New Releases - 8.21.07

This Johnson City, Tennessee band is in the same category as Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, and Hem. Both previous albums from The Everybodyfields are favorites of mine, and their sound and songwriting has only improved on Nothing Is Okay. Heartbreakingly sad sounding Americana (but in a good way).

The Everybodyfields - Over and Done

I have to admit I haven't listened to this album much yet, but what I have heard sounds like The Bee Gees and... Jewel? It seems everyone has an opinion on Rilo's new sound. People either love it or hate it. I don't hate it, but some songs on the album are truly dreadful (ie "The Moneymaker").

Rilo Kiley - Big Break (B-side to "The Moneymaker" 7 inch single)

Josh Ritter has been called the modern day Springsteen and the modern day Dylan... Both are fitting comparisons. His major label debut has a bigger, fuller sound, but when it comes down to it, Josh is still writing incredible folk songs when you strip away all the extra instruments.

Josh Ritter - To The Dogs or Whoever


Other honorable mentions for 8.21.07:

The New Pornographers - Challengers (perfect indie-pop)
Cartel - Cartel (irresistible pop/punk)
Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This (quirky Australians!)
Caribou - Andorra (Zombies-like folk/rock)
Imperial Teen - The Hair, The TV, The Baby & The Band (pretty power-pop)
Ingram Hill - Cold in California (nice roots-rock)
Earlimart - Mentor Tormentor (subdued shoegaze)
Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child (jazzy-pop for the Starbucks crowd)

New Releases - 8.7.07

[I've been a bad blogger lately, and might continue to be for the next few weeks... But I will resume eventually, I promise!]

Orenda Fink (one half of the defunct Azure Ray) ups the tempo slightly with her new project Art in Manila. By upping the tempo, I mean now it might just make you sleepy as opposed to comatose. Still, this is a lovely album full of girly indie sounds.

Art in Manila - The Abomination


This album was just released digitally this week, the physical version does not come out until Sept. 4th. I love everything about Ferraby: His Care-Bears-sounding name, the fact that he's a Nashville boy, his Rufus-Wainwright-but-less-over-the-top pretty vocals, his scruffy hobo songwriter look, etc.

Ferraby Lionheart - Pure Imagination (iTunes Bonus Track / Willy Wonka Cover!)

Moo, You Bloody Choir has been out in Australia for quite some time now, but was just released stateside this week. This Melbourne-based band has been creating melodic dream-pop for over a decade now but still have not received much attention in the U.S. The lead singer is very Jeff Buckley sounding.

Augie March - The Cold Acre


Other honorable mentions for 8.07.07:

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - This is Somewhere (smoky-voiced singer/songwriter)
Okkervil River - The Stage Names (gritty folk/rock)
Magnolia Electric Co. - Sojourner (ambitious box set)
Mirah & Spectratone International - Share This Place (album all about... insects?)
The Brunettes - Structure and Cosmetics (Kiwi indie-pop)