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   June 4, 2008  
       
   
 
 



  One of the biggest requests that we get from Update readers is to change the format of our audio samples from Real Media to MP3. As of this week, we're making that switch so more of you will be able to preview the songs featured in our newsletter and on our CD/LP website. Your computer is most likely already set up to stream our MP3 clips, but if not you can use one of many different popular programs to play an MP3 file, including Windows Media Player, Quicktime, Real Player, iTunes and Winamp. If you would like to use a different program to play the clips, consult the help files of your mail application, browser or operating system to learn how to "Change File Associations."


 
   
       
   
         
 
FEATURED NEW RELEASES
Stars Like Fleas
Balla Et Ses Balladins
Fleet Foxes
Wierd Compilation Vol. II
Shearwater
Naked on the Vague
Eat Skull
Pan-Pot
Ellen Allien
Devon Williams
The Virgins
La Otracina
 

The Futureheads
Joe Gibbs
Thank You

ALSO AVAILABLE

Jaguar Love
Subtle
The Accidental
Ladytron
The Heavy

All of this week's new arrivals.

 
         
   
   
   
   
   
       
   
 
 

 

ANOTHER PROTEST SONG
Other Music is proud to be supporting a new project from our old friends at Creative Time, and to encourage our readers and customers to make music with a message! Another Protest Song is an art project by Angel Nevarez and Valerie Tevere, for which you can upload your own protest song and comments, or enliven your activist spirit by listening in to a range of songs on the site. What does a 21st century protest song sound like? Find out at anotherprotestsong.org. The Another Protest Song archive will be included in Creative Time's exhibition, Democracy in America: The National Campaign, at the Park Avenue Armory this September, and anybody can take part. We encourage you to check out the site and to produce your own protest songs, whatever your cause may be!

 
   
   
 
 
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  WIN TICKETS TO TRUS' ME AT APT
Up-and-coming English house producer David Wolstencroft (a/k/a Trus'me) is the latest name to be added to the list of musical greats who call Manchester home. Taking his inspiration from the deep, organic house of Moodymann and Theo Parrish, and the digital soul of J Dilla and Carl Craig, his recent 12" singles collection Working Nights is one of the best electronic records we've heard in 2008. This Friday, Trus'me makes his anticipated return to the States playing at Tha Get Up!, Duane Harriott's monthly party at Apt. We've got two pairs of tickets to give away, so don't hesitate in emailing contest@othermusic.com. The two winners will be notified on Friday morning.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6
APT: 419 West 13th Street NYC

 
   
   
 
 
JUN Sun 08 Mon 09 Tues 10 Wed 11 Thurs 12 Fri 13 Sat 14



  UPCOMING OTHER MUSIC IN-STORE EVENTS
MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND: MONDAY, JUNE 9 @ 8:30PM
Shara Worden and Co. stop by the shop to perform an in-store in support of their forthcoming new album, A Thousand Shark's Teeth, out June 17, on Asthmatic Kitty. Download the first single, "Inside a Boy," off of Other Music Digital.

THURSTON MOORE & BYRON COLEY: SATURDAY, JUNE 14 @ 6:30PM - 8PM
A reading/signing/release party with Thurston Moore and Byron Coley, celebrating the publication of their great new no wave primer "No Wave: Post-Punk. Underground. New York 1976-1980." Let's call this one the after-party for the Teenage Jesus & the Jerks/Information reunion gigs at the Knitting Factory the night before... quite a weekend!

OTHER MUSIC: 15 East 4th Street NYC
Free admission / Limited capacity



 
   
   
 
 
SEP Sun 14 Mon 15 Tues 16 Wed 17 Thurs 18 Fri 19 Sat 20



  WIN TICKETS TO THE MARS VOLTA!
This Saturday at 10AM, Mars Volta tickets go on sale for their just announced upcoming show at the Hammerstein Ballroom on September 17. But we're going to give two Other Music Update readers a chance to secure their tickets early! We're giving away two pairs of tix and all you have to do to enter is email tickets@othermusic.com. We'll be notifying the two winners this Friday morning via email. Good luck!

