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A.C. Newman – Shut Down the Streets (Matador)
The New Pornographers leader’s 3rd solo album and first since 2009’s Get Guilty finds him in somber, contemplative mood comparable to parts of the New Pornographers’ underrated 2007 album Challengers. In fact, there’s an undercurrent of melancholy that pervades this entire album, but with the incredible, trademark hooks on songs like the opener “I’m Not Talking,” “Encyclopedia of Classic Takedowns” (featuring Neko Case‘s excellent backing vocals) and “There’s Money in New Wave”, this stands as another great album.
The Fresh and Onlys – Long Slow Dance (Mexican Summer)
Where did this come from? Instead of the ’60s garage vibes that permeated their previous records, it’s clear that Tim Cohen and company have spent a lot of time with 16 Lovers Lane-era Go-Betweens and the Heyday-era stylings of The Church. Not that I’m complaining. This is a gorgeous, lovelorn, romantic record and there are absolute stunners here like “Fire Alarm”, but this was just an unexpected surprise!
Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler/The Dream EP
Though this came out last year, I’m finally catching up with this band’s vast discography. Just like their live show (though not as intense, of course), this is mind-bending, heavy garage-psych with druggy lyrics and imagery and wonderful to boot.
D.Y.S. – “True Believers”
I think that this is the fifth or perhaps sixth song (I’m losing track) in this legendary Boston hardcore band’s digital-only single series! As such, this one finds them in a mode more similar to their 1983 debut Brotherhood than any other new song they’ve released since their reunion a few years ago. “Intense” is the operative word here, but since it’s not 1983, there is a reggae breakdown here (a first for the band) and more professional production courtesy of Andrew “Mudrock” Murdock. You can listen to it here.
Tame Impala – Lonerism (Modular Recordings)
This release has gotten a lot of hype in recent weeks, but with good reason as it’s a highly enjoyable slice of early ’70s style prog-pop in the style of Todd Rundgren‘s records of the same era (like A Wizard, A True Star, its main inspiration). It’s not often that an Australian band is from Perth as most of bands from that part of the world seem to hail from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, but in this case, its isolation on Australia’s southwestern coast produces wonderful results.
Royal Headache – Royal Headache (What’s Your Rupture?)
I’m not sure why it took me so long to warm up to these guys as it’s an absolutely rip-snorting, very Australian slice of raw punk rock with vocals that seem to be inspired by Rod Stewart circa The Faces (one can also hear a hint of Stewart’s Sam Cooke influence in lead howler Shogun). Forget the Undertones and Buzzcocks comparisons. This owes way more to the soul-punk lineage of The MC5, The Saints (Chris Bailey is the other vocalist I think of here) and more recently The Bellrays as well as ’80s Australian underground heroes like Celibate Rifles and the like. In any case, if any of the above appeal to you, you will love this.
Savages – “Flying to Berlin” EP (Pop Noire)
Yes this young London band is hyped up to high heaven right now and they have an impending deal with Rough Trade, but this A-side is absolutely classic sounding post-punk very much in the vein of Joy Division and especially the 1st 2 Echo and the Bunnymen albums. Sure, it’s not original at all, but is highly enjoyable. The B-side “Husbands” is faster and more jittery and its chorus may remind you of Patti Smith‘s “Horses” or perhaps even Pere Ubu‘s “Birdies”. It’s intense stuff, less studied cool than an intense build-up waiting to boil!
Bleeding Rainbow – “Drift Away” EP (Kanine)
Their first release on the Kanine label and first release since changing their name from Reading Rainbow, this is noisier than their previous output, owing a debt to Sonic Youth. If this is more of the sort of stuff that will be on their forthcoming Kanine full-length debut, I’m looking forward to hearing it!
OFF! with The Spits and Double Negative – First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia) – October 19, 2012
Please see my full review here.
Ty Segall Twins (Drag City)
Ty’s 3rd (yes 3rd!) album of 2012 not only enters him in a non-existent competition with Guided by Voices over who can release the most amount of material this year, but more importantly follows up the brilliant and ultra-aggressive Slaughterhouse with a softer, glammier, but still rockin’ slab that will undoubtedly please his growing fanbase.
