na: obits, charlie louvin
The year is winding down and so there aren’t many marquee new releases to discuss. However, there are a few notable new additions worth checking out. Here they are.
Obits, 7″: Maybe you’ve heard of Obits and maybe you haven’t. But my post on Obits’ first-ever show is still one of the five most-read posts in the history of 17 Dots. So that should give you an idea of the underground fanaticism about this generically named band. You see, Obits is the work of Rick Froberg, who was behind Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes, aka three of the greatest post-hardcore bands ever. Obits, whose debut will be released by Sub Pop next year, furthers the work of those past bands. I must admit to being underwhelmed by their first gig (Sohrab from the band rightly put me in my place in the comments), but this single is great. “Put It In Writing,” the B-side, is already a fast favorite of mine.
Charlie Louvin, Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs: Someone over at Tompkins Square sure woke up feeling apocalyptic last year. First we get the excellent People Take Warning! Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs comp, and now we get Mr. Louvin tackling the same subject. Our reviewer really liked the album a lot. I have yet to listen.
Vampire Weekend, The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance: New Vampire Weekend single. The one B-side is a Chromeo remix of “The Kids…”
Zomby, Zomby EP: Not nearly as good as the “Mu5h” single or Where Were U in ‘92?. There are a couple of good songs; just don’t hit “download all” expecting greatness.
Deerheart, Queen, Worker, Drone: Do you like the Jesus Lizard? Even better, do you like Mule or Big Black? Say hello to your favorite new record.
Sir Colin Davis, Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4: I’m not even going to try to fake on Sibelius, but Colin Davis and the LSO are of course a big deal, so just letting everyone know this arrived today.
Sune Rose Wagner, Sune Rose Wagner: Solo debut from Raveonettes dude. Sounds just like them except everything’s in Danish.
Country Teasers/Ezee Tiger, Split: The Teasers are one of my favorite bands ever — I have a great 20-track primer for them I should share — and despite being listed as a split EP or something, this is pretty much a new album from Ben Wallers and whatever pals decided to join him this month. And, well, after one listen, I have to say that the two Ezee Tiger songs are the best things on here. And that makes me sad. (Except that, well, the Ezee Tiger songs are pretty great, but you know what I mean.)
Also worth noting is The Welcome Wagon’s debut “Welcome to the Welcome Wagon.” Yes, it sounds almost EXACTLY like a Sufjan Stevens album, but that’s partially because he’s at the helm and it’s on Asthmatic Kitty. It’s made up of Vito & Monique Aiuto (yes, it’s the very same Vito from Michigan’s “Vito’s Ordination Song”), and both have been guests on past Sufjan projects.
An even more exciting Sibelius new arrival is Symphonies 3 & 5 from the Ondine label – part of a cycle from Leif Segerstam and the Helsiniki Phil. I just rediscovered Symphony No. 5 – so good. More peaks and valleys than a Thomas’ English Muffin, and Finns do right by it.
Got the Obits this morning and am very happy. Really looking forward to the full-length. (On Sub Pop, though? I don’t suppose emusic will be getting the Sub Pop catalog anytime soon, eh?) But now you have me curious: What are the other four most-read posts on 17 Dots?
think there’s a chance Matador’s going to drop the new deluxe version of Pavement’s “Brighten the Corners” on eMu?
OOOH. I nearly missed the new Fire On Fire album “The Orchard” on Young God (home of Akron/Family, Angels of Light, Lisa Germano, Devendra Banhart, Mi & L’au). Michael Gira describes them as “A backwoods, fierce, psychedelic Mamas And The Papas or a crazed and joyously vengeful gospel string band.” And he’s right. VERY VERY GOOD!! Had it come out earlier in the year it would have been a contender for my Top 10.
omg ptole, you are basically throwing out bait and a lure to joe and i with that recommendation. DEFINITELY going to grab that.
Ok now not only are my RSS feeds missing album art but 90% of new releases also are missing album art on their page/in their tag (and ofcourse none of the ones listed here are)
I also want to check out Ptole’s suggestion
“Solo debut from Raveonettes dude. Sounds just like them except everything’s in Danish.”
That has got to be the best review ever written.
ptole, you’ve definitely piqued my interest as well. i’ll have to check those guys out.
ummm….. what about Fennesz’ “Black Sea”? No mention? That’s a Best of 08 list amending record if there ever was one.