THE MARS VOLTA - SEPTEMBER 17
Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom: 311 West 34th Street NYC
7:00PM Doors / 8:00PM Show

Tickets on Sale Saturday, June 7th at 10:00AM
Tickets available at: livenation.com/event/getEvent/eventId/329711/ and at the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza Box Office.
To charge-by-phone dial 212.307.7171.
Tickets also available online at www.livenation.com

 
   
   
   
   
   
       
   

 

 

     
 

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  STARS LIKE FLEAS
The Ken Burns Effect
(Hometapes)

"Early Riser"
"You Are My Memoir"

Whoops, bells, whistles, giggles and snippets of conversation -- as filtered through a celebratory dream -- open Stars Like Fleas' newest. Brooklyn's ever-evolving multi-instrumental coterie has been silent on the recorded frontier since 2003's beguiling Sun Lights Down from the Fence. The Ken Burns Effect continues SLF's astral trajectory but reigns in the ethereal with more pastoral effects. "Karma's Hoax" gives way to bits and pieces of free jazz, dreamy pop and meditative drone that coalesce into an airy piano, violin and slide guitar melody with Montgomery Knott's gentle vocals atop, and "I Was Only Dancing" illuminates the Americana side with banjo and slide accents, woven into the orchestral pop and electronic flourishes. At times you can feel the spirit of the Flying Burrito Bros touching Mercury Rev and tipping a hat to Grandaddy -- but even those comparisons glaze over those subtle twinklings of brilliance that only come from repeat listening. Stars Like Fleas still dwell in the experimental realm with their digital accouterments, but The Ken Burns Effect attracts the odd more this time around with a bevy of instruments (a harp, music box, brushes, xylophone all make their appearances alongside naturalistic samples) captured here beautifully over a few years time. [LG]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  BALLA ET SES BALLADINS
The Syliphone Years
(Sterns Music)

"Bandian"
"Yo te contres Maria"

An incandescent and soaring collection from one of the greatest African dance bands of the sixties and seventies, Balla Et Ses Balladins. This set is as lovingly and informatively compiled as Sterns' other fairly recent two-disc series exploring the works of Bembeya Jazz National, the Authenticite collection, Rail Band, and Tabu Ley Rochereau and every single bit as essential. Their work is probably closest in spirit to that of fellow Gunieans Bembeya Jazz National, as both groups were at the forefront of the cultural revolution that swept through Guinea following independence (for more background read our earlier review of Bembeya Jazz). Effortlessly melding an ancient griot tradition, a heavy interest in Cuban music, and soul shattering guitar tones and textures, Balla Et Ses Balladins had a just over a decade run as one of the most consistently inventive bands on the continent. It's impossible to not get swept up in this music that is as driving as it is melancholy, uplifting as it is reflective, and there isn't one single track across these two CDs that is lacking in sheer poetic beauty. Phenomenal. [MK]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes
(Sub Pop)

"Tiger Mountain Peasant Song"
"Heard Them Stirring"

Full arrangements, deep instrumentation, and heartfelt songs earmark this debut from Fleet Foxes, who approach the singer-songwriter dilemma from an emotionally resonant, communal vibe, the importance of which on their sound cannot be understated. This band takes a lot of chances with very melodic but somewhat difficult material, and is able to translate the mastery of that difficulty into a sound of their own, something a bit like Dungen but more concerned with sweetness than maelstroms of noise, or a more Anglicized take on Yeasayer, highly polished yet hitting those same sorts of heights. As deliberate as sensitive folk music can get -- pretty stunning action here from this new Seattle outfit, members of the second string no longer. [DM]
 
         
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  VARIOUS ARTISTS
Wierd Compilation Vol. II: Analogue Electronic Music 2008
(Wierd)

"Enemies of the Earth" Tobias Bernstrup
"Malignant Tumor of the Heart" Angel of Decay

Aside from being a foray into the obsessive, very rare, contemporary world of Wierd, Vol. II aims to suggest that the use of vintage analogue synthesizers is no longer the post-apocalyptic vision of an uncertain "post-human" future (as it once was at the inception of new wave in the late-'70s), and that in the world of "click and drag" virtual software synths, the analogue instrument represents a new form of resistance in which the supposedly outdated machine is reborn as a folk instrument not unlike the acoustic guitar, violin, or hand drum. The human presence is affirmed and preserved through the artist's direct interaction with the machines and the electricity that runs through them. Hear! Hear!

