Another big release date. Definitely some stuff I need to check out...
Top New Releases (10/9/07):
Band of Horses: Cease to Begin (Sub Pop) – Expect a major promotional push for this thing. If you go into Starbucks Tuesday, one of the tracks is the song of day (meaning you can get a free iTunes download of it). You can buy it for $7.99 at all the big box retailers and Amazon (or $15.99 at your local indie stores). They’ve already licensed songs to Walmart.com and Ford (I’m sure Friday Night Lights and Chuck won’t be too far behind). The band’s featured on the Myspace splash page. All that’s fine and dandy with me as long as the record still moves me. Is it any good? Well, Pitchfork gave it a 7.7/10. Unfortunately I don’t agree. It starts off solid with “Is There a Ghost” but goes downhill from there. Each song seems to get progressively harder and harder to stomach. By the time I get to the fifth song, "The General Specific," I can't even listen anymore. As he sings “la-dee-da” and "the world is beautiful" I can’t help but think la-dee-fucking-Keane. Anyway, listen to it for yourself. They redeem themselves on "Marry Song," the eighth track. I still like his voice and several of the songs (#1, #2, #8). If my expectations hadn’t been so high (their first album was #7 on my “best of 2006” list last year), I probably wouldn’t be so damn critical. I’m sure this record will be huge, but it won't be anywhere near my top 10 this time.
See them at Amoeba on 10/10 at 7:00PM and at the Avalon on 11/24
Download “Is There a Ghost”
Beirut: The Flying Club Cup (Ba Da Bing) – If you’re into Eastern European folk sung by an American kid with a warbly voice, then you’re all over this. I tried really hard to get into Gulag Orkestar and I’ve tried really hard to get into this one, but I'm just never in the mood for this type of thing. That said, I totally respect what’s he’s doing.
At the Avalon on 10/11 and 10/12
Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortadela (Secretly Canadian) - Sweden's so much better than us that a guy like Jens Lekman can hit the top of the charts there.
At the Troubadour on 11/10
Download "The Opposite of Hallelujah" and "Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo"
Cass McCombs: Dropping the Writ (Domino) - Most of this album was written while he lived here. That almost qualifies it as local. I like his earlier stuff, so I plan on picking this one up.
Band of Horses: Cease to Begin (Sub Pop) – Expect a major promotional push for this thing. If you go into Starbucks Tuesday, one of the tracks is the song of day (meaning you can get a free iTunes download of it). You can buy it for $7.99 at all the big box retailers and Amazon (or $15.99 at your local indie stores). They’ve already licensed songs to Walmart.com and Ford (I’m sure Friday Night Lights and Chuck won’t be too far behind). The band’s featured on the Myspace splash page. All that’s fine and dandy with me as long as the record still moves me. Is it any good? Well, Pitchfork gave it a 7.7/10. Unfortunately I don’t agree. It starts off solid with “Is There a Ghost” but goes downhill from there. Each song seems to get progressively harder and harder to stomach. By the time I get to the fifth song, "The General Specific," I can't even listen anymore. As he sings “la-dee-da” and "the world is beautiful" I can’t help but think la-dee-fucking-Keane. Anyway, listen to it for yourself. They redeem themselves on "Marry Song," the eighth track. I still like his voice and several of the songs (#1, #2, #8). If my expectations hadn’t been so high (their first album was #7 on my “best of 2006” list last year), I probably wouldn’t be so damn critical. I’m sure this record will be huge, but it won't be anywhere near my top 10 this time.
See them at Amoeba on 10/10 at 7:00PM and at the Avalon on 11/24
Download “Is There a Ghost”
Beirut: The Flying Club Cup (Ba Da Bing) – If you’re into Eastern European folk sung by an American kid with a warbly voice, then you’re all over this. I tried really hard to get into Gulag Orkestar and I’ve tried really hard to get into this one, but I'm just never in the mood for this type of thing. That said, I totally respect what’s he’s doing.
At the Avalon on 10/11 and 10/12
Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortadela (Secretly Canadian) - Sweden's so much better than us that a guy like Jens Lekman can hit the top of the charts there.
