New Music Releases: 8/5/08 (one week late)

I'm way behind with my new release updates.....

Noteworthy Records Released on 8/5/08:

Records I’ve Heard:

Darker My Love: 2 (Dangerbird) – The local band has put out an extremely likeable record that’s a lot more polished than their first record. This one will draw more comparisons to Supergrass, Jesus & Mary Chain, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and (label mates) Silversun Pickups than Can or My Bloody Valentine. The band’s two vocalists, Tim Presley and Rob Barbato, played/wrote (Reformation Post TLC) with Mark E. Smith in the Fall last year. They’re already a powerful live band, and should be even better when they finish their September tour with the Dandy Warhols.

The Faint: Fasciination (blank.wav) – I can (occasionally) get into really mechanized, soulless music if it’s fun. Unfortunately this one’s not that much fun. Most of the songs are just begging for dance remixes (see the download). It’s been seven years since Danse Macabre, and I guess I’m still putting them in that box.
Download “The Geeks Were Right (Does it Offend You, Yeah? Remix)”

Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst (Merge) – I’ve never been a Bright Eyes fan, so it’s noteworthy that Oberst put this album out under his own name (and chose Merge as the label to release it). Whereas Bright Eyes has always been about grand gestures, this record’s much more subtle and understated. And that’s a good thing in my book.
Download “Danny Callahan”

Elvis Presley: The Complete 1968 Comeback Special (RCA/Sony) – This is definitive four disc box set to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Elvis’ 1968 comeback special. At the time, Elvis was focused on his film career at the expense of his music career. His handlers decided a slick, televised Christmas special was in the cards. During rehearsals, the director saw Elvis and his buddies having fun and jamming together behind the scenes. He thought it was really neat to see Elvis (now a huge movie star) from that perspective had the sense to incorporate elements of that into the final special. It’s a fascinating historical document, the packaging is great, the sound quality is fantastic and Elvis’ voice is strong. A lot of the jokes are corny, but this would still make a fantastic gift for music fans. There’s a separate, companion three disc DVD set too.

Disc one of the box set expands on the original release
Disc two features the first “sit down” show and first “stand up” show
Disc three features the second “sit down” show and second “stand up” show
Disc four features the first and second rehearsal

Local Interest:
The Airborne Toxic Event: The Airborne Toxic Event (Majordomo) – I haven’t heard this yet. They’re getting a ton of press and nationwide radio airplay. See them with the Fratellis at the Wiltern on 9/16/08.
Download “Sometime Around Midnight”

On My Shopping List:
David Vandervelde: Waiting For the Sunrise (Secretly Canadian) – His last record was one of my favorites of 2007. I still haven’t heard this one (there seems to be a vinyl shortage). See him at the F*** Yeah Fest on 8/30/08
Download “I Will Be Fine”

Other Noteworthy Releases:
Peter Bradley Adams (mp3)
Apollo Sunshine (mp3 and mp3)
Brazilian Girls
Carla Bruni
Clinic
Correcto
Helms Alee – at the Fonda on 11/16/08
Ida – EP (mp3) at the Hotel Café on 8/25/08
Ism
Jedi Mind Tricks
The Lord Dog Bird – Wilderness’ guitarist (mp3)
Mars Black (mp3 and mp3)
Shannon McArdle
Monte Negro
Nappy Roots
Randy Newman
Oneida (mp3)
Oxford Collapse (mp3) – at Spaceland on 8/30/08
Pineapple Express soundtrack
Plastilina Mosh
Prints
Amy Ray (mp3)
Re-Up Gang
Carrie Rodriguez
Alina Simone
Various Artists – Chamber music collection – James Joyce poems set to music
The Weight
Zozobra