Since the last compilation, the Wierd weekly has started back up with an actual dance floor and less of a clubhouse feel, and even more new local and international live acts. Wierd also organized a successful evening for Absolute Body Control, Wolf Eyes and Martial Canterel. A new generation of people are joining the old-school and getting into the sounds of minimal synth, and Wierd has become a headquarter for likeminded fans and artists alike. This over-the-top QUADRUPLE LP set features 39 tracks by 30 bands. (The pressing is unknown, but it's no doubt as limited as the first.) Also included is a 12x12", 32-page book containing over 300 photos, mostly from the night and live performances, along with band photos, bios and lyrics all housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve. Included in the booklet is the compilation's statement of purpose, which is quoted above. This thing is quite a slab!

The selections underscore the "mission statement" with many of the vocal cuts veering more toward a dynamic, analogue synth Suicide meets Cassettecombinat style of track that skillfully land closer to synth-wave/D.I.Y. than electro pop. (Wave Tank, Human Puppets, Audiodidakt, Opus Finis, Led Er Est, etc., exchange poppy bleep for more textural/visceral buzz.) The cohesive variety smacks of the same open-minded feel of Chris Carter's CTI compilations. Waves (with John Wiese) brings the piercing tone generator vibe, Carlos Giffoni presents beautifully arcing synth textures, while A2 deliver epic, pulsing synth-Krautrock. The harrowing, bottomless pit of Envenomist (David Reed) leads beautifully into Staccato Du Mal's "Su Ultimo Secreto." Of course the proper "songs" are interspersed with other more soundtrack/textural/noise tracks from artists like Angel of Decay, Demons (Nate Young and Co.), Hive Mind, Siamese Pearl, etc. And Wierd veterans Martial Canterel, Xeno and Oaklander, Epee Dubois, Three to Forgotten, Sleep Museum and Tobias Bernstrup bring the goods as expected.

Perhaps it was the statement of purpose that did it, but Vol. II definitely plays out a bit better than Vol. I managed to do, even with the daunting task of creating an eight-side listening experience. The mastering is excellent, pushing the natural grain of the synth textures up front whether used in song or soundscape. Highly recommended, very special and, of course, "very rare." [SM]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  SHEARWATER
Rook
(Matador)

"Rooks"
"The Snow Leopard"

A full band and a troubled soul follow Okkervil River keyboardist Jonathan Meiburg into the spotlight on Rook, Shearwater's first for Matador. It's a really strong effort covering a lot of emotional ground in short work of itself; severe, minimal songcraft and vocalisms similar to the works of Xiu Xiu or late-period Talk Talk marches head-on into dark, dramatic, epic rock bravado, and comes off amazingly well-balanced, given the distance one would normally expect out of those particular forms. But tracks like the Wire-influenced "Century Days," leadoff single "Rooks," and the insistently building "The Snow Leopard," display just that, nearly a contradiction in terms of how this sort of band chooses to wield its power. Check it out. [DM]

Other Music Digital is offering a FREE SONG DOWNLOAD of "Leviathan, Bound," from Shearwater's new album, Rook. Offer good until Friday, June 6.
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  NAKED ON THE VAGUE
The Blood Pressure Sessions
(Siltbreeze)

The reemergence of the Siltbreeze label has been a wonderful thing and here they knock another one out of park with this LP pressing of this Australian duo's second record (released on CD by the Australian Dual Plover label).

