Eight Quick Picks: DB+St.V, Grizzly Bear, Two Gallants, Field Report, Cat Power and more

Hi, I'm back from a maternity break - doubled the size of the family by adding twins! I still found plenty of time to listen to new music, mostly while feeding them. They're the most musically up-to-date newborns around! Here's eight quick picks on recent new releases to make up for my absence, go on, spend that back-to-school money at the record store!

David Byrne & St. Vincent - Love This Giant: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Wacky young songstress teams up with elder statesman of wackiness. Beautiful music ensues.

Field Report - Field Report: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Field Report - Is part of Bon Iver. Done.

Two Gallants - The Bloom and The Blight: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Until further notice you can assume this band and anyone thats part of this band is always on my 'must have' list.

Grizzly Bear - Shields: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Two words: Grizzly. Bear. You already love it.

Ryan Lerman - Pinstripes, The Sky: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Yummy singer-songwriter with intriguing production. Probably the first artist to cover Adele and Elliott Smith on the same album.

Rhett Miller - The Dreamer: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Totally unfair that he is utterly talented and utterly handsome.

Hungry Ghost - Hungry Ghost: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Former members of Unwound make a new sound that is a melange of Led Zeppelin, X, White Stripes, and Sleater-Kinney.

Cat Power - Sun: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site Phenomenal return from an indie favorite.

Pick Of The Week: The Dig "Midnight Flowers"

This is The Dig's second album and if I would have blogged more in 2010, their debut would have received a recommend as well. The album is flawlessly produced and every song has some interesting texture to it, I love that. But I don't love it if the songwriting is not there to back it up, and The Dig does not disappoint in that category either. I'm going to say that they're like a mellower Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with a male vocalist. See if I'm right. The Dig - Midnight Flowers: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

PS congratulations to me, as of the end of June we are halfway through the year and I have so far kept my New Years Resolution of posting a recommended album every week - you can count 'em, there are 26 recommendations posted!

Pick Of The Week: Everest

I think if a song can start off sounding like a Johnny Marr riff, segue into a grungy power pop Strokes vibe and then wind up sounding like the Doors, thats a great song. Such is "Rapture", the first track off Everest's new album Ownerless. And many more treats await you after that track. Most reviews of this record call them an 'alt-country' band but I think they owe a bigger debt to classic rockers like Neil Young. But if you don't care for awesome guitar lines, killer drums, great songwriting and heartfelt vocals, just keep moving. Everest - Ownerless: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Glen Hansard solo album

Spectacular Irish band The Frames, heart-stopping duo The Swell Season, and the hugely affecting movie Once have exactly one thing in common - Glen Hansard. He has an almost supernatural gift for live performance that is solidly backed up by first-rate songwriting credentials. A lot of Irishmen, Bono included, think Glen and his band The Frames are the best thing out of Ireland, since, you guessed it, U2. I think they might be the best thing out of any country since U2. This is Glen's first solo album, and it plays like a lost Van Morrison classic in tone and production but the songs are pure Glen - a storyteller on a quest to solve the ever-elusive mystery of true love. Lovers and seekers alike, this one is for you. Glen Hansard - Rhythm And Repose: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Patti Smith "Banga"

I've listened to this album about eight times in a row now. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just being nostalgic, or 'old', or clinging to the past. But it's just a damn fine release from one of the greatest artists of all time. Unlike many of her peers, she remains interesting and vibrant even 30+ years into her career. Perhaps its partly because she sings about things that are older than rock itself - spirituality, children, historical events. Her style is completely unique and inimitable, she is truly the high priestess of rock. Long may she rule. Patti Smith - Banga: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Thieving Irons and Simone Felice

Two easy recommends this week, both from artists I've been following for some time. Nate Martinez has always been the secret weapon super-guitarist of Pela, as well as touring with The National and Alexi Murdoch. When Pela broke up, he found his solo voice as Thieving Irons (definitely the silver lining to losing Pela). His voice is comforting like a warm blanket, the production is epic without being overwhelming and both lyrics and musical arrangements are first class. You can put this album on repeat for hours and not get bored. Thieving Irons - Behold, This Dreamer: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

I'm going to caution you against reading Simone Felice's bio because it will likely make you feel a) lazy (he's been in four band projects counting this solo effort, was a major player on five albums plus numerous other album assists, and has five published writing credits including a novel) and/or b) dismayed to learn of his personal tragedies and medical mishaps. So let me sum it up for you: member of The Felice Brothers as well as The Duke and The King, uber-talented songwriter with the chops and style to back it up, first solo release, joing Mumford & Sons on tour right now, don't miss it.

Simone Felice - Simone Felice: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Sigur Rós and Now, Now

I could just skip over this new release because a) you should already know about Sigur Rós, and b) the album is not significantly different than any of their other releases. But it's a truly wonderful listening experience and it feels like the right time for a gorgeous, dreamy, escapist album. Stuck at work on a summer afternoon? Put this album in your headphones and the afternoon will fly by. Feeling some road rage while stuck in traffic? This one will calm you down, Valtari is a blissful state of mind that can be achieved anywhere, even on a congested highway. Sigur Rós - Valtari: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site ($5 right now at Amazon. Seriously.)

