New Music Releases 2/5/08

Another week and a few reasons to make it out to the record store. The release of the week for me is the Kelley Stoltz, but the School of Language album was a nice surprise.

Things I've heard:

Basia Bulat: Oh, My Darling (Rough Trade) – The Canadian singer has already gotten a following in Canada and the UK. The All Music Guide compares her to Natalie Merchant, which is a decent enough description. Live at the Hotel Café on 2/19/08

Dead Meadow: Old Growth (Matador) – These guys relocated to LA a while back and this is their fifth album. Once again, the All Music Guide nails it, saying it sounds like a blues-rock version of Spiritualized. It’s probably their mellowest record yet. Download "I'm Gone" and "What Needs Must Be" Live at the Echoplex on 2/5/08

Devastations: Yes, U (Beggars Banquet) – These Aussies have a dark sound along the lines of Nick Cave and the Tindersticks.

School of Language: Sea from Shore (Thrill Jockey) – This is the new band from David Brewlis who was the lead singer of Field Music. It veers from more experimental, heavily looped tracks to more sedate, acoustic tracks. Some of the tracks have a Shudder to Think, TV on the Radio vibe while other tracks sound like good old fashioned guitar pop. At the heart of it all is good songwriting and a strong sense of melody. Recommended.

Kelley Stoltz: Circular Sounds (Sub Pop) – Kelley Stoltz’s last album was my record of the year in 2006. I haven’t spent enough time with this one yet to tell you if it’s as good as Below the Branches, but my first impression is that at least half of the songs stand up. The Brian Wilson and Ray Davies influences are still there. The first single, “Your Reverie” has more of a garage rock vibe and even has the line “I would gladly let you set the scene” which I’m pretty confident is a reference to Love, not this blog. You can stream the record from his Myspace page. Highly recommended. I do have a gripe though. Apparently Sub Pop decided that it wasn't economically feasible to sell this one on vinyl. They had the decency to license it to Cass Records, who do a nice job (gatefold), but you won't get a digital download.....
Download "Your Reverie"

Other Releases:
Jason Collett (Troubadour on 3/17), Hot Chip (Coachella 4/26), k.d. lang, Lightspeed Champion, Bob Mould (El Rey 3/25), Nada Surf (The Fonda 3/19 – tour with the Little Ones), Ocrilim, Dax Riggs, Samamidon, Say Hi (Spaceland 3/21), Sons & Daughters (Coachella 4/27), Assassination of Jesse James soundtrack (Nick Cave and Warren Ellis), Nigeria Special compilation

For more new releases check out Largehearted Boy's POST