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I’m not sure how many songs John D. has under The Mountain Goats moniker, but I’m always thirsty for more. His witty lyrics and gentle guitar strumming never cease to please. He’s got a new album coming out titled The Life of the World to Come on 4AD on October 6th. Apparently all the songs have biblical references, but he swears it’s not some newfound devotion. Here’s the new track.
Download: Mountain Goats – Genesis 3:23 [MP3]
Princeton is a group out of California, which explains a lot about the warm-bred pop they are offering on their latest track “Calypso Gold.” This song is going to be included on the group’s debut, Cocoon of Love; the album is going to be released by Kanine Records. If this song is any indicator, then there’s lots to look forward to with the release on September 29th.
Download: Princeton – Calypso Gold [MP3]
The band will also be playing at Emo’s on September 24th with some band named Ra Ra Riot. Never heard of em.
Yet another group hailing from Los Angeles, Division Day, have matured since the release of their first album Beartrap Island. This song, “Chalk Lines,” is a dense little number, surely indicative of what is to come on their newest album, Visitation, which comes out August 18th on Dangerbird Records.
Download: Division Day – Chalk Lines [MP3]
Fresh & Onlys have already released one album this year, and their ready to release more tunes for you on September 15th when Woodsist puts out their Grey-Eyed Girls record. It should be full of brooding rock with that deeply haunting voice that you’ll hear in the song “Invisible Forces,” which we’ll happily toss your way.
Download: Fresh & Onlys – Invisible Forces [MP3]
Let’s face it, we all need a little hard rock in our lives from time to time, and no one is going to do a better job than The Bronx. Whether it be their high fueled live show or just the ballsy rock you dig, you’ll want to find yourself at this show on Saturday evening. The evening’s set will take place at Red Seven and the doors are set to open at 8 PM. Be sure to get plenty of fluids and rest, as you’ll need it for this show.
Download: The Bronx – Past Lives [MP3]
Knowing very little about Awesome New Republic, I have to admit, I’m going to be scouring the Internet for all the latest on this group. Their song, “Florida,” an homage of sorts to their home state has been kicking around in my head all day long, so I figured I should share it with you. According to the kids over at Stereogum, the EP from which this song comes, Rational Geographic II, is up for free on the group’s web site.
Download: Awesome New Republic – Florida [MP3]
We’ve mentioned The Cave Singers before, and we loved their set a few years back at Fun Fun Fun Fest, so when news came about concerning a new album, we were excited. This new album, Welcome Joy comes out via Matador on August 18th, and we’re sure it will be nothing short of delicious. On the new song, there is a bit of an edge to it, which isn’t surprising considering the past of the trio.
Download: The Cave Singers – At The Cut [MP3]
We’ve been closely following news that Islands will be releasing Vapours this September on Anti Records. Anything Nic Thorburn lays his hands upon turns up to be genius in our books, be it this band or Human Highway or the much missed Unicorns. This new track is a different approach to songwriting for him, with the empty space left open for his voice to soar.
Download: Islands – No You Don’t
As much as I was disappointed by At War with the Mystics, I still have a soft-spot, mostly due to my friends, for The Flaming Lips. Every once in awhile they come up with something brilliant, such as The Soft Bulletin; it seems now that they have a title for their upcoming album in the fall, Embryonic, it’s time for tracks to make their way to the web. Thank to our good friend over at Covert Curiosity for giving us the heads up on the new tracks. Enjoy the promising “Silver Trembling Hands.”
Download: Flaming Lips – Silver Trembling Hands [MP3]
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It’s hard to follow The Fiery Furnaces, as their genre hopping and musical expeditions tend to lead followers in several directions, occasionally at the same time. However, you’d be reluctant not to notice the prolific output of the group, and their continuous relevance musically. Their latest album, I’m Going Away, is chocked full of deviating paths and piano-laden hooks.
I’m Going Away beings with a song referencing the title, but it’s more of a statement song, allowing listeners to get just a brief taste of the band’s latest affair shortly before ending. “Drive to Dallas” is the first exemplary song on the album, as the Friedbergers bounce back in forth between lounge piano work and lightning noise-infused guitar licks, just as Eleanor picks the pace of the song up with her vocals. It’s place back to back with “The End is Near,” which sounds an awful lot like it could replace one of the various theme songs from your favorite sitcom of the eighties. You should take a listen to Eleanor here, as her voice is remarkable once again, contrasting against her brother Matt’s as they trade verses and share roles during the chorus. Moments like this come about so rarely, but be thankful for a song such as this.
Speaking of voice, you have to wonder why Ms. Friedberer doesn’t get more love in the vocal department these days. Her vocal range is spectacular, from the lounge-y hints during “The End is Near” to her close Costello approximation on “Charmaigne Champagne.” She goes back and forth across tracks throughout the album, and you can’t help but envy the pipes she possesses.
Coming across “Even in the Rain” you will be pleased to find the band at possibly their most accessible during their entire career. It’s a fairly simple song accompanied by Eleanor’s trademark poetry and very light percussion. In fact, it almost sounds like the sort of song you might find (or wish) that Wilco was creating nowadays. Similarly, “Ray Bouvier” hits at the hearts of listeners, gentle in progression and light in its texture. The bare bones of the group appear to be the brightest this go round, and the entire album bursts forth thanks to this approach.
Epic songs such as “Take Me Around Again” or “Lost at Sea” surpass expectations of what one expects from a long Furnaces song. After years of honing their skills, they group seem to bring it all in closely, barely deviating as far as we remember them doing on various other numbers. It’s this newfound ability to hold back and focus that seems to have created some of the stronger songs on this side of the band’s career.
I’m Going Away is the most accessible Fiery Furnaces record to come out in a long time, largely driven by piano driven tracks and an ability to hold back the reins when the band would normally go into a schizophrenic foray into the outer realms of our pop indulgence. It’s good from front to back, and you know you won’t complain about that.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/the_fiery_furnaces-the_end_is_near.mp3]Download: The Fiery Furnaces – The End Is Near [MP3]
