I moved across the street at the start of this month and I’m just now getting my mail straightened out. One of the happier surprises waiting for me was the new album by old YANP-friends Bears. Simple Machinery comes out next month.
MP3:Bears - Wait And See
I’m pretty sure that Bears played this song when they came to Lexington a little over a year ago. I remember being really impressed with one of their new tunes, and this seems like a perfect fit for that. It’s a great piano/guitar twee-pop song that carries a story deeper than most “hearts, flowers and trees” twee songs.
Oh man. I frequently wish I lived in Austin, but Fun Fun Fun fest is the worst of those times for me. Speaking of which, that’s probably the only time you’ll ever hear someone say “fun fun fun fest is the worst,” so enjoy it while it lasts.
Anyway, FFF fest nabbed a bunch of great acts again this year: Deerhoof, Islands, the Clipse, Shearwater, Bishop Allen, Bad Brains, St Vincent and a TON more. Read the full lineup at Austininst.
Here’s another new one from Department of Eagle’s In Ear Park record. Department of Eagles is, again, the other band of Daniel Rossen from Grizzly Bear. The record sounds as good as that would imply, which is to say, it sounds very very good.
MP3:Department of Eagles - No One Does it Like You
It’s hard to believe that Dan’s got enough talent to stretch between two phenomenal bands. “No One Does It Like You” sounds like a pokey, sparse version of Olivia Tremor Control’s work. That’s no doubt because both bands are inspired a great deal by some of the sunnier pop gods like Brian Wilson. It really is just a fantastic song.
Elf Power are releasing the ten-inch of their non-album track “Venus and Mercury” that was debuted on You Ain’t No Picasso earlier this year. The b-side is “Mutiny” and it retails for $8.
I was pretty bummed that I missed Le Switch at our Hot Freaks! SXSW party this year. It’s kind of inexcusable, except that missing good bands at the musical buffet of SXSW is, uh, kind of unavoidable. But still, the room was a bit too packed to get in, so I didn’t get to catch Le Switch. Bummer. However, their new record And Now… Le Switch landed in my lap, so I’m a bit happier with my life.
MP3:Le Switch - Hard Talkin’
“Hard Talkin’” is a big ol bundle of fun that’s in the vein of Dr. Dog and a swingin’ Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s. The horn section is the undeniable winner of the song, though pretty much everything has its turn in the spotlight. Great piano flourishes, vocal work and composition on this one.
I’ve been meaning to post on the Saturday Knights for a long time now. Well, the excuse I needed to jump start myself just plopped in my lap. The Saturday Knights are giving away their debut album Mingle for FREE on their label’s site.
Aquarium Drunkard just premiered this great new tune by the Broken West. It comes to us from their new record Now or Heaven, which sounds like it must be a fantastic one indeed.
MP3:The Broken West - Auctioneer
I’m going to go ahead and say that this sounds like a sexier version of the National. I get a lot of flack for my ambivalence towards the National, so maybe this will make amends. Who am I kidding; you National fans are hard to please. Anyway, back to the song. “Auctioneer” has a drifting, dreamy chorus melded with a speedy chorus, resulting in one of their best songs.
Justin from Fishboy sent in this video of The Music Tapes doing “Television Tells Us” at Popfest. They’re going to be doing a tour soon with lots of affiliated E6 members (Elf Power, Olivia Tremor Control, etc), so consider this a preview.
Check below for a new song off the upcoming record.
