As promised... San Francisco's indie rock band, Collider, released their album, Down In Saturines, back in February. Drop Out and Off by Collider from Down In Saturines Canadian band Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle will be releasing their fifth album, Havana Winter, Tuesday, July 28th. You can also check them out at this year's Lollapalooza. Huntsville.ca by Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle from Havana Winter Indie-electro band from North Carolina, Polynya, released their second album, Crop Rotation, back in June. People In Pictures by Polynya from Crop Rotation Brooklyn's indie duo, KaiserCartel, have a few more shows left on the US tour. They released their second album, March Forth, back in June 2008. Oh No by KaiserCartel from March Forth Seattle-based singer songwriter Shannon Stephens is back with her second album, The Breadwinner, to be released on September 8th. In Summer In The Heat by Shannon Stephens from The Breadwinner
Canadian singer-songwriter Amanda Zelina was featured here on EOI back in March before the completion of her debut album. Now the album, Love Me Till I'm Me Again, is complete and in more ways than one, all with a cover of the Otis Redding classic, "Try A Little Tenderness". There are, no doubt, possible comparisons to Feist, but there's something much more simple and soulful in Ms. Zelina's songs. This album was 2 years in the making, and the patience really comes through. As far as this year's debut albums go, this is definitely one of the best and one that is a must-have. My Version Of It by Amanda Zelina from Love Me Till I'm Me Again Obsessed by Amanda Zelina from Love Me Till I'm Me Again
While the majority of the blogosphere is praising the release of The Fiery Furnaces' new album, I'm Going Away, I'm choosing to be different and not just for the sake of it. I listened to it; it's not too bad but definitely the type of album that takes some time to grow on a person. Since hearing the first three singles for the first time, I've been anxiously awaiting today's debut release from New Orleans duo, Generationals. Maybe it's the Detroiter in me, but there's something very refreshing about the distinctly Motown-style drums in "When They Fight, They Fight". Could there be a better indie pop album for summer than Con Law? If there is, I missed the boat on it and I'll stick with this one, thanks. When They Fight, They Fight by Generationals from Con Law Wildlife Sculpture by Generationals from Con Law
On a side note, block o' new music will return later this week. Have a lot of new tuneage to share. Studies must come first, ya know.
My blogging duties have fallen a little by the wayside lately. It's been a rough few weeks with so much work and the beginning of summer classes, this past week especially. I was bound and determined for this weekend to be one of rest; watching movies, reading, and relaxing. I accomplished that somewhat. While I was driving today to get my daily fix of caffeine, I turned the iPod on to Sigur Rós and sort of let myself get lost in the music, and let it take me back to last September when I was in Reykjavík. Without getting too deep or philosophical, Iceland is a place that I absolutely love, and the music of SR captures that so perfectly. Finally getting back to Iceland after 18 years and then 3 weeks later seeing SR in concert for the first time, it was something like things coming full circle. No doubt, September of 2008 is one that I hold very dear to me. So, the regular posts with standout new artists to keep an eye and great new tuneage will still be coming, no worries. Till then, one of my favorite SR songs with a bit from their amazing 2007 documentary-ish film Heima.
Overall, as a debut for the young Scotsmen of We Were Promised Jetpacks, These Four Walls is a good album. But, alas, not a great one. Maybe my hopes were too high since I absolutely love "Quiet Little Voices" and "Ships With Holes Will Sink". My biggest problem with the album are the repetitive lyrics that too oft seem more like just choruses. It's not quite what we were promised, pun intended, but it's a good start. Don't write these guys off one bit.
Originally released last year, The Rural Alberta Advantage's Hometowns was re-released in lieu of the band signing to the Saddle Creek label. If you don't have this album by now, what are you waiting for? It's a solid album throughout. Don't Haunt This Place by The Rural Alberta Advantage from Hometowns This is my favorite release from this week. Completely unintentional to pit Scots against Scots, but this is the one that delivered for me. Broken Records' debut album, Until The Earth Begins To Part is exactly the kind of album that gets me excited about Tuesdays. If The News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It by Broken Records from Until The Earth Begins To Part If Eilert Loevberg Wrote A Song, It Would Sound Like This by Broken Records from Until The Earth Begins To Part
Montreal and India natives, Elephant Stone's newest release (and Polaris Prize nominated) The Seven Seas is available now on Indiecater Records. It's a solid indie pop album. Don't believe me? Check out the mp3 below or you can stream the whole album here.
The Toronto-based alternative-pop orchestra band, The O'Darling (that were featured here in March) have a tentative July 17th release date for their first full length album. The 9-track album seems almost perfect for summer nights, complete with one track, "Prairie", all in French. If you enjoyed their 2008 release, A Nice E.P., you're going to love this. I have high hopes for these guys and gals. Enjoy the first single below.
Tracklist: Venture Song Prairie Altostratus City Part 1 Embroideries The Type Good Day Montreal Fire Fire
San Francisco's indie rock band, Collider, released their album, Down In Saturines, back in February.
Canadian band Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle will be releasing their fifth album, Havana Winter, Tuesday, July 28th. You can also check them out at this year's Lollapalooza.
Indie-electro band from North Carolina, Polynya, released their second album, Crop Rotation, back in June.
Brooklyn's indie duo, KaiserCartel, have a few more shows left on the US tour. They released their second album, March Forth, back in June 2008.
Seattle-based singer songwriter Shannon Stephens is back with her second album, The Breadwinner, to be released on September 8th.
