This is fine.
Over the holidays we told you about some new tunes Elvis Perkins in Deerland had streaming on their website. Now we have an MP3 of one of those tracks we found over on Stereogum today. This new song is called “Shampoo” and will appear on new album Elvis Perkins in Deerland out March 10th on XL Recordings. Sounds like something that would fit in pretty nicely with stuff from Mr. Perkins’ 2007 album Ash Wednesday.
Download: Elvis Perkins in Deerland – Shampoo [MP3]
When Vetiver make new music, we tell you about it! This new music comes in the form of single “Everyday” which will appear on the band’s upcoming album Tight Knit. You’ll be able to get this one via Sub Pop on Feb. 17th.
Download: Vetiver – Everyday [MP3]
One of our favorite new Austin bands, Frantic Clam, are celebrating the release of their new Anatomica EP with a show at Beauty Bar this Wednesday. The guys will be joined on the stage by Austin outfit Focus Group. Music looks to get started around 10pm with no cover charge! If you’ve read our review of the band’s new EP, you know we’re excited about the future of this upstart.
Download: Frantic Clam – Korean Beauty Queen [MP3]
New residents of our little town and recent Woxy performers, The Heartless Bastards, have a new album coming out in February and are sharing new single “The Mountain” from the album. The new LP, The Mountain, is set to be released via Fat Possum Records on Feb. 3rd. We also just heard from Do512 that the band is headlining the Bush retirement party on the 20th at Antone’s next week. Tickets are available for that event over on the Act Blue website for $20. The band was also recently confirmed for the SXSW festival in March.
Download: Heartless Bastards – The Mountain [MP3]
How many of you remember that Ben Kweller has a new album, Changing Horses, due out next month? It seems like Mr. Kweller generally flies right under the radar so buzz about his new album has sort of faded. Regardless, you can hear some new tunes from the album on his recent Daytrotter performance. He plays 3 songs from his upcoming LP and one from On My Own. Here’s a taste of the new country sounding album with “Wanting Her Again” live on Daytrotter.
Download: Ben Kweller – Wanting Her Again (live) [MP3]
NPR is streaming the entire new M. Ward album Hold Time on their website. It’s not out until Feb. 17th so check it out now and let us know what you think.
If you aren’t heading to Mohawk for The Donkeys show, The So So Glos are another good option for some Tuesday evening fun at Emo’s. The band is yet another up and coming Brooklyn based outfit who are gaining some notoriety outside of New York. They’ll be playing along with Austin’s own Scorpion Child with doors opening at 8pm. Best news of all, the whole thing is free!
Download: The So So Glos – Throw Your Hands Up [MP3]
Rating: 
This is the second EP from new Austin band Frantic Clam, and this one easily demonstrates that the horizon could be endless. Anatomica screams of a young band progressing, moving beyond their influences in order to discover their own sound.
Opening stomper “We Own the Night” still maintains the roots rock remedy of their first album, but the increased focus on the vocals show the band pushing beyond the boundaries they faced on their previous effort. But, they don’t just rest with their old styling, as they push forward into “Korean Beauty Queen.” Many will see a TV on the Radio vocal similarity, but there is more beneath the vocals. Slick guitars seem to cut through the song, creating space for the rest of the band to fill out the sound with various elements.
Then you encounter a song like “Indiana,” which goes in a completely different direction than the earlier tracks on the EP. It’s a mellow number that shows a band who knows when to hold back, bringing in the listener closer. The chorus gets a little muddy in the middle, but each verse really is able to stand on its own as a perfect piece of modern pop. The title track “Anatomica” is unlike any song on this short collection. It’s a bit like early Kings of Leon, emotionally, but it has it’s own attitude-an attitude altogether Frantic Clam. Throw in a sing-along element, and you have an inspiring song.
Lyrically, you can tell that the band has fallen upon hard times, which is unfortunate, as we wish that upon no one, but perhaps this has led to the focus of this new EP. One thing for sure, is that this band is set upon leaving themselves with varying directions to pursue. You can tell by listening to this effort, along with their last, that they are not eager to be pigeonholed, which is refreshing in and of itself. Congratulations to the band for another positive step forward.
Stop by the Beauty Bar this Wednesday, January 14th, to get your hands on this new EP. Not to mention a slew of other shows they have lined up for your listening pleasure.
If your looking for a little fun indie-pop music today, Raleigh band Annuals bring that and more to a recent performance on Spinner’s The Interface. The live set features 4 tunes and a video interview as well. Don’t forget that the band is also coming through town on Feb. 13th at The Parish. Tickets are on sale now, but we’ll remind you about that closer to the date.
Download: Annuals – Confessor [MP3]
This Tuesday evening California’s The Donkeys will make their way into Austin. Something about this band begs to be noticed, and perhaps it’s the sunshine of bands like Beulah that make this a show we should all attend as winter dances in and out of our lives. The show goes down at The Mohawk, on the inside stage no less. Our friends over at Transmission Entertainment tell us the show kicks off at 10 PM.
Download: The Donkeys – Nice Train [MP3}
