, comfortable in moving from rustic folk to exhilerating orchestraton… could end up being my favorite acoustic-based album of this year.

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Drake’s Take: New Releases 06.30.09

It’s Independence Day this week and Wilco’s one of only a select few feeling patriotic with their releases. Meanwhile, while it’s only a three-song EP, it’s been awhile since we’ve heard from Spoon, so it’s definitely welcome news. Not a whole lot else, but there are interesting new releases from Moby, Wu-Tang Clan, Levon Helm and Amy Speace.

Playlist: New Releases 06.30.09

I often use the word ‘effortless’ to describe songwriting in a positive matter, so when I use it here to describe Wilco (the Album), it should be taken as mostly positive. But there’s something about the ‘effortless’ here that’s also negative. Wilco, and as principle songwriter Jeff Tweedy, have made a living swinging in and out of effortless songwriting, but their albums have had at least a portion of the album aim for something more ambitious than where they’ve ended up here. The name of the album and the opening track, “Wilco (the Song,)” even underscore the comfort and ease with which they’re working here. It works to their advantage with the aforementioned opening track and the George Harrison-referencing first single “You Never Know.” It’s hard not to think of the recent death of ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett and put in context with this release. Bennett is often credited with sparking Wilco’s experimental side, and with Wilco (the Album), that part of the band feels as dead as it’s ex-guitarist.

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Placed within Spoon’s rich discography, Got Nuffin feels kind of insignificant, just a song and two “f*ckin’ around in the studio” tracks. But considering how long it’s felt since the last new release from the Austin (and now also Portland) band, the EP/Single is a most welcome event. “Got Nuffin’” may not rank with the best songs Brit Daniel has written, but it’s what we’ve got for now, so love it I must.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 06.23.09

This week perfectly illustrates what makes this such a great year for music. Looking at it on the calendar some time ago, there was some excitement, but who knew there’d be so many year-end list candidates from this crop. The latest from The Future of the Left, Sunset Rubdown, Dinosaur Jr., Foreign Born and Regina Spektor will undoubtedly make a few year end lists, and there’s also great new releases from Patterson Hood, The Gossip, Tortoise and God Help the Girl.

Playlist: New Releases 06.23.09

When mclusky broke up four years ago, smart-ass angsty noise rock lovers all wept (internally). In the past few years we’ve been forced to make due w/ offshoots (bass player Jonathan Chapple’s outfit) Shooting At Unarmed Men’s debut and then the so-so debut (Curses) from the other 2/3s from mclusky, Future of the Left. With Travels With Myself and Another, though, the mourning period is officially over, because this album takes the clever angst that singer Andy Falkous perfected w/ mclusky and does it one better. From the opening screams of “COME ON RICK, I’M NOT A PRIZE!” (“Arming Eritrea”) speakers are ablaze with Steve Albini wet dreams and lyrical figure eights (how the song somehow ends up being about Darfur is beyond my talent, but Falkous is one who makes it work). Normally that much screaming just makes my head hurt, but Falkous’ rage is concise and, more importantly, intelligent. There are plenty of examples, but during the march of lead single “The Hope That House Built” there’s the line “Re-imagine God as just a mental illness… ” which is merely one of many couplets that cut to the heart of FOTL’s themes. TWMAA is 33 minutes of controlled rage w/ no fat whatsoever, so much so that the album houses several anthems that are guaranteed live staples for the life of the band, like “I Am Civil Service,” “You Need Satan More Than He Needs You,” “Drink Nike” and the stunning closer, “Lapsed Catholics.” When they play Capitol Hill Block Party next month it’s going to be insane (so fitting that The Jesus Lizard is reuniting and playing the night prior).

Download: “Arming Eritrea” [mp3]

When Dinosaur Jr. released Beyond two years ago, it was a pleasant surprise, like the cherry on top of the already incredulous occurance of J. Mascis and Lou Barlow buring the hatchet and reuniting. Now comes Farm and we have concrete proof this is no fluke – J, Lou and Murph are making vital music again. It’s not like Lou Barlow’s contributions are that great here, but there must be something to having him there, because Mascis’ songwriting just seems to elevate with Barlow on the bass. Lead single “I Want You To Know” ranks right up there with “Freakscene” and “Little Fury Things” from their glorious past, and there are plenty of other songs (“Over It” and “Plans” to name two) that slide nicely into an already impressive set list. Unlike the Pixies seem to be, Dino Jr are not content to just ride their reunion out playing their greatest hits, and there’s a lot to be said for that.

