na: Dirty Projectors, Mos Def, etc.

09Jun09

Orca, please

So the biggest news in today’s new arrivals is undoubtedly the Dirty Projectors’ latest. Message board nerds have been hailing it as a major achievement ever since it leaked (two months ago). Of course, said message board nerds are now retreating on their claims, just in time for the other 98 percent of the world to hear it — on its release date. Brave new world we live in. (Side note: just checked Pitchfork, and whaddya know.)

Anyway, since I am clearly one of those message board nerds, here’s the opinion you didn’t ask for: pretty much exactly like Merriweather Post Pavilion, another record that hit the world with an enormous critical buzz trailing it, this record has exactly three mind-blowingly awesome songs. They are the first, the second, and the fourth. The rest of this just sounds suffocatingly overwrought to me — and I don’t mean that at all in the emotional sense of that word. More layers, more sections, more filigree doesn”t (necessarily) mean better. Also, when Dave Longstreth starts trilling, I kind of want to duck and hide from my speakers.

Bullshit rumination: it seems to me that overhyped records these days are either 1) over-embroidered to the point of claustrophobia (see: this one, Grizzly Bear’s latest, which I like a LOT more than this one) or 2) the exact opposite; forcedly lo-fi and slapdash to the point of protesting too much — hello, Wavves! Thoughts?

Other stuff today:

Mos Def, The Ecstatic – I haven’t listened to this yet. Joe played me a track where Mos Def was actually rapping, and it sounded like actual rapping, not “hoogity boogity” sub-Cab Calloway bullshit or bad singing or awkward reggae toasting. I also didn’t hear any Mudvayne guitars or meandering horn solos. So, plus on that one. Maybe there are some actual beats on this one!

………..Maybe I’ll just go listen to Black On Both Sides again.

Andy Milne, Where Is Pannonica? – This sounds nice — cocktail-piano jazz turned into modernist paint splashes. Rob? Little help??

British Sea Power, Man of Aran – I have never listened to this band. I have never been able to get over A) their name and B) the fact that they actually called a record Do You Like Rock Music? These seem like solid reasons to me. Anyone wanna tell me why I’m being an idiot??

DJ Quik & Kurupt, BlaQKout – This album is so, so, so, SO much better than that other record called with Blackout that also featured rappers whose fame peaked before the second Clinton Administration. DJ Quik just refuses to stop. “Ohh” is my pick of the day — just a headspinning break. Kurupt sounds better than he has since I don’t know. But a long time. If you have even the slightest affinity for West Coast rap, download.

The Beets, Spit In The Face of People Who Don’t Want to Be Cool – Have seen these dudes live twice, and both times they have annoyed me. Will give the record a chance, though — “Happy But On My Way” is a jam.

What else did we find?

jayson.

Filed under: eMusic, editorial, music, new arrivals | 50 Comments

50 Responses to “na: Dirty Projectors, Mos Def, etc.”

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1 Poop on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Thanks. Any word on when we can expect Grizzly Bear? St. Vincent? Camera Obscura?

I appreciate any insight.
2 qwynwyn on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Some other releases I spotted (sorry for the lack of direct links):

Starlight Mints / Change Remains: http://www.emusic.com/album/Starlight-Mints-Change-Remains-MP3-Download/11462211.html

Portland Cello Project featuring Thao (Nguyen) and Justin Power (who is this guy?): http://www.emusic.com/album/Portland-Cello-Project-The-Thao-Justin-Power-Sessions-MP3-Download/11450149.html

Aventura / The Last: http://www.emusic.com/album/Aventura-The-Last-MP3-Download/11451299.html (I read an interesting review about this group and album in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/arts/music/07rose.html)
3 ptolemyclark on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I’m back and forth on British Sea Power, but the simple fact that the same band that did the absolutely perfect pop song “Please Stand Up” has now re-scored a 1934 silent film with a post-rock soundtrack definitely has me intrigued.
4 jayson on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Hey guys -

The Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent, and Camera Obscura are all held back for now. We’ll let you know as soon as they are scheduled, though.
5 qwynwyn on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

OK, I found more stuff looking through Mutantis’s handy list of new arrivals:

Todd Snider / The Excitement Plan: http://www.emusic.com/album/Todd-Snider-The-Excitement-Plan-MP3-Download/11460270.html (new release from Yep Roc, samples sound good)

