Houston beat-maker Stephen Farris is set to release a new LP in the near future called "Cosmic Sounds II." It's got kind of a Boards of Canada meets Dilla in the 1980's type groove. Sample some jams here, and check out "Orange Mellow" below.
Experimental psych-metal act Grails have released a new LP entitled, "Deep Politics." It's amazingly good. The album "combines bits of the KPM Library with Lalo Schifrin, 70s prog, David Axelrod, and 100s of oddball influences to create a wholly cohesive and ballsy record." This is a must-have for fans of awesome. Do you like awesome? Get it at Temporary Residence.
Fever Ray have an evil new song on the "Red Riding Hood" soundtrack. Why do movies i have no interest in always get great bands to do their soundtracks? We may never know. Anyway, listen to the new tune, "The Wolf," below.
If you've never gotten stoned in some Middle Eastern port city, only to wander aimlessly around the open markets hearing the strange sounds, smelling the strange smells, and seeing the strange sights, then you should totally listen to Gypsy Treasures, because that's what they sound like. Their cassette tape, "Buried Goods," is sold out, but you can check out the tune "Stray Dogs of Wroclaw" at Altered Zones. (By the by, i have never been to the Middle East.)
Free from the confines of their major label (who pretty much let them do whatever they want anyway), The Flaming Lips are set to go ever weirder, and further down the metaphysical rabbit hole. In a few weeks, they'll release a 12" featuring Neon Indian, and then a USB of 3 songs inside an edible gummy skull with a gummy brain. Read about it here. So now, we just have to wait before the band broadcasts new tunes straight into our minds.
I don't know how to describe the new album, "New History Warfare, Vol. 2," from Colin Stetson. It's a brilliant piece of work recorded with minimal takes or overdubs, with up to 20 mics catching sound at a time. Stetson is a saxophonist (most notably playing for Arcade Fire), but he tosses pop aside here for a more experimental jazz sound. It's odd, hard to place, but ultimately beautiful and rewarding, and definitely worth repeated listens. Get it here.
So, i was really getting into local Austin group SleepOver from the tracks i'd heard online, and their "Outer Limits" 7" from Forest Family last year... And then 2 of the 3 members left the band to form Boy Friend, and we all figured SleepOver was kaput. Not so. The now 1-woman band will release a 7" and a full-length LP in April on Hippos in Tanks. So rejoice, and go listen to and download the new tune, "Casual Diamond" over at GvsB. Hazaa!
