Urb 4+ Star Albums (2006)
posted by monkey mama at 5:56 PM
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2.18.2006
NY Times: Playlists (2006)
(02/05/06) Nothing but Party Girls, Vapid or Hard to Get: Pink, Clearlake, Morningwood, (Aceyalone), (Love Is All), East River Pipe, Los de Abajo, Shrift
posted by monkey mama at 4:49 PM
0 comments
2.05.2006
Pitchfork Albums: February 2006
>> Tue:02-28-06
- Tapes 'n Tapes: The Loon
Kneeling before Pavement, Wire, Beach Boys, and Pixies at rock's canonical altar, this scrappy Minneapolis four-piece proudly wear their influences on-sleeve, shunning hipster malaise and manic experimentation for hook after addictively anthemic hook. Their total lack of pretentiousness is a breath of fresh air: The Loon brings something for everyone. [Ibid; 8.3]
- Make-Up: Untouchable Sound
Few indie bands warrant a third live album, but the Make-Up were famously better on-stage than in-studio: If you weren't there, this is reason #3 to kick yourself. [Drag City; 7.6]
- Merle Haggard: Strangers/Swinging Doors and The Bottle Let Me Down / I'm a Lonesome Fugitive/Branded / Sing Me Back Home /The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde / Mama Tried/Proud of What I Am / Hag/Someday We'll Look Back
Capitol finally gets around to issuing 10 full-lengths from country legend Merle Haggard's 1965-71 peak era. [Capitol; 8.8 / 8.4 / 8.8 / 9.2 / 8.9]
- Raising the Fawn: The Maginot Line
Third album from the full-time project of Broken Social Scene's John Crossingham is the trio's most expansive to date. [Sonic Unyon; 7.6]
- Philip Samartzis: Soft and Loud
Occasional Keiji Haino and Oren Ambarchi collaborator presents an academic study in found sound and digital manipulation. [Plates of Sound; 6.7]
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>> Mon:02-27-06
- Eels: With Strings: Live at Town Hall
Striking while the double-album iron's hot, Eels follow last year's Blinking Lights with this intimate string quartet-backed recording of recent material and covers. [Vagrant; 6.7]
- Mastodon: Call of the Mastodon
Atlanta-based metal mavericks leave Relapse Records for the majors, but remember their roots with this remastered offering of their earliest recordings. [Relapse; 7.3]
- Tape: Rideau
On their finest release yet for prestigious Swedish experimental label Häpna, admired post-rock trio Tape breathe new life into a long-exhausted genre. [Häpna; 7.8]
- The Ladies: They Mean Us
Temporary Residence issues this debut collaboration between Pinback singer/guitarist Rob Crow and Hella drummer Zach Hill. [Temporary Residence; 7.2]
- The National Trust: Kings & Queens
Second full-length from Thrill Jockey's cheeseball indie R&B duo fares only marginally better than Har Mar. Maybe there's a reason this stuff usually gets left to the majors? [Thrill Jockey; 4.4]
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>> Fri:02-24-06
- Sunset Rubdown: Sunset Rubdown EP
Latest EP from the raw, claustrophobic side project of Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug is a teaser for the forthcoming full-length, Shut Up I Am Dreaming. [Global Symphonic; 7.8]
- Battles: EP C / B EP
Warp reissues the first two EPs from its latest guitar-based signees, which features Don Caballero's Ian Williams, Tyondai Braxton, Helmet drummer John Stanier, and David Konopka of Lynx. [Warp; 8.0]
- Bob Marley & the Wailers: One Love at Studio One
2xCD collection gathers 40 Wailers ska tracks recorded between 1963 and 1966 for Clement Dodd's incomparable Studio One label. [Heartbeat; 8.0]
- World Leader Pretend: Punches
Named for an R.E.M. track, this New Orleans trio relased this much-ballyooed debut last year. [Warner Bros.; 6.5]
- Oceansize: Everyone Into Position
Indie band stitches together a patchwork of styles-- alternative rock, riff-heavy modern hardcore, ethereal post rock, scream-filled metal-- on its second LP. [Beggars Banquet; 5.9]
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>> Thu:02-23-06
- Liars: Drum's Not Dead
Two years after 2004's They Were Wrong So We Drowned turned dance-punk's brightest trio into impressionistic noise-rockers, Liars return with an even bigger surprise: Drum's Not Dead actually tops their groundbreaking, beat-heavy debut through an evolution of the sound that turned much of their fanbase against them. [Mute; 9.0]
- Lilys: Everything Wrong Is Imaginary
On this comeback album the veteran indie band's iterations coalesce convincingly into a psychedelic quirk-pop summary. [Manifesto; 7.4]
- Eliot Lipp: Tacoma Mockingbird
Fliud, technically adept instrumental hip-hop from Hefty. [Hefty; 7.8]
- The M's: Future Women
Second album from Chicago's charming, Polyvinyl-signed glam-pop revivalists. [Polyvinyl; 7.6]
