First Listen, Part One: New Releases for June 3

Another really busy release week!

Album of the Week:

Artist: Ladyhawke
Album: Wild Things
Quick Description: Tight, well-crafted indie rock.
Why You Should Listen: Ladyhawke's first two albums are interesting and great, so this was a must listen anyway.
Overall Thoughts: I'm a new convert to Ladyhake, who does a type of indie rock I really love. There's a little bit of fuzz on the edges, the melodies addictive, the whole nine yards. While Wild Things is perhaps a little more polished than it needs to be (especially compared to her earlier albums), this is an incredibly solid release with a lot going for it. As with many albums, you'll know if it's for you within the first few moments, but this is really a highlight of the week.
Recommendation: Best album of the week for sure.

Artist: The Claypool Lennon Delirium
Album: Monolith of Phobos
Quick Description: Collaboration between Les Claypool (Primus) and Sean Lennon.
Why You Should Listen: Good or bad, you know this is a collaboration worth trying.
Overall Thoughts: I know a lot of people are really into Primus. I also know Sean Lennon has taken his time to pursue whatever he wants musically, to his credit. This collaboration is strange, but the overall result is an interesting, psych-rock-ish journey that is, on a whole, fairly interesting. A lot of your enjoyment of this might be based on your patience for what's happening (and the Claypool influences are pretty obvious throughout), but I didn't go into this expecting a ton and ended up really enjoying this.
Recommendation: Absolutely worth a listen even if it's not for everyone.

Artist: The Casket Girls
Album: The Night Machines
Quick Description: Latest album from the dark alt-poppers.
Why You Should Listen: The Casket Girls are great, and there is some really catchy stuff here.
Overall Thoughts: We're big fans of The Casket Girls here (and, really, a lot of the Graveface catalog), so this new release was high up on my list this week. While not quite to the levels of True Love Kills the Fairy Tale, holy crap is this still great. The same sort of dark, gloomy sound offset by the brighter melodies along the way is here throughout, and one of my favorite songs of the last few months is "Tears of a Clown," so absolutely check this out.
Recommendation: One of the best of the week.

Artist: Speedy Ortiz
Album: Foiled Again
Quick Description: Quick EP of odds and sods from a favorite here.
Why You Should Listen: Even if you're not a huge fan, the remix of "Puffer" is awesome.
Overall Thoughts: Highlighting this quickly only because of how much we love our locals, Speedy Ortiz. EPs with remixes and such can often be a bit much, but this one in particular is mandatory for the Lizzo-featuring "Puffer" remix. Don't miss out on it.
Recommendation: Worth your time.

Artist: Joseph Arthur
Album: The Family
Quick Description: Latest from the singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: You've previously enjoyed Arthur's instrumentation and songwriting capabilities.
Overall Thoughts: I don't know if The Family is a concept album or not. If it is, I can see where he was going with it even if I didn't like it, but, otherwise, this really doesn't work. Arthur, best known for the essential "In the Sun," has a style that lends itself to a meandering result from time to time. I've seen him live and it was interesting to watch even if it didn't always work from an aural standpoint. Still, this is a little forgettable, which is a shame since I've been looking for a real breakthrough from him for well over a decade now. Unfortunately, this just isn't it. It's simply too plodding and dull on first listen to want to go back.
Recommendation: In a busy week, I can't recommend this one.

Artist: Minor Victories
Album: Minor Victories
Quick Description: Darkish project featuring members of Editors, Mogwai, and Slowdive.
Why You Should Listen: This is an interesting album even if it's not perfect.
Overall Thoughts: On first blush, the influences of Editors and Mogwai in particular are front and center. I don't know Slowdive, so I can't speak to those impacts, but the result of Minor Victories is a more deliberate affair that resonates with the sounds we come to know from the acts involved while also forging its own path. In a way, there's not a lot like it, but it still feels strangely familiar.
Recommendation: A solid listen this week.

