It's a big day at the record store. Top Five Most Interesting New Releases:
!!!: Myth Takes (Warp) – The dance-punk band is receiving strong reviews for their third album. Almost all critics agree that it’s a ton of fun and a great dance record, a few knock it down a notch for the actual songs. See them at Coachella on 4/28.
Air: Pocket Symphony (Astralwerks) – This one’s getting panned by a lot of critics, but I’m sure if you like the band, you’ll dig it. Nigel Godrich produced it and Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) contributes guest vocals.
Arcade Fire: Neon Bible (Merge) – This is one of the most eagerly anticipated indie albums of the year. Don’t worry, this is no sophomore slump. The dramatic music works well with the lyrical motifs. Win Butler tackles religion (Christ, the Antichrist, heaven, holy wars, and the Neon Bible metaphor), politics (war, choice, race), modern life (TV, technology, paranoia, celebrity, poverty) and mortality. If you liked Funeral, then you’ll like this one. There are a couple of tracks that you might skip over, but overall this is a great record. I fully expect it will be on my top 10 list at the end of the year. Unfortunately a manufacturing delay means the vinyl is delayed until the beginning of May. The artwork in the deluxe edition is pretty cool, but the music’s all the same. You’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s worth the extra money. See them at Coachella on 4/28. Letter Grade: A-
Albert Hammond Jr.: Yours to Keep (New Line) – Albert Hammond Jr. is one of the guitar players from the Strokes. His debut solo album makes a nice companion record to the Arcade Fire’s new album. As dark and heavy as that Arcade Fire album is, Hammond’s record is light and carefree. With its sunshiney songs and strummy guitars, this is a great soundtrack for this 75 degree day in Southern California. He even covers Guided by Voices (and sounds a lot like them) and Buddy Holly. Catch him in concert tonight at El Rey. Letter Grade: B
RJD2: The Third Hand (XL) – The former indie rapper goes indie pop on this record. The production is still interesting with lots of electronic beats and some inspiration from video games. I haven’t heard the whole thing yet. See him at the Henry Fonda on 5/14.
Other noteworthy new releases:
31 Knots: The Days and Nights of Everything Anywhere (Polyvinyl) – For the math rockers who like those odd time signatures. See them at the Smell on 3/9. Download “Man Become Me”
Antibalas: Security (Anti) – Afro-beat artists expand their sound with John McEntire (Tortoise) as their producer. See them at the Troubadour on 3/22.
Apostle of Hustle: National Anthem of Nowhere (Arts & Crafts) – Apostle of Hustle is Andrew Whiteman’s band. He’s the lead guitarist from Broken Social Scene. Members of Stars also contribute.
Big Business: Here Come the Waterworks (Hydra Head) – Big Business is a local hardcore/punk/metal band on a very respectable local label. It features former members of Karp and Murder City Devils. See them at the All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock on 3/7. Pitchfork gave this a very respectable 7.9/10 today.
Bright Eyes: Four Winds (Saddle Creek) – Pitchfork gave this a crappy rating today, but if you like a band who really gives a shit what a critic says. I’ve been planning on doing a warbliest voice in indie rock post for a really long time, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I think Conor Oberst would be pretty high (along with the Win from the Arcade Fire, the guy from CYHSY and the Wolf Parade guy). See them live at El Rey on 3/7 and 3/8. Download “Four Winds” and “Tourist Trap”
Illinois: What the Hell Do I Know? (Ace Fu) Download “Alone Again” and “Screen Door” (courtesy of Spin)
Lovedrug: Everything Starts Where It Ends (Militia) – See them at the House of Blues on 3/21.
Mando Diao: Long Before Rock ’n’ Roll (Mute) – Swedish rockers. See them at Coachella on 4/29.
My Brightest Diamond: Tear It Down (Asthmatic Kitty) – Remix album. Download “Something of an End” and “Golden Star”
Gruff Rhys: Candylion (Team Love) – The Super Furry Animals front man. Download “Candylion”
Son Volt: The Search (Legacy) – This one is generally getting good reviews. Lead singer Jay Farrar was in Uncle Tupelo with Jeff Tweedy. He also put out a record with Anders Parker late last year under the name, Gob Iron. Go over to Aquarium Drunkard for some downloads. See them at El Rey on 4/3
The Stooges: The Weirdness (Virgin) – Their first album since 1973 with Mike Watt added on bass. Some critics are ripping some of the lyrics, but it’s still got Iggy’s trademark energy. See them at the Wiltern on 4/23
Striborg: Nefaria (Southern Lord) – You like black metal do ya?
Maria Taylor: Lynn Teeter Flower (Saddle Creek) – See her live at the Echo on 3/31. Download “A Good Start” and “Lost Time”
Amon Tobin: Foley Room (Ninja Tune) – Field recordings. At the Walt Disney Concert Hall on 5/26.
Various Artists: Johnny Greenwood is the Controller (Sanctuary) – The lead guitarist from Radiohead shows you what he knows about reggae. In honor of Trojan Records 40th anniversary. .
Volt: Rorhat (Southern) – Extreme German metal.
White Flight: White Flight (Range Flight) – Former lead singer of Lawrence KS band, The Anniversary. Dude’s apparently been doing a lot of South American drugs.
Wintersleep: Wintersleep (Labwork)
Wolf & Cub: Vessels (4AD) – Australian rockers have toured with TV on the Radio and Queens of the Stone Age. See them at Spacelands (sic) on 3/19 and Cinespace on 3/20
Vinyl Releases:Vashti Bunyan: Lookaftering (Dicristina Stair Builders)
Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton: Knives Don’t Have Your Back (Last Gang)
Horns of Happiness: What Spills Like Thread (Secretly Canadian) – This one actually comes with coloring crayons so you can make your own artwork.
Odawas: Raven and White Night (Jagjaguwar)
One AM Radio: This Too Will Pass (Dangerbird)
Reissues/Compilations:
Johnny Cash: Ultimate Gospel (Columbia)
Notorious BIG: Greatest Hits (Bad Boy)
Okkervil River: Black Sheep Boy Definitive Edition (Jagjaguwar)
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