- The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out
Debut from the well-selling UK buzzsaw guitar band is stylistically a close cousin to the work of the Arctic Monkeys. [Virgin; 5.9]
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>> Wed:02-22-06
- Nick Cave & Warren Ellis: The Proposition OST
Bad Seeds leader and his occasional bandmate create music that ranges from the intimate to the epic, from the understated to the overblown, to a film based on Cave's screenplay about bushrangers in late 19th century Australia. [Mute; 6.0]
- Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid: The Exchange Session, Vol. 1
The first official full-length collaboration between Four Tet and the veteran avant-jazz drummer. [Domino; 6.8]
- Nathan Fake: Drowning in a Sea of Love
Debut LP from one of techno's poster boys delivers on the promise of his singles. [Border Community; 8.4]
- Measles Mumps Rubella: Fantastic Success:
First record with new singer Chuck Bettis work well with the group's ambitious soundscapes, which have become lengthier and more expansive. [Doubling Cube; 7.9]
- Ayatollah: Now Playing
Longtime Queens-based hip-hop producer's official debut is an efficient album full of downbeat, soul-laced instrumentals. [Nature Sounds; 6.9]
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>> Tue:02-21-06
- Maxïmo Park: Missing Songs
Warp's first rock signing caps a successful 12 months with this collection of B-sides and demos, most of which originally appeared on UK singles. [Warp; 6.4]
- Various Artists: Rough Trade Counter Culture 05
UK record store spreads 50 underground favorites from last year over two discs, including tracks by Sleater-Kinney, Boards of Canada, Low, Herbert, and the Long Blondes. [Rough Trade; 7.2]
- Heros Severum: Plague Dogs
Promising indie rock band comes at you with blustery post-rock and easygoing Peach State twang all at once. [Two Sheds Music; 7.9]
- Town and Country: Up Above
Thrill Jockey band gets assistance from Tony Conrad on its sixth album, the group's most vigorous and diverse collection to date. [Thrill Jockey; 7.2]
- Capitol K: Nomad Junk
After a move toward live-band instrumentation, Kristian Robinson returns to the sounds and themes of his breakthrough LP, Island Row. [Faith & Industry; 6.7]
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>> Mon:02-20-06
- Destroyer: Destroyer's Rubies
Seventh album from Dan Bejar encapsulates and elevates the best of his back catalog, serving as a potent reminder that the intelligence of his songs has never obfuscated their emotional weight. [Merge; 8.5]
- Isolée: Western Store
Playhouse compilation collects tracks from the German tech-house producer's vinyl-only 12" releases. [Playhouse; 8.2]
- Alog: Catch That Totem! (1998-2005)
Norwegian duo offers the best from its previously released remixes and tracks from small-run EPs and singles. [Melektronikk; 8.0]
- Hudson Bell: When the Sun Is the Moon
Three-piece indie band concocts a nostalgic blend of acoustic balladry and fuzzed-out guitars. [Monitor; 7.4]
- Controller.Controller: X-Amounts
Toronto-based indie rockers follow an impressive EP with their debut Paper Bag full-length. [Paper Bag; 7.1]
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>> Fri:02-17-06
- Man Man: Six Demon Bag
Sophomore album from Philly-based Waits/Zappa/Beefheart obsessives asks us this time out not to merely delight in its sounds, but in its songs as well. [Ace Fu; 8.3]
- Various Artists: Prog Is Not a Four Letter Word
Andy Votel-created compilation is a follow-up of sorts to Folk Is Not a Four Letter Word and features contributions from artists based in Poland, Italy, and Turkey, among other nations. [Delay 68; 7.5]
- Low Skies: All the Love I Could Find
Second album from Chicago's backwoods balladeers features a contribution from Kelly Hogan and shares the same spirit as the work of Jeffrey Lee Pierce. [Flameshovel; 8.1]
- Jason Collett: Idols of Exile
Broken Social Scene guitarist's latest features contributions from his Arts & Crafts mates Leslie Feist, Amy Millan, and Kevin Drew. [Arts & Crafts; 7.6]
- Toy: Toy
Curiously humorous and bold debut album from UK native Alisdair Stirling and Bergen-based composer/producer Jorgen Traeen was created using instruments designed for children. [Smalltown Supersound; 7.2]
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>> Thu:02-16-06
- AIDS Wolf: The Lovvers
Much-hyped debut album from the Montreal no-wave revivalists and Wolf Parade compatriots seems designed to sell chaos as a lifestyle. [Lovepump United/Skin Graft; 3.9]
- Test Icicles: Boa vs. Python / Circle. Square. Triangle / What's Your Damage?