Artist: The Strokes
Album: Future Present Past
Quick Description: The Strokes offering an EP that's supposedly a return to form?
Why You Should Listen: The Strokes used to be the saviors of rock, isn't that enough?
Overall Thoughts: I heard about this ahead of time and a lot of people were praising it as what the band was 15 years ago. I mean, in that there's heavy distortion on the vocals again, sure, it's reminiscent of their early EP and This Is It, but honestly? The songs are just okay (which is pretty much part for the course for the band for a decade running now) and the release schedule on this feels like a way to manufacture attention as opposed to letting the music speak for itself. I won't fault any band for trying to get attention however they can in the current era of streaming and unlimited choices, but I don't need to approve of what ends up being a mediocre result, either.
Recommendation: Skip this, there's much better out this week.

Artist: Xenia Rubinos
Album: Black Terry Cat
Quick Description: Modern, interesting, genre-hopping R&B(?)
Why You Should Listen: It's definitely the most ambitious release of the week.
Overall Thoughts: I had a lot of trouble putting my finger on Black Terry Cat. On one hand, it fits in really well with a lot of the current ideas behind a lot of the forward-thinking R&B that's out there, but I'm not sure we can truly call Rubinos an R&B artist at this point (and I say this with zero familiarity of her back catalog). There are absolutely people better equipped to explain this one than I am, but from a pure musical standpoint, Rubinos does a lot of interesting things with her songwriting and it's worth taking a listen if you're looking to be a little adventurous this week.
Recommendation: Won't be for everyone this week, but a solid listen.


Also out this week:

* Saqqara Mastabas - Libras

The Burlesque Poetess Covers "Just a Gigolo"

Photo via Facebook

The Burlesque Poetess, aka Joanna "Jojo" Lazar of Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys (ukulele and multi-instrumentalist), may have a solo album coming out relatively soon based on some posts on her Facebook page. Earlier today, she posted a solo cover of "Just a Gigolo," best known from Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, The Village People, and David Lee Roth (which is how we all know it, admit it). 

The Burlesque Poetess' version is ultra-stripped down, with just her voice and ukulele. It's a really cute and fun version, and even if you're not a fan of The Army of Toys, chances are you're going to like this version.

You can listen to The Burlesque Poetess' cover of "Just a Gigolo" below. For more on her, check out her Facebook and website. Also, don't forget to check out Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys' website while you're at it. 

Clifffs - "Volcano"

Based in Texas, John Dufillho, drummer of Apples in Stereo, has decided to take some time off from scoring films and go the Phil Collins/Dave Grohl route. He now has his own band where he sings and plays guitar. Clifffs' new song "Volcano" is poppy as all hell, but not as melodic as Apples in Stereo. It's simplistic and driving like very early Ramones mixed with 60s doo wop. It's pretty fantastic, fun music. 

Clifffs debut album, Bill, You're Only Human, is due out June 10 on Custom Made Music. I'm not finding any sort of web presence, but you can find some more info on Custom Made Music's website. Also, be sure to watch the video for "Volcano" below.

Field Mouse - "The Mirror"

A few months ago I rediscovered Field Mouse's Hold Still Life, my favorite album of 2014. The band is one we clearly love here, and their new album is coming out in August on Topshelf. They've been slowly tweeting out information on the album recently, but NPR debuted their new single "The Mirror" today, and we get our first glimpse as to what to expect.

Guys, it's spectacular.

A slow, Field Mouse-ian intro blasts wide open with a wall of fuzzed-out guitars and the song just doesn't let up after that. Combine that with what is the catchiest chorus the band has put out yet, and not only is this song a true winner anyway, but feels both fun and defiant at the same time right through its appropriately abrupt finish. I hope this ends up being the sort of breakthrough this band deserves, because this song is just crazy great. I don't feature individual songs here very often, so for me to be so excited by a song to share it immediately should tell you something.