The Blood Pressure Sessions recalls many fantastic eras at once (I keep thinking this album would have been right at home on Industrial Records) and the band have been described by their label as "like a Death Star version of Times New Viking." Primitive drum beats, rudimentary bass plonkings, atonal male and female vocals and cracked electronics are combined in a way that transcends their simple origins yet it all adds up to one of the most listenable records in recent memory. [DMa]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  EAT SKULL
Sick to Death
(Siltbreeze)

After a cassette and a couple of seven-inches, which are now eBay gold, these two dudes from the Hospitals finally get the chance to spread out a bit on Sick to Death. Sounding absolutely nothing like Naked on the Vague but totally amazing nonetheless, Eat Skull flail around and about for a brief half hour and destroy everything in their path. There's a good dose of 4-tracker basement punk and perfect weird pop (in that off-centre, Flying Nun/Guided by Voices way), and stuff that sounds like even more revved up Cramps ("Puker Corpse") and distilled versions of overlong Velvet Underground songs. Loving the production too, suitably caked in fuzz and hiss and static, early Royal Trux-style, if they weren't raised on junk and Exile on Main Street. My most played in '08 after Pink Noise and Cheap Time. Perfect album. [AK]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  PAN-POT
Pan-O-Rama
(Mobillee)

"Hypnotized Shark"
"Threesixty"

Get ready for some great electronic LP releases...the first to grab our ears in a minute, Pan-Pot's Pan-O-Rama on Mobillee is killing it for all fans of Villalobos and beyond! (It also helps kill the post-Villalobos-copycat doldrums.) While Villalobos no doubt has his thing with his stripped down, long distance, almost psychedelic take on house, it does beg the question: What else can be done with "minimal"? Pan-Pot offers a very valid answer by taking unquestionable influences and dynamically moving the sounds around at will. They have a way of keeping a track minimal and slamming while it vividly careens around the room. Just take a moment to imagine classic Plastikman polished to a custom sports car sheen. This is jackin' and sleek while actually being un-raw(?) in the best way possible, as sounds shift throughout the cuts -- no complacent DJ-tool tracks on this one. These songs have a big room-filling Speicher vibe while remaining deep and sick as hell. There's been some talk about the Dan Bell/Baby Judy feel on some of these tracks, like the single "Lady Judy," which is an obvious homage. (The LP-track "Charly" also has the updated Judy vibe, also heard on the vocals in Villalobos' Shackleton remix, etc.) I've seen some bloggers gripe about the overuse of the pitched-down vocal thing, but honestly, you can't complain when the tracks are this solid and obviously adding so much life to this sound.

Will McDonald's sue if I say, "I'm loving it!"? Besides loving it, I have to admit I'm f'n, downright GRATEFUL for this release after dying of starvation in the electronica-ghetto-desert! Yeah: Recommended! [SM]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  ELLEN ALLIEN
Sool
(BPitch Control)

"Caress"
"Sprung"

Ok, I jumped at the chance to review Ellen Allien's new album Sool once I heard that it was supposed to be more minimal. Not that I'm a total minimal Nazi or anything, it's just that as old school fans of hers know, before she was heralded as the indie/electronic crossover, feminist posterchild/electro queen that she gets hyped up for, she was making sick deep tracks like the stuff on her first album, Stadtkind, and even on her EPs before and after that. As her DJ sets can prove, Ellen can rock spacey yet sick, pumping yet melodic, vocal yet deep stuff that moves ya. Well, to use Jeremy's catchphrase: Ellen Allien's Sool "does not disappoint!" She knows how to go deep without putting ya to sleep. She knows how to get experimental without losing the sensual. Minimal with BASS. Interesting sounds/textures with FEELING. Bleepy shit that's FUNKY. Pretty simple really, but this album is still tried and true Ellen Allien. Remember when they called bodyrockin' "Electric Boogie"? That's what you'll be doin' to this album. YouTube some "Mr. Wave/New York City Breakers" while listening to track two, "Bim,"...see!? Track seven ("Its") has the PUMP that is her take on neo/retro-analogue synth/minimal/experimental acid. KILL-ER. Exceptional record, and one of her best in my opinion. [SM]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  DEVON WILLIAMS
Carefree
(Ba Da Bing!)

