The new album by Silversun Pickups will finally be released on 5/8/2012! It feels like forever since their last album Swoon was released in 2009. I fell in love hard for that album. This is one of the most anticipated albums of the year for me. I can't wait!

Pre-order your copy of the new CD or LP Neck of the Woods now on Amoeba.com!

Check out the video for "The Royal We" by Silversun Pickups from their last album Swoon...






Neck of the Woods CD
by Silversun Pickups










Neck of the Woods LP
by Silversun Pickups

Every once in a while an artist seems to come out of nowhere. They of course have not really come out of nowhere. They usually have been working on music for years and probably have an album or two out. There is just so much music out there. It is impossible to listen to it all. It is hard to even have time to listen to the albums that you know you will probably like. Even harder to take the time to find new bands and spend the time necessary to fall in love with a new artist or album. Julia Holter is my new obsession. She has just released her brilliant new album on RVNG International. She released the album Tragedy last year in a sort of limited release. But now she is ready for the world to know who she is. I hope she is ready. Because this album is fantastic. It took my years to finally get into Joanna Newsom. And I am so glad I did. That Joanna Newsom show at the Orpheum is still one of my favorite concerts of all time. This new Julia Holter does remind me a bit of Joanna Newsom. Her new album is called Ekstasis. RVNG Intl. has been around for a while. But they just found a new home with the Secrectly Canadian family. I think this is a perfect place for this new album and for Julia Holter. This new album is a mix of ethereal and folk music. It reminds me at times of Kate Bush, Rasputina, and Joanna Newsom. Imagine all this mixed up with the Blade Runner Soundtrack by Vangelis. Her voice is ridiculous. And beautiful. And just the right amount of weirdness. I really have fallen in love with this album. I have a certain coworker who runs the Handsome Club blog who I often don't agree with about music. We both love good music. Our tastes just often don't intersect. But he actually introduced me to magic of Julia Holter. And we both love this new album. I always know an album is good when we both like it. You should like it too.

The new album by Grimes was finally released last week. I was seriously counting down the weeks for this and the new album by Trust out this week.  They are sort of like my Zola Jesus and Cold Cave of this year. Those albums were two of my favorites from 2011. And I can tell you for sure that Grimes and Trust will both be in heavy rotation in my life this year. Grimes is Claire Boucher from Montreal. She is fantastic and you should get to know this album. She has a bit of the baby voice. Which can be annoying in person. But it works for me on this album. Reminds me at times of The Cranes. Visions is her third album and her first on 4AD. Her first two albums have just been reissued as well. But they really are not as great as this new album. It falls on the dark side of things for sure. And is just a lovely little album. Check it out for yourself.

Listen to "Oblivion" from the new album Visions by Grimes...



The debut album from Trust has one of the most interesting album covers of the year so far. This is not the French metal band from the 70's with the same band name. This is the Trust from Canada who just released their synth pop dark wave album on Arts & Crafts. Trust is Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski from the band Austra. This dudes voice is amazing. I can't get over it. Like a mix of Clan of Xymox and Bronski Beat. Maybe with some Kermit the Frog mixed in there. It is that good. I have been really anticipating this album after hearing a couple of the singles. And it does not disappoint. Like albums from The Knife and Cold Cave it is a solid dark wave synth album. There are stand out tracks on this album for sure. But it really holds together as a complete fantastic debut album. I still can't figure out that cover art. I can't stop staring at it. It is dark and mysterious and spooky. Just like the music. It is entirely unique and I have not seen anything quite like it. Just like the album. I am loving it. Whatever it is.

I fell in love with the first A Place To Bury Strangers album back in 2007. It just seemed to come out of nowhere and hit me over the head. It ended up in the #1 spot in my top 50 that year. And it has remained one of my favorites over the last couple of years. They put out their second album in 2009 and I have been patiently waiting for the next album from them. I didn't think we would have to wait until 2012! But at least they have thankfully given us a new EP this last week. Onwards To The Wall is out now on CD and LP. This band blows me away every time I listen to them. I always forget just how much I love them until I listen to them again. It is like falling in love all over again. This EP of five songs was worth the wait. And it has got me very excited for the new album later in the year. You have to listen to A Place To Bury Strangers loud. There is no other way. It is never too late to become a fan of this band. They are made for fans of the louder side of shoegaze. Fans of The Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. I love listening to these guys in my car. But it usually has to be dark out and preferably cold out. This is the perfect time of year for A Place To Bury Strangers. But there really is no bad time for A Place To Bury Strangers.

Listen to "So Far Away" by A Place to Bury Strangers from the new Onwards To The Wall EP...

Alabama Shakes have a new 7" coming out very soon from Third Man Records. And their debut album is out 4/10/2012 on ATO Records. You can Pre-order it now at Amoeba.com!

Alabama Shakes are amazing. And you will love them soon if you don't already...


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Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes $11.98 CD







Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes $14.98 LP




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Listen to "You Ain't Alone" by Alabama Shakes...



Check out Alabama Shakes performing "Hold On" on Conan...