Comments on: new arrivals

By: Andy S. (aka Drooch)

Andy S. (aka Drooch) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:11:46 +0000

I generally look askance at young indie rock bands that stick too close to vintage formulas, but I must say I liked today’s free daily DL from The Pains. I’m also psyched about the Pylon album. I still have my original vinyl copy of Gyrate, but I’ll probably grab this appended digital version. I love Belle & Sebastian and will probably grab at least some of the BBC tracks (ah, the joys of cherry-picking); though some of them, like The State I Am In, are very close to versions I already have. Not sure about the Willie and the Wheel album. Wille is a bit hit and miss for me. I guess I like seeing him live more than I like most of his recorded output. Sampled the Ben Kweller and was not enthralled. Not sure he has the voice for country-flavored material.

By: WJPurdy

WJPurdy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:29:27 +0000

57 replies, and not a snark to be seen.

Looks like we did your job for you, Yancey, but something’s definitely missing. Come back soon.

By: alex

alex — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:14:51 +0000

Thanks Daniel! A weird, cool, big day in general, definitely.

@ Adamm: It will come back on 2/17

By: Adamm

Adamm — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:13:51 +0000

What happened to the Abe Vigoda EP that was briefly added yesterday? Hopefully it will come back?

By: Daniel, Esq.

Daniel, Esq. — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:56:02 +0000

More congratulations, Alex! The disc has been getting great reviews, and this morning’s review is, I’d imagine, a very big deal:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/148850-the-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart-the-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart

By: dave

dave — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:48:40 +0000

Ben Kweller’s bassist is in a band with the Bad Plus’ drummer.

It’s a Minneapolis thing.

Go Wendy Lewis! That Bad Plus record is wicked awesome. Modern jazz standards.

By: SaraDevil

SaraDevil — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:52:25 +0000

This is a new arrival though not terribly new but worth mentioning for all the closet goths out there (you know who you are with your hidden Bahaus records) but emu got a nice collection of Faith and the Muse. Let’s blitz out on oblivion.

http://www.emusic.com/artist/Faith-And-The-Muse-MP3-Download/11520835.html

I was not impressed with the new Phosphorescent, I have their last album which was mostly just okay.

The HB’s were even better than I could have hoped for. I was so excited to see this come in to Emusic. I heard they switched labels and was worried that we might not get the new record. I even forgive the unnecessary use of steel guitar.

I love the Von Bondies, such a happy New Wave feel with those guys and I’m a fan of new wave.

Here we go Magic remind me of a cross between the intensity of RAA with the raw exuberance of Caribou and some Fuck Button (Saw them in concert, if you get a chance, do!) sensibility thrown in for good measure.

Not overly fussed on the Belle and Sebastian.

Interesting crop.

By: Wad City

Wad City — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:57:13 +0000

I’m excited for Pains! Kurt Cobain’s Cardigan was one of my faves for 2008. So good to have Slumberland back. To me, this album fits perfectly between Black Tambourine and Vivian Girls.

Three other records that have yet to get any love around here:
(1) Benjy Ferree – Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee, Bobby Dee
http://www.emusic.com/album/Benjy-Ferree-Come-Back-To-The-Five-And-Dime-Bobby-Dee-Bobby-De-MP3-Download/11374624.html

“Fear” is my favorite song of the year so far. This record takes some time — it’s a concept album of sorts and it’s stylistically all over the place — it’s centered in bluesy rock, but there is a lot of gospel, doo-wap, and other nods to music of the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. The entry point for a lot of folks seems to be White Stripes, but I personally don’t really see it all that much. But this record does not do well w/ 30 second samples, I promise. As a whole, though, it hangs for me just fine.

I just wish Domino would do some promotion. Like last years Un Dia by Juana Molina and The Kills’ Midnight Boom, I’m afraid Benjy’s record is going to be criminally underheard.

(2) Hume Presents the Phat Daughter String Quartet
http://www.emusic.com/album/Hume-Hume-Presents-The-Phat-Daughter-String-Quartet-MP3-Download/11374332.html

This is somewhere between The Rachel’s and Final Fantasy — modern 3 minute classical w/ indie vocals popping up here and there. The 2nd half of the record is dub versions of the 1st four songs. This SHOULD NOT WORK, but it does. Go figure.

(3) Mi Ami – Echonoecho EP
http://www.emusic.com/album/Mi-Ami-Echononecho-MP3-Download/11371126.html

Two dudes from the Black Eyes produce 2 8 minute tribe dub gems, full of propulsive rhythm and spazz-guitar overtures and screechy yelping vocals, in advance of their full length on Quarterstick next month (will this be on emu?)

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:39:53 +0000

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is a beautiful record.
Melodies, ahhh…, Songs, uhhh…

By: mogwaione

mogwaione — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:06:19 +0000

I’m going to the Pains show at the Black Cat too and I can’t wait. I’m also going to the show in Baltimore next month.