"Honey"
"A Truce"

Here's your orchestral pop wunderkind for 2008, coming through in a big way with Carefree. Devon Williams applies a big dose of power pop phrasing and bubblegum hooks to pop's more austere strains, from string quartets to nervy new wave to Vegas floorshow disco, somehow freckled with Nilsson-esque sensitivity throughout. With a lot of big ideas and bigger sounds in place, it would be all too easy to crush the life out of this kind of material with that kind of approach, but amazingly, Williams plays up his earnestness to the strength of his songs and it works. Hard record to argue with here. It's brilliant. [DM]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  THE VIRGINS
The Virgins
(Atlantic)

"She's Expensive"
"One Week of Danger"

This NYC-based foursome's debut album is classic commercial pop in honor of the decade that gave us President Reagan with hints of Duran Duran from back in the day and Louis XIV of modern times. The booklet with a foldout photo of chewed gum stuck to a white surface sums it up: pure bubblegum fluff, but in an awesome 80s throwback way. The first single, "Rich Girls," is an infectious dance tune with a familiar beat...reminiscent of Rolling Stones having sex with the Bee Gees. It's a shame this track wasn't out in time for the Roll Bounce soundtrack. In "Murder," a British-sounding new wave ditty that may induce restless leg syndrome, lead singer Donald Cummings sings "Somebody did you dirty? Maybe it was me." Such a naughty boy! This leads me to my next point. The band's name is a bit of a misnomer. These lads are anything but innocent virgins and appear to be well versed in the drugs and the sex -- indulging in a "cocaine brunch" in the explosive opening track "She's Expensive," about a night that never ends and wallowing in a "K hole" in "Hey Hey Girl." Another rad track is "Private Affair," a fast song about a prostitute avoiding love. Diverging from the mood of the rest of the album, the saxophone-driven "Love Is Colder Than Death" is a sad, nostalgic finale. Their self-titled debut may only last 30 minutes, but that half hour is fantastic for reliving your (my) youth. Named the next "It" band at SXSW this year, the Virgins earned exposure from the new surefire way to reach that coveted 18-30 demographic -- from a TV show! Initially, I wasn't expecting much from a bunch of pretty-boys who met at a modeling shoot and caught their big break from Gossip Girl but they deliver a simple and very fun album. Not bad for a side project, eh? [TL]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  LA OTRACINA
Love Love Love
(Colour Sound)

"There, the Infinite Between"
"Neon Nova"

Adam Kriney's Colour Sounds Recordings have been quietly selling their releases at OM for a while now with practically zero hype, be it colored vinyl LPs housed in hand-decorated, spray-painted sleeves with confetti inside or similarly decorated enveloped CDs/CD-Rs. I could only imagine that the people grabbing these records had heard good stuff about the label through the grapevine or just saw one of the bands live by accident and had to have their records. (I also had a running theory that they were just strung-out paint huffers who were lured in by the strong, still-lingering aroma of fresh spray paint on the sleeves.) The records would always sell out, but mysteriously I never saw the customers who would grab them and take them to the register. Maybe because I had mistakenly profiled them as the footlong beard, suede hat and slippers type and I just had it all wrong? Anyway, jokes aside, we finally realized that these records just deserved a shout out for those who would never hear about them otherwise.

La Otracina's Love Love Love is acid (lysergic, not house)-prog (Hawkwind, not Yes) -jazz (free but not just noise) by guys who know their s**t and know how to play. Like the title implies, this stuff is surging and bursting with feeling that flies in the face of all the trust-fund psych/improv happening today. Actually, it kinda beats it down, takes its lunch money and buys some acid with it.