With the For Screening Purposes Only album getting a recent U.S. release we round up the band's trio of EPs and singles. [Domino; 7.7 / 4.2 / 6.0]
- Animals: Animalism
Hip-O-Select releases the British Invasion band's 1966 album of mostly covers, on which the group indulges its white-soul jones more heavily than at any other time in its career. [Hip-O Select; 7.5]
- Vandermark 5: The Color of Memory
Jazz great's latest is split between wild improvisation, abrasive textures, and intensity, and pieces offering a more lyrical, traditional perspective on his group's interplay. [Atavistic; 7.3]
- Shalabi Effect: Unfortunately
This live album was recorded at an arts festival in the genre-hopping Alien8 band's hometown of Montreal. [Alien8; 6.6]
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>> Wed:02-15-06
- Mylo: Destroy Rock and Roll
More than a year after sweeping Europe, this charming, cheeky dance record-- house music as Saturday-morning cartoon, all bold lines inked in bright, primary colors-- finally gets its U.S. release. [RCA; 8.4]
- Johnny Boy: Johnny Boy
Londoners aim to build on their exceptional "You Are the Generation..." single with a record of politically informed indie pop. [Wild Kingdom; 5.2]
- Nine Horses: Snow Borne Sorrow
David Sylvian follows his excellent Blemish with an album that, likes its predecessor, reflects the state of the war-torn world and the crisis in its creator's personal life. [Samadhi Sound; 7.7]
- In Flames: Come Clarity
Slight return to form combines death metal's speed and vocals, powerful guitar harmonies and melodies, and rapid time changes. [Ferret Music; 7.3]
- The Subways: Young for Eternity
English trio is the latest group to earn buzz for its bubbly, youthful guitar pop. [Sire/Warner; 6.6]
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>> Tue:02-14-06
- Various Artists: I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey
Co-organized by M. Ward, this 13-track collection pays homage to the folk legend and his brilliant, eccentric creations, and features contributions from Sufjan Stevens, Devendra Banhart, and Jack Rose among others. [Vanguard; 6.9]
- Elefant: Black Magic Show
Former NYC buzzband offers a digital release of its sophomore album roughly two months before it's available in stores. [Kemado/Hollywood; 3.6]
- Gerry Mitchell & Little Sparta: Scalpel Slice
Collaborative mini-album between photographer-cum-poet Gerry Mitchell and the rustic-yet-dark band Little Sparta. [Fire; 7.0]
- Hem: No Word From Tom
Odds-and-sods collection includes demos, live cuts, covers, alternate takes, and non-album tracks. [Waveland/Nettwerk; 6.2]
- A.R.E. Weapons: Free in the Streets
Paul Sevigny and co. follows their much-hyped debut with, for better or worse, a more mature second effort. [Defend Music; 6.0]
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>> Mon:02-13-06
- The Knife: Silent Shout
Ditching the springy Europop of 2004's Deep Cuts, Sweden's the Knife here pits dark, ghostly electro backdrops against elastic vocals, which they mash through a wringer of digital manipulation. A far cry from the duo's friendly first singles, Silent Shout gorily births the Knife's mutant twin. The result is creepy enough to warrant its own genre: haunted house. [Rabid; 8.6]
- Aceyalone: Magnificent City
Freestyle Fellowship veteran teams his typically likable, big-hearted style with star indie hip-hop producer Rjd2. [Project Blowed/Decon; 3.2]
- Christina Carter and Gown: We've
Charalambides member delivers another successful psych-folk collaboration-- this time with kindred spirit Andrew MacGregor. [Digitalis; 7.1]
- P.O.S.: Audition
Latest from one of the crop of distortion-loving, snarky Minneapolis MCs, DJs, and producers features contributions from Slug, Craig Finn, and Bouncing Souls singer Greg Attonito. [Rhymesayers; 6.2]
- Earthride: Vampire Circus
Weedburning, mid-tempo riffs from this Southern Lord metal band. [Southern Lord; 6.0]
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>> Fri:02-10-06
- Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings trad. arr. Shirley Collins
Second solo covers EP from the Decemberists leader, this record collects interpretations of traditional folk songs arranged and recorded by 1960s folk troubadour Shirley Collins. [self-released; 7.1]
- The Minus 5: The Minus 5:
Also known as "The Gun Album", the Scott McCaughey-centered group's latest features contributions from members of Wilco, R.E.M., and the Decemberists. [Yep Roc; 6.7]
- The Ex: Singles. Period. The Vinyl Years 1980-1990
Touch & Go issues a decade's worth of singles from the Dutch punk band. [Touch & Go; 7.8]
- The Cardigans: Super Extra Gravity
Swedish group follows its underrated, melancholic Long Before Daylight by turning toward jagged country-rock. [Universal; 7.5]
- Audio Bullys: Generation
Scattershot collection from one-time UK garage chancers. [Astralwerks; 2.7]
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>> Thu:02-09-06
- Various Artists: To: Elliott / From: Portland
Tribute record to the late Elliott Smith features contributions from Oregon-based artists such as the Decemberists, the Thermals, and Eric Matthews. [Expunged; 7.2]
- Belong: October Language
New Orleans band follows in the shimmery, usually electronics-led footsteps of JAMC, Fennesz, and Tim Hecker. [Carpark; 8.0]
- J Dilla: Donuts
