The Sea And Cake "Any Day (Thrill Jockey)"
For a certain sort of music fan (present company included), news of a new album from The Sea And Cake is cause for much celebration. TSAC have been brandishing their unique form of jazzy, post-rock for nearly 25 years now and are showing no signs of stopping. In fact, Any Day (Thrill Jockey) finds the band operating as a trio for the first time as a trio after the departure of original bassist Eric Claridge since the release of their last album, 2012’s Runner. This time around, they have left most of the synthesizers at home in favor of a more organic sound comprised of guitars and organs. Also along for the ride is long-time Brian Wilson collaborator Paul Von Mertens on various instruments that you blow into (sorry if my technical musical knowledge went over anyone’s head there). Check out the jangly shimmer of “Any Day.”
Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert "Here Lies The Body (Rock Action)"
There is very little info on the website for the debut album from Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert. But what few words that are there speak volumes more than some 100,000 word Wikipedia entries. Wanna know what it says there? Good, because I’m about to copy and paste the hell out of it. “Sex and death. Love and life. Family, fortune, faith, and fear. Guitar, voices, cello, sax, Roland, wolves. Leggings and jeggings, the multiverse and marshmallows. The debut album by Aidan Moffat & RM Hubbert.” Right? Honestly, what more do you need to know about Here Lies The Body (Rock Action). Oh fine, I’ll let you know a little more. Aidan, you might know from his many days with Arab Strap. RM is better known in Scotland as Hubby, the guitarist and singer in his post-rock band El Hombre Trajeado. The result of their pairing is a little like if Phil Spector produced El Vy. Check out the rollicking brogue of “Party On.”
Daniel Blumberg "Minus (Mute)"
Minus (Mute), the solo debut from Daniel Blumberg finds a musician finally arriving at the spot he was always meant to be. Daniel, only 27 years old, has sent years in various bands of his own device as well as working with the likes of David Berman, Low, Lambchop, and Neil Michael Hagerty. Now on Minus, we find Daniel in an almost experimental classical meets modern improvisational jazz meets singer-songwriter mode. The result is something like Harry Nilsson meets Philip Glass meets Radiohead. Pianos, violins, drums, guitars, and other instruments do exactly what you don’t expect them to do, and do it so hauntingly well you’ll swear that you are listening to a newly invented genre of music. Maybe you are? (Ooh! Exciting! If you discover a new genre, you get to name it like a scientist finding a new species. Name it after your favorite pet maybe? That’s always a crowd pleaser). Every time you think you’ve figured out what’s going on here, some surprising element crashes its way into the sonic landscape and leaves you bewildered. Check out the title track “Minus” and decide for yourself.
Eleanor Friedberger "Rebound (French Kiss)"
If you thought Rebound was going to be your album for this year’s NBA playoffs you are sadly mistaken (as am I). Instead, it is a musical rebound of sorts. Harking back to the ‘90s-exchanging live instrumentation for programmed drums, a Juno synthesizer, and muted guitars. Eleanor Friedberger sings over these newly styled grooves with the assurance and confidence of either A) someone who has been making records for over a decade or B) must crush it at karaoke. Basically, imagine Eleanor fronting Stereolab or New Order. Sound cool? It sure is! Check out the catchy as frack “Make Me A Song.” Unlike the rest of life, it won’t disappoint.