na: audiobooks!

While I’m by no means implying that other days around here are merely ho-hum, today is kind of a big deal at eMusic. Not only do we have a whole host of exciting new releases — Beirut! Kevin Drew! Les Savy Fav! — but today also sees the launch of our new audiobooks service. We hope you’re excited about diving in as we’ve been about putting it together.

To start, you can take a look at this introductory column from our Audibooks store manager Maris Kreizman, have a look at our first eMusic Bookshelf (like Dozens for books), or browse some of our noteworthy titles. Pick up that book you’ve always been meaning to read and take it with you on your long commute or weekend drive.

And if that’s not enough excitement for you, we’ve got a whole spate of new releases just begging to be downloaded.

Beirut, The Flying Club Cup: Well, this is a pleasant surprise! Arriving on eMusic three weeks before it shows up in stores is Beirut’s The Flying Club Cup. Be sure to check Todd’s longer post just below this one to get the full scoop.

Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew, Spirit If…: One of the two frontmen for the Canadian collective Broken Social Scene steps out on his own on this warm, modest album of chugging rock songs. Less ornamented than BSS, this one finds Drew honing his songwriting chops and calling on a few friends (Leslie Feist, J. Mascis, Emily Haines) to liven things up.

Les Savy Fav, Let’s Stay Friends: Indie’s angry court jesters return with their first record in six years. They’re just as worked up an aggravated as ever, and this new one pushes their energy and intensity to the breaking point.

Various Artists, Song of America: Former Attorney General Janet Reno curated this expansive collection that aims to document the evolution of American song. We have an interview with both Reno and co-curator Ed Petterson coming to the site in just a few days, so now’s the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the fruits of their labor.

The Donnas, Bitchin’: Full-on brawny rock from the Donnas, this one heavily indebted to Van Halen’s flawless debut. It may be too late for the summer rock record, but this one will help you ride out the rest of the year — tough, snarling rock with hooks and choruses galore.

James Luther Dickinson, Killers From Space: Legendary blues pianist/organist who’s worked with everyone from Aretha Franklin to Rocket from the Crypt (how’s that for a career arc?) turns in this good-n-greasy solo album.

Havoc, The Kush: I haven’t listened to this yet, but wanted to at least point it out for the hip-hop heads who read here. Havoc is half of Mobb Deep, and this is his first solo album — if it’s even half as good as the Prodigy record that came out earlier in the year, we’re in for a treat. Anyone have any advance word? And just an additional endorsement: if you like ’90s hip-hop and haven’t grabbed the Prodigy record yet, do so immediately. It’s a new classic. All together now: “I got you stuck off the realness…”

Percee P, Perseverance: I love Percee P, but I have to express just a little disappointment with this (though I should probably couch that by saying I’ve been waiting close to three years for this record, so expectations were very high). Percee’s got a motormouthed flow and is hands-down one of the best lyricists in hip-hop, but I’m not sure Madlib’s laid-back production really suits his style. I’m confident this will grow on me, but as of right now I still favor his hard-to-come-by street mixtape Legendary Status.

WZT Hearts, Threads Rope Spell Making Your Bones: Maryland group with a keen taste for noise puts together a record that’s glitchy and boomy and bound to thrill those whose tastes skew more experimental.