The Notwist have finally released their follow-up to 2002's Neon Golden and it's got a similarly wonderful sound, proving they aren't any worse for the extended layoff. The Notwist have a really unique sound, with subdued vocals combining with electronic beats, understated guitar, and overdubbed percussion to make some really catchy music. I am really liking the new album. Take a listen.
- Buy The Devil, You + Me
- Download The Notwist - "Gloomy Planets".mp3
- Download The Notwist - "Good Lies".mp3
Fleet Foxes have been lighting up the blogs for the past few weeks, and I must admit that I absolutely love "White Winter Hymnal." It's catchy and cool and so very Animal Collective-ish. Unfortunately, I'm not really getting the fascination with the rest of the album yet. I do really like the middle section, including "He Doesn't Know Why" and "Your Protector," which have a very Midlake-ish vibe.
Speaking of great new music, Shearwater's Rook has a bunch of great songs on it, including "Rooks", "Century Eyes," and "On the Death of the Waters". The entire album is very good, but those songs really stand out for me.
- Buy Rook
- Download Shearwater - "Century Eyes".mp3
- Download Shearwater - "On the Death of the Waters".mp3
Bonnie "Prince" Billy has a new album out that Pitchfork claims comes close to the absolute utter genius of I See a Darkness. The new album has a very country feel, though, and I wouldn't say it's anywhere near Mr. Oldham's best work, but then again, I really don't like country music. Take a listen for yourself though.
- Buy Lie Down in the Light
- Download Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "You Remind Me of Something (The Glory Goes)".mp3
Post rockers Hammock have released a follow-up to their stunning Raising Your Voice...Trying to Stop an Echo, with a different sounding "ambient" album, co-produced by Sigur Ros's Jonsi. The sound is interesting and maybe not as immediately wonderful as their last album, but it does grow on you. I'm not a huge fan of ambient music, but done right, as it is here, it can be pretty damn great.
- Buy Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow
- Download Hammock - "Mono No Aware".mp3
- Download Hammock - "Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow".mp3
Sebadoh's Bubble and Scrape is one of the greatest alternative records of the early '90s, a masterpiece of lo-fi brilliance. The album is getting the 15 year anniversary special treatment, with bonus tracks and all that crap. The deluxe edition (re-mastered) includes 32 songs, 17 from the original album + 15 bonus songs. You really can't beat that.
- Buy Bubble and Scrape
- Download Sebadoh - "Soul and Fire (acoustic demo)".mp3
- Download Sebadoh - "Two Years, Two Days".mp3
- Download Sebadoh - "Sister".mp3
- Download Sebadoh - "Homemade".mp3
Speaking of older bands releasing new material with "Soul" and "Fire" in the title, Spiritualized has returned with a brand new album of epic space rock, their first album in half a decade.
Here I am, on my knees
With nothing to blame but my curiosity
It got the best of me
There's still pictures in my mind
I've been addicted all this time
Taught me everything I know
Tell me, girl, did it leave me cold?
Here I am, on my knees
With nothing to blame but my curiosity
The selfish child in me
- "Homemade" by Sebadoh
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