na: black saint, ladyhawke
So obviously the massive, massive news from today is the arrival of the Black Saint and Soul Note catalogues. There are, so far, about 350 titles to choose from. By tomorrow afternoon, there will be upwards of 500.
We’re holding off on posting our guide to essentials from the two catalogues until tomorrow — and this guide was put together by an esteemed group, including Kevin Whitehead, Britt Robson, Steve Smith, Charles Farrell, Dylan Hicks and Peter Margasak, as well as a couple of folks here — and so I’m going to refrain from getting into those catalogues for now. Suffice it so say that there is a ridiculous wealth in those records, and while I was a neophyte in their ways until about two months ago, I am now a full convert. Really amazing stuff. And — I don’t think I’ve noted this before — eMusic is the only place in the world to get them. How you like that?
Okay, so moving right along, here’s what else we’ve got for you today:
Gil Shaham, Elgar: E.: Violin Concerto in B Minor: Okay so I’m an idiot when it comes to classical music, but even I know who Gil Shaham is! I have been informed that this new recording is a very big deal, and so here you go. I have downloaded it — only three tracks!
Ladyhawke, Ladyhawke: I’m the one skeptic when it comes to this record here in the office. I think “Back of the Van” is a great song in a Stevie Nicks kinda way (which is how Joe and Alex have been pitching her to me), but the problem is, it’s the only one that sounds that way. The rest is just kind of a modern/retro pop album that to me just feels like a bunch of gesturing. Counting down until Joe and Alex’s fierce rebuttals. 3… 2… 1…
Anathallo, Canopy Glow: So I’ve never heard this record, but I decided about a month ago after reading a blurby review in some magazine that I like them. And I’m sticking with that. The review I saw compared them to Kate Bush, and more bands mimicking her is a-okay by me. Joe has, in fact, heard this record, I think, and I believe that he likes it, but does not love it. I’m still deciding whether I will ever actually listen to this.
Isobell Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Sunday at Devil Dirt: People — meaning folks who are not me — will like this, I’m sure.
Bruce Springsteen/Suicide, Dream Baby Dream: Yes this is real. Bruce covering the Suicide classic live, and then a Suicide live version, too. Nice oddball new arrival.
Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid, NYC: I’m gonna listen later today, but I’m expecting a glitch a second!
Max Tundra, Parallax Error Beheads You: Aha! I was all confused a while ago when everyone was talking about that 24 Postcards in Full Colour classical-ish record. How was the guy who made that bloopy Mastered By Guy at Exchange record making classical music??? And now I finally get it. One was Max Richter (classical-ish dude) and the other was Max Tundra (this guy). And this is his new record.
Kid 606, Die Soundboy Die: Like pretty much all Kid 606 stuff, sounds like a headache you sometimes don’t hate having.
Various Artists, Jump Back: Hey look! A James Brown tribute that doesn’t suck! Start with Kashmere Stage Band’s “Super Bad.” Well done, kids.
The Story Of, Until the Autumn: Joe likes this one. It’s today’s Moment of Indie.
I’m still deciding whether I will ever actually listen to this.
My hero, sir. You are my hero.
hahaha. that line was for you, my friend. it’s also true!
There’s also this bloggy thing:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Little-Boots-Arecibo-MP3-Download/11331255.html
I like the Anathallo just fine. Expected to like it more. It reminded me a little too much of Sufjan, which is not so much my thing.
I do like Ladyhawke. I think you just take it for what it is – a solid pop record. The first half is better for the second. Prolly wouldn’t go to war to defend it, but many good songs.
Awww, we don’t get the new Belle and Sebastian BBC Sessions recordings? It’s a Matador release and we have everything else of theirs…
We’ll get the B&S in the US early next year. There’s plenty more awesome stuff to download in the meantime!
psyched about the tundra.
any chance of his older albums?
Yeah, I definitely think we’ll get them at some point. We are missing weird odds and ends from the Domino catalogue that I expect to come in at some point (Franz Ferdinand exempted).
Hey, there is a new album from Distance that dropped today as well.
I thought the last album was just fantastic dubstep/IDM, got high hopes for this one.
I would think it would be worth mentioning
Of course I am all over the Black Saint / Soul Note releases…woot!
LOL
Mint Records’ Ridiculously Late eMusic Sampler
So when were they supposed to get it to you
PS Gil Shaham is freakin amazing, the kind of guy with a tone so liquid and beautiful that it makes old ladies spill open their purses for their local orchestras AND the kind of guy who rewards repeated listenings, who finds new things in very old pieces and makes you hear those things. The Elgar is still a sort of runt of the major concerto litter (most people’s ears still perk up when they hear the opening bars of the Tchaikovsky, the Mendelssohn, et al, even if they can’t name what they’re hearing), and that’s probably because it’s so moody — Elgar was a seriously sulky dude, a 19th-century Morrissey. IF you have any curiosity at all, you should absolutely snag this one. It’s gorgeous.
For dubstep fans: The Bug’s “London Zoo” is now available in the US:
http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Bug-London-Zoo-MP3-Download/11329009.html
Thanks Daniel I missed it in my electronic RSS (or maybe I haven’t come across it yet)
I’ve Been waking up to Poisen Dart since the EVR show played it
Did the Bruce Cockburn albums arrive today? I see 18 of them now. I didn’t notice that many prior to this evening.
While I have most of them on CD, none of mine are the deluxe editions – it will be good to get the extra tracks. Thanks, eMusic.
Oh, heh heh, I suppose I sounded ungrateful; not so! Thanks for the great music day, emusic!!!
