The Magic Position

Today, I finally got my hands on Patrick Wolf's latest album, The Magic Position, due out on February 26th. Now, I could be blinded by initial impressions, but so far it sounds utterly incredible. You've heard Bluebells and Accident and Emergency, I'm sure, but I'll tell you right now that they barely even scratch the surface. The album is impeccably structured, with several high points. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I think I'd have to go with Augustine. It's lacking in the electronic department, but it's all the better for it. Like the rest of the album, Augustine is carried by Wolf's voice, but a piano adds a classic element to it that makes it sublime. I highly doubt this will be the last you hear about this album from me. Enjoy.



Augustine.mp3

Clear The Clutter: mp3 Time

Finally, I've picked out a few mp3s worth posting.






Heretics.mp3

With a violin and drum taking lead instrumentation, Andrew Bird spouts off his trademark sharp lyrics. From his upcoming Armchair Apocrypha LP.






Every Single Line Means Something.mp3

Marie Stern's new art punk track, from her album, In Advance Of The Broken Arm. Focused, with a great beat and crunchy guitars.








Let It Play.mp3


P4k called this track epic, and I'm inclined to agree. The vocals are a little off (some notes are held too high and too long), but the melody and instrumentation (which takes over around the halfway point) are spectacular.






That's it for now, but I'll have more for you later.

I Tried

I really, really tried. I even listened to some of the mp3's on my desktop. But then, just as I was about to post some of them, I noticed how generic this blog was. So, I dove into HTML editing. And at the very best, I am horrible, horrible HTML editor. I actually came close to destroying the blog, and made it become very ugly at some points. So I settled for this. Now the blog may be uglier than before, but it's atrocious in a unique way now. That's gotta be worth something. Maybe if I don't involve myself in any more dumb dumb dumb projects, I'll post some music tomorrow.

Clear The Clutter: Jan 25 Edition

It may not seem like it sometimes, but I work pretty hard on this blog. Yeah, I disappear sometimes, but never for very long. And yeah, I post in bursts, but I'm working on that. Anyway, I download a lot of mp3's over the weeks, and they tend to pile up on my desktop. It's not that they're bad songs, it's just that they get lost in the shuffle. So, every now and then, I have to do a little clean-up, so that my desktop is visible once again. And so, today I will be cleaning off my desktop. That means that I'll listen to every mp3 there, and post about all the good ones. This may take more than one day. Let's start out with this one.









This song, Much Farther To Go, is from Rosie Thomas' upcoming album, These Friends Of Mine, due on March 13. It's typically sweet, and the lyrics would probably be considered naive and trite (I lost my way when I lost you) if it weren't for the delivery. Thomas' voice is spot on, delicate and smooth and so is Sufjan Steven's, Thomas' guest. Their voices are a perfect match, intertwining together in a way that few voices can, while a guitar and banjo strum in the background. An absolute gem.



Much Farther To Go.mp3

Wu Tang Clan Reveal New Details On Upcoming Album

Wu Tang Clan have finally revealed some of the finer points of their new album, announced either late last year, or early this one (I really have no clue which). The will be called 8 Diagram, and will be released sometime this summer. Also, they are planning a tour to promote their new album. Let's hope this one works out.

Booji Boy High

An interesting new band has been making it's way around the blogosphere, called Booji Boy High. Although little is known for sure about BBH, it's suspected (and likely) that they are essentially the guys of Hot Chip with a different name, and a more challenging style. And in this case, more challenging means "even better". So far, they've only released a 7", but you can stream both songs from the DFA myspace.



Doubleshaw [Stream]

Twist Myself Again [Stream]



So why exactly would Hot Chip pull this kind of stunt? Who knows. Maybe for publicity, or maybe just to create music without people having expectations before hearing it. Either way, those are some damn good tunes.

There Sure Is A Lot Of Music

Wow, did you realize how much music they release nowadays? I didn't until I started putting together next week's Out Today feature. Did you know that I missed at least two major releases this week? If you want to place some blame, blame this track. I swear, the longer I listen to Some Loud Thunder, the better it gets. This track, Satan Said Dance, starts out with dance-y pop beat, then moves into territory that reminds me of a Modest Mouse song, for a reason I can't quite place. Oh, and the chorus is downright infective.



Satan Said Dance.mp3




P.S. Do you realize what a bitch it was to find an image to go with this post?

