New Release Tuesday 2/13/07

Kind of a small week, but there's a few things worth seeking out.

Top Five Most Interesting Releases:

Field Music: Tones of Town (Memphis) – This is the second LP from the British indie-pop band. I liked the first one well enough to seek this one out. They get compared to XTC, the Beatles and the like. Mojo and Under the Radar love this record and Pitchfork likes it. I’ll pick it up.

The Softlightes: Say No To Being Cool - Say Yes to Being Happy (Modular) – The lead singer was in the Incredible Moses Leroy. This record’s really easy on the ears if you like gentle guitar pop with electro flourishes. I’d say it’s in the same ballpark as Stars or the Submarines. Letter Grade: B-

Times New Viking: The Paisley Reich (Siltbreeze) – Seems like some of the more hyperbolic critics compare them to early Guided By Voices and very early Pavement. With today’s cheap technology it must take some serious effort to make something sound this shitty. Maybe they recorded it on a boombox? If you’re getting really sick of the new wave of overly indulgent indie rock, this might be your remedy. Matador recently signed them.

Lucinda Williams: West (Universal) – Amazing artist. Most critics seem to love this new record (EW, AMG, Rolling Stone), but a few of them are disappointed (New York Times, Aquarium Drunkard). Apparently it’s a very dark record. I need to hear it.

Various Artists: Imagine the Shapes (What’s Your Rupture) – This came out last week, but I totally forgot to mention it. What’s Your Rupture is a cool New York label. This CD collects their first four, vinyl only EP releases. Love Is All, Comet Gain, The Long Blondes and caUSE co-MOTION! are featured. Most label compilations are pretty lame, but this one is worth checking out. Love is All is a blogger approved Swedish band. The Long Blondes are a blogger approved British band. Comet Gain are the veterans of the bunch and have a Television Personalties vibe. Letter Grade: B

Also Released:
Phonograph: Phonograph (Arclight) – They’ve toured with Wilco and Paste Magazine likes these guys. Download “In Your Mind” and “Watch and Ward”