Attracting Strange Midnight Snowflakes
Mercury Rev moves in bold, electronic directions with the simultaneous release of two new albums. One of the albums is free to all; both are just clicks away.
Erik Bryan
Quoi de Neuf
Singer/pianist Casey Dienel’s group White Hinterland turns back the clock and convincingly gives French pop its due.
The Sons of No One
Rhino Records completes its reissue series of Minneapolis’s “bastard” sons, the Replacements, with four albums spanning the band’s decline from 1985 to 1990.
The Holocaust Section
My Bloody Valentine’s first U.S. shows in 16 years exceed sound records and audience expectations.
A Stern Mouth- and Earful
On a short list of guitar-tapping ladies, Marnie Stern applies her technique to power pop, and the result is it. (It is fun.)
Another Word for Fiddlesticks
A new album from Horse Feathers proves their potential, while echoing Elliott Smith, whose presence is still missed.
Re-Appropriating Appropriation
In the past week, two major music blogs (Stereogum and Gorilla vs. Bear) have featured Malawi’s Esau Mwamwaya along with leaked tracks from his highly anticipated debut release produced by Radioclit, the British DJ/production duo with a naughty name. Mwamwaya was also featured on the cover of Fader
King’s Lead Hat
David Byrne’s first collaboration with Brian Eno in 27 years: Eno calls it “electronic gospel”—we call it the sound of studio perfection.
Krautrocker Glory
A moody, progressive new track from Fujiya & Miyagi hints at past musical movements.
Engaging the Fans
Of Montreal have devised a marketing strategy to entice fans into buying (rather than stealing) digital downloads of their new album: offering specially designed merchandise with every purchase.