Tim Rutilli & Craig Ross "10 Seconds To Collapse (Jealous Butcher)"
Honestly, I didn’t even look at who the artist was before I started listening (I don’t have all day to wait for those iMessages previews to load APPLE!) to 10 Seconds To Collapse (Jealous Butcher) and as soon as it started I exclaimed (in google chat form) “OH! THIS IS TIM FROM CALIFONE” (and then I said “sorry about the caps lock”) because Time sure has one of those voices that you know instantly. Tim Rutilli & Craig Ross have teamed back up to bring us another round of their “early 70’s Am radio pop and deconstructed folk songs built up from drones and loops” (thanks Tim for the ultra-accurate PR). Check out the first single from the album, the Red Red Meat-y “The Day Before The Peaches Rot.”
The 4th Movement "The 4th Movement (Drag City)"
By now, you all know the story of the band called Death (especially if you watched the documentary A Band Called Death). The Detroit proto-punk band has had their rightful place in rock history reassessed over the last few years. But did you know that in 1980, the band pivoted to become a Christian Rock band called The 4th Movement? (Again, if you watched the doc then your answer is “yes”). Thankfully, the crew at Drag City knows all about this, as they are reissuing this lost gem. If all Christian Rock sounded like this, people would not scoff at the genre. Sounding a little like the funky rock of Jesus Christ Superstar, a little like KISS, and a little like-you guessed it-Death. Save your soul and check out “Always At Your Door.”
John Parish "Bird Dog Dante (Thrill Jockey)"
Long has John Parish been a bridesmaid, but Bird Dog Dante (Thrill Jockey) is his chance to finally be a bride. The Mercury Prize winning producer of such artists as PJ Harvey (who appears on this album in duet form), Eels, Tracy Chapman, Sparklehorse, Jenny Hval, and many others has decided that now is the time for him to finally release a collection of his own. Quickly, you will hear hints of the many artists I just listed. A little like Sparklehorse’s chamber pop, a little like Eels’ quirk pop, equal in turns of strangeness and beauty. It is not surprising that this is an album made by a producer, as the arrangements are all perfectly suited to each song. Check out his duet with PJ Harvey that is in honor of their late friend Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, “Sorry for Your Loss.”
Marisa Anderson "Cloud Corner (Thrill Jockey)"
Boy oh boy, Cloud Corner sure sounds comfy, doesn’t it? Like bad kids get sent to time out and little angels who are the best get sent to cloud corner and it’s just like a pile of pillows and it’s the perfect temperature for naps and you love it. Also, Marisa Anderson’s new LP Cloud Corner (Thrill Jockey) is playing over there to help you fall asleep. And it’s doing a great job, because this is one relaxed record. Imagine an even more relaxed William Tyler record, or Glenn Jones playing electric guitar, and you are getting the idea. Check out the bright, melodic, road trip of a song that is the title track “Cloud Corner.”