Although I hope most readers have heard of Sigur Rós, I have no such delusions about recommendation #2, the album Threads by Minneapolis trio Now, Now. Two girls on guitar (one also the vocalist), and a guy drummer already makes them unique. If you need a big name to convince you, they were signed by Chris Walla (guitarist for Death Cab For Cutie) to his label Trans Record. I love their breathy vocals and smart lyrics over quirky music that doesn't sound like everything else out there. They appear to be on tour right now, try to catch them.

Now, Now - Threads: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Admiral Fallow and Lightships

It's bold to start your album with the sound of a someone agitating a speaker cord, then lead into a six minute down-tempo duet. But I guess when you have that adorable Scottish accent, you can get away with it. The second song picks up tempo quite a bit, and might remind you of their countrymen Frightened Rabbit ("Swim, until you can't see land ...). I don't think you'll be disappointed if you stick with the album - epic indie rock along the lines of early Snow Patrol. I'm completely hooked. Admiral Fallow - Tree Bursts In Snow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

It's honestly a coincidence that my second pick this week is also from Scotland. Gerard Love is the vocalist, songwriter, and bass player for my long time faves Teenage Fanclub. He's made a gorgeous album under the name Lightships, inviting some of his favorite players from other bands and taking a slightly more freewheeling approach to the music, while still exhibiting his gifts for melody and arrangement. This album is so inviting that I was very nearly distracted from finishing this post while listening to it! So proceed with caution, but if you want to leave planet Earth for awhile, this is for you.

Lightships - Electric Cables: Amazon :: iTunes :: Teenage Fanclub Official Site

Picks Of The Week: Beach House and The Wave Pictures

Welcome back to me! I've been missing from this blog for one month. I worked on two super awesome pilots, both of which you will likely see on NBC in early 2013, and two incredible season finales for Castle and The Big C. Always lots of pressure for great music in those season finales! Then I did take a couple weeks to decompress. Now I'm back, and promise you 'two-fers' for the next four weeks to make up for my absence and because I have so much good music stockpiled here to tell you about! Beach House just released their fourth album, titled "Bloom". This band from Baltimore has been bubbling under for some time, by which I mean that very few people knew about them for the last few albums, but those people told enough friends, who told their friends and now suddenly everybody is a fan for this new album. That's just how it works sometimes. It's a very worthy album for their breakout - slightly darker than their first few (you know I like that.) Beautiful, dreamy, lush, but still indie and interesting. And as a bonus, you can get it on Amazon right now for only $5! I mean, just skip the morning latte and get this album instead, it will last far longer.

Beach House - Bloom: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

For my second pick, I've been pretty intrigued with this album by The Wave Pictures for the last few weeks. It's a melange of many influences that I love, all mashed together into a fun and intriguing new sound. On any given track you might think "Belle & Sebastian", or "early Elvis Costello", "Art Brut", "Vampire Weekend" or even "Marc Almond from Soft Cell". I don't mind obvious influences when they are so varied and plentiful! The Wave Pictures write angular, clever, upbeat songs about strange characters living dark lives, and it's just refreshing and a whole lot of fun.

The Wave Pictures - Long Black Cars: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Picks Of The Week: The 88 & Avalanche City

Super quick double recommend this week to make up for last week - April is a very busy time in TV land! Now in case you haven't noticed, I'm fond of albums. Singles & EPs I have no love for. They're at best too short to get an idea what a band is all about and at worst just an early release of something you're going to get later on an album anyway, and rarely worth it. So these two releases already had a hurdle to overcome with me but I've had to make exceptions to my album-only policy! First off, a band I've loved forever, The 88, has made a new EP that took my breath away even considering my high expectations of them. It takes an incredible amount of determination, perseverance, and talent to just stay together and survive as a band for 10 years in LA, let alone stay at the top of their creative game and do it without major label assistance. A standing ovation please for The 88! This EP has five solid tunes on it, I am particularly fond of "Do You Love Me" which has been known to be played on repeat in this house several times in a row.

The 88 - Actors EP: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Secondly, I came across a video so charming (and I generally have little use for music videos) and a song so sweet that I was immediately hooked. Dave Baxter is the 'epicentre' (according to his website) of Avalanche City out of New Zealand. The debut album is available as an import, but a four song EP just came out in the U.S. digitally and I'm sure the album won't be far behind. So, so, so, so GOOD! It's impossible to feel sad while listening to this song or watching the video so keep it handy for those times when you feel blue.

Avalanche City - Love Love Love EP: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site (Watch the video here!)

