This week brings big names and big releases. With bands like
Radiohead,
Beirut and
Band of Horses releasing albums, I have to wonder why anyone else would bother putting anything out this week. However, there is still some great stuff out there that you should still check out..
One of the greatest albums I have personally listened to lately is Beirut's
The Flying Club Cup and it is my pick for this week and possibly for this year. I know that the album has been getting mixed reviews from different people all over, but I think it's a masterpiece. Many of you may already have the album, since it was released digitally at the beginning of September. For those of you that like something physical, it is finally in stores. Songs like "Nantes" and "Forks and Knives" will have you singing your lungs out as you walk down the street completely embarrassing yourself (I may have done that once or twice). Be sure to head over to
TheFlyingClubCup.com to see live videos of every song taken throughout Brooklyn.
A Sunday SmileAnother favorite band of mine, Band of Horses has a new album out this week called
Cease to Begin. To be honest I don't think this album lives up to their debut
Everything All The Time. They changed locales from Seattle to South Carolina to record this album and I think it shows. With a more southern feel to it, the songs don't sound as full as the first album. Not that the album itself is bad, but I feel the only really good songs are the ones that sound like they belong on the first album, such as "Is There A Ghost?"
Is There A Ghost?The biggest news this week comes from Radiohead, who released
In Rainbows digitally through their site. If you are not in to digital releases, you will have to wait a while. This release has also been getting some mixed reactions, as the sound is more like
Kid A than anything else. The trend setting option of allowing you to pay what you want (even though the band says they did this
only for themselves), this has received more publicity than any other album this year.
All I NeedAlso in a record store near you...
Fiery Furnaces release what has been called a their best album yet,
Widow City. An interesting release from a band that will never give you "normal," this album is something worth investigating. I haven't read a bad review of the album yet, so give "Ex-Guru" a listen and decide for yourself.
Ex-GuruA collaborator with The National,
Doveman gives us his new release
With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead. Beautiful music with soft lyrics are the first things you hear listening to these songs. A very mellow sounding album, it is the type of thing you listen to while you relax or when you are spending some quality time with someone special. This album is well worth checking out for anyone that can appreciate music that doesn't overpower you, but will leave a lasting impression.
Sunrise MedleyOne of my favorite electronic indie bands
The Octopus Project has their fourth full length out this week, entitled
Hello Avalanche. Traveling all across the country with several stops in our area, the band gives us a quality release. Not to fit into any category, this release blends soothing melodies with some quirky hooks and some great beats. If you are looking for some music that will put a smile on your face, then give these guys a try.
I Saw The Bright ShiniesOther releases from great artists can be found below:
Celebration (from Baltimore)
The Modern Tribe: "
Evergreen"
Enon
Grass Geysers... Common Clouds: "
Mirrors On You"
Loch Lomond
Paper the Walls: "
Carl Sagan"
Scout Niblett
This Fool Can Die Now: "
Kiss"
Sunset Rubdown
Random Spirit Lover: "
Winged/Wicked Things"
Labels: Band of Horses, Beirut, Celebration, Doveman, Enon, Loch Lomond, Radiohead, Scout Niblett, Sunset Rubdown, The Fiery Furnaces, The Octopus Project
