I spent the weekend holed up inside waiting for the rainclouds to subside. Sometimes they poured forth; others, they simply made me hesitant to go outside with their dark ominousness. All weekend long, I wanted to test out a bike trail near here, and all weekend long, precipitation kept me chained indoors. Whatever. At least the Lakers won.
There’s a precipitation of music this week (groan). Lots of old standbys have new albums, and some reissues that will help me fill in some of the back catalog.
Iron and Wine – Around the Well: Sam Beam, my favorite woodsman (seriously, look at that beard!) is releasing a compilation of unreleased tracks and B-Sides. Interestingly, there’s also a chance to vote for the songs he’ll play at upcoming shows.
The Field – Yesterday and Today: Despite having only 6 tracks, this album clocks in at over 60 minutes. Luckily, it’s a different experience than their debut, which emerged at about the same time as fields‘ debut album, Everything Last Winter. (It looks like they have a new album coming out soon.. luckily not this week.)
Jason Lytle – Yours Truly, The Commuter: I loved Grandaddy. I once put “El Caminos in the West” on one of those mix CDs music nerds give to girls they like. I’m not sure why, because I’m pretty sure that song’s about car driving purple seals or something random. But Grandaddy’s always been about texture, and the little bit I’ve heard retains that sensibility.
Here’s a remix of one of his new songs by The Crystal Method. Obviously, not representative of the body of work, but good nonetheless:
White Rabbits – It’s Frightening: Fort Nightly was the soundtrack of the summer two years ago, with songs like The Plot and While we go Dancing weaving their music around my toes until they started a-tappin’. iTunes had this one on sale early for $6.99, but it falls a bit flat – even with Spoon’s Britt Daniels at the production helm. Maybe I’ll like it more with some extra listens.
Polly Scattergood – Please Don’t Touch: I’ve been listening to the myspace songs for what feels like ages, so I’m really excited that it’s finally out in the U.S. Polly does some great vocal acrobatics in front of an exciting backing band. Check out Nitrogen Pink, which builds and builds until the end, when it’s a rush of good time.
Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications: Jarvis Cocker. He’s not Jesus, but he’s got the same initials. He can diagnose holes in hearts and, well, in other parts of the body. He looks a bit like Daniel Faraday. He and his band practiced in an art gallery in Paris for a week. He’s the archbishop of cool sophistication. And he went and made a rock album. (btw, everyone must click on that link and watch the videos in the masthead of the page…)
Au Revoir Simone – Still Night, Still Light: ARS’ debut album was a porcelain doll in its delicate beauty such that using the above acronym to describe them feels like a desecration. I haven’t heard anything from the new one, but I hope they’ve retained some of their balance and harmonies.
Nick Cave reissues – I’m ashamed to admit that I only have two albums from Nick Cave: Dig Lazarus Dig and Murder Ballads. Luckily, a bunch of early albums, including From Her to Eternity, are being reissued in the standard remastered form tomorrow. I won’t have to be ashamed any longer.
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