I’ve been totally slacking on posting new stuff but with good reason: I was home visiting family & friends in Michigan last week (which was FANTASTIC) and yesterday I started a new job! I’m now working full-time as a production editor at eMusic, the digital music/audiobook seller. I’ll be doing some behind-the-scenes Web stuff and also writing for eMusic.com and the staff’s 17 Dots blog. Loving it already. I’m still allowed to freelance for Billboard, Spinner, etc., but after I finish the assignments I already have, I’m going to at least take a break for a little while so I can get situated in the new gig!
Anyway, here’s some new (and extremely old but recently posted) stuff:
I know, this show was more than two weeks ago…and I wrote the review a while ago too but it was just posted yesterday. This band rocks, as mentioned in my last post.
There are way too many records coming out this Tuesday (Oct. 6) to go unmentioned, especially because I’m not actually reviewing any of them. Check these out:
Mayer Hawthorne – A Strange Arrangement (Stones Throw)
A DJ from Ann Arbor (he’s from Michigan!! And he’s Jewish!) realizes he can sing; makes a funky, badass soul/Motown record with a little bit of hip-hop; blows up. This album is phenomenal, even though it sounds like half the tracks could have been recorded 40-some years ago. Oh, and he released his first single on red, heart-shaped vinyl. (Mayer Hawthorne’s MySpace)
Best tracks: “Maybe So, Maybe No,” “The Ills”
Watch: “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out”
Noah and the Whale – The First Days of Spring (Cherry Tree)
Noah and the Whale’s debut LP, Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down, was one of my favorite records of last year, so I was super excited for this to come out. The First Days of Spring is quite a breakup album, supposedly about frontman Charlie Fink’s relationship with another favorite artist of mine, Laura Marling. Knowing that, it’s not surprising that it isn’t the same sunny sound on the band’s first record, and that’s OK. There’s also a film that goes with the record, which I haven’t seen yet…hopefully that will happen soon. Oh shit, I also just read that their trailer—with ALL their equipment—was stolen a few days ago! Ugh, that’s so sad. (Noah and the Whale’s MySpace)
Best tracks: “Blue Skies,” “Love Of An Orchestra”
Watch: Trailer for The First Days Of Springhere.
Fanfarlo – Reservoir (Atlantic)
I really hate saying bands sound like other bands, but it’s impossible to avoid it on this one… Arcade Fire, Beirut, Noah and the Whale. They’re essentially a bunch of kids from the UK who play orchestral pop with lots of literary/historical references (“I’m A Pilot” is about the aviator Howard Hughes) and a bazillion instruments. (Fanfarlo’s MySpace)
Port O’Brien – Threadbare (TBD)
I don’t know much about this band, but I loved their album The Wind And The Swell, which is pretty hazy lo-fi with lots of acoustic guitars and shouted, multi-voiced choruses. Threadbare seems pretty similar and, like the other record, it’s a little rough-sounding, but I think that’s part of what I like about it.
Jemina Pearl – Break It Up (Ecstatic Peace/Universal)
First solo release from the former Be Your Own Pet frontlady Jemina Pearl. She’s bratty and made a record that mixes punk, pop, ’60s girl group–type stuff. I don’t love all the songs (“After Hours,” not so much) but overall it’s a lot of fun and worth listening to if you listened to BYOP.
Other notable records out this week that I haven’t had a chance to really check out yet: Kid Sister – Ultraviolet (Downtown), The Very Best – Warm Heart Of Africa (Green Owl), the xx – s/t (Matador)
