The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists have a new album on the way (March 24th), and from the sound of things it’s going to be amazing.
In an age when singles rule and the death of the album has been pronounced by many, The Decemberists have fashioned an anomaly: a record that demands to be listened to from start to finish and reveals more with each subsequent play. The 17-song suite, recorded with the band’s longtime producer, Tucker Martine, is rooted in ancient language and imagery, yet entirely modern and accessible.
The Hazards Of Love tells the tale of a woman named Margaret who is ravaged by a shape-shifting animal; her lover, William; a forest queen; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake, who recounts with spine-tingling ease how he came “to be living so easy and free.” Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Worden deliver the lead vocals for the female characters, while My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Robyn Hitchcock and the Spinanes’ Rebecca Gates appear in supporting roles. The range of sounds reflects the characters’ arcs, from the accordion’s singsong lilt in “Isn’t it a Lovely Night?” to the heavy metal thunder of “The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing.”
Get The Hazards of Love on Amazon.
Listen to some songs on The Decemberists myspace.
Franz Ferdinand – Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
I’m not afraid to type it. I’m a Franz Ferdinand fan. I am afraid to say it five times fast though. Their music is fun! Get this album. When the weather is nice, take a cruise with the windows down and make sure this album is blaring. It’ll be perfect. I promise.
Look out for that truck!!!
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand on amazon.
Franz Ferdinand on myspace.
On the Concert Horizon
Lots of awesomeness in the near future. These concerts have my excited. I hope to see you at a few of them.
Tonight: Tapes ‘n Tapes in Norman, Oklahoma.
Upcoming in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Feb 14 – G Love @ Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 1 – Yonder Mountain String Band @ Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 17 – Andrew Bird @ Cain’s Ballroom
Apr 12 – Death Cab for Cutie, Cold War Kids, and Ra Ra Riot @ The Brady Theater
The Tallest Man on Earth- Shallow Grave
I have a draft for one of those ridiculous “albums of the year” posts. It’s sitting there, gathering digital dust. I don’t regret not finishing it though. Had I published that post, a great injustice would have been done. Only this week did Kyle point me in the direction of this album, and it would have missed the cut.
Dylan-esque vocals delivered on top of a single guitar or banjo. No percussion. No bass guitar. No need for such
The Tallest Man on Earth on myspace.
Shallow Grave on amazon.
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilon
One week into the new year and many are already dubbing this the album of the year for 2009. While it’s a bit early to be calling it, this album is definitely amazing. If you aren’t familiar with Animal Collective, get this album, put your headphones on, and go to your special place. Already available on vinyl or as a digital download, the CD will be in stores later this month.
Animal Collective on myspace
Merriweather Post Pavilon on amazon.com
Jaydiohead
Blitzen Trapper – Furr
While there is a song or two on this album that I skip pretty much every time through, there are enough gems to make up for it. Generally the more country/folk sounding songs are the better ones. Listen to Blitzen Trapper on myspace. Buy Furr on Amazon.com.
Unrelated, it’s come to my attention that certain aspects of my site no longer work with Internet Explorer (“The webpage cannot be found”). I’m probably not going to be fixing the problem anytime soon. Consider yourself informed. If you’ve noticed the problem, you might want to consider Firefox.
Indie Kareoke
Hush Arbors – Hush Arbors
It only took one listen to figure out this album will be going in my heavy rotation. Listen to Hush Arbors on myspace. Buy Hush Arbors from Amazon.
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Drippers
Time to break out your secret stash of acid and shrooms. This is the album you’ve been saving them for all those years. Check out Black Moth Super Rainbow on myspace. If you’re trip isn’t over and you’re still feeling the groove of Black Moth Super Rainbow, check out Tobacco. It’s basically the same thing/person.
