New Releases This Week

Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha
I always liked this guy, although I haven’t heard this one. The bloggers seem to LOVE it (but they LOVE everything, so take that for what it’s worth).

::: Andrew Bird – Heretics :::

Bill Callahan – Diamond Dancer
Apparently a 2-song CD single, featuring one non-album track from the forthcoming Woke On A Whaleheart. I don’t know what year Drag City thinks it is, but I wish them luck selling a 2-song CD for $7 in the music market of 2007.

I’m From Barcelona – Let Me Introduce My Friends
Pitchfork loved them so long ago that it’s doubtful the record’ll still have steam here. I’ve always dug the video.

Ted Leo – Living With The Living
People seem to be liking this new one.

Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Could be retitled The Bloggers Hated On It Before It Even Came Out. Personally, I think it’s pretty good…and frankly, I’m in awe of Isaac & Co. for coming as far as they have. 10 years ago, I don’t think anyone could have possibly predicted that career; I mean, it’s actually *amazing*, when you think about where they came from, and what they’ve been able to do– Jesus H., man, they got Johnny Motherfucking Marr to join the band. My advice is to stop being pissed off that “Float On” was used in an American Idol/Ford commercial, and instead, just sit back and laugh. Because that’s exactly what Isaac’s doing. He’s still the same snotty kid from this video, he’s just got a bit more mileage (and a few more pounds) on him.

::: Stream We Were Dead… at Myspace :::

Panda Bear – Person Pitch
Bloggers (and some critics) love this one.

The Ponys – Turn The Lights Out
They say this one is a return to the sound of that first record. It is… kinda. MP3s here.

The Red Krayola – Soldier Talk
Drag City continue to dole out the Mayo Thompson/Red Krayola reissues; this one’s from 1979, and seen as Thompson’s “reaction to Punk Rock” by many. Most of you won’t like this.

::: The Red Krayola – Discipline :::

The Zincs – Black Pompadour
I didn’t hear The Zincs’ 2001 album Moth and Marriage until 2004, but I was an instant fan when I did. The sound has changed somewhat over the last few years, but there’s still something there, methinks. And Edith Frost sang on three of the tracks. Most sites have been pushing the mp3 for Head East Kaspar, which is pretty decent, but I think I like Hamstrung and Juvenile a little more.