There are more details about what to expect from the album at NPR as well as some more details from Stereogum, but Episodic has just shot itself to the top of my most anticipated album list for this summer. It'll be out on Topshelf on August 5, and hopefully "The Mirror" will end up on Spotify soon. For now, head on over to NPR or Stereogum or listen to the Soundcloud embed below:

Lydia Loveless - "Longer"

Photo by Ken Sears

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you'll know that a new song from Lydia Loveless will be something we explode over. Today, we can hear a new song from her forthcoming album. "Longer" is different. It's probably the most melodic and polished song we've heard from Lydia Loveless in quite some time, but it's also pretty raw. It combines her trademark alt-country drawl with the chugging indie punk that comes right out for their live show and then you add a little bit of Lydia's more pop fandom with someone like Kesha. Taken from the Lydia Loveless Facebook post about the track, Lydia has this to say about it: "I am more proud of this than I have ever been of anything. It's been a long wait and a nutty time in life but it's all about to be new again and I'm just so happy I made this record with my favorite people and I can't wait to share it, dammit."

Stereogum has the exclusive stream of "Longer," so you'll have to go there to check it out. Real, the new album from Lydia Loveless, will be out 8/19 on Bloodshot Records. You can pre-order it through them here. For more information on Lydia Loveless (including dates for the yet to be announced tour!) check out their website.

James Williamson - "I Love My Tutu"

Photo by Pacific Dream Photography

James Williamson is responsible for some of the greatest riffs in the history of rock. While playing with Iggy & The Stooges on Raw Power, he became a legend with "Search & Destroy," "Gimme Danger," "Raw Power," etc. He is an absolute rock god. The last thing you would expect him to be doing now is playing ukulele on a kids' song about grandparents, right?

Well... here's "I Love My Tutu." Tutu is the Hawaiian word for grandmother. Williamson wrote it while playing ukulele for his granddaughter, and then decided to have Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays sing the track for the recording. Most likely you'll choose Raw Power over "I Love My Tutu," but it's still a fun song, and better than 99% of what your kids probably listen to. 

"I Love My Tutu" will be available commercially on June 17. It will have a b-side titled "Never Far From Where the Wild Things Are," obviously inspired by Where the Wild Things Are. This is the first in a series of three singles Williamson has planned for this year. You can pre-order your copy here. For more information on James Williamson, check out his website. For more on Lisa Kekaula, check out The Bellrays' website.

First Listen, Part 2: More New Releases for May 27

And here's the rest of one of the better new release weeks in recent memory:

Artist: Yumi Zouma
Album: Yoncalla
Quick Description: First album from the 90s-ish synth-rock lovers.
Why You Should Listen: When they're on, they're absolutely on, and have a sound readers here will love.
Overall Thoughts: I first learned of this group via Discover Weekly and "Song for Zoe and Gwen." While that song from their second EP isn't on this album, there's more than enough good stuff here instead. They have a bit of a retro-vibe in a few ways that I absolutely loved. I'm assuming individual songs will poke out in future listens, but for now, a solid listen.
Recommendation: Definitely worth the time this week.

Artist: Big Thief
Album: Masterpiece
Quick Description: Some truly special alt/indie rock.
Why You Should Listen: One of the better releases of the week, if not recently overall.
Overall Thoughts: Big Thief reminds me a lot of Hop Along, of Pale Honey, of a lot of these sorts of indie rock bands that harken back to that nostalgic period but don't quite exist in that realm. To say that Big Thief impressed me would be an understatement, because some of the songs here (like the title track) are real gems, but this is an album that really needs to be more of a grower to see how great it might truly be. I figured I'd like it after the first few moments, but right now, I just want to listen to it again.
Recommendation: A must listen this week.

Artist: The Hotelier
Album: Goodness
Quick Description: Local Worcester emo-adjacent band's third album.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for something a little heavier.
Overall Thoughts: Emo generally isn't my thing, and I don't know if it's fair to pigeonhole The Hotelier right into the emo space, but I'm doing it anyway. It shares a lot of the same similarities, but I found it to be a lot more accessible and interesting than the general genre does for me. While I can't say there's something that outright jumps out at me as a highlight, I can say that there are a lot of solid moments in this album that shouldn't be ignored.
Recommendation: Worth a listen if you're interested.

