Vol. 2 Issue 9 April 2006
Springtime is here, so we've got plenty of new releases, allergies, fresh morels, and, of course, way too many grown men playing fantasy baseball (heaven have mercy). If you prefer reality, these new releases from Barsuk, Merge - let alone Tom Verlaine and NOFX - are your ticket to staying anti-social. Now, onto the blurbs.
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Current Releases
- Click to see:
- Merge
- Barsuk
- Fat Wreck Chords
- Grunion Records
- Modular
- Audika Records
Merge
www.mergerecords.com
Essex Green
"Cannibal Sea"
Considering The Essex Green’s press release says that the anachronistic Brooklyn Trio sounds something like The Shins and Jens Lekman and The Byrds (who are basically three of my favorite artists), I wasn’t sure if Essex were about to become my new favorite band or just another well-meaning group with great taste. Rarely is my skepticism so quickly trumped. The Essex Green’s new album, Cannibal Sea, more than lives up to its “influences.” “Don’t Know Why (You Stay)” is a rollicking power-pop anthem that’s as catchy as it is timeless. Even better, “Penny & Jack” is the best guy-girl duet (here’s looking at you, Sasha Bell) I’ve heard in ages, and if you told me the seminal label, Sarah Records, had put it out as a 45 some years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Oh yeah, and “Rue De Lis,” does sound a damn lot like The Byrds.
Barsuk
www.barsuk.com
Starlight Mints
"Drowaton"
The best way to think about Barsuk’s latest acquisition, The Starlight Mints, is to imagine The Shins going all art school on us. Conceptual bubblegum experimental psych pop with hooks, to boot. The Mints’ brand new record, Drowaton, sees this AM-radio-worshipping four-piece expanding the sound they honed on 2003’s acclaimed album, Built on Squares to Zappa-inspired highs. All hail the bad-boys of Chamber Pop. (INSTRUMENTALS AVAILABLE).
Fat Wreck Chords
www.fatwreck.com
NOFX
"Wolves In Wolves Clothing"
We at BRM have a soft spot for Punk. Maybe it’s ‘cause we’re in a state of arrested development, maybe it’s ‘cause we like loud-as-hell-guitars, or maybe we just wish we never grew up (Grups anyone?). Who knows? However, I like to think it’s ‘cause bands like NOFX keep putting out brilliant albums even when their members could be at least Lyle’s age. Never Trust A Hippy is the name of NOFX’s brand new EP featuring two songs off their upcoming, also brilliantly-titled 11th (!) album, Wolves In Wolves Clothing. With a discography this big, the fans know what they’re in for – the only things that have changed are the frenetic pop-culture references. But why fix something that sounds this good? Check out “Seeing Double At The Triple Rock”.
Grunion Records
www.grunionrecords.com
Rainer Maria
"Catastrophes Keep Us Together"
Riot Girrls, Emo Kids, and Indie Rock Nerds rejoice! No, The Get Up Kids aren’t getting back together for a reunion tour; however, Rainer Maria are gearing up to release the very best album of their 10-plus year career. Catastrophe Keeps Us Together is riddled with swooning, guilt-stained ballads (“Burn”), and epic, melancholic rockers (“Catastrophe”). Rainer’s frontwoman, Cathlin De Marrais’ lyrics have never been sharper, and if her turns of phrase fail to suckerpunch you, her banshee-wail of a delivery will. Like Karen O. with a BA in Comparative Literature and a minor in “boy-hating.”…but even the boys will be swooning from “Burn,” and you will, too.
Modular
www.modularpeople.com
The Presets
"Beams"
Here’s one for the Art-School crowd. From the very fine Australian label that brought us Wolfmother (Modular), faster than you can say “Gary Numan and Interpol influence,” here come The Presets. In the fine tradition of bands that create guitar sounds that might be guitars or keyboards or something else, The Presets play janky, hi hat-abusing, post-punk disco-phunk for people who talk about doing Cocaine unironically. Contrary to popular thought, the duo’s new album, Beams, is not named after a harrowing Star Trek obsession. The title suggests some futuristic lazer light show, and my guess is it’s probably not at “futuristic lazer-light show night” at your favorite bowling alley – that is, unless your favorite local bowling alley is named “The Dark Room” and is located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Lohan has so already bought her Presets’ tee. Now it is time on Sprockets when we dance:
Audika Records
www.audikarecords.com
Arthur Russell
"First Thought Best Thought"
With the brand new superb, double-disc instrumental collection, First Thought Best Thought, Audika Records continues its mission to reveal the genius of Arthur Russell to the world. Like much of Russell’s previous work, First Thought, Best Thought has something of a conceptual bent – the two instrumental passages that make up half the collection were part of a larger piece originally intended to be played in a 48-hour long binge song cycle. These two excerpts feature many of NYC’s most accomplished downtown luminaries [including Ernie Brooks, Rhys Chatham and Peter Zummo]. Ultimately, First Thought, Best Thought reveals that Russell was as accomplished an arranger of vaguely Ennio Morricone-influenced, spaced-out, meditative soundscapes as he was of bubble-gum karma-pop songs. Heavy stuff.