At the Troubadour on 11/10
Download "The Opposite of Hallelujah" and "Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo"
Cass McCombs: Dropping the Writ (Domino) - Most of this album was written while he lived here. That almost qualifies it as local. I like his earlier stuff, so I plan on picking this one up.
Download "That's That" and "Deseret"
At the Fonda on 11/27
Robert Pollard: Coast to Coast Carpet of Love (Merge) - "His poppier 'Beatles' side." Celebrating his 50th birthday by releasing two albums.
Download "Current Desperation (Angels Speak of Nothing)"
Robert Pollard: Standard Gargoyle Decisions (Merge) - "His punkier 'Stones' side"
Download "Pill Gone Girl"
Radiohead: In Rainbows (Self-Released Download Only) – Comes out on 10/10. You pay whatever you want and download it Wednesday.
Sunset Rubdown: Random Spirit Lover (Jagjaguwar) - The third album from the Spencer Krug band. I know all the indie kids love it, but I can't couldn't get into the last one.
At El Rey on 10/19
Download "Winged/Wicked Things" and "Up On Your Leopard, Upon the End of Your Feral Days"
Other Releases:
Celebration: Modern Tribe (4AD) - At the Echo on 11/9
Josie Cotton: Invasion of the B-Girls (Scruffy) – Favorites from B-Movies of the 60s and 70s with an introduction by John Waters.
Dead Kennedys: Milking the Sacred Cow (Manifesto) - Probably my favorite band in junior high. This is only 10 songs (+2 unreleased live tracks). I suppose it's a decent introduction.
The Deadstring Brothers: Silver Mountain (Bloodshot)
Electric Six: I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being Master (Metropolis)
At the Key Club on 10/18
Enon: Grass Geysers…Carbon Clouds (Touch and Go)
At the Echo on 11/3
Fatboy Slim: Late Night Tales (Thrive) – Fatboy Slim turns you onto Jonathan Richman and the Velvet Underground
The Fiery Furnaces: Widow City (Thrill Jockey) - I don't get these guys at all and I've seen them live and I've heard the records.
At the Troubadour on 10/22
His Name Is Alive: Firefly Dragonfly (Acuarela) - Veteran dream poppers.
[LOCAL] Moving Units: Hexes for Exes (Metropolis) - Blake Miller takes a break from DJ'ing with Aoki.
Scout Niblett: This Fool Can Die Now (Beggars/Too Pure) - Will Oldham makes a notable appearance on "Kiss."
At Pehrspace on 10/12
The Octopus Project: Hello, Avalanche (Peek-a-Boo) – Austin indie-poppers.
At the Roxy on 11/10
Download “I Saw the Bright Shinies”
Old Time Relijun: Catharsis in Crisis (K Records)
Download "Indestructible Life"
Polysics: Polysics or Die – Vista (Myspace Records) - Japanese synth-poppers.
At the Troubadour on 10/13
Prints: Prints (Temporary Residence) - The label stuff compares them to Eno and Brian Wilson. This free download's good enough to make me want to hear more.
Download "Too Much Water"
Ravens and Chimes: Reichenbach Falls (Better Looking Records) –
Listen to “January” and “General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone”
[Local] She Wants Revenge: This Is Forever (Geffen) – So contrived, but if you people want to buy it, go right ahead.
At the Fonda on 11/9 & 11/10
The Silver Seas: High Society (Cheap Lullaby)
Sleeping People: Growing (Temporary Residence) - For the math rock fans.
At the Knitting Factory on 12/2
Spank Rock and Benny Blanco: Bangers and Cash (Downtown) - Satire rap.
Tulsa: I Was Submerged (Park the Van) - David Fricke compared his voice to Jim James and said the music sounds like Parsons-era Byrds which makes me want to hear it.
At the Silverlake Lounge on 11/15
White Shoes and the Couples Company: White Shoes & the Couples Company (Minty Fresh) - From Jakarta
Robert Wyatt: Comicopera (Domino) - The founder of Soft Machine
Reissues:
At the Fonda on 11/27
Robert Pollard: Coast to Coast Carpet of Love (Merge) - "His poppier 'Beatles' side." Celebrating his 50th birthday by releasing two albums.
