Swan Lake will be releasing their 2nd album on March 24, and Jagjaguwar has leaked three tracks from Enemy Mine, available at their website. These are not the strongest songs on the album, but based on extensive listens to the new album over the past week or so, I have to say that it pretty much blows away Beast Moans and has a good chance of becoming Spencer Krug's fifth album in the past four years to finish the year in the top 2 on the Vague Space album of the year awards. But it's not so much Spencer's continued brilliance that makes this album -- it's definitely a full-on collaboration between Spencer, Dan Bejar (Destroyer), and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes). The three of them alternate on the first four tracks (Carey, Spencer, Dan, then Spencer), whcih are absolutely brilliant. But for the rest of the album, the singers mix themselves among each other to wonderful effect. Dan and Carey both appear on "Battle of a Swan Lake" and "Peace" and then all three come together on the amazing closing track "Warlock Psychologist," which starts off as essentially a Carey song. Mercer's in great form throughout and, if anything, this album is closer to a Frog Eyes album than a Sunset Rubdown or Destroyer record, but I guess, it's mostly just a Swan Lake record, as they turn their sound into something new and bold and beautiful. Check it out.
M. Ward released his 7th album last week, titled Hold Time. It features collaborations with country singer Lucinda Williams, She & Him partner Zooey Deschanel, and former Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle. There's also a cover of the Buddy Holly song "Rave On." But I find that when Matt is simply singing one of his gorgeously crafted and understated tracks alone, he fares best.
Morrissey's 10th full-length album of new material was also released last week, the spellbinding Years of Refusal. The album continues and actually exceeds the resurgence in quality music that he's experienced over the past five years, starting with 2004's surprisingly good You Are the Quarry. This is definitely one of my favorite albums so far this year.
Beirut's combined early release double album March of the Zapotec / Realpeople Holland also came out last week and features a number of good tracks ("La Llorona", "My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille") and an unfortunate number of clunkers. I'm not entirely sure what to make of the release, but here's one of the good tracks.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have a debut pop album that's become very popular for its simple, infectious beauty, and I find myself loving it too, especially the tracks "Come Saturday", "The Tenure Itch", and the New Order-esque "Young Adult Friction," which has found its way into my top 10 songs of this week.
Asobi Seksu's 3rd full-length, Hush, has produced my #1 song of the week and is another one of my favorite albums so far this year. In fact, if I hadn't been blown away by the leak of Swan Lake's to be released Enemy Mine, Hush might be the frontrunner right now. Just a great, great album. Take a listen.
Speaking of wonderful new albums, Odawas has released their third full-length for Jagjaguwar, the truly excellent The Blue Depths. It's beautiful, understated, and orchestral at times and the musical wonder of a song like "Harmless Lover's Discourse" is filled with so much emotion that I can't help but hope the band enjoys a much wider success than they've gotten so far.
I hadn't listened to much of Seattle's Throw Me the Statue, but the final track on a new 4-song EP Purpleface has a stunning, understated beauty. There's a lot of Pedro the Lion in the song, which I am probably in the minority in thinking is a really good thing. Take a listen.
Dark Was the Night is the latest Red Hot compilation for AIDS charities, celebrating 20 years of albums, and while the collection is hit-or-miss, the list of standout indie rock artists appearing is staggering and many of the 31 tracks (that's right, 31!) are wonderful. And right now, you can buy this double CD from Amazon for $12 -- with proceeds going to charity! I mean, if you're an indie rock fan, you can't beat that. Some amazing tracks include the Feist/Ben Gibbard combo "Train Song", The Decemberists "Sleepless", Antony and the Johnsons with Bryce Dressner "I Was Young When I Left Home", Sufjan Stevens' 10-minute "You are the Blood", Arcade Fire's "Lenin", Beirut's "Mimizan", The New Pornographers' "Hey, Snow White", and Stuart Murdoch's "Another Saturday," a beautiful track from the Belle & Sebastien frontman. The National organized this effort, though, and have one of the best tracks on the album. Please show your support.
I was hoping Enemy Mine would be great. And it is!
I think it's a more cohesive effort than Beast Moans and
all the songs gel together beautifully.
I actually think 'A Hand At Dusk' is the strongest track, but
I do love 'Warlock Psychologist' as well.
This and the new Handsome Furs and Neko Case are favs so far this year.
Posted by: Wayne | February 24, 2009 at 07:42 PM
I'm actually a little (very little) disappointed in the new Handsome Furs. It's very good, but to my ear, not as good as their debut. I haven't heard the new Neko Case -- I'll definitely check it out.
Posted by: Bill | February 24, 2009 at 09:59 PM
Beirut!!!!!
Posted by: Oliver | February 25, 2009 at 04:24 AM