- Click to see:
- Thrill Jockey
- Domino
- Absolutely Kosher
- Numero Group
- Swim Slowly Records
Thrill Jockey
www.thrilljockey.com
Tom Verlaine
"Songs And Other Things"
Writing a blurb about Tom Verlaine is stupid. Really, if you don't know who Tom is, you're in the wrong business - the dude was in Television, put out tons of great solo albums, and is possibly the best guitar player ever. So, a new solo album (Songs And Other Things (Thrill Jockey)), with vocals (his first in 15 years!) is a very big deal. And it's great. The album opens with an instrumental then builds to the beautiful "From Her Fingers" (so uplifting, it will bring a smile to the most jaded, bearded hipster), and builds to the frenzy of "All Weirded Out." The album soon closes with the cinematic end credits calm of "Peace Piece." Totally essential listening-of course!
Tom Verlaine
"Around"
Tom has also decided to release Around (Thrill Jockey) - the follow up to his instrumental masterpiece Warm And Cool. Warm and Cool came out originally in 1992 and was re-issued last year by Thrill Jockey. And now we have Around. It features Television drummer Billy Ficca on drums, and is everything you'd want from an instrumental record: great guitar playing with brilliant drum interplay. Each track has a story to tell, and none should be missed.
Eleventh Dream Day
"Zeros and Ones"
Eleventh Dream Day have to be one of the most criminally overlooked bands in the history of Indie Rock. I won’t say these guys were underrated, because many of the group’s peers count themselves as diehards fans. And their “peers” included folks like Tortoise’s John McEntire, super-producer Brad Wood, Yo La Tengo, and most anyone in Chicago who played indie-rock in the early 90’s. Eleventh Dream Day had a stint on a major label, but it’s no surprise the band’s harrowing, perfect blend of distortion-soaked guitars, fractured, detached accompaniment and demure vocals didn’t bring home the big bucks for the corporate man back when The Backstreet Boys ran shit. So here we are. Years later. 2006. Eleventh Dream Day has about a dozen great titles to it’s name, and the band’s brand new album, Zeros and Ones, might be one of its best. But don’t take my word for it. If you are a fan of Yo La Tengo or Pavement or Tortoise or Archers of Loaf or Guided By Voices, now is your time to discover one of indie-rock’s great underdogs.
Domino
www.dominorecordco.com
Juana Molina
"Son"
With the success of fellow Argentine-born singer Jose Gonzalez, it’s very “in” to be singing organic songs built around acoustic guitars these days. Yep, quiet is the new loud. However, Juana Molina has been “quietly” stunning audiences with her stripped down sets over the course of two records already. Her brand new third album, Son, continues in this vein. Like the missing link between Bjork and Nick Drake, Juana Molina proves yet again she is the master of other-worldly mood music. Also, look out for a post-album EP with fellow-folkie Devendra Banhart coming soon! And she’s even touring with the aforementioned Jose Gonzalez this summer.
Absolutely Kosher
www.absolutelykosher.com
Court And Spark
"Hearts"
Absolutely Kosher’s kings of alt. country, Court and Spark, are back! The group’s new album, Hearts, is an experimental roots-rock masterwork that “marries fuzzy sci-fi sky songs with shimmering river hymns and acoustic drone in the key of OM.” Wait a minute, this isn’t the press release for the new Six Organs of Admittance record!? That said, for all of Court and Spark’s experimental ambitions, the band still sounds like a mix of Gene Clark’s finest moments, The Band, and Townes Van Zandt, too. Great American music for the iPod generation.
Numero Group
www.numerogroup.com
Ladies Of The Canyon
"Wayfaring Strangers"
Quicker than you can say, "Devendra is a dirty hippie," the Numero Group are back with their latest reissue: Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies of The Canyon. This time out, America's favorite reissue label collects the finest late 60's/early 70's Folk you never heard, all from chicks who were influenced more than a little by the great Joni Mitchell. Equal parts bucolic and sublime, it's amazing to think that many of these recordings were one-off tracks, or private pressings, not only in regard to the breadth of talent on each song, but to Joni's undying relevance. If the words "Laurel Canyon" mean anything to you, this one is for you!
Swim Slowly Records
www.swimslowly.com
Doveman
"The Acrobat"
Doveman's brilliant and beautiful debut, The Acrobat, has to be the greatest album to fall asleep to ever put to tape. You could listen to it in other scenarios and still find it pleasurable, but somehow no other activity blends so well with the somnambular, ultra-hushed, netherworld vibe of Doveman's jams. Seriously. And I can only imagine the fellas in the band completely agreeing with me. Afterall, they do play shows with no stage lighting except for a large, dimly lit house lamp that could be considered a member of the band at this point. When The Acrobat first trickled out into mom-and-pop store shelves, Pitchfork gave the record an 8.0 and BRM could not agree more. Doveman are currently working on their follow-up, and from what I've heard, it'll be transporting us to even more wondrous, far-away places; equal parts staggeringly familiar and wildly strange. So much like a dream.