newly arrived

I haven’t done a new arrivals post in a while, and there’s quite a bit of stuff that has come in this week that I like, so let’s quickly peruse.

Faraquet, Anthology 1997-98: Though far bigger releases came in this week, none are better than this. Faraquet were an incredible B- to C-list DC band in the late ’90s — part of the whole Hoover/Jawbox/Fugazi axis of post-hardcore/emo — and their early vinyl singles were incredible. I can still remember being with a friend when he found an early 7″ at Plan 9 in Richmond, Va; you woulda thought he had won the lottery (and in a way, he had). Anthology collects all of those and remasters them (I *think*; they sound better than I remember, anyway). From top to bottom, this is an awesome document of DC in the ’90s. So so so fucking good.

Let’s Wrestle, Let’s Wrestle/I’m in Fighting Mode: New single from Let’s Wrestle, who I adore. The eponymous A-side is solid and silly (loud, singalongs, etc), and the B-side is amazing and introspective. It reminds me quite a bit of Silkworm, just a pensive ballad whose edges are roughed and heart pure. Mr. Bottle and I agree that this is the best song of their young career so far. Grab that track for sure.

Various Artists, Ishumar: This has been getting a lot of spins the past few days. It’s a compilation of contemporary Middle Eastern music very much in the vein of Tinariwen (they have a couple of songs on here). If Aman Iman did it for you, grab this for sure.

The Avett Brothers, The Second Gleam: Apparently I like the Avett Brothers? I had never listened until this, but The Second Gleam hits all of the buttons that my favorite Old Crow Medicine Show songs do. I always puzzled over Todd (RIP) loving them, but now not so much. Time I downloaded Emotionalism, I guess.

Nine Inch Nails, The Slip: This snuck up with little fanfare yesterday. I have nothing whatsoever to say about it.

Bodies of Water, A Certain Feeling: I was so-so on the last one, but based on a once-through, I’m really not feeling this album.

Brendan Canning, Something for All of Us: Broken Social Scene are a franchise now! Seriously, the way they’ve done these solo records is like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation or Van Wilder or whatever. Wipe away that trope of indie rock being naive and pure!

Dr. Dog, Fate: Listening to this for the first time right now. I’m rooting for it to be another Easy Beat.

New World Records: Waiting to read John Schaeffer’s Dozens on New World before offering real opinions. But quite a few notables in this first batch covering the jazz catalogue (follow along with the experts on the message boards here). A big classical delivery with tons of great modernist stuff will be coming soon as well.