Track two, "Acide Cervau," brought the jazz improv meets Hawkind/almost Kyuss(!) blast that I was expecting from these guys -- a perfectly sincere and open take on the combination of these sounds. Three minutes in and the thundering riffage has broken through the stratosphere and is tumbling through the cosmos. As we speak I'm stuck in the swirling bliss/abyss of "Hazy Mazes" -- goddamn this started like some bad-trip-in-the-Bronx scene from a Ralph Bacci cartoon and after an epic, interfolded black hole with a long mini-jet takeoff of an organ blast, it ends 20 minutes later with a short and sweet rockin' burst that sounds like Miles Davis meets early Kraftwerk. What? Waitaminit, that track was LIVE. Track four, "There, the Infinite Between," sounds like the Sun Ra you imagined Sun Ra sounding like before you ever heard him. Looping whistles and chirps disorient beautifully while it drives the loping bass throb, glistening guitar and tumbling drums. And there's still another disc? I'm happy to say that despite my reservations, this one really delivered the goods. I think its safe to slap a RECOMMENDED on it and call it a day. Hey Adam, can I get on the guestlist? [SM]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  THE FUTUREHEADS
This Is Not the World
(Nul)

"Think Tonight"
"Heard Them Stirring"

Although their self-titled 2004 debut garnered critical praise and showed promise, the commercial success of the Futureheads never equaled that of label mates like the Kaiser Chiefs. Dropped by 679 Recordings, the English new wave/pop quartet return to form, going it alone on their third album, This Is Not the World by releasing it on their own Nul Records imprint. Suffice it to say, there is an underlying angst to each of the 12 tracks -- not one hits the four-minute mark. And here it really works for them; the basic pop melodies underneath each song are infectious and catchy while the interplay between the verses and choruses is winsomely anthemic. Taking the cues from the Jam and XTC, they channel their energy into lively, aggressive bursts like "Sale of the Century" and "Walking Backwards" as well as dabble in dance-punk territory on "The Beginning of the Twist" before momentarily slowing down with a well done, seemingly Robert Smith homage on "Hard to Bear." All in all, the album is an honest effort by a band finding solace in their talent and fan base. A great record to kick off the summer! [PG]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  JOE GIBBS
Scorchers from the Mighty Two
(VP)

"Officially/One X One"
"Burn Babylon"

Ahhhh, Joe Gibbs, one of the seminal producers in the lengthy history of reggae music, finally gets a top notch anthology. Scorchers from the Mighty Two is a 2-CD collection of forty tracks, outlining and digging deep into the wealth of material Gibbs engineered, produced, or simply oversaw. The "Mighty Two" in the title refers to Gibbs partner Errol Thompson, whom he worked with throughout his career, most notably on their African Dub series. Early in his career, Gibbs also hired Lee Perry, prior to Perry's involvement with Bob Marley, to produce and engineer for his Amalgamated label. Their partnership ended when Gibbs, like Coxsone Dodd at Studio One (Perry's previous employer), failed to give Perry his due credits. That aside, these are some of the best songs to be exported to the UK, and eventually worldwide. Throughout, you get a sense that Gibbs touched on, and was inspired by, many of the would-be legends in the various genres that Jamaican music would morph into; Culture, Junior Murvin, Jacob Miller, Prince Far I, Black Uhuru, Eek-A-Mouse, Althea & Donna, Dennis Brown, J.C. Lodge, Barrington Levy, and Mighty Diamonds. Gibbs' production style is hard to categorize, and not always recognizable, yet the consistent thread seems to be his amazing ear for a great song and/or rhythm. Though some of these hits may be familiar, like "Two Sevens Clash," "Uptown Top Ranking," "Money in My Pocket" or "My Woman," his treatment and production stamp made most of these songs classics of their time and still worthy of repeated listens now. [DG]
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  THANK YOU
Terrible Two
(Thrill Jockey)

"Pregnant Friends"
"Empty Legs"

