03.05.09
resident new releases may 4th 2009
Albums of the Week : Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free (Crammed)
The Horrors – Primary Colours (XL)
The Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love (Jagjaguwar)
Single of the Week : Burial & Four Tet – Moth / Wolf Cub (Text)
After last week’s rather slim pickings, this week has seen us buried in boxes of new releases, so here’s a quick run down of some of our top picks in cae you haven’t got time to read through the complete listing (you really should read it though – James, Sam & I slogged to get it finished this week!). Top of the pile is the new album from Brooklyn’s heady experimentalists Akron/Family - takes a few listens to work its magic this one but those who stick with it will be greatly rewarded………..if you’d written The Horrors off as some style over substance art-school nonsense (as indeed their previous record company did), then think again – their new album, with the help of Portishead’s Geoff Barrow on production, is a sublime slice of psychedelic, krautrock-inspired brilliance………our final top pick of the week comes from The Black Mountain frontman Steve McBean, who has recorded his fabulous new record as The Pink Mountaintops with a host of top notch special guests (check out his stripped back, acoustic set here on Thursday @ 7)………….the utterly charming Maccabees demonstrate a far wider range of sounds & influences, resulting in a far superior sophomore effort (we’ve got a few signed copies left after the preorders, so be quick if you want one of these!)…………..Annie Clark, aka St.Vincent, has looked to film scores as inspiration for her wonderful 2nd album – a winner for fans of Feist, Andrew Bird or Sufjan Stevens we think………. electroclash trashmouth Peaches is back with more of her harsh beats & filthy mouth aided by Simian Mobile Disco, Digitalism, Drums Of Death & Soulwax – feel the quality!……….Hot Chip have put together their contribution to the Bugged Out Mix series which further showcases their immaculate taste……….the 4th album from Scottish singer/songwriter Alasdair Roberts is folkier than ever but it’s a lively affair that contains some of his best melodies yet……..the hypnotically bludgeoning Isis deliver a slow burning future classic……..the ridiculously prolific Conor Oberst (aka Bright Eyes) has made a record with his current touring band The Mystic Village Band – an engaging, multi-textured & colourful effort from the indie-rock icon……….indie-pop darlings The Wave Pictures have enlisted Herman Dune’s Stanley Brinks for horn duties & incorporate lots of lovely guitar finger picking on their 2nd record of warm & fuzzy tunes……….the fierce, all-out, 5 pronged attack that is Gallows deliver more distorted guitar riffs & screaming vocals to great effect………….the 18 year old London songstress who records as Alessi’s Ark has delivered an arresting debut of orchestral pop & sweeping melodies………..the unique talent that is Lhasa has been gathering masses of critical acclaim for her self-titled 3rd album………Miss Kittin & The Hacker finally get around to serving up a 2nd helping of their metallic soul & glamorous space disco………..dubstep’s current leading light Caspa delivers a sure fire party starter of an album……….if you want some mental jazz beats a la Polar Bear or Acoustic Ladyland then check out the new offering from Led Bib……….Paul Curreri’s other half Devon Sproule follows up her much lauded ‘Keep Your Silver Shined’ with another enthralling country / folk record……..if like me, you were bowled over by The War On Drugs album, check out the solo effort from Kurt Vile which is only available on vinyl at the moment but the odd crackle will only serve to enhance this lo-fi beauty…….all this & loads more new albums from the likes of Trembling Bells, Get The Blessing, Fischerspooner, High Contrast, Damian Lazarus, Magik Markers, Hanne Hukkelberg, Double Dagger, The Seal Club Clubbing Club, Florian Hecker, The Black Dog, The Do, Esben & The Witch, Doll & The Kicks, Bird Names, Burn The Negative, Madina Lake, Esser, The Hospitals, The Paper Chase, Richard Swift & reissues from The Rolling Stones, The Vaselines, The Deviants, Frankie Paul & Laurel Aitken & singles from Burial & Four Tet (get in extra quick with this one – half already gone on pre-order so it won’t hang around), The Leisure Society, Scout Niblett, Pinch, Poppy & The Jezebels, Ital Tek, Rye Rye, Fanfarlo, We Were Promised Jetpacks & loads more. Also, if you missed out on the incredible release from The Caretaker last year, we have a limited amount available on import back in stock. For full details of these & all of this week’s other releases, click on the link below