Review of First Quarter Releases - January

I've been negligent in doing my weekly new music posts. So now I'm going to try to tackle the entire first three months of the year.

Here are the releases from January that got the most attention in my world. Personal favorites are in BOLD.




Released on 1/5/09:
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion – This will probably be the best reviewed album of the year, but they still make my head feel like it’s going to explode.

Glasvegas: Glasvegas – Scottish anthem rockers. Not bad, but not particularly moving.

Released on 1/19/09:
AC Newman: Get Guilty – The New Pornographer frontman’s second solo record. A few strong songs, but not as immediately appealing as his other solo record.

MP3: Submarines of Stockholm

Andrew Bird: Noble Beast – Oh so precious, but still extremely talented. The first record of the year that I can fully recommend.

Antony and the Johnsons: The Crying Light – An acquired taste (and one that I have yet to acquire)
MP3: Epilepsy Is Dancing

Bon Iver: Blood Bank EP – A couple of good tracks, but not worth the $10 they’re charging for the vinyl. Download the free title track and you should be good.
MP3: Blood Bank

Cut Off Your Hands: You & I – New Zealanders [ed. note: corrected] aping mid-80’s Brits, still haven’t listened to it
MP3: Turn Cold

Matt & Kim: Grand – Enthusiasm counts for something

Titus Andronicus: The Airing of Grievances – Kind of like a noisy, Pogues-inspired version of Bright Eyes
MP3: Titus Andronicus

Released on 1/26/09:
The Bird and the Bee: Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future – Pleasant, slightly loungey pop suitable for a cocktail party

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears: EP – Four song EP. They’re one of the better new bands, but only pick this up after you’ve already bought and digested the full length (that came out more recently).

Bruce Springsteen: Working On a Dream – I’ve never been a huge fan of the Boss. I’m not even a greatest hits guys, just a few songs here or there.

Cotton Jones: Paranoid Cocoon – Ex-Page France; Pleasant indie rock, but I haven’t heard the whole thing.
MP3: Blood Red Sentimental Blues

Franz Ferdinand: Tonight – I liked their debut album, but haven’t listened to them since.

J. Tillman: Vacilando Territory Blues – He’s Fleet Foxes drummer; haven’t heard this, but the solo stuff I’ve heard is pleasant and along those lines.

Loney Dear: Dear John – Swedish singer-songwriter. The last one had so little bite, I haven’t bothered listening to this one yet.

Mark Olson & Gary Louris: Ready for the Flood – Former Jayhawks reunited. This was on my shopping list, but hasn’t made it home yet.

Of Montreal: Jon Brion remixes EP – Not a big Of Montreal fan.

Volcano Suns: The Bright Orange Years – First time on CD; Peter Prescott formed this band after Mission of Burma went into hibernation. A must have for fans of jangly, mid-80s guitar rock.
MP3: Jak

Volcano Suns: All-Night Lotus Party reissue – If you love The Bright Orange Years, pick this one up next
MP3: White Elephant