na: the national, tim armstrong

Today is National the National Day, and we couldn’t be prouder to host it. It’s an essential for the indie rock set. But there’s lots more to recommend today, including a great compilation of New Zealand rock, Tim Armstrong, Parts & Labor, Wheat and the Gourds discography.

The National, Boxer: One of the best albums released this year so far, Boxer is a must for anyone who digs rock music of any sort. We discussed it more here, and definitely read Joe’s review on the album itself. We’ve been hyping this one for weeks, folks. Definitely give it a try.

Various Artists, The Need for a Crossing: A New New Zealand Vol. 1: Table of the Elements comes up big with this compilation that Joe pointed out this morning. Here’s the label description:

Trapped on the verdant backside of the planet, plying sonic craft in splendid isolation, the New Zealand scene has evolved into as vivid and unique a beast as any you’re likely to hear. Thanks to recent expeditions, you can now hear its multifarious tweets and warbles for yourself, as the intrepid folks at Xeric present NEED FOR A CROSSING: A NEW NEW ZEALAND. BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL takes the lead with an epic blast in the Cale/Conrad/Sabbath vein, while the gentler songsmithing of STEFAN NEVILLE illuminates both PUMICE and BLOWFLY SAINT. Brief appearances by LEIGHTON CRAIG and GFRENZY are, in turn, reverential and shambolically antisocial. While making nods to both Greek rebetika and raw Americana, GREG MALCOLM is the model of multi-dexterity, playing three guitars simultaneously (he uses his feet). ANTONY MILTON lends a gritty and aggressive bit of soundscaping, which segues into the collection’s soaring, cloud-busting finale by the outstanding PETER WRIGHT.

Both Joe and I like the Gfrenzy track the best, which you can listen to on this MySpace page.

Coltrane Motion, Songs About Music: Reminds me of the early Apples in Stereo stuff — specifically Science Faire, which I love — only imagine them playing, in that lo-fi style, a synth-pop/post-punk sound, rather than riffing on the Beach Boys. Convoluted, I know, but that’s pretty much exactly what Coltrane Motion sounds like. I really like this.

The Gourds: People love these guys — many people I respect! — but I’ve never been able to get with them. However, we did basically their entire catalogue today, which is pretty big news even for me.

Andrew Pekler, Cue: A new Kranky release, I had been hoping for something similar to Tim Hecker, but that’s not quite right, although it’s close. This album contains poppy electronic compositions — note “compositions” — that wouldn’t be that far off from Air and that sort of lounge stuff if they weren’t so serious-sounding. Difficult to pin down, but likeable regardless.

Parts & Labor, Mapmaker: Brooklyn noise-rock, increasingly poppy with each album, this one maybe the catchiest of all. Featuring eMu rock critic Christopher Weingarten on drums. Once recorded an album with Ty Braxton, dude who is now in Battles. Helluva show, too.

The Modern Lovers, Live at the Longbranch and More & Mekons, New York on the Road, 86-87 & New York Dolls, Lipstick Killers & The Raincoats, The Kitchen Tapes & Terrorists, Forces 1977-1982 & Einsturzende Neubauten, 2X4: Kind of an unfair collection here, but point is, we got a whole lot of ’70s/’80s indie live records absolutely worth checking out. Just for some point of reference, I downloaded the Modern Lovers and Terrorists records. But all of these are recommended.

Matthew Dear, Deserter & Audion, Noiser/Fred’s Bells: I’ve covered “Deserter” plenty on 17 Dots (go here and here), and now you can finally download — rather than stream — it. And let me assure you, by the way, that the upcoming full-length, Asa Breed, is magnificent. The Audion single we got today is, as Todd noted, made specifically for summer — it’s a big jam, and certainly recommended for fans of his.

Voxtrot, Voxtrot & Wheat, Everyday I Said a Prayer for Kathy and Made a One Square Inch Square: I’ve never liked Voxtrot — maybe there was one song Kendel managed to sell me on — but even from the diehards I’ve been hearing that this album is disappointing. Maybe this means I’ll like it? I dunno, but approach with caution. As for Wheat, before snagging the new one, do yourself a favor and download “Don’t I Hold You” from Hope & Adams, their sadly forgotten 1998 release. It’s basically the most earnest Replacements song you will ever hear. As for the new one, I’m still listening through it, but I’ve heard nothing but good things, and based on my cursory listen, I’m inclined to agree.

Jerry Bergonzi, Tenorist & Charles Mingus, Charles Mingus in Paris — The Complete America Sessions: I know it’s ridiculous to group these two — “wuh, jazz is jazz, right?” — but there’s so much to get through today that I’m taking some shortcuts. Both of these are highly recommended, though, although I might opt for the Bergonzi over the Mingus if I were you.

Black Moth Super Rainbow, Dandelion Gum: Soft psych-pop stuff, not nearly as guitar-based and rock-y as I thought it would be. Flutes and sunflower fields, that sort of stuff.

Tim Armstrong, A Poet’s Life: Rancid frontman records a reggae record. Have yet to listen.