Every five days I shine the spotlight on stellar tracks from new releases, this edition is a bit sedate but hopefully worthy.

Cursing At The Sky

Chain and the Gang – Ian Svenonius’ new thing didn’t impress me until I hit this song about an unlucky individual who happens across three people near death, each with an improbable story to divulge. The female backing vocals are critical.

Grizzly Bear – The latest big thing’s new thing didn’t impress me until I hit this song on my drivin’ around mix and said “Hey, that sounds good” without realizing it was Grizzly Bear. Powerfully loping with a rush and a push but the land is never really quite theirs.

The Binary Marketing Show – Definitely the discovery of this 8-pack for me, I paid it the ultimate dj compliment by sending them money for the full length. As unpredictable as a good Long Fin Killie record, but in a very different way.

City Center – Side project with Fred Thomas of SLGTM, but without the 60’s Brill building girl-group pop obsession. If that makes you pause and ask, “Hey if you take that away from SLGTM what’s left?” well here’s the answer.

Cass McCombs – Not quite as affecting as previous releases from Mr. McCombs but that by no means should be seen as a denigration of this aural carousel.

Broken Records – With a name like that I expected energetic punk, not this haunted fragment of a spider web filled with the remnants of survival stories gone awry.

Misty Roses – With a name like that I expected retro-folk Tim Hardin style, and for sure that’s what we get here with an eerily accurate Scott Walker early solo vibe as well. Doesn’t quite possess the grandeur, but doesn’t really try for it either and that makes it all the more authentic.

Mocky – I needed to provide you with some sort of fun now didn’t I? Whenever Gonzalez shows up somewhere other than on his own releases I pay attention, as his true value is almost always realized as a guest star.

Another 8-pack of recent tunes for you to gnaw on – many post-punk influenced if you like labels.

Glitter Like Your Greed

Lilofee – Pulled off a label sampler, this song taunts the listener then provides a few more unsettling details before wandering into an investigation of the sexual mores of today’s youth.

Precinct – Retro Joy Division era rock with the authentic recorded-in-a-warehouse mixing, but don’t assume it adds up to unfriendly because this song has (hidden) hooks!

Tiny Masters of Today – One wonders how such an inconsequential little band of young-uns could attract the attention of a well-respected label, but at least they know how to have fun with a recording budget.

Flea Market Poets – The band name suggests English junk shop and for they most part they live up to the moniker, massaging equal parts enthusiasm and angst

The Legends – Sweden’s Labrador label is an immediate seal of quality in my household, so when these retro poppers put up another offering I immediately hit the download key.

Crocodiles – Can’t blame anyone for adoring Jesus & Mary Chain – though I always make sure to qualify that declaration with “What era?” Is it more Psychocandy or Honey’s Dead?

Post Honeymoon – Early Siouxsie is likely the pattern they intended to follow, but limited recording budgets let to a stripped down punky sound which quite frankly suits them well.

Kurt Von Stetten – Boston area photographer and skateboard punk puts together a musical entry that quite frankly deserves a more of a place at the early 90’s table, but takes a bow here instead.

Half these tracks are instrumental; I’ll let you decide which ones fit the definition!

Fishing In The Ocean

Ocote Soul Sounds – Latin flavored fun that doesn’t feel the need to be overtly authentic, sorta like a strip-mall Mexican restaurant. In Spanish!

Tortoise – Their most fun full-length in a very long time, I didn’t check my watch once during this track

Yppah – Melding of electronics and organics in a Boards of Canada like way, but far more interested in engaging the listener.

Jon Hopkins – The most overtly electronic offering in this 8-pack, yet still quite shifty.

Black Moth Super Rainbow – BSMR never leave the listener lacking a super tweaked psychedelic Nintendo sized sound track.

Peter Project – Rumours of Spider-Man’s involved are completed fabricated within the confines of this message.

Love Is Chemicals – 1/3 of the album’s span finds some super catchy guitar lick and repeats ad nauseum – I say kudos.

Miike Snow – Not a guy, but a Swedish duo. Regardless of the spelling issues, they don’t let their countrymen go to waste.

Thanks,
keith

This latest sampler mix focuses on tunes visiting the dancier side of the equator.

A Line Around The Block

The Juan MacLean – Smart idea to feature guest singers on their latest one, the chef’s salad of femme vox add some meat to songs that might not stand well on their own.

Passion Pit – The hottest thing out of Boston since the Molasses Disaster. The mega-pitch shifted vocal moments could be called questionable, or they could totally sell you.

Pet Shop Boys – Can you believe their new one sounds just as vital now as it might’ve 25 years ago? This particular song would’ve been Top 20 easy back in 1984.

Tiga – Always inconsequential, always curious – there’s at least one song per Tiga record that worms its way into repeat play status

Thavius Beck – I’m still trying to source the mega tweaked sample at the center of this song – it sure sounds Simon LeBon-ish to me.

The Phenomenal Handclap Band – No handclaps, and they’re not really that phenomenal either. On the whole that is, in parts it can be quite fun. Like the Juan MacLean the guest vox are welcome, unlike the Juan MacLean they did not make many wise choices (present company excepted). Plus this song COUNTS!

VX-323 – A band that would have you believe the music and vocals are delivered by a sentient robot. Why it’s worried about real estate values I dunno.

Anthem In – This Kate Bush cover is not the best song on their new ep, just the most noteworthy.

Picking up the 8tracks sampler habit again for those who want to peruse songs from new releases at their leisure:

A Miracle That's Over

Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard – casual Jonathan Richman-style introspection, which means not very deep yet entertaining

Eels – Personally not a big fan but this tune off their latest compelled a spin

St. Vincent – New album not as skeletal as the previous effort, putting a little more flesh behind the veil

Sean Walsh and the National Reserve – Rambling Ryan Adams style country-influenced rock, sans the gut punches

Slaraffenland – An a-ha cover, for those of you who find that prospect attractive

You Can Be A Wesley – First recorded output for a Boston-area band who generate some pop energy

Bibio – Inconsistent release goes from electronic trickery to 60’s era folk, this song lands somewhere inbetween

Headless Heroes – Covers project with Eddie Bezalel and Alela Diane at the helm, inviting other new folkies to help out

Thanks,
keith