Jay Dee continues to update soul music by paying homage to the selfsame sounds he's modernizing. [Stones Throw; 7.9]
- Greg Davis and Sebastien Roux: Paquet Surprise
Carpark issues this acrobatic electro-acoustic record, which teems with whispered field recordings, pretty experimentalism, and sunny pop. [Carpark; 7.8]
- Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: Broom
Fuzzily engineered indie rock from this dual-vocaled combo. [Generic Equivalent; 6.9]
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>> Wed:02-08-06
- Beth Orton: Comfort of Strangers
After MOR disappointment Daybreaker, the English chanteuse teams with Jim O'Rourke on this mellifluously voiced collection of songs. [Astralwerks; 7.2]
- Clogs: Lantern
Strongest record yet from the adventurous post-rock band, which features the National guitarist Bryce Dessner. [Brassland; 8.2]
- Various Artists: Pop Ambient 2006
Sixth edition in Kompakt's annual collection of low-key house features contributions from Justus Köhncke, Markus Guentner, and Mikkel Metal. [Kompakt; 7.2]
- Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas: Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas
Debut full-length from the influential production team is, unfortunately, not a compilation of their frequently exquisite singles but an album of mostly new material. [Eskimo; 6.8]
- She Wants Revenge: She Wants Revenge
Modern rock radio-friendly new wave revivalism from Justin Warfield. [Geffen; 5.9]
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>> Tue:02-07-06
- Prefuse 73: Security Screenings
Latest from Scott Herren features guest appearances by Four Tet, TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, and Mobb Deep's Prodigy, and finds the producer regaining some of the focus he lost on last year's Surrounded by Silence. [Warp; 6.9]
- His Name Is Alive: Detrola
Former 4AD mainstay Warn Defever relocates to Reincarnate and creates a winning record of slurry, ghostly pop. [Reincarnate; 8.4]
- Various Artists: The Best of Studio One / Full Up: More Hits / Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals
Trio of compilations-- two new, one a reissue-- mine the vaults of Coxsone Dodd's incomparable Studio One label. [Heartbeat; 8.9 / 8.7 / 8.6]
- Directing Hand: Bells for Augustin Lesage
After a handful of CD-Rs, this is the proper debut from a prolific Scottish free percussionist who has played alongside Will Oldham, Richard Youngs, and Jandek. [Secret Eye; 7.5]
- Residual Echoes: Phoenician Flu and Ancient Ocean
Chaotic release from a band who's earned support and endorsements from Comets on Fire's Ethan Miller and Six Organs of Admittance's Ben Chasny. [Holy Mountain; 5.5]
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>> Mon:02-06-06
- Belle and Sebastian: The Life Pursuit
Spanning glam, soul, country, and '70s AM rock, the latest from the indie pop group is a deceptively wry, wickedly tuneful testament to the fragile beauty of faith, in deities as well as in pop. [Matador; 8.5]
- José González: Stay in the Shade EP
Up-and-coming singer/songwriter follows his increasingly popular debut with this five-track EP, which features a Kylie Minogue cover. [Hidden Agenda; 6.0]
- T. Rex: Tanx / Zip Gun / Futuristic Dragon / Work in Progress
Four more Rhino-issued 2xCD reissues, these include the glam band's final three albums and a collection of tracks that were unfinished at the time of Marc Bolan's death. [Rhino; 8.3 / 5.9 / 6.7 / 7.0]
- Lupe Fiasco: Fahrenheit 1/15 / Pt. II / Pt. III
Rising Chicago emcee and could-be disciple of Rawkus primes for his debut LP with a series of sharp mixtapes, including an EP that only uses beats from Gorillaz's Demon Days. [mixtapes; 7.8 / 7.0 / 6.8]
- Damo Suzuki's Network: 3 Dead People After the Performance
The former Can member's latest is a live recording from a 2003 festival. [Ektro; 6.5]
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>> Fri:02-03-06
- Four Tet: Everything Ecstatic 2
This companion piece to Kieran Hebden's 2005 album features film shorts commissioned for each of that album's 10 tracks as well as a 35-minute bonus CD of new material. [Domino; 5.8]
- Various Artists: Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label
Another tremendous reissue from Chicago's Numero Group, this is the third in the Eccentric Soul series, this time collecting the best from Miami's Deep City label. [Numero Group; 8.7]
- The Caribbean: Plastic Explosives
This D.C. band wraps its tales of modern life-- office supplies, airport security, long-distance correspondence, and dayjob malaise-- in constantly shifting arrangements. [Hometapes; 7.2]
- Swearing at Motorists: Last Night Becomes This Morning
Clever song titles and intertextuality color the latest from this Secretly Canadian indie band. [Secretly Canadian; 6.9]
- The Dolls / Vladislav Delay: The Dolls: / The Four Quarters
Pair of releases from the Finnish producer, one glacial and melodic, the other a bit too smooth jazz. [Huume; 2.4 / 7.4]
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>> Thu:02-02-06
- Bob Marley & the Wailers: Africa Unite: The Singles Collection
Twenty-track compilation repeats most of frathouse standard Legend and includes a new track cobbled together from 1979 acoustic recordings as well as remixes from Ashley Beedle and will.i.am. [Island; 7.0]
- Ricardo Villalobos: Achso