Two (returned?) releases from Richard Cheese, uncensored and censored:
Best of: http://www.emusic.com/album/Richard-Cheese-The-Sunny-Side-Of-The-Moon-The-Best-Of-Richard-Ch-MP3-Download/11476222.html
Tuxicity: http://www.emusic.com/album/Richard-Cheese-Tuxicity-MP3-Download/11476235.html

Los Amigos Invisibles / Commercial: http://www.emusic.com/album/Los-Amigos-Invisibles-Commercial-MP3-Download/11474503.html

Eddie Floyd / Sweet Soul: http://www.emusic.com/album/Eddie-Floyd-Sweet-Soul-MP3-Download/11475611.html

Cornelius / Gum EP: http://www.emusic.com/album/Cornelius-Gum-MP3-Download/11475636.html
6 ptolemyclark on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I recommend Other Girls: http://www.emusic.com/album/Other-Girls-Perfect-Cities-MP3-Download/11450157.html My first instinct says that it’s sort of a mix of Band of Horses and Mew.
7 jah on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I’m with qwynwyn on Todd Snider’s new one. Just listening to it now.
8 jah on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I’m with qwynwyn on Todd Snider’s new one. Listening to it right now.
9 Capnjck on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Rhett Miller?
10 zak on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

New Blank Dogs single “Slow Room” (http://www.emusic.com/album/Blank-Dogs-Slow-Room-MP3-Download/11474347.html) is out as well. Nice to see his label Captured Tracks show up on here with that and the Beets album. Do we know if any other Captured Tracks releases will be coming to eMusic?
11 Tim on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Here’s what I wrote about the retardedly titled “Do You Like Rock Music?” on my year-end list for 2008 (written under my secret –now largely disgraced — superhero guise as timabouttown):

Roaringly, soaringly massive, in the grand British tradition of massivity: Stone Roses, Pink Floyd, Echo, Comsat Angels, My Bloody Valentine, heck, Flock of Seagulls. Not that it sounds much like any of those, mind you. It DOES sound like a stadium full of guitars, only louder…except when it gets very quiet and pretty. Kind of like The Verve that way, only way hookier. The previous EP made my 2007 list. This is even better. Hooks to burn. Massive. I’m not at all surprised that it placed so high on the emu survey for best releases ever.

And not for nuthin,’ it earns the coveted green box of approval…man, oh, man, I MISS the pink checks! Bring ‘em back!!!

For all the massivity of DYLRM (aka, TOWTRT, or, The One With The Retarded Title), I don’t find it suffocatingly overwraught. It’s just geetars, with evenly divisible time signatures. Just, you know, massive, with a retarded title.

Anyway, this new record is nothing like that. It’s almost entirely instrumental — tonally (and now that I think about it, thematically) somewhere between loud Sigur Rios and quiet(er) Mogwai. Even if you thought the other stuff was too TOO, you should give this one a spin.
12 JonathanL on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

British Sea Power’s “Do You Like Rock Music?” is one of four or five downloads I’d like to return if humanly possible for better music. So no, you’re not dumb for just moving on.

Looking forward to rifling through this stuff.
13 jayson on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Capnjck -

The Rhett Miller was never delivered. Looking into it….
14 Capnjck on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Thx Jayson
15 gary on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

And lets not forget about Sonic Youth. Any idea on dates?

Also, with the forthcoming rate increase are we going to see these “holds” lifted? Would be nice to see big releases available on day one….
16 DJRon on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Howsabout Sonny Landreth’s re-release of Leveetown with additional tracks. He has reissued it on his own label, which is carried here on emusic.
17 Gon on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Good to hear that Grizzly Bear, Camera Obscura, and St. Vincent are all on their way! Please keep us updated with the dates — trying to hold out from buying those albums if possible!
18 Umax on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Hey, don’t forget about long time punkers Anti-Flag! their new album dropped today

[url]http://www.emusic.com/album/Anti-Flag-The-People-or-The-Gun-MP3-Download/11475345.html[/url]
19 Neil on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I understand that you guys want to keep moving forward, which is why the blog postings are continuing. However, your continued silence towards the ever-growing anger of your subscribers does nothing but make them feel as though they’re being ignored and unimportant.

Is that how you want us to feel?
20 Colin Smith on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I’m with Neil on this one. Just, don’t get it.

Anyhow, BSP’s Do You Like Rock Music? is awesome. Shame their latest will be my last BSP download from emusic.
21 cafreema on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I need to put a plug in for one of my favorite bands: The Alarmists. Really good poppy rock with a little alt country flavor. They certainly aren’t ground breaking, but what they do they do well.