This Baltimore-based trio is Wham City's response to Health and then some. The percussive relentlessness pounds through the all too short LP, with guitar, organ, and wordless vocals undulating, looping, and droning behind. The first two cuts tear through your speakers with break-neck ferocity, with whistles and angular guitar punctuating the stampede. Chanting and tribal aspects conjure the Health comparison, but it is hard to listen to the first two tracks without thinking of the angular wash of rhythm that is Hella. However, the trio quickly moves away from being pinned into a drumming competition with the third track, "Self with Yourself," preparing the listener for the organ and guitar take-over on the latter half of the album. Soon the sounds grow towards beautifully layered drones and oscillation with more vocal chanting accented by the occasional bursts of drums. At once heavy and light, both Ecstatic Sunshine and Dan Deacon come to mind towards the end of the album. Recommended-if-you-likes aside, Thank You stand on their own and require little to no points of reference to enjoy the levels of energy put into this recording. The downpour of beats will pick you up on the first note and carry you through the heavy moments, from the riotous punk of "Embryo Imbroglio" to the satisfyingly glimmering and shimmering organ and electronic based "Pregnant Friends." These all lead up to the cumulative transcendence of the title track where the percussion, organ, and guitar achieve a striking climax to close the record. [BCa]
 
         
   
   
   
       
   

 

 

     
 

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  JAGUAR LOVE
Jaguar Love
(Matador)

"My Organ Sounds Like..."

A teaser single by new Matador signing Jaguar Love, featuring ex-members of the Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves, reveals they have next-big-thing potential. The androgynous vocals combined with glam rock guitars equal something resembling David Bowie on 45, making Highways of Gold completely irresistible. Perfect summer music, and a great new discovery.
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  SUBTLE
Exiting Arm
(Lex)

"The Crow"
"Exiting Arm"

This may well be Subtle's most accessible album to date, but have no fear, fans of twisted hip-hop hybrids, this band is no Chamillionaire. A heavy dose of Doseone's raspy, wordy, abstract rhymes, and a dense production that brings in so many influences from across the sound spectrum adds up to real ear-tickler.
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  THE ACCIDENTAL
There Were Wolves
(Thrill Jockey)

"Wolves"
"Dream for Me"

The Accidental is a new folk-pop collective featuring vocalist Sam Genders of Tuung, the Memory Band's Stephen Cracknell, Hannah Caughlin of the Fence Collective, and singer/songwriter Liam Bailey. Their collaboration is spare and unhurried, full of straightforward vocal harmonies, clean acoustic guitar picking, lovely violin and simple loops, with a sound draws on classic British folk as well as more modern influences.
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  LADYTRON
Velocifero
(Nettwerk)

"Runaway"
"Deep Blue"

Without really changing their sound, Ladytron have managed to continue to evolve as musicians, songwriters and vocalists as well, and perhaps despite the odds have delivered some of their finest musical moments to date on their Nettwork label debut. Sure, they still play sexy electro, but Ladytron have fully digested a diverse range of influences including darkwave, Krautrock, Italo disco, tropicalia, French pop and so much more, and their subtle amalgamation of it all is remarkably alluring. Produced by Ladytron with assistance from Vicarious Bliss (Ed Banger Records) and Alessandro Cortini (Nine Inch Nails)
 
         
   
   

 

 

     
 

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  THE HEAVY
Greate Vengeance & Furious Fire
(Counter)

"Set Me Free"
"Our Special Place"

Great updated take on blaxploitation soul by the Heavy on their debut, Great Vengeance & Furious Fire. The British five-piece are unabashedly retro but pull it off with such irrepressible enthusiasm and funky fervor, it's an irresitible album. There's Curtis and Sly in the mix, and more modern sounds, not unlike Amy Winehouse, the Streets, and Gnarls Barkley but with a heavier, dirtier indie soul/'60s vibe. Sample "Colleen" and "Dignity" for instance, as far apart as they are musically (hip-hop beats vs mod rock), they are both surefire hits. Wouldn't surprise us if this burns up radios as well as dancefloors.
 
         
   
   
   
   
 
   
       
   
         
  All of this week's new arrivals.

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THIS WEEK'S CONTRIBUTORS

[BCa] Brian Cassidy
[LG] Lisa Garrett
[PG] Pamela Garavano-Coolbaugh
[DG] Daniel Givens
[MK] Michael Klausman
[AK] Andreas Knutsen
[TL] Tanya Leet
[DMa] Dave Martin
[DM] Doug Mosurock
[SM] Scott Mou





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