“Caught again in the devil’s snare, my mind is starting to slip” sings lead vocalist/guitarist Alex Robins of San Francisco’s country-rock septet Or, the Whale. The lyric comes from the second track off the band’s self-titled LP, which is is the follow-up to 2007’s Light Poles and Pines. “Datura” is here for downloading. It’s a lissome folk rock tune about the hallucinogenic properties of jimson weed. Or, the Whale comes out September 22nd on Seany. You can stream more tracks from the new LP at the band’s Myspace.
MySpace Music’s latest Transmissions session featured the Cambridge-based electro disco unit Passion Pit this week. Pit’s stripped-down live sesh is now live at Myspace Transmissions and all MySpace users can download free tracks of the four-track setlist. We’ve got “Sleepyhead” to download above but you can grab the whole zipped folder of the performance right here. Setlist below. Manners is out now on Frenchkiss and you can read our interview with the Michael Angelakos at this spot.
01 Sleepy Head 02 Moth’s Wings 03 Little Secrets 04 I’ve Got Your Number
Music Go Music
“Light of Love” MP3
Jul 31, 2009
Music Go Music‘s highly-anticipated (based on a few well-received 12-inch singles) debut LP, Expressions, is due out October 6th on Secretly Canadian. Here’s “Light of Love,” a disco throwback track that’s made for the roller derby. ABBA 2.0? Also, vocalist/frontwoman Gala Bell also throws down a Karen Carpenter-esque vocal. Check out our Antcipated Albums of 2009 interview with the rising group right here.
Gold Panda
“Quitters Raga” MP3
Jul 31, 2009
He’s best known for remixing indie giants like Telepathe, Zero 7 and Bloc Party but London-based producer Gold Panda recently released a 7-inch single of his own called “Quitters Raga,” on Make Mine. Panda’s proclivity for cut-up and found samples are on full display on this multi-layered, bass-heavy mashup. Guitars and ragas form a colorful whorl.
Atlas Sound
Micromix 21 MP3
Jul 31, 2009
Bradford Cox (aka Atlas Sound) continues to keep himself busy by reguarly posting to his blog unreleased demos and interesting covers, as well as a popular series of digital mixtapes he dubs Micromixes. We’re up to Vol. 21 now, a psychedelic journey featuring Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, and Juana Molina, among others. Also, be sure to peep Cox’s recent collabo with Animal Collective/Panda Bear‘s Noah Lennox on the highly recommended “Walkabout.”
01 Rev. Johnny L. Jones - Walk With Me / Anonymous - We Shall Overcome 02 Es - Säteet Sun Sielusta 03 Pescado Rabioso - Superchería 04 Juana Molina - Martin Fierro 05 The Particles - Apricot’s Dream 06 Neil Young - Bad Fog of Loneliness 07 Anonymous - We Shall Overcome 08 Atlas Sound - Coffin Trick (Second Version) 09 Townes Van Zandt - Pancho & Lefty 10 Pescado Rabioso - Las Habladurías Del Mundo
Sea Wolf
“Stanislaus” MP3
Jul 31, 2009
Los Angeles’ Sea Wolf is back with his sophomore effort, White Water, White Bloom. After finishing an extensive touring cycle in support of his well-received folk debut, Leaves in the River, Alex Brown Church followed his heart (aka muse) and moved to Montréal. The singer-songwriter worked with Mike Mogis in Omaha, where he laid down the rough plan for the follow-up release. The bonus track, “Stanislaus,” can be downloaded here. It retains Church’s flair for cinematic and rustic instrumentations. White Water, White Bloom drops September 22nd, courtesy of Dangerbird Records. Pre-order the record now.
London’s A Mountain of One is actually a duo consisting of Mo Morris and Zeben Jameson, who fashion some freak-out psych riffs that lift heavily from ‘70s prog rock. Synth-y strings, reverbed guitars, gospel choirs, and strummed acoustic guitars are heard in the gargantuan-sized “Bones,” from the upcoming Institute of Joy, out September 7th on 10 Worlds/PIAS. Here’s the equally epic video to the right. The single release date for “Bones” is August 10th. Check out the album cover below.
The Very Best
Architecture in Helsinki
“Warm Heart of Africa (Architecture in Helsinki Remix)” MP3
Jul 29, 2009
Two very, very different remixes of blog-hyped duo The Very Best have surfaced this week. Here we have a remix of the title track of Warm Heart of Africa by the pan-global pop collective Architecture in Helsinki. Metronomy also has a remix that can be downloaded as a package with the AIH one right here. AIH’s brassy, percussive retooling marches across the main melody line like the circus joined in an impromptu, seaside jam session. The Very Best (aka Radioclit and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya) drop their debut full-length, Warm Heart of Africa, September 22nd on Green Owl (via Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group.) It’s also available digitally August 25th.
Music Go Music
Bradford Cox (aka 