“Isobell Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Sunday at Devil Dirt: People — meaning folks who are not me — will like this, I’m sure”
Their first collaboration — Ballad of the Brokern Seas — was a great listen: Terse and dirty and gritty and filled with wierdo sexual tension. The samples on the new one, I admit, sound much less compelling.
anathallo: don’t get the cake bush comparison. don’t get the record, either.
The Cockburn came in last week. Can you recommend a couple of records to start with, ruadork?
“People — meaning folks who are not me —”
Oh, no. You didn’t just say that…
Yeah I’d like to know where to start with the Cockburn also. Please!
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question (sorry if it’s not), but is eMusic getting Fennesz’s new album “Black Sea” and, if so, are we getting it on street date?
(FWIW, I think the label is Touch UK).
I was massively in love with Anathallo’s “Floating World” and was super excited about this one. But…I almost have no opinion of it. I’ve listened to it about 12 times now over a few weeks time and I can’t remember a single memorable moment from it (vs. the multitude of memorable moments on Floating World). I’ll keep trying, but so far it’s one of my biggest disappointments of the year. BUT this being said, last year I absolutely despised Frightened Rabbit…and what do you know, Midnight Organ Fight ended up my #1 of 2008. I’m willing to bite my words every once in a while.
Joe, I’m digging that The Story Of (yet another band who appears to be determined to unGoogleable). A couple of the tracks are dead-on Mew (or at least from the samples). I’ll probably grab the whole thing as soon as I refresh. And I must say that I really love the cover art.
Cockburn recommendations:
Waiting for a Miracle is a best-of. That might be a good place to start if you’re interested in his “hits” (for lack of a better term).
Stealing Fire and Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws are probably his most popular albums.
From the albums that are currently on eMusic, my personal favorites are Stealing Fire and Humans. The Charity of Night came out on Rykodisc and isn’t available here – that’s another one I recommend.
And don’t let the cover art for any of them scare you away.
Oh come now, Yancey, what have you got against Mark Lanegan? He’s got that wonderful smokey voice that just says “take me, take me now.” Or maybe that’s just me…
I still prefer him to Smog.
@ptolemyclark: Yeah, it sounds very cool! I only listened a bit yesterday, but am gonna spend more time with it today.
Okay, ptolemyclark, if you had not pointed out Story Of I would have missed it at the bottom of the list…and now I’m angry. I only have so many downloads a month, you know. But how worthwhile this one is. Damn your good taste in music. You and joe of course.
Can you say “contradiction in terms”?
You are just trying to provoke me aren’t you Tom?
also also also: new /rupture!!! a collaboration with any moor of the Ex!!!! and from what i can tell it is every bit as awesome as that sounds like it would be. better even than the other big Ex collaboration, Kat Ex and Jon Langford (KatJonBand) which wasn’t great but still gave you a glimpse of what the Evens might have sounded like if they weren’t boring (sorry, Ian).
dude the evens are rad!
“You are just trying to provoke me aren’t you Tom?”
seems that way HAHAHA
uh-oh guys we’re at 30 replies, Yancey may become testy. But that’s ok becasue I still love him :wub:
For anybody as intrigued and frustrated by jrn’s coment as I was; the album is Patches by dj/rupture and Andy Moor, and it’s here:
http://www.emusic.com/album/DJ-rupture-Patches-MP3-Download/11298645.html
And thanks so much for the Black Saint/Soul Note stuff guys. This is great. It’ll probably take me years to sort through it all.
Black Saint/Soul Note might be the biggest and best get of all time–at least until the full DIW catalog arrives (hint hint). Nice one, eMu.
Oooh, now DIW would be a fantastic addition
Yancey, listen to My Delirium from the Ladyhawke album… great pop chorus! If it was summertime that would be the no 1 track for sure.
As for the Evens, they suck. I love Fugazi, but just didn’t get the Evens.
What’s the scoop on ECM label? Are you getting their whole catalogue? There was a new release of theirs I was intrigued by and it’s not listed – Bob Stenson if you need to know.
Has anyone heard Stereo Total? A friend played me their comp Party Anticonformiste and I am in love. Great 60;s-90s pastiche of indie and pop, hip hop and electronics, all sung in french and german. Couldn;t help thing of serge gainsburugh (sp?)!
Also loving that DJ /rupture album Uproot. suberb! Will def check this new one!
@Daniel Esq – I’d say London Zoo is more dancehall than dubstep most certainly!
“Also loving that DJ /rupture album Uproot. suberb! ”
Cosign * 1000. From the samples of his last album, I thought of DJ/rupture as more of a break-beat (I think that’s the right term) artist, but this new disc is — to me — dubstep.
And Mr. B, isn’t “London Zoo” awesome? So much energy and anger and life, cleaner production than I expected, hook-filled songs and killer vocalists. V., v. impressed.
“Cosign * 1000″
What do you mean by this?
“London Zoo” is a real pleasure, I listened to it constantly when i first downloaded it but since today have been swamped with other stuff. It is great and I agree, some very killer vocalists. Love the sub bass ramblings of Killa P & Flowdan.
“Cosign * 1000″ means that I share your opinion just as — or maybe even more — enthusiastically as you do (I’m cosigning/endorsing it 1000 times).
To me, The Bug is now among the best handful of pop/rock releases of the year (I guess along with TVOTR, Deerhunter, and Portishead), but there’s still Kanye West’s “Heartbreak” and Fennesz “Black Sea” upcoming.
TVOTR is good but it’s only half an album for me… I find my attention strays mid way.
Let’s Wrestle has them all in a headlock for best pop/rock release imho
oh, forgot… thanks for cosign definition