Download: “I Want You to Know” [mp3]

Dragonslayer marks the point in my mind where Spencer Krug’s Sunset Rubdown no longer seems like a side project to Wolf Parade, and appears and sounds like a real fleshed out band. Their debut was essentially a Krug solo album, and nothing against Random Spirit Lover, but compared to Wolf Parade, it still felt like Krug just letting off steam. Dragonslayer is six epic voyages plus two singles, and by singles I don’t necessarily mean radio-ready. “Idiot Heart” and “Paper Lace” are as close as Sunset Rubdown come to radio, even the dance floor: “I was never much of a dancer but I knew enough to know you’ve got to move your idiot body around.” Meanwhile, the rest of the album take the listener through various points in the musical spectrum, in epic fashion, without feeling like the point of the song has left. Like any Krug release, it’s a grower… repeat listens are recommended, but there’s more on first listen than previous Sunset Rubdown releases, if you’re looking for an easier entry point. Whatever it takes you to give it a spin (or two, or three) I say.

Download: “Idiot Heart” [mp3]

I’ve been listening to this album a lot lately, and it’s been hard to put down. It’s as if Sam Roberts were secretly writing music for Arcade Fire, combining blue cholar pop sensibility with an ambitious, possibly even grandiose reach. Singer Matt Popieluch never sounds over indulgent, though, and the songs walk that fine line, always pulling back before they go to far. With stunning songs like “That Old Sun” and “Early Warning” it’s hard to go wrong with this favorite of one Ed Droste (Grizzly Bear).

Download: “Early Warnings”, “Vacationing People” [mp3]

REISSUES
R.E.M. – Reckoning – Deluxe Edition

Drake’s Take: New Releases 06.09.09

What a great year for music this has been… and even with all that’s come prior, the latest from Dirty Projectors might just be the best of the year. Meanwhile, Sonic Youth’s The Eternal is also a welcome return to rock and roll for the legendary band. Other new releases of note are an EP from Deerhunter, and the latest from Rhett Miller, Kasbian, Elizabeth & the Catapult, Joan of Arc, Cosmos, Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, Los Amigos Invisibles, Little Boots, Busdriver and an interesting soundtrack from British Sea Power.

Playlist: New Releases 06.09.09

When the year opened with Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, you just knew it was going to be a special year for music, and now the latest from Dirty Projectors solidifies 2009 as a one of the best years in recent memory. Bitte Orca is by far the most accessible release from Dave Longstreth and co. while yet remaining to be complicated enough to no doubt fluster more than a few ears. Previous releases from Longstreth suffered from an almost obsessive need to complicate, and while there’s still obsession here throughout, it’s far more an enjoyable listen. Just listen to the middle three songs, from the afro-pop bounce of first single “Stillness Is The Move” (featuring Mariah Carey vocal references from Amber Coffman,) to the ballad “Two Doves” (sung angelically by Angel Deradoorian*) to the kitchen sink brilliance of “Useful Chamber.” It’s the best three song ride in any album in some time, and really, the whole album is full of unbelievable joys for the mind+ear combo. Just be careful if you’re walking and listening to “Temecula Sunrise” at the same time… add in some chewing gum and you’re liable to trip and fall.

*Just to illustrate that this album is a bit more accessible, I caught my 4-year old singing this song (nearly brought a tear to my eye).

Back on an independent label (Matador, this time out) for the first time in nearly three decades, the legendary no wave’rs let loose from the start with the rocker “Sacred Trickster” and bob and weave throughout the album with varied success. The album on the whole is uneven, but still welcome in it’s return to the kind of revved up rockers we haven’t heard from the band since Goo.

Download: “Sacred Trickster” [mp3]
Watch: “Sacred Trickster” [video]