Some Loud Thunder

It took me a while to warm up to this song, but now I'm pretty much in love with Some Loud Thunder, from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah new album of the same name. The blend of classic and indie rock is a surprisingly groovalicious mix, and Alec Ounsworth's voice remains as nasally unique and odd as we've all come to love. Enjoy.



Some Loud Thunder.mp3

New Bright Eyes Track

As you all know, Bright Eyes is set to release Four Winds EP on March 5th, as a forerunner to his new album, Cassadaga, set for release on April 10th. The EP contains one track, Four Winds, that will appear on Cassadaga, and five other tracks that won't be. One of those tracks, Tourist Trap, has made it's way onto the internet tubes. It's a great little song, filled with Bright Eyes trademark melancholy. However, it shows much growth on Bright Eyes part, with more complex instrumentation, employing a piano, and a background beat that sounds suspiciously like footsteps. If this is any indicator, Cassadaga, should be a real treat.


Tourist Trap.mp3

Out Today: Jan 23

Welcome to the first edition of out today, the Tuesday-exclusive piece in which I take a look at some of the albums coming out today, and in a frantic rush, try to listen to and review as many of them as I can.
Well, the beginning-of-the-year drought is finally over, and there are several big-name releases coming out today. Among them are:






Wincing The Night Away
The Shins
After a few years of silence from the Shins, they have finally released their third album, Wincing The Night Away. Once again the Shins move into new musical territory, with songs bearing little resemblance to either of the bands earlier albums. However, it's also their most mature record, even more subtle than even Oh, Inverted World, and seemingly more subdued. It takes longer to fall in love with Wincing The Night Away than the Shins previous work, but in the end, it's the Shins best album to date.

Grade: B+






The Good, The Bad, The Queen
The Good, The Bad, The Queen
Considering the major players involved in this album (Damon Albarn,Danger Mouse, Paul Simonon, Tony Allen, Simon Tong), The Good, The Bad, The Queen comes off as very, very low-key. This isn't the album that you'll love the minute you play it. It's dark, moody, complex, and demanding. But even if you have patience with it, you never quite feel as rewarded as you would like.

Grade: C+






Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
of Montreal
This concept album from of Montreal certainly contains it's share of oddities. The lyrics, the title and the tracks are all unique. But the sound is by far the strangest part of this album. It's that certain mix of genres that defies any real description, and can only be described as indie pop. Each song is different from the one before it, and the albums hangs together very well as a whole. A great indie release.

Grade: B+

Cat Power to play Mueseum Of Modern Art

Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, is set to perform at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York, on Feb. 2. This is meant to be a rather small performance, accompanying the MoMa 'Sleepwalkers' exhibition, in which Marshall plays a character.

Jarvis Finally Gets A US Release Date

Finally, Rough Trade Records and World's Fair Label Group have set a release date for the former Pulp frontman's debut album here in the states. On April 3rd, crazy American fans will finally be able to buy Jarvis in stores. But really, didn't all the people who wanted this album already import it? I sure thought so.

Wincing The Night Away Is Out Today!

As if you didn't already know this, the Shins new album, Wincing The Night Away is finally out today. Most of you are probably already waiting in line, or downloading, but I thought I'd share my joy with you all anyway. Expect a full (collective?) review in the next few days.

Little Fat Man

Last night, the Extras episode guest starring David Bowie finally aired here in the States. Although this is only tangentially music related, I love this show too much not to post a video. Bowie remains as ridiculously talent as ever.

Doin' The Time Warp: Knock Knock Knock EP

Welcome the first edition of Time Warp, the piece in which I take a look back, and point out a good album that you may have forgotten by now. Today, I'm looking at Knock Knock Knock EP by Hot Hot Heat.

Released in 2002, Knock Knock Knock contains some of the best noise pop you'll ever hear. Clocking in at a mere 15 minutes, it's by far one of the most frantic, frenzied albums ever, comparable even to the classic Yeah Yeah Yeah's EP in it's pacing. Picking a favorite track in nigh impossible, as all five songs are gems. However, if I had to choose a favorite, I would have to choose 5 Times Out Of 100, just for it's pure energy. Since 2002, Hot Hot Heat have released two albums, Make Up The Breakdown and Elevator. Although both albums are excellent, and firmly planted on my iPod, neither of them captured the same energy as Knock Knock Knock. It's also worth noting that Hot Hot Heat are expected to release a new album later this year.


5 Times Out Of A Hundred.mp3