New Music Releases - 11/4/08

I'm still a week behind, but threatening to close the gap....

New Music Releases 11/4/08:

Records I’ve Heard:

Lou Reed: Berlin – Live at St. Ann’s (Matador) – This is from the 2006 string of concerts that were filmed by Julian Schnabel and released on DVD. The DVD is still sitting on top of my DVD waiting to be watched. Berlin was the follow-up to Reed’s excellent album, Transformer. Apparently it flopped both commercially and with the critics. Some of these songs have been performed over the years, but this was the first time they were performed in their entirety. Both the studio and live document are pretty depressing records, but they’re definitely worth a listen for the fans. Antony from Antony and the Johnsons makes a guest appearance on “Candy Says.”

Local Releases:
Crystal Antlers: EP (Touch & Go) – Vinyl version
Eulogies: Tempted to Do Nothing EP (Dangerbird) – Vinyl version. Featuring a duet with Nikki from SSPU
Little Joy: Little Joy (Rough Trade) – This is the much blogged about new album from Strokes’ drummer Fab Morretti, girlfriend/singer Binki Shapiro and singer/guitarist Rodrigo Amarante (from Brazilian band, Los Hermanos). I might not go as far as calling it essential listening, but it’s pretty good. The more upbeat tunes sound like the Strokes on vacation in Brazil in the early 1960s. While the tracks with Binki singing don’t sound like that at all. They’re named after the dive bar in Echo Park. Live at the Troubadour on 12/7/08
Megapuss: Surfing (Vapor) – The joke-y side project from Devendra Banhart and Gregory Rogove from Priestbird. The only track I’ve listened to “Adam and Steve” steals a guitar lick from Wham and mentions a “tropical taint.”

Other Noteworthy Releases:
Drew Andrews
Black Moth Super Rainbow – EP
Black President – At the Knitting Factory on 12/6/08
Desolation Wilderness
Grampall Jookabox – At the Silverlake Lounge on 11/11/08. MP3: This Girl Ain’t Preggers
Hushpuppies
Frida Hyvonen
Illa J
Johann Johannsson – MP3: The Rocket Builder
The Lucksmiths
Lukestar
The Mighty Super Funk – rare funk singles compilation
Cale Parks
Past Lives – EP
Q-Tip – At the House of Blues Sunset on 11/15/08
Shiny Toy Guns
The Skeletons
The So So Glos – At Crane’s Tavern on 11/17/08
Mavis Staples – live
Travis – At the Troubadour on 11/11/08
Wallpaper
Wild Beasts
Wilderness – MP3: Strand the Test of Time
Wino – compilation - MP3: Dutch Oven
James Yorkston - I tend to like this guy, but haven't heard any of it yet....