New Music Update May 6th 2006

[diablojesus]

First ads of the Summer:

Heavy Rotation

Grandaddy -- Just Like the Fambly Cat
Modesto, California Neo-Psych Indie rock with a hint of twang. This took a few listens to really sink in. Rumor has it this will be the swan song Grandaddy album. Bring on the Jason Lytle solo albums! Fans of The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals, Starlight Mints, Pavement or Dios Malos should start with 13, 5, 3, or 8 and go from there.

The Black Heart Procession -- The Spell
Dark and brooding Indie Rock/Pop. Buchmeyer finds them boring, and this was no exception. You can make your own call by playing 2, 6, 1 or 9. For fans of Cursive, Smog, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

The Fever -- In The City of Sleep
The Fever tweak the dancey post-punk of their first two releases with dark theatrics and demented psychadelica worthy of David Lynch. Like Tom Waits meets Hot Hot Heat, or Oingo Boingo fronted by Nick Cave with Gary Numan just hanging out, or bands like The National or Great Lakes Myth Society. Play 2, 5, 10, 7, 4 or 11.

Serena-Maneesh -- s/t
Nothing that comes out of Steve Albini's Studio can be bad. No Exception here. Lush and upbeat rock that is rich and interesting. For fans of Sonic Youth, Stereolab or My Bloody Valentine. Go with 1, 2, 3 or 6.

Snowglobe -- Oxytocin
Light pop from Athens, Georgia. Upholding the city's reputation for producing great lo-fi pop. If you like Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal or The Decemberists then try 5, 2, 10, 12 or 8.

Daniel Johnston -- Welcome to My World
Legendary Lo-Fi Indie artist Greatest Hits. Ride the Daniel Johnston resurgance while it lasts!! Start with 2, 3, 4, 11, 13, 14 if you like The Mountain Goats, Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips or Dennis Driscoll.

Kimya Dawson -- Remember That I Love You
Half of the Moldy Peaches, Kimya returns with a more upbeat album that speaks of current events but remains deeply personal. Many of the tracks feature Paul Baribeau and Matty PopChart. Play 1, 7, 5 or 12 if you enjoy Daniel Johnston, Adam Green (the other half of the Moldy Peaches)

Zach Hill and Mike Bar -- Shred Earthship
If you Love(Hate) Lightning Bolt or Pink & Brown you will Love(Hate) this album. Zach Hill (Hella) teams up with Mike barr (Orthrealm) and the Shred/Wail!! Amazing as always. So go Love(Hate) tracks 1, 6, 3 or 12.

Matmos -- The Rose Has Teeth In The Mouth Of A Beast
Matmos' 5th album looks to create sound portraits of such iconic figures as Larry Levan (2), Joe Meek (, Darby Crash (7) and William S. Burroughs (9) among others. For fans of LiquidLiquid or Aphex Twin etc.

BestOf/Reissue

Cocteau Twins -- Lullabies To Violaine singles and extended plays 1982-1996
All the non-album tracks (B-sides, EPs etc) from the Cocteau Twins collected in one place. Awesome shoegazer legends similar to My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive or Stereolab among others. Highlights of this sampler include 7, 3, 1, 2, 11 and 12.

Local

DMMC: Hear We Go
Compilation of Ames/Des Moines scene bands, available as a gift to paid members of the Des Moines Music Coalition. A nice variety of styles with PopPunk, HipHop, LoudRock, IndieRock, Experimentalism etc. Start with songs from Poison Control Center (2), Aeon Grey (9), The Lifestyle (1), Gaiden Gadema (7), North of Grand (6), The Sword of Exactly (15), On A Pale Horse (11), Rosefield (4) and Like Knives (3) among others.

RPM

Alias & Tarsier -- Brookland/Oaklyn
Alias has proven in his Hip Hop collaborations that his beats can make you dance. Now he is aiming for a lusher, more subdued sound. This sounds like it could have been put out on Morr Music, but instead it is an accessable anticon record (blaspheny!). For fans of The NoTwist, Bjork or Prefuse73. Try 1, 9, 2 or 6.

Blues/Jazz/World/Etc.

Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid -- The Exchange Session Vol. 2
More free-jazz goodness from Kieran Hebden (FourTet) and Jazz drumming legend Steve Reid. Try 1 or 3.
*note I moved Volume 1 over to Blues/Jazz/World as well, because this section sadly doesn't get much added to it.*

LoudRock

The Ocean Collective -- Aeolian
A weird mix of sludge and other elements. Very Unique....Fans of Pelican or Isis should check out 2, 4, or 9.

Blind Guardian -- Fly
Power Metal with very catchy choruses and great vocals. Play 1 or 2 (a cover of a rock classic) if you like Iron Maiden or Hammerfall.

[Tapeworm]

I would just like to say that I do not like the new Grandaddy album, whatsoever. And I will agree with the Black Heart Procession comment.

[johnny82]

finally the cocteau twins release a b-side collection!!!
i've been waiting for this for so long...
even the stuff they release in LP albums is very raw and experimental
so i suppose this b-side collection will be really raw stuff - that should be interesting to hear.
i have to agree that the new grandaddy album isn't good at all - not even close to their previous stuff...