Animal Collective got an 8.9 from Pitchfork for their new EP Fall Be Kind, which is releasing on December 15th. I can't say I feel that strongly about it, but I didn't like Merriweather Post Pavilion as much as they did either, and I will admit that this EP is a really good collection of five otherworldly tracks. The leaked track below is probably the best of the batch, though, so he's a sneak preview if you don't have the means to get the EP early and don't want to wait two weeks.
Beach House hasn't yet had their upcoming release judged by Pitchfork, but their latest album is coming out in January, and they've leaked an advance track as well. I have a copy of the new album, Teen Dream, and the beautiful, subdued but moving dynamics prevalent on their earlier releases is refined and heightened on this collection, a wonderful statement of understated wonder. I'd suggest you save up those Christmas gift cards to purchase the album when it becomes available next month (yes, January is only a month away - wow).
Hurricane Bells is the new project for Steve Schlitz, the singer and guitarist for Longwave, a band I don't really know much about or never got into, but at least based on the first song on Hurricane Bells' album Tonight is the Ghost, I've been missing something. It's a gorgeous, soaring song that opens with a simple acoustic guitar and soft vocals, but then roars into wonderful places by the end. I've attached it here, so check it out if you have the chance. And let me know if you like the rest of the album if you've heard it. I'm going to have to do some searching for it soon.
A Place to Bury Strangers is a New York-based band that leans heavily on distorted guitars and driving rhythms very much reminiscent of the Jesus and Mary Chain, at least on the first single to their new album Exploding Head. The album was released back in October, but I never got around to posting anything about it, so here's my belated attempt to register some play for the band, especially because I love anyone who reminds me of the J&MC.
Real Estate is a four piece from Jersey - Jersey yay! - from the Jersey shore specifically, and many of the songs on their first album seem concerned with the vibe of a summer on the Jersey shore, to which anyone from the state can definitely relate. There's "Beach Comber" and "Pool Swimmers" and "Atlantic City" and "Let's Rock the Beach." There's even "Suburban Dogs" and "Suburban Beverage" for those of us who grew up in the suburbs of Jersey and only ventured down to the shore in the summer. And the album closes with "Snow Days," which unfortunately, now that we've hit December, is not so far away. And although the weather has been nice in the state for several weeks now, listening to this album I still miss the summer. And definitely dread the winter to come.
Built to Spill's latest album There is No Enemy has been out for a while now, but I don't think it's been given its rightful praise as one of their best albums in a long time (almost definitely since Keep It Like a Secret, which came out in 1999) and one of the best albums of the year. My favorite song for the album is the brilliant track "Planting Seeds", a song about our marketing culture and how it's dominating our society, something that has been foremost in my mind in recent months. Just a great, great song from a really great album. Maybe the connoisseurs were wrong.
I'd hand it to time if I knew where the time had gone
the connoisseurs were wrong
and so was everyone else
I know what they're saying 'cause that's all they talk about
just need to figure out
some shit for myself
and just because it's obvious doesn't mean it's even true
heard it all and I believe that we deserve another point of view
we can make it if we try
and if we don't it's gonna still be alright
'cause our minds are still alive
and we can decide what's right
make up your mind, make up your own mythology
afraid of finding me
and of defining you
take what you want but you won't want it where your at
I know this for a fact
just because it's so true
the first place my mind goes is where I never want it to
like where it hurts the most or all the stupid shit I say and do
you can make it if you try
and if you don't it's gonna still be all right
'cause our minds are still alive
and we can decide what's right
telling me thousands of times what's next to want
just doing their job but you know that's a dirty job
can't stand this game still we're bullied to play along
when bullies grow up they get meaner
yeah they really get it down
they think that they get it but they always get it wrong
they'll play your favorite song
just to sell shit to you
I've heard that they'll sell anything and I think they might
I think Bill Hicks was right
about what they should do
and just because you love something doesn't mean it's yours to buy
been selling it so long that no one even knows the reason why
you've been messing with our minds
gettin' rich wasting our time
The new single from Spoon, "Written in Reverse" is worth checking out as well.
Posted by: Trey | December 02, 2009 at 12:27 AM