“Came Home Late” sounds surreally vintage — more early Microphones (and shitty microphones) than the full-bodied orchestral affairs of recent Lambchop. The song arrives on the band’s archival collection Turd Goes Back: Essential Tracks from Secret Secret Sourpuss & Big Tussy, released via Grapefruit Records’ subscription series. Though it looks like we’ll go the year without an album proper from Kurt Wagner and Co., his KORT project — a collection of forgotten country classics — is also worth a spin while we wait for a follow-up to the immaculate OH (Ohio).
Seeker Lover Keeper’s self-titled debut may be the year’s best argument for sharing. Sally Seltmann (ex-New Buffalo), Holly Throsby and Sarah Blasko have teamed up for an Aussie Trio, trading in Emmylou, Dolly and Linda’s twangy harmonies for a wide-ranging, life-affirming collaborative collection. As expected, the three rotate lead singing duties, but with the added wrinkle of handling each other’s songs; hearing each stretch from one comfort zone into two others is a joy, as when Seltmann rises to the hungry rock challenge of “Every Time,” or when Throsby adds breathy wisdom to the Seltmann penned “Even Though I’m a Woman.” The collaborative spirit leads the group through a handful of neighboring avenues: the weightless Postal Service pop of “Light all My Lights” and “Rely on Me,” the somber piano trot of “Even Though I’m a Woman,” the finger-picked folk of “We Will Know What It Is.”
It’s a stirring recipe, one that works even better in practice than on paper. Whether, like me, you’re a Seltmann diehard or just a longtime connoisseur of Australia’s finest female singer-songwriters, Seeker Lover Keeper is the kind of richly rewarding effort that should teach future supergroups what can happen when you play well with others.
Rawkblog favorites Pepper Rabbit will return this summer with sophomore album (and their first proper full-length: Beauregard gathered their two EPs with a handful of new tracks) Red Velvet Snow Ball. Like Spider-Man 2 before it, the new effort might just top its predecessor. Lead single “Rose Mary Stretch” offers a fresh side of the previously hazy psych-folk band: Luc Laurent’s unwavering drumming cuts through the clouds before singer Xander Singh’s charging chorus blasts aside any lingering fumes. It won’t entirely harsh your mellow: the musicianship’s playful in an of Montreal sort of way, but the song itself is built to be played live, a reflection of the increasing volume of the band’s endless touring. It’s a good thing.
Download the song (and the band’s free accompanying EP) for the price of an email below and watch their Waynestock take on upcoming deep cut “The Annexation of Puerto Rico.” Read the rest of this entry »
For some writers, certainly this one, seeing a Tumblr blog get a book deal is like being an indie-pop band hearing the Cults record. “I could do that!” you think, atwitter with jealousy and regret. “My three-year-old could do that and I don’t even have one!” But not all of us can be toddlers. Music critic/Twitter iconoclast Christopher R. Weingarten has been pairing photos of dogs in glasses with amusing captions for months now, and frankly, they’re pretty funny! It’s not his fault he got to it first. Or maybe it is, in which case we give him full credit.
At any rate, the book version is due July 5: give Chris some money and maybe he’ll be less cranky about your favorite buzz band (but probably not).
(Related: Should we start Hipster Pussies, a combo cat-joke/indie porn Tumblr? Surely there’s a market.)
It is an honor and pleasure to announce our sponsorship of the second date in LA Font’s July Silverlake Lounge residency on Monday, July 11. It’s a free show, so whether you’ve had the band’s garage jams rattling around your headspace for months or you just need some new tracks to impress the cool kids on Turntable.fm, you have every reason to come and pick up group’s new “Sharks” 7”. As you’ll remember, I was in the studio with the band during the recording sessions — it’s a scorcher.
In the spirit of giving, the bill will also include Queen Kwon, the Ross Sea Party and chamber-rock should-be icons Ravens & Chimes. (A Waynestock mini-reunion! Maybe we can get Pepper Rabbit to help out on clarinet.) RSVP on Facebook and grab a live take on the single from the band’s Noise Coalition session below.
The Green Album is due August 23 and features, hilariously enough, Weezer, who’ll cover “The Rainbow Connection” with Paramore’s Hayley Williams. My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, Sondre Lerche and some bands that suck also contribute, but hey, Hayley Williams! Muppets! A match made in heaven. [via TwentyFourBit]
I’m still absorbing a few things before dropping my half-year list, but frankly, we could use a few more towering classics this year. (I’m looking at you, Annie Clark.) What’s really blown you away? Who’s your favorite new band? Who’s your favorite old band? Let me know in the comments.
“Came Home Late” sounds surreally vintage — more early Microphones (and shitty microphones) than the full-bodied orchestral affairs of recent Lambchop. The song arrives on the band’s archival collection Turd Goes Back: Essential Tracks from Secret Secret Sourpuss & Big Tussy, released via Grapefruit Records’ subscription series. Though it looks like we’ll go the year without an album proper from Kurt Wagner and Co., his KORT project — a collection of forgotten country classics — is also worth a spin while we wait for a follow-up to the immaculate OH (Ohio).
For some writers, certainly this one, seeing a Tumblr blog get a book deal is like being an indie-pop band hearing the Cults record. “I could do that!” you think, atwitter with jealousy and regret. “My three-year-old could do that and I don’t even have one!” But not all of us can be toddlers. Music critic/Twitter iconoclast Christopher R. Weingarten has been pairing photos of dogs in glasses with amusing captions 
The Green Album is due August 23 and features, hilariously enough, Weezer, who’ll cover “The Rainbow Connection” with Paramore’s Hayley Williams. My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, Sondre Lerche and some bands that suck also contribute, but hey, Hayley Williams! Muppets! A match made in heaven. [via 