Latest from the Chilean producer, one of the central figures in minimal techno, is technically an EP, but its four percolating tracks stretch to nearly 50 minutes. [Cadenza; 8.9]
- Steve Reid Ensemble: Spirit Walk
Soul Jazz release features the first studio collaborations between the veteran jazz drummer and Four Tet. [Soul Jazz; 7.8]
- Larkin Grimm: Harpoon
Solo album from former Dirty Projectors member is an idiosyncratic take on rustic Appalachian folk. [Secret Eye; 7.6]
- Various Artists: Future Retro
1980s new wave hits remixed by producers such as Richard X, Tiga, and the Crystal Method. [Rhino; 3.9]
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>> Wed:02-01-06
- Various Artists: Tropicália: A Brazilian Revolution in Sound
Soul Jazz comp presents a superb introduction to one of the 20th century's most singular musical moments by focusing only on the movement's leading lights: Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé, and Jorge Ben. [Soul Jazz; 9.5]
- Darkthrone: Too Old, Too Cold EP
Teaser for the The Cult Is Alive finds the black metal group covering Siouxsie & the Banshees and creating the most crisp music of their career. [Peaceville; 6.2]
- Röyksopp: What Else Is There? EP
Astralwerks EP features remixes from first-tier producers such as Vitalic, Anders Trentemøller, and Jacques Lu Cont. [Astralwerks; 7.6]
- Cave In: Perfect Pitch Black
The once-abrasive Hydra Head band continues to work with catchy melodies, infectious riffing, and smooth vocals. [Hydra Head; 7.3]
- Glen Hall/Lee Ranaldo/William Hooker: Oasis of Whispers
Alien8 collaboration between these Downtown-approved artists: Canadian everything guy Glen Hall, "loft scene" free jazz'er William Hooker, and Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo. [Alien8; 6.7]
- Tapes 'n Tapes: The Loon
Kneeling before Pavement, Wire, Beach Boys, and Pixies at rock's canonical altar, this scrappy Minneapolis four-piece proudly wear their influences on-sleeve, shunning hipster malaise and manic experimentation for hook after addictively anthemic hook. Their total lack of pretentiousness is a breath of fresh air: The Loon brings something for everyone. [Ibid; 8.3]
- Make-Up: Untouchable Sound
Few indie bands warrant a third live album, but the Make-Up were famously better on-stage than in-studio: If you weren't there, this is reason #3 to kick yourself. [Drag City; 7.6]
- Merle Haggard: Strangers/Swinging Doors and The Bottle Let Me Down / I'm a Lonesome Fugitive/Branded / Sing Me Back Home /The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde / Mama Tried/Proud of What I Am / Hag/Someday We'll Look Back
Capitol finally gets around to issuing 10 full-lengths from country legend Merle Haggard's 1965-71 peak era. [Capitol; 8.8 / 8.4 / 8.8 / 9.2 / 8.9]
- Raising the Fawn: The Maginot Line
Third album from the full-time project of Broken Social Scene's John Crossingham is the trio's most expansive to date. [Sonic Unyon; 7.6]
- Philip Samartzis: Soft and Loud
Occasional Keiji Haino and Oren Ambarchi collaborator presents an academic study in found sound and digital manipulation. [Plates of Sound; 6.7]
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>> Mon:02-27-06
- Eels: With Strings: Live at Town Hall
Striking while the double-album iron's hot, Eels follow last year's Blinking Lights with this intimate string quartet-backed recording of recent material and covers. [Vagrant; 6.7]
- Mastodon: Call of the Mastodon
Atlanta-based metal mavericks leave Relapse Records for the majors, but remember their roots with this remastered offering of their earliest recordings. [Relapse; 7.3]
- Tape: Rideau
On their finest release yet for prestigious Swedish experimental label Häpna, admired post-rock trio Tape breathe new life into a long-exhausted genre. [Häpna; 7.8]
- The Ladies: They Mean Us
Temporary Residence issues this debut collaboration between Pinback singer/guitarist Rob Crow and Hella drummer Zach Hill. [Temporary Residence; 7.2]
- The National Trust: Kings & Queens
Second full-length from Thrill Jockey's cheeseball indie R&B duo fares only marginally better than Har Mar. Maybe there's a reason this stuff usually gets left to the majors? [Thrill Jockey; 4.4]
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>> Fri:02-24-06
- Sunset Rubdown: Sunset Rubdown EP
Latest EP from the raw, claustrophobic side project of Wolf Parade's Spencer Krug is a teaser for the forthcoming full-length, Shut Up I Am Dreaming. [Global Symphonic; 7.8]
- Battles: EP C / B EP
Warp reissues the first two EPs from its latest guitar-based signees, which features Don Caballero's Ian Williams, Tyondai Braxton, Helmet drummer John Stanier, and David Konopka of Lynx. [Warp; 8.0]
- Bob Marley & the Wailers: One Love at Studio One
2xCD collection gathers 40 Wailers ska tracks recorded between 1963 and 1966 for Clement Dodd's incomparable Studio One label. [Heartbeat; 8.0]
- World Leader Pretend: Punches
Named for an R.E.M. track, this New Orleans trio relased this much-ballyooed debut last year. [Warner Bros.; 6.5]
- Oceansize: Everyone Into Position
Indie band stitches together a patchwork of styles-- alternative rock, riff-heavy modern hardcore, ethereal post rock, scream-filled metal-- on its second LP. [Beggars Banquet; 5.9]
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>> Thu:02-23-06
- Liars: Drum's Not Dead