Artist: Beth Orton
Album: Kidsticks
Quick Description: Latest album from Beth Orton where she seems to finally embrace the electronic community that has loved her for so long.
Why You Should Listen: It's almost perfect the way Orton positions herself with the more electronic sounds.
Overall Thoughts: For me, at least, Beth Orton is defined by that remix of "Central Reservation" all that time ago. She's always been willing to allow her stuff to be remixed and even sang on some electronic tracks, but this is perhaps the first time we've gotten her to dive right in. A song like "1973" really does it for me in particular, and it's interesting to hear her folk sensibilities through a more robotic lens. This will be a very talked about album this year, and it's worthy of the attention. A great listen.
Recommendation: Awesome album this week.

Artist: Olga Bell
Album: Tempo
Quick Description: Off-kilter dance music.
Why You Should Listen: Easily the most interesting release of the week.
Overall Thoughts: I'll be honest: I only looked this up because I adore this album cover. It's both joyful and off-putting, strange and wonderful, and, really, so too is Tempo. Olga Bell is a Russian artist and I feel like a lot of that informs what we're hearing here. Yes, structurally, there's plenty of 90s dance pop in here, but there's also an underlying confusion and disruption that changes this from being just another dance album and turns it into something more. It's not TuneYards, it's not mid-career Bjork, but it's its own entity with its own ideas.
Recommendation: Absolutely worth a listen. I loved it.

Artist: Band of Skulls
Album: By Default
Quick Description: Latest album from the rock band.
Why You Should Listen: Band of Skulls is consistently solid.
Overall Thoughts: On their last album, there were a few great songs and a bunch of good ones. Their earlier albums, the same way - whether it's "Friends" or "Himalayan," there's something there that sticks. The new album has "Killer," but is also just a solid rock album from start to finish. I have no complaints, and will likely put this on quite a bit, but it doesn't do a ton to stand out in a busy week.
Recommendation: Good album, but not essential.

Artist: Vow
Album: Kind Eyes
Quick Description: An indie rock band we've become fond of here.
Why You Should Listen: It's some good, slow, quiet indie music.
Overall Thoughts: Ken has written about them before and I can't add a ton to what he's already offered. The indie/shoegazey elements shine through on an album that has more intricate songwriting than it lets on, and the result is a pretty solid listen that demands your attention. I was looking forward to it based on what we had already heard, and it definitely delivered. Looking forward to more time with this.
Recommendation: A solid debut.



Also out this week:

* Catfish and the Bottlemen - The Ride
* Claire Maguire - Stranger Things Have Happened
* The Sandwich Police - Love Yourself (side project from Willy Mason, Evan Dando)
* Giant Claw vs. Guerrilla Toss

First Listen, Part One: New Releases for May 27

So much good music this week, guys. Another two-parter for your earholes.

Album of the Week:

Artist: Leyla McCalla
Album: A Day for the Hunter, A Day for the Prey
Quick Description: Second album of folk songs from a favorite here.
Why You Should Listen: Leyla McCalla has a distinct sound you won't hear anywhere else, and the care she puts into her compositions is unlike anyone else.
Overall Thoughts: Man, I didn't know this was coming until Ken sent it over, and it's as good as I would have expected. Her first album, Vari-Colored Songs, was inspired by the words of Langston Hughes, and this album is more inspired by her heritage. It creates a soundscape that I can't place anywhere else, and that I truly and invariably love from start to finish. The minute it was over, I wanted to just fire it up again, and the trajectory she is on just makes me wonder what could come next. As a history nerd, as a music nerd, what McCalla is doing is worthy of notice on its own, never mind with the wrinkles woven throughout.
Recommendation: Simply a must listen.

