This has been the most prolific September for new releases since I started doing this in 1990, every day it seems like 20-25 more discs arrive at our studios. Bad timing on my part as the past two weekends were taken out by family responsibilities and next week will be taken up with work. As it is I'm about 50 releases behind, and that's after the batch below. Sorry for the perfunctory write-ups.

Japancakes - "Heaven or Las Vegas"
Cover of the late period Cocteau Twins song by Darla's instrumental stalwarts Japancakes, with a slide guitar subbing for Liz's vocals. It's a reasonably accurate knockoff, as for the rest of the new lp those predisposed to their florid but laid-back tones will not be disappointed. Played on 9/10/07.

M83 - "My Own Strange Path"
A new digital only album from M83 with ~90% instrumental tracks. These are nowhere near as dynamic as the instrumentals on their proper records or even the Purple Confusion side project. Instead the recipe is more of a slow building hold-one-tone-and-milk-it, still identifiably M83 but not exactly dynamic. For completists only. Played on 9/20/07.

Submerged - "Predator"
Track from the new Little Darla #25 compilation, a NYC electronic band melding samples with electronic and organic elements.

Sigmatropic - "Crack in the Back"
Greek collective that reminds me of the Golden Palominos in structure, with a central figure utilizing a stable yet rotating cast of musicians and singers to add life to his creations. This tune with its expressive female vocals and a synthesized reggae backbeat was spun on 9/10/07.

moi Caprice - "Tonight Might Prove To Be Your Only Chance"
This Copenhagen based band has a very mid-80's sound with an insistent bassline and splashes of synth behind some rather fatalistically lovelorn lyrics. Has that UK sheen from the time that Echo et al did so well. Played on 9/10/07.

Greg Summerlin - "Shine on Where You Want"
Seamlessly poppy song with a choppy guitar and vocals that fall somewhere between Allen Clapp and Bernard Sumner, but with more confidence. This is the most motivating song on his new release with a big chorus and splashes of New Order influence in an otherwise non-dance environment. Played on 9/10/07.

The Mabuses - "Dark Star"
Everything about this album says 'British pop' and the mixture of restrained harmonized vocals and busy splashes of multiple elements (listen for the horns, strings, extra guitars, etc) remind me of Nonsuch era XTC, Colin's songs more than Andy's. Given that description the album does slip into a certain preciousness that comes when the band gets so impressed with the production elements that they lose sight of the songs. Played on 9/27/07.

Land of Ill Earthquakes - "Acres of Fakes"
Another one off Little Darla #25. Pure indiepop with a Saturday Looks Good to Me lo-fi feel. This is low tempo with all the elements of 60's pop from shuffling drums and tambourines to echoed vocals. The bleating horn in the wordless chorus and off-kilter vocals give it that not-quite professional (but still endearing) sheen that SLGtM does so well.

Sea Wolf - "The Cold, The Dark and The Silence"
A new full length from this LA band uses a room full of instruments as punctuating elements in their songs. Despite the crowded house the lp retains a very simple and laid-back feel, with slickly executed choruses that stick firmly to the frontal lobes and verses that serve as pathways to the endorphin rush. Respectable certainly, but not the type of thing I'd whirl myself into a fervor over.

Gravenhurst - "Farewell, Farewell"
They use a rumbling bassline and gentle cacophony of feedback to create a disturbing backbone to otherwise restrained songs. An occasional unexpected break in the beat or burst of foreground noise will add an Arab Strap touch into the song, though they have nowhere near the punch (or foul mouth) of that band. Played on 9/20/07.

Testa Rosa - "Arms of a Tree"
Milwaukee area trio crafting lovely little songs that feel like they're teleported from an early 90's release. Slightly melancholy female vocals play across lockstep drumming and lush guitars with a few other elements popping in the mix. Most of the charm lies in the lead singer's effective use of tone to trasmit the restrained disdain. Played on 9/10/07.

Nord Express - "Crazy"
New collection from this Baltimore band covering the 95-05 period with unreleased tracks, ep cuts and the like.

Sam Amidon - "Saro"
Probably my favorite pick from this batch, Sam's voice has an uncanny resemblance to Damien Jurado but his songs have a simple orchestrated feel that Damien eschewed a long time ago. For this album he's carefully selected a collection of public domain tunes which in his hands barely betray their origins, they sound as fresh as a composition composed today. If you're a fan of Damien, or of hollow-voiced simple guitar tunes with pretty horn/string accompaniment, do yourself a favor and take a listen through his website. Played on 9/20/07.

The Mekons - "White Stone Door"
They continue to confound expectations 20+ years into their existince, as this album has neither a punk or country feel to it. Instead it's carefully constructed tunes with plenty of space that remind me more of the Talking Heads during an experimental moment than anything the Mekons have done before. I guess the idea was to keep these songs more organic, if so the goal was definitely achieved. Played on 9/10/07.

The Mohawk Lodge - "Why Would You?"
Takes one step away from the Mountain Goats vibe of the first album by adding more elements, obscuring the acoustic country roots of these songs. This one's a cleverly written bit of sarcasm questioning why anyone would support their (or anyone else's) artistic endeavors that perfectly treads the line between humour and justifiable crankiness. Played on 9/10/07.

Sleeping States - "I Wonder"
Probably the most cohesive song on this experimentally inspired release. The balance of the cuts are delicately fractured faux-folk songs with warbly vocals (both male and female) than lurch and sputter without sacrificing much charm. This one at least has a consistent drumbeat. Spun on 9/20/07.

The Revisions - "On The Lam"
Treading the line between rock and mod with some very lo-fi execution. Has the thick bass and expressive Weller-esque vocals of the Jam without any extra elements clouding their basic structure.

Dana Gillespie - "You Just Gotta Know My Mind"
Both Rich of the Pontoon Palace and myself were impressed with the liner notes on this Rev-ola reissue, especially the pictures. Pushing aside the visual stimulation these are late 60's/early 70's pop efforts from a singer who built a much stronger reputation for her blues vocals.

Plasticines - "Loser"
French female pop-punk with very basic elements and execution. Some high jangle in the guitar is the only distinguishing element, there's no punch in either the drums or bass. While nice, it isn't very memorable. Played on 9/10/07.

A Place To Bury Strangers - "I Know I'll See You"
Effective melding of Jesus & Mary Chain style feedback with more traditional goth-rock structure including heavily reverb on the drums and vocals and a constantly flowing presence from the low bass. Some shoegazer elements intrude on other songs but the main intent is upbeat dark rock from 15-20 years ago, the kind that doesn't get called 'goth' anymore. Played on 9/20/07.

Tel Aviv - "Clipper Ships"
An unfortunate google-proof name from this Arkansas band with both a vocalist and keyboardist unafraid to take center stage in their compositions. Along with the basic elements of a rhythm section these songs have a quickly-recorded feel but are punctuated by the energy of the principal players. Aired this on 9/20/07.

Lebanon - "Buried in the Avenue"
Another google-proof bandname for the providers of the concert report music on 9/10/07. Math rock for those who don't mind the term.