Two years after 2004's They Were Wrong So We Drowned turned dance-punk's brightest trio into impressionistic noise-rockers, Liars return with an even bigger surprise: Drum's Not Dead actually tops their groundbreaking, beat-heavy debut through an evolution of the sound that turned much of their fanbase against them. [Mute; 9.0]
- Lilys: Everything Wrong Is Imaginary
On this comeback album the veteran indie band's iterations coalesce convincingly into a psychedelic quirk-pop summary. [Manifesto; 7.4]
- Eliot Lipp: Tacoma Mockingbird
Fliud, technically adept instrumental hip-hop from Hefty. [Hefty; 7.8]
- The M's: Future Women
Second album from Chicago's charming, Polyvinyl-signed glam-pop revivalists. [Polyvinyl; 7.6]
- The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out
Debut from the well-selling UK buzzsaw guitar band is stylistically a close cousin to the work of the Arctic Monkeys. [Virgin; 5.9]
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>> Wed:02-22-06
- Nick Cave & Warren Ellis: The Proposition OST
Bad Seeds leader and his occasional bandmate create music that ranges from the intimate to the epic, from the understated to the overblown, to a film based on Cave's screenplay about bushrangers in late 19th century Australia. [Mute; 6.0]
- Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid: The Exchange Session, Vol. 1
The first official full-length collaboration between Four Tet and the veteran avant-jazz drummer. [Domino; 6.8]
- Nathan Fake: Drowning in a Sea of Love
Debut LP from one of techno's poster boys delivers on the promise of his singles. [Border Community; 8.4]
- Measles Mumps Rubella: Fantastic Success:
First record with new singer Chuck Bettis work well with the group's ambitious soundscapes, which have become lengthier and more expansive. [Doubling Cube; 7.9]
- Ayatollah: Now Playing
Longtime Queens-based hip-hop producer's official debut is an efficient album full of downbeat, soul-laced instrumentals. [Nature Sounds; 6.9]
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>> Tue:02-21-06
- Maxïmo Park: Missing Songs
Warp's first rock signing caps a successful 12 months with this collection of B-sides and demos, most of which originally appeared on UK singles. [Warp; 6.4]
- Various Artists: Rough Trade Counter Culture 05
UK record store spreads 50 underground favorites from last year over two discs, including tracks by Sleater-Kinney, Boards of Canada, Low, Herbert, and the Long Blondes. [Rough Trade; 7.2]
- Heros Severum: Plague Dogs
Promising indie rock band comes at you with blustery post-rock and easygoing Peach State twang all at once. [Two Sheds Music; 7.9]
- Town and Country: Up Above
Thrill Jockey band gets assistance from Tony Conrad on its sixth album, the group's most vigorous and diverse collection to date. [Thrill Jockey; 7.2]
- Capitol K: Nomad Junk
After a move toward live-band instrumentation, Kristian Robinson returns to the sounds and themes of his breakthrough LP, Island Row. [Faith & Industry; 6.7]
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>> Mon:02-20-06
- Destroyer: Destroyer's Rubies
Seventh album from Dan Bejar encapsulates and elevates the best of his back catalog, serving as a potent reminder that the intelligence of his songs has never obfuscated their emotional weight. [Merge; 8.5]
- Isolée: Western Store
Playhouse compilation collects tracks from the German tech-house producer's vinyl-only 12" releases. [Playhouse; 8.2]
- Alog: Catch That Totem! (1998-2005)
Norwegian duo offers the best from its previously released remixes and tracks from small-run EPs and singles. [Melektronikk; 8.0]
- Hudson Bell: When the Sun Is the Moon
Three-piece indie band concocts a nostalgic blend of acoustic balladry and fuzzed-out guitars. [Monitor; 7.4]
- Controller.Controller: X-Amounts
Toronto-based indie rockers follow an impressive EP with their debut Paper Bag full-length. [Paper Bag; 7.1]
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>> Fri:02-17-06
- Man Man: Six Demon Bag
Sophomore album from Philly-based Waits/Zappa/Beefheart obsessives asks us this time out not to merely delight in its sounds, but in its songs as well. [Ace Fu; 8.3]
- Various Artists: Prog Is Not a Four Letter Word
Andy Votel-created compilation is a follow-up of sorts to Folk Is Not a Four Letter Word and features contributions from artists based in Poland, Italy, and Turkey, among other nations. [Delay 68; 7.5]
- Low Skies: All the Love I Could Find
Second album from Chicago's backwoods balladeers features a contribution from Kelly Hogan and shares the same spirit as the work of Jeffrey Lee Pierce. [Flameshovel; 8.1]
- Jason Collett: Idols of Exile
Broken Social Scene guitarist's latest features contributions from his Arts & Crafts mates Leslie Feist, Amy Millan, and Kevin Drew. [Arts & Crafts; 7.6]
- Toy: Toy
Curiously humorous and bold debut album from UK native Alisdair Stirling and Bergen-based composer/producer Jorgen Traeen was created using instruments designed for children. [Smalltown Supersound; 7.2]
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>> Thu:02-16-06
- AIDS Wolf: The Lovvers
Much-hyped debut album from the Montreal no-wave revivalists and Wolf Parade compatriots seems designed to sell chaos as a lifestyle. [Lovepump United/Skin Graft; 3.9]
- Test Icicles: Boa vs. Python / Circle. Square. Triangle / What's Your Damage?
