New Releases 8/22/06

All your favorite labels are pushing stuff. I can't wholly recommend anything yet. Some of the stuff I've heard is not bad. I definitely need to hear the new Outkast.

Amy Millan: Honey from the Tombs (Arts & Crafts) – She sang with Stars and Broken Social Scene.
Artificial Hearts: Heavy Rock (Undertow)
Broadcast: Future Crayon (Warp) – Compilation of UK EPs and rarities from 1998-2003.
Chad VanGaalen: Skelliconnection (Sub Pop) – I couldn’t get into his first album, but a lot of people like him. See him at the Avalon with Band of Horses on 11/3 and 11/4. Download “Flower Gardens”
Cursive: Happy Hollow (Saddle Creek) – See them at the Avalon on 10/26. Download “Dorothy at Forty”
Darker My Love: Darker My Love (Dangerbird) – These guys are a really powerful live act, but I don’t feel like the energy was completely captured on the record. Pick it up and judge for yourself. See them at the Sunset Junction on 8/26 or the Echo on 10/6.
Eric Bachmann: To The Races (Saddle Creek) – The dude from Crooked Fingers. See him live at the Knitting Factory on 9/4.
Early Day Miners: Offshore (Secretly Canadian) – Download “Return of the Native”
Easy Star All-Stars: Radiodread (Easy Star) – Reggae covers of Radiohead. OK.
Electrelane: Singles, B-Sides & Live (import) (Too Pure)
Eluvium: When I Live by the Garden and the Sea (Temporary Residence)
Frequency: Frequency (Thrill Jockey) – “a new quartet showcasing the improvisational talents of four longtime members of Chicago’s storied underground jazz scene”
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Fragments of an Earth (Stones Throw)
Gosling: Here Is (V2) – They just played the F*** Yeah Fest.
Headlights: Kill Them with Kindness (Polyvinyl) – See them at Spaceland on 9/9. Download “TV”
Jamie Saft Trio: Trouble: The Jamie Saft Trio Plays Bob Dylan (Tzadik)
Jennifer O'Connor: Over The Mountain, Across The Valley And Back To The Stars (Matador) Download “Today”
Kelis: Kelis Was Here (Jive) – She’s always got a couple of singles that are guilty pleasures. Guest appearances by Cee-Lo, Nas and Will.I.Am
Lambchop: Damaged (Merge) – Appearing at the Troubadour on 10/2.
Mono: One Step More and You Die (Temporary Residence) – This is a reissue from 2002. This is the Japanese band, not the British band.
Mountain Goats: Get Lonely (4AD) – The lead singer will be performing live at Amoeba on 8/23 and the Royce Hall on 8/26.
My Brightest Diamond: Bring Me the Workhorse (Asthmatic Kitty) – Appearing at the Wiltern on 10/9 (opening for Sufjan Stevens). Download “Something of an End”
Nouvelle Vague: Bande a Part (limited edition) (Luaka Bop) – Hear them cover New Order, the Smiths, Buzzcocks, ESG, etc. Appearing at the Henry Fonda on 9/8.
OutKast: Idlewild (La Face) – This one’s getting really mixed reviews. I respect their previous albums enough to check it out.
Paris Hilton: Paris (Warner Bros.) – Ugh.
P.F. Sloan: Sailover (Hightone) – Frank Black and Lucinda Williams make appearances.
Pajo: 1968 (Drag City) – He’s talented and I enjoy his music, but I never seem to be in the mood to listen to it.
Primal Scream: Riot City Blues (US release) (Sony) – I got this one in the mail and I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as everyone says.
Radio Birdman: Zeno Beach (Yep Roc) – At the Wiltern on 8/30.
Ratatat: Classics (XL Recordings) – Appearing at the Troubadour on 9/20.
Razorlight: Razorlight (US release) (Universal) – Appearing at the Roxy on 8/30.
Sacred Sailors: Golden Dawn (Dionysus) – Swedish garage rockers.
The Shakes: The Rise and Fall of Modern Living (Teenacide) - Appearing live at the Brat store in Santa Monica on 9/4.
Snowden: Anti-Anti (Jade Tree) – Appearing at the Silverlake Lounge on 9/6.
Spencer Dickinson: The Man Who Lives for Love (Yep Roc) – A collaboration between Jon Spencer and the Dickinsons from the North Mississippi All-Stars. I always really liked Jon Spencer live.
Starsailor: On The Outside (US release) (Adrenaline) – In my mind, I always think they’re like a rootsier Coldplay (but I’m not really a fan, so maybe I’m way off base). Appearing at the Troubadour on 9/29 and 9/30.
Supersystem: A Million Microphones (Touch & Go) – Appearing at the Echo on 9/29.
The Thermals: The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Sub Pop) – See them at the Avalon on 10/26. They just played the F*** Yeah Fest and I walked out right before they went on. I wonder if they were good? Download “A Pillar of Salt”
Tortoise: A Lazarus Taxon (Thrill Jockey) – I was a huge fan in college. They made me love the vibraphone. See them at the Troubadour on 9/15.
Uzeda: Stella (Touch & Go) – Sicilian math rock “produced” by Steve Albini
Various Artists: Clerks II (soundtrack) (Bulletproof) – I’ve never thought of Kevin Smith as somebody with good taste in music.
Various Artists: The John Fahey Tribute (Takoma) – Another Fahey tribute? This one’s not indie.
Various Artists: Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys (Anti) – An odd collection of artists like Joseph Arthur, Bryan Ferry, John C. Reilly, Bono, Lucinda Williams, Sting, etc. Download “Mingulay Boat Song” by Richard Thompson
What Made Milwaukee Famous: Trying to Never Catch Up (Barsuk) – They just played the Troubadour last night. Austin band. Download “Sweet Lady”
Wooden Wand and the Sky High Band: Second Attention (Kill Rock Stars)