Download "Current Desperation (Angels Speak of Nothing)"
Robert Pollard: Standard Gargoyle Decisions (Merge) - "His punkier 'Stones' side"
Download "Pill Gone Girl"
Radiohead: In Rainbows (Self-Released Download Only) – Comes out on 10/10. You pay whatever you want and download it Wednesday.
Sunset Rubdown: Random Spirit Lover (Jagjaguwar) - The third album from the Spencer Krug band. I know all the indie kids love it, but I can't couldn't get into the last one.
At El Rey on 10/19
Download "Winged/Wicked Things" and "Up On Your Leopard, Upon the End of Your Feral Days"
Other Releases:
Celebration: Modern Tribe (4AD) - At the Echo on 11/9
Josie Cotton: Invasion of the B-Girls (Scruffy) – Favorites from B-Movies of the 60s and 70s with an introduction by John Waters.
Dead Kennedys: Milking the Sacred Cow (Manifesto) - Probably my favorite band in junior high. This is only 10 songs (+2 unreleased live tracks). I suppose it's a decent introduction.
The Deadstring Brothers: Silver Mountain (Bloodshot)
Electric Six: I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being Master (Metropolis)
At the Key Club on 10/18
Enon: Grass Geysers…Carbon Clouds (Touch and Go)
At the Echo on 11/3
Fatboy Slim: Late Night Tales (Thrive) – Fatboy Slim turns you onto Jonathan Richman and the Velvet Underground
The Fiery Furnaces: Widow City (Thrill Jockey) - I don't get these guys at all and I've seen them live and I've heard the records.
At the Troubadour on 10/22
His Name Is Alive: Firefly Dragonfly (Acuarela) - Veteran dream poppers.
[LOCAL] Moving Units: Hexes for Exes (Metropolis) - Blake Miller takes a break from DJ'ing with Aoki.
Scout Niblett: This Fool Can Die Now (Beggars/Too Pure) - Will Oldham makes a notable appearance on "Kiss."
At Pehrspace on 10/12
The Octopus Project: Hello, Avalanche (Peek-a-Boo) – Austin indie-poppers.
At the Roxy on 11/10
Download “I Saw the Bright Shinies”
Old Time Relijun: Catharsis in Crisis (K Records)
Download "Indestructible Life"
Polysics: Polysics or Die – Vista (Myspace Records) - Japanese synth-poppers.
At the Troubadour on 10/13
Prints: Prints (Temporary Residence) - The label stuff compares them to Eno and Brian Wilson. This free download's good enough to make me want to hear more.
Download "Too Much Water"
Ravens and Chimes: Reichenbach Falls (Better Looking Records) –
Listen to “January” and “General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone”
[Local] She Wants Revenge: This Is Forever (Geffen) – So contrived, but if you people want to buy it, go right ahead.
At the Fonda on 11/9 & 11/10
The Silver Seas: High Society (Cheap Lullaby)
Sleeping People: Growing (Temporary Residence) - For the math rock fans.
At the Knitting Factory on 12/2
Spank Rock and Benny Blanco: Bangers and Cash (Downtown) - Satire rap.
Tulsa: I Was Submerged (Park the Van) - David Fricke compared his voice to Jim James and said the music sounds like Parsons-era Byrds which makes me want to hear it.
At the Silverlake Lounge on 11/15
White Shoes and the Couples Company: White Shoes & the Couples Company (Minty Fresh) - From Jakarta
Robert Wyatt: Comicopera (Domino) - The founder of Soft Machine
Reissues:
Moby Grape: Moby Grape (Sundazed) - This one's kind of the quintessential San Francisco psychedelic-era album. If you don't already have it, you probably should get it.
Moby Grape: Wow (Sundazed)
Moby Grape: Grape Jam (Sundazed)
Moby Grape: Wow (Sundazed)
Moby Grape: Grape Jam (Sundazed)
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