I haven’t heard the new album yet, but all their prior work is in heavy rotation on my iPod.

Craig
22 qwynwyn on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

I saw that Anti-Flag album – I’ll sample and see how I like it.
23 Marcus on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

By the way, you can get the new Mos Def on Amazon, for the low price of $3.99, which is much lower than the new rates you’re getting from eMusic.

Take care!
24 nergal on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

@qwynwyn Good Call on the Cello Project Woot (Justin power re Google is a local boy with a local band FYI)

__________________________________________________________________________________

@people complaining re new eMusic BLAH BLAH BLAH there’s a place to air those griefs please stop fucking up my vibe by willy nilly killing 17Dots THEY ARE THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND DO NOT MAKE COMMAND DECISIONS they’ve been nice enough to let the other posts on other entries go, I haven’t. Fucking your post on the correct thread if you have to but let eMusic as a business answer you in it’s own time and let the editorial staff be an editorial staff.
25 lemoneyes on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

My main finds:

Starlight Mints
http://www.emusic.com/album/Starlight-Mints-Change-Remains-MP3-Download/11462211.html

The Tremulance
http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Tremulance-Polaroids-MP3-Download/11475606.html

Delay Trees
http://www.emusic.com/album/Delay-Trees-Soft-Construction-EP-MP3-Download/11475866.html

The Gathering
http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Gathering-The-West-Pole-MP3-Download/11475659.html

Datarock
http://www.emusic.com/album/Datarock-Red-MP3-Download/11474493.html

Gypsy Tailwind
http://www.emusic.com/album/Gypsy-Tailwind-Grace-MP3-Download/11457804.html
26 DJ Adequate on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

The new Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey is nice for old folks like me that remember the db’s.
27 jayson on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

(Slight) update on Rhett –

Rhett was delivered to Canada, but has yet to show up in the US. We’re talking to their label to see what the situation is. Sorry for delay……
28 jrn on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Beat Dimensions Vol. 2 (B)
http://www.emusic.com/album/Cinnaman-Jay-Scarlett-present-Beat-Dimensions-Vol-2-B-MP3-Download/11457789.html

dimlite, fulgeance, samiyam, dorain concept. sick beats for your head. also check out Vol. 2 (A) for a sick track from Nosaj Thing, who’s currently givin FlyLo a run for his money.

(also check out Nosaj Thing’s full length if you want to hear a masterpiece.)

OH!! PS!!
@people complaining about people complaining about re:new eMusic….

dude. let the people speak. creating a space where people can’t just say whatever makes for way worse vibes…
29 Daniel, Esq. on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Jayson, I disagree with you. I was no fan before, but this Dirty Projectors disc is rock-solid, top-to-bottom. So far this year, I think the critics have it right. The best three new rock/pop discs I’ve heard: Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors and Grizzly Bear.
30 Jayson on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Rhett Miller should be up Thursday, everybody.
31 Capnjck on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

Thanks Jayson.

This also came out today for anyone who’s interested.

http://www.emusic.com/album/Miike-Snow-Miike-Snow-MP3-Download/11469537.html
32 Nergal on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

OK I already said it But everyone MUST download qwynwyn’s suggested Portland Cello Project and eMusic must seek out Justin Power for selects holy shit this is good !!!
Pick of the week (if not month)
33 kevin k on Jun 9th, 2009 said:

this record has exactly three mind-blowingly awesome songs. They are the first, the second, and the fourth. The rest of this just sounds suffocatingly overwrought to me — and I don’t mean that at all in the emotional sense of that word. More layers, more sections, more filigree doesn”t (necessarily) mean better.

uh, did you listen to “two doves”?
34 ilya on Jun 10th, 2009 said:

I’m so happy Mos Def used that standout Madlib “Movie Finale” beat from this Beat Konducta series.

This is the first instance I’ve seen anyone use it. If anyone’s knows others I’m all ears. Overall a really good effort from Mos, but the lyrics can be shoddy and less affective than his previous stuff.

The Beets are a really cool new find. I’m enjoying it. But I won’t lie, I was disappointed in not hearing “I Need More Allowance” somewhere on there. Damn.
35 jayson on Jun 10th, 2009 said:

kevin k -

I have! A great tune, totally sweet and pretty. I wish there were a few more on the album with that kind of quiet focus and breathing room!
36 Marcus on Jun 10th, 2009 said:

Nergal, I didn’t see a complaint in my post, but I’m sorry I hurt your little feelings. Well, actually I’m not that sorry–you’re obviously stupid.

