I love and hate the feeling of listening to an artist I’ve always meant to check out but never got around to, and then falling in love with their music. For the past two weeks I have been kicking myself for not listening to Owen Pallett (formerly known as Final Fantasy) sooner, while at the same time just drowning myself in his records. Pallett has done string arrangements for artists including, oh, you know, Arcade Fire, Beirut, and Grizzly Bear (and a million others), and his own music is equally amazing. Heartland (album cover above) is my favorite record so far this year, and it’s going to be a tough one to beat.
This was a little while ago but…one of my favorite shows since I’ve been in New York. So much energy, soooo much fun, and I am so proud that he is a Jewish dude from Michigan. Mentioned it already but his album, A Strange Arrangement (out now on Stones Throw) will absolutely be near the top of my best of ’09 list…I should probably start making that, eh?
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)
