Today's Quick Mention: Finally! I
believe anything related to SXSW on SOTO has finally
come to an end. It's amazing/disturbing how
that crazy festival takes over three weeks of my
life every year.
While getting the slew of mp3s sitting in my inbox
organized I noticed that a fairly large handful of
good stuff had been released while we were playing
with the "festival that shall not be named until at
least December." Below is the first part of me
attempting to catch-up.
Enjoy.
:Explosions
In The Sky - Trembling Hands:
First of all, it's great that Explosions In The Sky are back
with a new full length. The world needs as much of
their instrumental glory as it can get. Secondly, this
is a lot more accessible than I'm used to from them.
There's normally a slow, winding build to a climax, but this
cuts that out and tosses you right in the mix of things.
Makes me curious about what we're in for when Take Care,
Take Care, Take Care gets released on April 26 via
Temporary Residence.
:Cults
- You Know What I Mean:
For whatever reason Cults signing to a major label didn't
sit well with me, and I immediately figured their next
release would be far from inspired. That's still a
possibility, I suppose, but this first single is a gem.
They're still as pop as ever, but there's just enough edge
to slap a nice smirk on my face. The band's currently
untitled debut is due in May on Columbia.
:Okkervil
River - Wake And Be Fine:
A friend of mine recently said that so far he was getting
the impression that OR's upcoming LP was a healthy mix of
the pop perfection of The Stage Names and the more
raw approach that their earlier efforts featured. I
can agree with that. A lot, actually, and I can't wait
to listen to I Am Very Far way too loud when it gets
released May 10 via Jagjaguwar.
:The
Kills - DNA:
2011 may end up be the year of the Kills. Their first
two singles have been more than stellar (Satellite is
other, in case you missed it), and I'm convinced that their
new LP is going to be great. Now excuse me, I need to
get back to attempting to dance in a sultry fashion.
Domino will release the highly anticipated Blood
Pressures on April 5.
:Bill
Callahan - Baby's Breath:
This song has a pretty neat Western vibe that's deserving of
your attention, but I think we all know that the best thing
about anything from Bill Callahan is his voice, and it's
certainly as amazing as always here. Is anything in
the world as deep and crisp as what comes out of that guy's
face? I really don't think so. Apocalypse
is due out April 19 via Drag City.
- John Laird -
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