New Release Tuesday

Those indie labels go on vacation from about October to mid-January and then jam pack everything when kids are back in school.

NEW STUFF

The Advantage Elf-titled (Kill Rock Stars) - These guys recently played the Echo. One guy is from Hella and they play covers (full instruments) of songs from 8-bit Nintendo games. I haven't heard it yet.

Karl Blau Beneath Waves (K Records) - I listened to this last week and thought it was kind of boring. Laura Viers appears and one of the guys from the Gift Machine produced it. Playing the Silverlake Lounge on 2/2/06.

Cat Power The Greatest (Matador) - I listened to this last night. The press centers around her use of Memphis session players but whether or not you like will still depend on your opinion of Chan Marshall's voice. Sultry or sleep-inducing? I've always thought the latter. Playing 2/22/06 at the Wilshire Ebell.

Clearlake Amber (Domino) - I liked a few songs off of their last album but I haven't heard this yet.

East River Pipe What Are You On? (Merge) - Pitchfork ripped on it today, but I haven't heard it. Melancholy singer-songwriter stuff.

The Elected Sun, Sun, Sun (Sub Pop) - I kind of ripped on them last week before I heard the record. It's actually not bad. Melancholy pop from the Rilo Kiley guitarist. Jenny Lewis even guests on one track. Pitchfork likes this more than the Jenny Lewis record.

Electric President Electric President (Morr) - Some people buy anything from this label.

Ester Drang Rocinate (Jade Tree) - The Allmusic guide compares this album to Keane and Coldplay. Sounds wussy.

Excepter Sunbomber EP (Touch and Go) - Noise rock on the 5 Rue Christine label.

Film School Film School (Beggars Banquet) - San Francisco band that's playing this Wednesday at the Troubadour. What I've heard sounds pretty good.

Gossip Standing in the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars) - Hipster dance music. They're playing the Echo on Friday night.

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins Rabbit Fur Coat (guests Bright Eyes, M. Ward and members of Maroon 5 and Death Cab for Cutie) (Team Love) - I hear it's pleasant but uninspired. But then again I'm not a Rilo Kiley fan either. Appearing at the Vista Theatre on 2/2/06 and the Orpheum on 4/1/06.

Liar Murder Manifesto (GSR) - Power metal?

The National Trust Kings and Queens (Thrill Jockey) - More dance music released by an indie label. I read some really nasty reviews of it.

Pearls & Brass The Indian Tower (Drag City) - Heavy sludge rock. Appearing at the Echo on 2/25/06.

Robert Pollard From a Compound Eye (Merge) - This is a major post-GBV release so it's probably worth picking up. Has anybody heard it yet? He's appearing on 2/24 at the Knitting Factory.

Saint Etienne Tales from Turnpike House (w/three bonus tracks not on UK release) (Savoy) - Domestic release on a jazz label. Concept album for the "jet setters."

Some Girls Heaven's Pregnant Teens (Epitaph) - Hardcore female band from San Diego. Appearing at the Echo on 2/18/06.

Tarkio Omnibus (two CDs) (Kill Rock Stars) - Anybody heard this? It was Colin Meloy of the Decembrists college band. More americana/country-rock influenced.

Test Icicles For Screening Purposes Only (Domino) - Buzz band with a lot of press. It's a funny band name when you're 12. Pitchfork seems to like them (8.1). Some are putting them in same sentence as the Mae Shi, Blood Brothers and DFA 1979 (shrieking vocals and all). Appearing at Spaceland on 3/10/06.

Tortoise and Bonnie "Prince" Billie The Brave and the Bold (Overcoat) - I was so excited about this when I read about it but I've barely listened to it since I got it a few weeks ago. Kind of more interesting than good. They cover Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Minutemen, etc.

Town and Country Up Above (Thrill Jockey) - Jazzy, post-rock stuff that you expect from Thrill Jockey. Appearing at the Echo on 2/26/05.

Rocky Votolato Makers (Second Nature/Barsuk) - Critics seem to throw around Springsteen and Westerberg when describing him, but I haven't heard it. Playing 2/22/06 at the Troubadour.

REISSUES
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti House Arrest (Paw Tracks) - I'm not a fan, but maybe you are? Appearing 2/10/06 at the Echo.

T. Rex Futuristic Dragon, Tanx, Work in Progress and Zip Gun (expanded and remastered) (Rhino) - Stuart Murdoch sounds like he's been listening to some Marc Bolan on the new Belle & Sebastian record. Along with The Slider and Electric Warrior, Tanx is an essential T. Rex album.