With the For Screening Purposes Only album getting a recent U.S. release we round up the band's trio of EPs and singles. [Domino; 7.7 / 4.2 / 6.0]
- Animals: Animalism
Hip-O-Select releases the British Invasion band's 1966 album of mostly covers, on which the group indulges its white-soul jones more heavily than at any other time in its career. [Hip-O Select; 7.5]
- Vandermark 5: The Color of Memory
Jazz great's latest is split between wild improvisation, abrasive textures, and intensity, and pieces offering a more lyrical, traditional perspective on his group's interplay. [Atavistic; 7.3]
- Shalabi Effect: Unfortunately
This live album was recorded at an arts festival in the genre-hopping Alien8 band's hometown of Montreal. [Alien8; 6.6]
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>> Wed:02-15-06
- Mylo: Destroy Rock and Roll
More than a year after sweeping Europe, this charming, cheeky dance record-- house music as Saturday-morning cartoon, all bold lines inked in bright, primary colors-- finally gets its U.S. release. [RCA; 8.4]
- Johnny Boy: Johnny Boy
Londoners aim to build on their exceptional "You Are the Generation..." single with a record of politically informed indie pop. [Wild Kingdom; 5.2]
- Nine Horses: Snow Borne Sorrow
David Sylvian follows his excellent Blemish with an album that, likes its predecessor, reflects the state of the war-torn world and the crisis in its creator's personal life. [Samadhi Sound; 7.7]
- In Flames: Come Clarity
Slight return to form combines death metal's speed and vocals, powerful guitar harmonies and melodies, and rapid time changes. [Ferret Music; 7.3]
- The Subways: Young for Eternity
English trio is the latest group to earn buzz for its bubbly, youthful guitar pop. [Sire/Warner; 6.6]
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>> Tue:02-14-06
- Various Artists: I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey
Co-organized by M. Ward, this 13-track collection pays homage to the folk legend and his brilliant, eccentric creations, and features contributions from Sufjan Stevens, Devendra Banhart, and Jack Rose among others. [Vanguard; 6.9]
- Elefant: Black Magic Show
Former NYC buzzband offers a digital release of its sophomore album roughly two months before it's available in stores. [Kemado/Hollywood; 3.6]
- Gerry Mitchell & Little Sparta: Scalpel Slice
Collaborative mini-album between photographer-cum-poet Gerry Mitchell and the rustic-yet-dark band Little Sparta. [Fire; 7.0]
- Hem: No Word From Tom
Odds-and-sods collection includes demos, live cuts, covers, alternate takes, and non-album tracks. [Waveland/Nettwerk; 6.2]
- A.R.E. Weapons: Free in the Streets
Paul Sevigny and co. follows their much-hyped debut with, for better or worse, a more mature second effort. [Defend Music; 6.0]
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>> Mon:02-13-06
- The Knife: Silent Shout
Ditching the springy Europop of 2004's Deep Cuts, Sweden's the Knife here pits dark, ghostly electro backdrops against elastic vocals, which they mash through a wringer of digital manipulation. A far cry from the duo's friendly first singles, Silent Shout gorily births the Knife's mutant twin. The result is creepy enough to warrant its own genre: haunted house. [Rabid; 8.6]
- Aceyalone: Magnificent City
Freestyle Fellowship veteran teams his typically likable, big-hearted style with star indie hip-hop producer Rjd2. [Project Blowed/Decon; 3.2]
- Christina Carter and Gown: We've
Charalambides member delivers another successful psych-folk collaboration-- this time with kindred spirit Andrew MacGregor. [Digitalis; 7.1]
- P.O.S.: Audition
Latest from one of the crop of distortion-loving, snarky Minneapolis MCs, DJs, and producers features contributions from Slug, Craig Finn, and Bouncing Souls singer Greg Attonito. [Rhymesayers; 6.2]
- Earthride: Vampire Circus
Weedburning, mid-tempo riffs from this Southern Lord metal band. [Southern Lord; 6.0]
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>> Fri:02-10-06
- Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings trad. arr. Shirley Collins
Second solo covers EP from the Decemberists leader, this record collects interpretations of traditional folk songs arranged and recorded by 1960s folk troubadour Shirley Collins. [self-released; 7.1]
- The Minus 5: The Minus 5:
Also known as "The Gun Album", the Scott McCaughey-centered group's latest features contributions from members of Wilco, R.E.M., and the Decemberists. [Yep Roc; 6.7]
- The Ex: Singles. Period. The Vinyl Years 1980-1990
Touch & Go issues a decade's worth of singles from the Dutch punk band. [Touch & Go; 7.8]
- The Cardigans: Super Extra Gravity
Swedish group follows its underrated, melancholic Long Before Daylight by turning toward jagged country-rock. [Universal; 7.5]
- Audio Bullys: Generation
Scattershot collection from one-time UK garage chancers. [Astralwerks; 2.7]
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>> Thu:02-09-06
- Various Artists: To: Elliott / From: Portland
Tribute record to the late Elliott Smith features contributions from Oregon-based artists such as the Decemberists, the Thermals, and Eric Matthews. [Expunged; 7.2]
- Belong: October Language
New Orleans band follows in the shimmery, usually electronics-led footsteps of JAMC, Fennesz, and Tim Hecker. [Carpark; 8.0]
- J Dilla: Donuts
Jay Dee continues to update soul music by paying homage to the selfsame sounds he's modernizing. [Stones Throw; 7.9]
- Greg Davis and Sebastien Roux: Paquet Surprise
Carpark issues this acrobatic electro-acoustic record, which teems with whispered field recordings, pretty experimentalism, and sunny pop. [Carpark; 7.8]
- Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: Broom
Fuzzily engineered indie rock from this dual-vocaled combo. [Generic Equivalent; 6.9]
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>> Wed:02-08-06
- Beth Orton: Comfort of Strangers
After MOR disappointment Daybreaker, the English chanteuse teams with Jim O'Rourke on this mellifluously voiced collection of songs. [Astralwerks; 7.2]
- Clogs: Lantern
Strongest record yet from the adventurous post-rock band, which features the National guitarist Bryce Dessner. [Brassland; 8.2]
- Various Artists: Pop Ambient 2006