Artist: Mark Kozelek
Album: Mark Kozelek Sings Favorites
Quick Description: An album of covers by the Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon singer/songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: You're a fan of Kozelek's work.
Overall Thoughts: At this point, Kozelek is becoming a bit of a divisive figure in his corner of the music community, starting needless fights and being his own version of curmudgeon. I'm typically one to try and separate the man from the art whenever possible, and Kozelek's art here remains the same here as it ever was. It's Kozelek doing songs you probably know in his distinct style, and your enjoyment of this will likely be tied to that perception. If Mark Kozelek doing "Float On" is something you want to hear, you have it. For the rest of us...
Recommendation: A fans only-affair.

Artist: Belbury Poly
Album: New Ways Out
Quick Description: British electronic act with a new album.
Why You Should Listen: It's some really intereting, different-sounding electronic stuff.
Overall Thoughts: Belbury Poly is a group/project very new to me. A friend is into vaporwave and was raving about the album, so I looked it up and found a whole lot to enjoy here. While plenty of traditional instruments exist throughout, this is really more of an electronic project that feels like it's from a different era. "Old Ways In" was my entrypoint, and it might be yours as well. I know I'll be exploring their back catalog, but if you're looking for classic-sounding (as opposed to retro or dated) electronic music, you're at the right spot.
Recommendation: Worth a listen, especially if this is a genre of interest.

Artist: Fujiya and Miyagi
Album: EP1
Quick Description: First of three EPs from the indie electro-rockers.
Why You Should Listen: It's a return to form of sorts.
Overall Thoughts: I've been a fan of theirs since "Collarbone," so to here songs that remind me of their start is pretty great. We should see a few more EPs from them in the coming months, but if they're anywhere as good as this is, we should be in good shape.
Recommendation: A solid listen.

Artist: Holy Fuck
Album: Congrats
Quick Description: first album in a long time from the somewhat-electropunk act.
Why You Should Listen: Put their name aside and enjoy some wild, schizophrenic stuff.
Overall Thoughts: I have trouble describing this band to people. No one wants to take them seriously due to their name, their music is both inaccessible to a mainstream audience but still fits right in with a lot of the dance-punk stylings we hear, and they've not been around for a while so this ends up being a welcome change from some of the current stuff. I implore you to give this a listen, as it's as good as their preceding albums and is really different than anything else discussed here recently.
Recommendation: Won't be for everyone, but I really liked this.

Artist: The Monkees
Album: Good Times
Quick Description: The Monkees do a comeback(?) album!
Why You Should Listen: Your enjoyment of this will be directly related to your level of nostalgia.
Overall Thoughts: I mean, listen. This isn't bad, it's just unnecessary. Clearly, Rhino has identified a constituency that is seeking out new music from The Monkees, but I am not part of that constituency. There's some interesting stuff here (and as it's produced by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, that's to be expected), to be certain, but in terms of essential music for this week, there's plenty of other music out there for you.
Recommendation: Only if you really, really need to hear this.

Artist: Kristin Kontrol
Album: X-Communicate
Quick Description: Solo effort from the Dum Dum Girls lead.
Why You Should Listen: Fan of the Dum Dum Girls or not, this will surprise you in all the right ways.
Overall Thoughts: I'm absolutely a fan of DDG, so when Ken sent this one over it was one of the first I wanted to hear. While DDG is big on reverb-laden 1980s fuzzy rock, this is a synthpop album true and true. It feels like it was pinched right from 1986 and thrown into this week's releases, and that sort of sincerity and attempt at authenticity goes a long way for me. If you're looking for the harder stuff, you won't find it here, but if the idea of a modern synth album from a great songwriter appeals, this is one of the better releases this week.
Recommendation: A great listen overall.

