na: melvin davis, the posies

The year-end slowdown continues today. A quick run through the stuff we found – let me know what I missed!

Melvin Davis, Detroit Soul Ambassador: VAMPISOUL DOES IT AGAIN. Fantastic compilation of Detroit soul singer that simmers and grooves. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The Posies, Blood/Candy: New one from the Posies! If you liked them before, you know what to expect here: sugary harmonies, big choruses, rippling guitars – power pop finery for all.

8 Ball, Doin’ it Big: Latest from Memphis rapper sounds about the same as he always has – slow, drawling flow over synth-heavy, codeine style-beats. Club music if everyone in your club moves in slow-motion.

Jazmine Sullivan, Love Me Back: I’m fully on board with Jazmine Sullivan – she walks a fine line between ’60s R&B and more contemporary stuff. Her voice is perfectly controlled and evocative – fans of Duffy and Adele, this is your new jam.

Limbeck, Hi, Everything’s Great: New country-tinged guitar pop from Limbeck originally released in 2003 – earnest, warm vocals, immediate melodies and bright, radiant guitar jangle. Think mid-period REM, or maybe even Rhett Miller, and you’re getting close.

The Russian Futurists, The Weights on the Wheels: New one from the Russian Futurists. They never fully clicked with me, but I know others like them. Nice, bouncy, boy/girl indiepop, hummable hooks, bright and sunshiney.

Jenny-O, Home: Sounds OK! Tiny female vocals, gentle guitar, kinda come-hither sounding one minute, shy and retiring the next.

Silver Rocket, Silver Rocker: Band takes its name from a Sonic Youth song, but the music here is a bit more concrete. Which is not a bad thing – kinda talky/droney vocals and grizzled guitars. At times reminiscent of a slower Fall, at times more revved up and dissonant. RECOMMENDED

OMD, History of Modern: New one from electro pioneers OMD. I haven’t listened to this yet, but Dazzle Ships is a straight classic. I’ve heard mixed things – you be the judge.

Miguel, All I Want is You: Pretty fantastic-sounding new R&B record boasting breakout single “All I Want is You” (Not a U2 cover. Thank God.) Sean put me on to this, and it sounds pretty good – spry, polished, sleek.

Tristeza, Paisajes: Hey, it’s a new Tristeza record! Burbling post-rock a la Sea & Cake and others – darting bass, tiny guitars, loose and limber and instrumental.

Okto Echo, La 5e Route Bleue: This sounds lovely – instrumental, slow, meditative, lots of tranquil piano and brittle oud. As soft as the surging sea.

Miko, Chandelier: Miko put out a record a few years ago with an elephant on the cover that I thought was really lovely. This also sounds lovely – tiny, delicate vocals, mistlike synthesizers, lots of atmospherics, very dreamy and sedate. RECOMMENDED

Kiloton, Language Lost: An aptly-named album, that’s for sure. Voiceless drones, low rumbles, general ominousness.

Ikara Colt Singles: Ikara Colt! I loved this band, and they broke up! Jagged, nasty, snarling – like the Fall but meaner, somehow. This comes as part of a huge haul of singles and EPs from the excellent Fantastic Plastic label.

Glee Cast Albums: Hey, look, it’s the Glee soundtracks.

Nobunny/Jacuzzi Boys, “Scion A/V Garage”: Split single from the awesome garage kingpin Nobunny and the awesome garage kingprinces Jacuzzi Boys.

Poly Styrene, “Black Christmas”: WHOAH! Poly Styrene Christmas single!! Poly fronted the legendary X-Ray Spex (whose amazing Germfree Adolescents I didn’t realize we had) at the ripe old age of 18. She continues her tradition of excellence with this dubby Xmas single. Do I need to say it? RECOMMENDED

Deer Tick, “Holy Shit, It’s Christmas!”: Rough & rowdy Christmas single from Deer Tick! Sounds like “Johnny B. Goode” after a carton of Marlboros.

Ladytron, “Ace of HZ”: New Ladytron single! It’s been a while!