Sixth edition in Kompakt's annual collection of low-key house features contributions from Justus Köhncke, Markus Guentner, and Mikkel Metal. [Kompakt; 7.2]
- Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas: Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas
Debut full-length from the influential production team is, unfortunately, not a compilation of their frequently exquisite singles but an album of mostly new material. [Eskimo; 6.8]
- She Wants Revenge: She Wants Revenge
Modern rock radio-friendly new wave revivalism from Justin Warfield. [Geffen; 5.9]
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>> Tue:02-07-06
- Prefuse 73: Security Screenings
Latest from Scott Herren features guest appearances by Four Tet, TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, and Mobb Deep's Prodigy, and finds the producer regaining some of the focus he lost on last year's Surrounded by Silence. [Warp; 6.9]
- His Name Is Alive: Detrola
Former 4AD mainstay Warn Defever relocates to Reincarnate and creates a winning record of slurry, ghostly pop. [Reincarnate; 8.4]
- Various Artists: The Best of Studio One / Full Up: More Hits / Downbeat the Ruler: Killer Instrumentals
Trio of compilations-- two new, one a reissue-- mine the vaults of Coxsone Dodd's incomparable Studio One label. [Heartbeat; 8.9 / 8.7 / 8.6]
- Directing Hand: Bells for Augustin Lesage
After a handful of CD-Rs, this is the proper debut from a prolific Scottish free percussionist who has played alongside Will Oldham, Richard Youngs, and Jandek. [Secret Eye; 7.5]
- Residual Echoes: Phoenician Flu and Ancient Ocean
Chaotic release from a band who's earned support and endorsements from Comets on Fire's Ethan Miller and Six Organs of Admittance's Ben Chasny. [Holy Mountain; 5.5]
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>> Mon:02-06-06
- Belle and Sebastian: The Life Pursuit
Spanning glam, soul, country, and '70s AM rock, the latest from the indie pop group is a deceptively wry, wickedly tuneful testament to the fragile beauty of faith, in deities as well as in pop. [Matador; 8.5]
- José González: Stay in the Shade EP
Up-and-coming singer/songwriter follows his increasingly popular debut with this five-track EP, which features a Kylie Minogue cover. [Hidden Agenda; 6.0]
- T. Rex: Tanx / Zip Gun / Futuristic Dragon / Work in Progress
Four more Rhino-issued 2xCD reissues, these include the glam band's final three albums and a collection of tracks that were unfinished at the time of Marc Bolan's death. [Rhino; 8.3 / 5.9 / 6.7 / 7.0]
- Lupe Fiasco: Fahrenheit 1/15 / Pt. II / Pt. III
Rising Chicago emcee and could-be disciple of Rawkus primes for his debut LP with a series of sharp mixtapes, including an EP that only uses beats from Gorillaz's Demon Days. [mixtapes; 7.8 / 7.0 / 6.8]
- Damo Suzuki's Network: 3 Dead People After the Performance
The former Can member's latest is a live recording from a 2003 festival. [Ektro; 6.5]
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>> Fri:02-03-06
- Four Tet: Everything Ecstatic 2
This companion piece to Kieran Hebden's 2005 album features film shorts commissioned for each of that album's 10 tracks as well as a 35-minute bonus CD of new material. [Domino; 5.8]
- Various Artists: Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label
Another tremendous reissue from Chicago's Numero Group, this is the third in the Eccentric Soul series, this time collecting the best from Miami's Deep City label. [Numero Group; 8.7]
- The Caribbean: Plastic Explosives
This D.C. band wraps its tales of modern life-- office supplies, airport security, long-distance correspondence, and dayjob malaise-- in constantly shifting arrangements. [Hometapes; 7.2]
- Swearing at Motorists: Last Night Becomes This Morning
Clever song titles and intertextuality color the latest from this Secretly Canadian indie band. [Secretly Canadian; 6.9]
- The Dolls / Vladislav Delay: The Dolls: / The Four Quarters
Pair of releases from the Finnish producer, one glacial and melodic, the other a bit too smooth jazz. [Huume; 2.4 / 7.4]
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>> Thu:02-02-06
- Bob Marley & the Wailers: Africa Unite: The Singles Collection
Twenty-track compilation repeats most of frathouse standard Legend and includes a new track cobbled together from 1979 acoustic recordings as well as remixes from Ashley Beedle and will.i.am. [Island; 7.0]
- Ricardo Villalobos: Achso
Latest from the Chilean producer, one of the central figures in minimal techno, is technically an EP, but its four percolating tracks stretch to nearly 50 minutes. [Cadenza; 8.9]
- Steve Reid Ensemble: Spirit Walk
Soul Jazz release features the first studio collaborations between the veteran jazz drummer and Four Tet. [Soul Jazz; 7.8]
- Larkin Grimm: Harpoon
Solo album from former Dirty Projectors member is an idiosyncratic take on rustic Appalachian folk. [Secret Eye; 7.6]
- Various Artists: Future Retro
1980s new wave hits remixed by producers such as Richard X, Tiga, and the Crystal Method. [Rhino; 3.9]
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>> Wed:02-01-06
- Various Artists: Tropicália: A Brazilian Revolution in Sound
Soul Jazz comp presents a superb introduction to one of the 20th century's most singular musical moments by focusing only on the movement's leading lights: Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé, and Jorge Ben. [Soul Jazz; 9.5]
- Darkthrone: Too Old, Too Cold EP
Teaser for the The Cult Is Alive finds the black metal group covering Siouxsie & the Banshees and creating the most crisp music of their career. [Peaceville; 6.2]
- Röyksopp: What Else Is There? EP
Astralwerks EP features remixes from first-tier producers such as Vitalic, Anders Trentemøller, and Jacques Lu Cont. [Astralwerks; 7.6]
- Cave In: Perfect Pitch Black
The once-abrasive Hydra Head band continues to work with catchy melodies, infectious riffing, and smooth vocals. [Hydra Head; 7.3]
- Glen Hall/Lee Ranaldo/William Hooker: Oasis of Whispers
Alien8 collaboration between these Downtown-approved artists: Canadian everything guy Glen Hall, "loft scene" free jazz'er William Hooker, and Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo. [Alien8; 6.7]
posted by monkey mama at 2:05 PM
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