Top Five Most Interesting New Releases:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Baby 81 (RCA Records) – Their drummer returns and brings back the rock ‘n’ roll. Paste and Under the Radar kinda ripped it, but I think it’s good. The last album sounded great on paper, but I prefer their electric sound. This one is a hybrid of their earlier JAMC-inspired sound and their rootsier, harmonica and blues-based sound which totally works for me. I’ve been listening to it regularly for the past few weeks. See them at the Wiltern on May 8th. Letter Grade: B
Dinosaur Jr.: Beyond (Fat Possum) – The reunion album with Lou Barlow back in the band. Fortunately it sounds more like the later, more polished Dinosaur Jr. albums that I prefer. Mostly good reviews. I’ve streamed it on Myspace and I really like what I’ve heard. However I’ll avoid giving it a letter grade for now. See them at the Troubadour May 11th – 13th.
Feist: The Reminder (Cherry Tree) – She’s performed with By Divine Right, Peaches, Broken Social Scene, Kings of Convenience, Apostle of Hustle and put out her own records. See her at the Wiltern on 6/29. The real music snobs like Pitchfork are giving it great reviews, while more mainstream publications seem to think it’s inconsistent.
Frog Eyes: Tears of a Valedictorian (Absolutely Kosher) – Crazy Canadians. Fans of Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown should take note. See them live at Spaceland on 5/5 (not the Echo as their Myspace page states – hopefully they show up at the right club). Download “Bushels”
Patrick Wolf: The Magic Position (Fontana) – Let me quote Metacritic: “Quirky, flamboyant, and young, English multi-instrumentalist Wolf makes his major-label debut with this third album of electro-folk-glam-rock. Marianne Faithfull guests.” Is this the type of thing that only music critics and people in New York like? It’s probably not that bad. See him at the Troubadour on 5/16.
Other Noteworthy New Releases:
Tori Amos: American Doll Posse (Sony)
Attractive and Popular: Money Equals Magic (GSL) – See them at the Smell on 7/16.
Electrelane: No Shouts, No Calls (Too Pure) – See them open for the Arcade Fire at the Greek on 5/29 and 5/30.
Robbie Fulks: Revenge (Yep Roc)
Ghostface Killah, DJ Mick Boogie: Fish N Chips
Pentangle: The Time Has Come (Castle) – Box Set
Rush: Snakes and Arrows (Atlantic) – See them at the Hollywood Bowl on 7/23.
Various Artists: Spider Man 3 Soundtrack (Record Collection) – A surprisingly quasi-indie collection that includes tracks from: Snow Patrol, The Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wolfmother, The Walkmen, Black Mountain, The Flaming Lips, Simon Dawes and Rogue Wave
Von Iva: Von Iva (Cochon) – See them at the Scene on 5/12.
Young Galaxy: Young Galaxy (Arts and Crafts) – Crazy Canadians are almost as prolific as the Swedes. See them at Spaceland on 6/5.
Warren Zevon: Preludes (New West) – Demos from many of his most famous songs.
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