Artist: Megafauna
Album: Welcome Home
Quick Description: Some good, straightforward rock music.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for something a lot more traditional.
Overall Thoughts: Some might call this closer to metal/hard rock, but I think that pigeonholes Welcome Home in the wrong way. Their third album, this album has shades of all sorts of modern rock and roll, and it's done fairly well overall. While I can't say there are necessarily standout tracks to be had here, there might be stuff here for those looking for the more standard rock thing will get something out of this.
Recommendation: A good album, but not for everyone.


Also out this week:

* 50 Foot Wave - Bath White

Friday Freebie and Forgotten Fridays: Cornelius - Fantasma Remastered Sampler

This week marks return of both Friday Freebie and Forgotten Fridays mixed all into one! Cornelius' 1998 album, Fantasma, is one of the greatest albums recorded in the 90s. It's absolutely ridiculously great. Despite this, it's one of those albums that I seem to forget about for a year or so at a time, and then hate myself for forgetting it. It also never seems to get mentioned in any "Best of the 90s" lists, which is criminal. It's a crazy blend of electronic elements (while still being done with actual instruments). It's basically if Beck and the Beastie Boys decided to be weird.

Fantasma is FINALLY being remastered and reissued on June 10. To remind people of how truly great it is, they've issued a three song sampler for free via Noisetrade. It's only three songs, but it's three absurd songs. Even if you've never heard of Cornelius, if you have kids you'll recognize "Count Five or Six" from Yo Gabba Gabba. Seriously, do yourself a favor and download this sampler now, and then get a copy of Fantasma on June 10. For more information on Cornelius, check out his website.

First Listen, Part Two: New Releases for May 20

A little late today, but here are the rest of this week's new releases!

Artist: B-17
Album: Goodbye
Quick Description: Garage-flavored Canadian punk.
Why You Should Listen: It's brash and loud and quite good.
Overall Thoughts: I liked this a lot, it's got some good melodic instincts to go along with its muddier presentation. The vocals might be the only downer for me, but that's more personal preference than anything else, and those who have a love of this genre will probably find this to be a new bright spot in your collection.
Recommendation: Absolutely worth a listen.

Artist: Tiger Army
Album: V
Quick Description: Genre-hopping alt-rock.
Why You Should Listen: It's a fun, interesting album for this week.
Overall Thoughts: I find that this is an album that defies a lot of description for me. A song like "Firefall" is loud and melodic, while "I Am the Moth" has a more traditional trajectory. The result is an album that kept me on my toes, and that's something I appreciated. I'd recommend giving this one a go. If one part doesn't get you, another part will.
Recommendation: One of the more fun albums of the week.

Artist: Mutual Benefit
Album: Skip a Sinking Stone
Quick Description: Dreamy, ethereal indie folk.
Why You Should Listen: You need more pretty music in your life.
Overall Thoughts: This is beautiful and complicated, and that really makes it great. One of the solid listens of the week, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and if you're looking for something a little on the softer side, this is for you.
Recommendation: A must listen this week.

Artist: Car Seat Headrest
Album: Teens of Denial
Quick Description: Some solid indie rock from a very prolific band.
Why You Should Listen: It has some great punk elements along with some great melodies.
Overall Thoughts: I feel like I'm repeating myself a bit, but this is another one of those albums that kind of straddles the line between Tiger Army and B-17, which means it's a good thing overall. Songs like "Vincent" might get stuck in your head pretty fast, so be wary, but this is another quality album if you're looking for something like it.
Recommendation: A good listen!

Artist: Misha
Album: All We Will Become
Quick Description: Danceable indie pop music with a lot of interesting influences.
Why You Should Listen: It's sort of like if Thao Nguyen liked dance music.
Overall Thoughts: Misha tries to defy description a bit for me as well, but I loved a lot of what was happening here. It's got a great groove going for it, throws a ton of curveballs our way, and the result is an interesting and challenging album. It's really good, but you need to hear it to be sure.
Recommendation: A great listen, worth your time.


Also out:

* Hacov and The Alchemist - Silent Partner
* Wolf Parade - EP 4 (first EP in a LONG time from this band)