Pick Of The Week: The Shins "Port Of Morrow"

Dear James Mercer, you really are a terrible boyfriend. You've spent five years away from the Shins, philandering openly with Dangermouse on the Broken Bells project, which although lovely didn't quite utilize your songwriting talents, did it? And now you bring us a new album and I suppose you'd like to be back in our affections as though nothing had changed. Well, we'll just see about that. Listen #1: We admit "For A Fool" is properly apologetic. And it is nice to hear your voice again. But we'll remain strong. Five years away, after all! Perhaps one more listen just to make sure. Listen #2: "It's Only Life" is very comforting. How is this album lush, yet also stripped down? Inventive yet classic. And oh, how we've missed your clever lyrics! We must get a grip! We're just being nostalgic. One more time, we'll keep our heads straight this time. Listen #3: We're melted. All is forgiven. Welcome back. The Shins - Port Of Morrow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Delta Spirit

Yes, this recommend is a few days behind schedule. But I did not receive this album until today so it all worked out for the best! I'm already a big Delta Spirit fan, so I'm not sure why it was not on my doorstep the day of release, but I'm just happy I have it now. This will be in constant rotation as I'm now an even bigger fan - they flesh out their strengths of classic, timeless rock on this new release. And while I am truly sorry that lead singer Matt Vasquez has apparently been suffering some heartbreak I must say it makes for some stellar new songs. His voice is unmistakable and his unaffected delivery very compelling - the production (by Chris Coady, who has worked with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio, Beach House and the Smith Westerns) is excellent, lots of cool layering and breakdowns. Plus, they have a very sharp website and all kinds of free downloads on there, so do visit. If you like a good live show, they're crossing the United States on a three month tour right now, go see it! Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: She Keeps Bees "Dig On"

I liked this record when it came out last year but as time has passed I have become slightly obsessed with it so it's definitely due for a mention. Just imagine if The Black Keys were fronted by a woman, or if Cat Power became a power rocker. You'd like that, right? It's only $9 on Amazon, what are you waiting for? She Keeps Bees - Dig On: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Yellow Ostrich

Singer-guitarist Alex Schaaf takes his work into expanded territory on Yellow Ostrich's second album, Strange Land. His first album was a bedroom project but now with a complete band there's new instrumentation and a much bigger sound that comes from touring everywhere in the last year. Its still quirky, lovable, dynamic, fresh-sounding, and well worth a listen and a 'buy'. But you probably knew that from looking at the artwork! Yellow Ostrich - Strange Land: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: "New Multitudes" by Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames

You had me at "Jay Farrar" ... but feel free to throw in two of my other favorite songwriters of all time, Will Johnson from Centro-matic and Anders Parker from Varnaline. And just in case anyone still needs convincing, toss in Yim Yames aka Jim James from My Morning Jacket, because then this record is an absolute LOCK for pick of the week and there's really no point considering any other albums! Really you could give these four guys the phone book and get a pretty good album out of it, but instead they took inspiration from the unpublished notebooks of another stellar writer, Woody Guthrie. There's no lack of info out on the web about how this fascinating project came together, just search on "new multitudes" and have at it ... but get the record first so you can listen to it while you read up on it! Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames - New Multitudes: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Lambchop "Mr. M"

Lambchop is an odd band, they'll be the first to tell you. And its not for everyone. There's not space on this blog to properly explain their quirky sound and outsider path to success but you can read all about it on AllMusic.com. They rarely (never?) misstep, so all their releases are recommended but the latest is particularly poignant as it is dedicated to Vic Chesnutt, a good friend and collaborator of  Lambchop mastermind Kurt Wagner. It deals with love and loss in a typically gorgeous Lambchop way, it's almost meditative to listen to it on headphones. Except for all the cursing. Nonetheless, if you're not already on board the Lambchop train, its a good time to take a ride! Lambchop - Mr. M: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Heartless Bastards

There's no lack of buzz on this release and well deserved. I love Erika Wennerstrom's vocals, her songwriting, her emotion, the production (by Jim Eno of Spoon), the way the record builds from a whisper to a wail, and I don't know why there is a buffalo on the artwork but I love that too. Anybody else hear a little Led Zeppelin in there? If more women found their way into rock in this gender-free way instead of in the more common girly way, there would be more records like this. And that would be a good thing. Heartless Bastards - Arrow: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Valentine's Day Playlist

The romantic and sexy editors over at the new Reign magazine asked me to come up with ten songs to make you swoon on Valentine's Day, it's a varied list from Billie Holiday to Wilco to James Vincent McMorrow, here you go! Ten Songs To Make You Swoon

Pick Of The Week: Dr. Dog

We love Dr. Dog! Each of their last several albums has reached a little bit in a new direction, their songwriting craft is in peak form, they're loose and fun without being sloppy or lame. They love their pop melodies and harmonies just as much as their raw vibe and fuzzy guitars, and it all blends beautifully. Recommended if you want a modern version of The Beatles, Dylan, The Band or any of the classic greats. Dr. Dog - Be The Void: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site

Pick Of The Week: Imperial Teen

It's always fun when long-time favorites make a great new album and I have a chance to introduce them to a new audience. Imperial Teen released their first album a remarkable 16 years ago. Way back in 1996, their quirky pop (with a bite) was a bit rebellious since the music world was obsessed with post-Nirvana Alternative Rock. In retrospect, looking at the success of bands like Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot, they obviously were just ahead of their time. There's nothing not to love about this album, its well-written, cheery, fun, and has enough rock to avoid sugar overload. It's perfect to get us through cold and gloomy February!  

Imperial Teen - Feel The Sound: Amazon :: iTunes :: Official Site