Friday, February 18, 2011

New Music Releases: February 15, 2011

So much music to try to keep up with this week. I'm starting to remember why I stopped doing these posts....


Pick of the Week:
Telekinesis: 12 Desperate Straight Lines (Merge) – With this record, Telekinesis should cross over to snag Death Cab For Cutie’s audience. Produced by DCFC’s Chris Walla, it’s very well done breakup indie rock with a bit of punch. While I did like their first album, I’m surprised how much I like this new one. At the Echo on 2/24/11. Aquarium Drunkard has a free download HERE.  
Other Recommended Releases:
Arbouretum: Gathering (Thrill Jockey) – You’ve got to be open to stoner rock to appreciate this one. Slow, dense riffs with an almost pastoral quality. Cool shit in my book. At the Satellite on 3/1/11.
PJ Harvey: Let England Shake (Vagrant) – This record’s full of anti-war songs, complex arrangements and dramatic singing. Some of it’s pretty accessible and a lot of it’s challenging.  Harvey’s releases are always interesting listens. This one should please her fans. At Coachella on 4/17/11. Listen HERE
Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Sub Pop) – They brought back the vocals. Plenty for heavy post-rock fans to be happy about. At the Mayan on 5/10/11. Listen HERE
Yuck: Yuck (Fat Possum) – I saw them live before listening to the record, which made me give them the benefit of the doubt. Really good live show, pretty good album (maybe too many ballads?). Live, they’re sort of like a young, British version of Dinosaur Jr. (circa 1991). At the Echo on 4/13/11 and The Satellite on 4/14/11. Listen HERE
Other Releases That Got My Attention:
Asobi Seksu: Flourescence (Polyvinyl) – Dream poppers; The vinyl is pink. At the Troubadour on 3/9/11. Listen HERE
The Babies: The Babies (Shrimper) – Kevin Morby (bass player in Woods) and Cassie Ramone (guitar in Vivian Girls) play damaged pop. The vinyl doesn’t come out until late March.
Beans: End It All (Anticon) – Ex-Anti Pop Consortium
Bright Eyes: The People’s Key (Saddle Creek) – I’ve never gotten into Connor Oberst or Bright Eyes, so I don’t have much to say. At the Fox in Pomona on 4/13/11 and Coachella on 4/16/11 Listen HERE
Hayes Carll: KMAG YOYO (Lost Highway) – The first time I saw Carll was back to back with Ryan Bingham, and I just preferred Bingham. But I haven’t heard this record yet.
The Dears: Degeneration Street (Dangerbird) – The Montreal collective’s second album for local label, Dangerbird. At the Troubadour on 3/10/11. Listen HERE
Dream Diary: You Are the Beat (Kanine) – This Brooklyn band’s being marketed to twee pop/Sarah Records fans.
Drive-By Truckers: Go-Go Boots (ATO) – Their 11th album. Listen HERE
East River Pipe: We Live In Rented Rooms (Merge) –This is the indie singer/songwriter’s seventh album. Haven’t spent enough time with this one yet.
A Hawk and a Hacksaw: Cervantine (L.M. Duplication) – Eclectic tunes. Very capably played folk music from all around the world. At the Satellite on 3/2/11.
La Sera: La Sera (Hardly Art) – Katy Goodman is the bass player in Vivian Girls.
Peaking Lights: 936 (Not Not Fun) – Weirdo guitar synth psych dub music.
The Skull Defekts: Peer Amid (Thrill Jockey) – Daniel Higgs from Lungfish joined these Swedes. It’s a weird, experimental rock record. Still digesting this one..
Sonic Youth: Simon Werner a Disparu (SYR) – Instrumental album that grew out of recording the soundtrack to a French film Simon Werner a Disparu (known as Lights Out in the US). I haven’t heard it, but it’s getting good reviews (critics are saying it’s atmospheric and experimental).   
The Twilight Singers: Dynamite Steps (Sub Pop) – Greg Dulli’s back with the Twilight Singers. At the Music Box on 5/25/11. Listen HERE

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