Vol. 3 Issue 11 July 2006
Hey Gang – we are back and almost on time with our fabulous new monthly updates! This time around we are featuring new jams from Merge, Barsuk, and some new kids like Dawn Landes, The Come Ons, and Espers. So read on:
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Current Releases
Barsuk
www.barsuk.com
Long Winters
"Putting the Days To Bed"
The Long Winters need to be loved. They deserve heaps of critical acclaim (which they get), and to be adored by throngs of gents who wish they were Seth Cohen, and ladies who wish they were dating him. With already one certified indie-pop classic under their belts (03's When I Pretend To Fall), the Long Winters have managed the difficult task of following up one great record with an even better one. Putting The Days To Bed (Barsuk) is the most immediate and accessible thing the Winters have ever done. Tracks like "Hindsight," "Teaspoon," and "Sky Is Open" are brazen declarations of love and heartache set to sublime uptempo melodies with hooks that would even give Barsuk label mates Nada Surf a run for their money. No longer Nada's quirky, too erudite little brother, The Long Winters are officially ready for their close-up.
Domino
www.dominorecordco.com
Triffids
"Born Sandy Devotional"
In 1985, NME's first issue of the year featured a small Australian band called The Triffids - the headline read: "The Year of The Triffids." But it was not to be. Though it's hardly the first time NME has counted their chickens way too soon, after listening to The Triffids' first three records from the early 80's, their enthusiasm is justified. The band's 1986 masterwork, Born Sandy Devotional (Domino) is now being reissued by the good people at Domino. It deserves it - all Velvet Underground-miming cool with brute intelligence and dash of pop-rock exuberance. "Wide Open Road" is the album's standout.
Archie Bronson Outfit
"Derdang Derdang"
The Archie Bronson Outfit is a British trio that swears by Captain Beefheart and anything 60's that can be aptly described by the adjective "psychedelic." The band's new record, Derdang Derdang ( Domino), was recorded in Nashville with Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Kings of Leon), and the root rock influence definitely bled through – which is a good thing. Derang received a glowing 4-star review in Mojo, who proclaimed it "melodically infectious," and hell, for a band that cites Faust as a major influence that's saying something. Check out "Cherry Lips"
MoPop
www.thecomeons.com/mopop.html
The Come Ons
"Stars"
On their latest album, Stars ( MoPop), The Come Ons - long known as the smooth, soulful group in the Detroit garage band milieu - tap deeper into their own style of dance pop with songs influenced by 60's French pop icons Francoise Hardy and Serge Gainsbourg as well as 70's Dance minimalists ESG and A Certain Ratio. Released on their own MoPop Music label, Stars continues the fine COME ONS tradition. However, for the first time the band fully explores the hangover from the night before with such sober tunes as “The Sound Of Your Voice” and , “Another Day”. Pianist, vocalist, bassist and, of course, singer Deanne Iovan is developin into Detroit's best chanteuse. Stars is an album you can party with or cry with. Let's hear some tears:
- Click to see:
- Merge
- Drag City
- Ocean Music
- Fat Wreck Chords
Merge
www.mergerecords.com
White Whale
"WWI"
Matt Suggs has always been one of my favorite Merge Records' artists. Somehow, despite his seminal 90's indie-rock thing with Butterglory, and two delightfully Kinks-influenced solo records, Suggs managed to epitomize "under the radar." But his new band, White Whale, is too incendiary to ignore. White Whale's debut, WWI (Merge), scorches. It's full of seething rock guitars: Sabbath-worthy riffs with the epic energy of Big Star. And hey, since the 70's ended long ago, dare I say I hear a little Okkervil River in these jams? Regardless of influences, White Whale is among Suggs' best work (and it's one of Lyle's favorite BRM bands live, which is saying something). Plus, some of these dudes used to be in the Get-Up Kids! One of the best surprises of 2006. Check out: "What's An Ocean For?"
Drag City
www.dragcity.com/dragcity.html
Espers
"II"
Espers' II (Drag City) is some freaky stuff. The adjective "kaleidoscopic" was made for this band. On their last couple of releases, the jarring folk collective known as Espers made astoundingly lush, trippy drone-folk that made up for a lack of irony with its heavy reverence for 60's psych folksters like Nico and Donovan. II switches things up a bit, from song-based drone territory to jammy land; acid riffs and intoxicating breaks, guitars that sound, like, heavy maaan. It's grade-A stoner jams for the elitist in the family that sound amazing no matter what. Listen here:
Ocean Music
www.ocean-music.com
Dawn Landes
"Fireproof"
Quirky, Brooklyn-based, alt-country crooner Dawn Landes hasn't even reached her mid-20's yet, and she's already an industry vet. A member of Brooklyn's reigning "countrypolitan" collective, HEM, and a touring member of dork popsters, King of France, Landes has recorded with everyone (yes, me, included), and just finished a tour opening for Six Feet Under-finale sensation, SIA. So yeah, she's been busy. But still found time to knock out a collection of new, original material. Fireproof (named after the legendary, no longer Brooklyn-based studio where it was recorded) (Ocean Music) is full of breathtaking, slightly noir, alt-country gems that, despite featuring lush pedal steels, acoustic guitars, and tons of vintage keys, manages to retain an earthy, intimate vibe. Like an old love letter, Landes' songs seem immediately familiar and comforting. Bittersweet too. Check out "I Don't Need No Man" for proof.
Fat Wreck Chords
www.fatwreck.com
Fat Wreck Chords
"ifloyd"
Hey, for those of you tired of downloading one song at a time our friends at FAT WRECKS have posted a full compilation called ifloyd. Featuring tunes from NOFX, The Loved Ones, Good Riddance, and all of your favorite FAT WRECK bands…..hit it at: http://www.fatwreck.com/ifloyd/