I was actually helping you, if you had a brain enough to think about your download count versus some alternatives. See, if you see something you can save downloads on by getting it a bit cheaper elsewhere, you’re then free to use your precious lower download count on some of the other bands mentioned in the post, you silly little troll.

It was topical, because it was an artist actually mentioned in the post, unlike your non topical rant and projection upon my post.
37 Little Ol' Me on Jun 10th, 2009 said:

I didn’t know eMusic was available in North Korea. Good for you, Nergal. But here in the Free World, we can speak openly and honestly, where we please and when we please. People are angry. Being an eMusic apologist is one thing. Being a message board Big Brother is quite the other. Sorry about “fucking up your vibe.” Just lean back. Relax. This will all be over soon.
38 kevin k on Jun 10th, 2009 said:

Ha okay jayson, “two doves” (which is probably my favorite) is the fifth track on the album and thus your criticisms seemed unfit for it in particular, though i can see where you’re coming from on the more layered tracks.

Mentioning “breathing room” is interesting, though; one of the best things about the dirty prjectors is the beautiful dissonance created by their myriad simulatneous movements, but I think they also do a very nice job of letting their tunes open up when the situation calls for it. Check the breakdown to “useful chamber” or the chorus to “fluorescent half-dome” for just a couple of the moments which seem to exist in space rather than be piled on by other elements. You might not come around, but this was a real grower for me.
39 sarah on Jun 10th, 2009 said:

Dirty projectors is also available at Lala.com for 3.99 – might be a wash depending on your dl ratio.

For fans of the aforementioned, great (nergal seems to have good taste in music despite his – could girl really get that angry? – foul mouth) Portland cello project and Dirty Projectors: Deradoorian “Mind Raft EP”, which was produced by fellow Dirty Projector Dave Longstreth. Plenty of breathing room here – maybe too much? I love it.

Also more breathing room: Mokira’s newest on the great Type UK records label

http://www.emusic.com/album/Mokira-Persona-MP3-Download/11381195.html

Peace, love, oh…and capitalism, aka the music industry.
40 ruadork on Jun 11th, 2009 said:

Happy to find Placebo’s new one:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Placebo-Battle-For-The-Sun-MP3-Download/11469610.html

Of course it’s one day after I used all of my downloads for the month.
41 Latch on Jun 11th, 2009 said:

where’s Rhett Miller’s new one?????
42 Jordan on Jun 11th, 2009 said:

Rhett Miller is still not up. Any further info? Thanks.
43 joe on Jun 11th, 2009 said:

hey guys – minor delay on our end on the Rhett; should be up by Monday…we hope!
44 Gon on Jun 11th, 2009 said:

So all but three songs on Bitte Orca are “sufferingly overwrought?” No wonder you guys are selling out to Sony. Have fun writing about the Freewhelin’ Bob Dylan.
45 Jayson Greene on Jun 12th, 2009 said:

Hey guys -

The Rhett Miller made it through today! Sorry, and thanks for waiting.

http://www.emusic.com/album/Rhett-Miller-Rhett-Miller-MP3-Download/11477063.html
46 JonathanL on Jun 14th, 2009 said:

After four or five listens through Bitte Orca, I can see how it can be viewed as overwrought. I lsitened to some samples and went for it, due in no small part to overwhelming critical approval, but I can’t help but feel like there’s simply too much going on, like if 1/4 of the notes were just taken out of every song that it would just work better. I like schizophrenic, weird pop music sometimes (heck, I liked Skeletal Lamping), but Bitte Orca is a difficult listen at best.

And here I keep reading it’s their most accessible yet. WOW.
47 Neil on Jun 15th, 2009 said:

Bitte Orca = Hot Garbage (as in trash, not the Butch Vig project)
48 citizenwatt on Jun 19th, 2009 said:

Can we get Mos Def in the UK??
49 AndrewJames on Jun 21st, 2009 said:

Hi there, I was wondering if any sexy and expiriences (my ENGLISH SUUUCKS ;-P) (sorry that was STUPID) (so was That :S)

But Anyway, I am 100% honest to say That Im a Unkissed Christian Virgin, but now Im so Horny I just want to make love to YOU!!! p) Will anyone led me into temptation??? I know the neighboorgirl is beatiful, but shes a little to SLUTTY (:-P) for me, I need a decent woman who can make this shy underconfident man undress himself, I want you to make me scream, but most of all I want to make YOU Scream <3 (L)

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1 album review: dirty projectors

na: Dirty Projectors, Mos Def, etc.

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