4/25 new arrivals

The two major Stars releases, and an indie up-and-comer finally approach their potential with an exclusive live album.

Frightened Rabbit, eMusic Sessions: Live at Urban Outfitters — SXSW 2007: The live version of “Square 9,” the best song on Sing the Greys, the Scottish trio’s debut, is so much better live I don’t even think I know a way to express it that’s strong enough. I’ve seen Frightened Rabbit four (?) times now (co-worker/friend Kendel’s boyfriend Chris tour-manages them, so there is a slight conflict of interest, I guess, but then again I detest many of my friends’ bands), and each and every time I’ve been endlessly wowed by that song in particular, the rhythm so hard and relentless I’m always expecting to see holes in the floor from the stomping afterwards.

This live EP has two songs not on the album, both newer numbers that I really, really like: “Fast Blood” (pensive, sorrowing, U2) and “The Modern Leper” (their second-best song after “Square 9″). Sing the Greys has its charms, but ultimately it doesn’t do a great job of selling just how special this band is. This eMusic Sessions is pretty damn close.

Stars, Set Yourself on Fire & Heart: These are the two big Stars albums, and of the two, I much prefer Heart, possibly because it was the first that I heard. Most of you have these already, I would wager, but for those who don’t, this is very good indie rock along the lines of Arcade Fire.

John Prine / Mac Wiseman, Standard Songs for Average People: Our former managing editor Michaelangelo Matos has been repping this record big time to me the past few weeks, mentioning several times how much he loves it and how much he thinks I will dig it, too. So I was definitely predisposed to liking this, but, unfortunately, I can’t say that I do. It’s a bit too rote for me. Matos’ eMusic review, however, makes a good case:

With expert backing from a number of Nashville pros and the plummy Carol Lee Singers offsetting the ragged headliners, the results are as relaxed as a game of cribbage with the best man from all three of your weddings. Highlights are plentiful, from Lester Armistead’s yowled background vocals on “Pistol Packin’ Mama” and “The Blue Side of Lonesome” to the magnificent spoken intro to Tom T. Hall’s “Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine” (Prine: “How old do you think I am?” Wiseman: “Well, I don’t know.” Prine: “Man, I turned 65… about 11 months ago.”) to a surpassingly gentle, definitive “Old Cape Cod.” As a roommate who overheard the album put it, “I want to fry an egg to this.”

I’m absolutely going to spend some more time with it. Matos’ opinion is not one to brushed aside easily.

The Adverts, Live at the Roxy: A vintage live album from the legendary UK punk-rockers. Sound quality is good, and the songs are, naturally, even better.

The Mary Onettes, The Mary Onettes: More Labrador goodness, a label I am surprised to learn that I really like. The album is full of ’80s poppy post-punk along the lines of Echo. Also, according to AMG, despite being together since 2000, this 2007 album is their debut.

Finally, I am not much of a fan of the following releases, but these acts do have some measure of popularity, so I thought I’d just mention:

Fishbone, Still Stuck in Your Throat
The Teeth, You’re My Lover Now
The Hidden Cameras, AWOO