Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs (Esoteric Records)
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Even more than the Michael Moorcock CD, this album is (circa 2008) my favorite album. Haunting psych folk by two girls (women) raised almost in a nunnery and barely out of their teens. Famous for being the most sought after LPs from the folk-rock era, it can now be yours for this low, low cost (far cheaper than what I paid to own this record.)
- Joe

Lawrence Arabia - Self-Titled (Honorary Bedouin)

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North American Exclusive!

New Zealand native James Milne, aka Lawrence Arabia, has been a fixture in that country's burgeoning music scene for years now. As a member of the Brunettes he played sweet Beach Boys and Phil Spector styled pop music, and toured the States with this band called The Shins. Back home in New Zealand, the band that he fronts known as the Reduction Agents (which also included Ryan McPhun of the Ruby Suns) scored some hits and had some songs featured in the indie film Eagle vs. Shark (starring Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement!). Mr. Arabia has also found time to (oddly enough) play bass for Okkervil River on one of their Australian tours, and is opening up for them on their European tour this fall. Here is a collection of frequently brilliant songs recorded around 2006. A terrific pop record! Don't know if we'll be getting any more of these, so grab one while we got 'em!
- Andy

The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me (In The Red)

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The Notwist's follow-up to the much heralded Neon Golden does not disappoint. The Devil, You + Me is a more subtle, reflective album that highlights the best elements of The Notwist, achieved through a nearly 20 year run in the German indie scene. Markus' vocals still have that distinctive dry/sincere yet detached delivery.  The guitars tastefully jangle. Minimalist electronics pepper the record for
atmosphere. The low end gracefully propels. They continue to fuse indie/electro/jazz/singer-songwriter/dark-pop in an amazingly palpable way. Looking back, that last sentence would spell a disastrous record for most bands but The Notwist has elegantly slipped another pop gem into the canon.

I can almost hear that modem solo hiding in the background that made me first love this band when I discovered Shrink way back when.
- Edmund LeStrange

Jay Reatard - Singles 06-07 (In The Red)

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In The Red delivers a long sought after compilation of all of Mr. Reatard's 7"s for the label. You'll get alternate versions of songs on Blood Visions as well as some killer B-sides and singles never available before on CD. It seems ridiculous to try to pick out any standouts, as all the tracks are finely honed crackly pop gems, but if you haven't heard "Hammer I Miss You", "Night of Broken Glass", or "Don't Let Him Come Back" then you are missing out on some of the most raw, anthemic music of today.

Singles 06-07 comes with a DVD featuring one awkward interview and 3 live performances from '07. Each of which captures the fury and brevity of his live shows.
- Edmund LeStrange

Indian - Slights And Abuse/The Sycophant (Seventh Rule Recordings)
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White man killed the Indian with small pox, now Indian is back to kill the white man with metal. Ok ok, cheesy I know, and all the dudes in this band are white, but its the best my friend Kevin and I could come up with for a tag line. Chicago's Indian has finally put out 2007's Slights and Abuse LP and this years The Sycophant LP on to one Cd. Having heard about them a few times in the last year, I was glad to finally see this sitting on our shelf and when I put it in I was immediately blown away by the level of intensity these guys bring. Hrmm..always wanted to use the word "intensity" in a review. Any way, I was not expecting songs that actually moved, had interesting time changes and was heavier than most bands who claim "to be the heaviest band in the universe". Yes its doom / stoner metal, but they do not overkill the Sabbath influence. Instead they throw hints in that they have been listening to Grief, Noothgrush, Eldopa, Playing Enemy, His Hero Is Gone, Neurosis and Corrupted threw their life span. If your a metal fan, I highly recommend this release. Especially for the track "Fatal Lack".

-Adam

Figurines - When The Deer Wore Blue (Control Group)
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So, you say you have a thing for Danish pop rock bands? Figurines are Danish, they're like totally awesome, and this is their second album, and it like totally moves me. It's a bit more relaxed than their debut, but that's not a bad thing. For fans of The Legends, Radio Dept., Band Of Horses or Loney Dear. Boo Ya!

- Ian Orth

Disco Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Disco Classics 1974-1986 (Strut)
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So you say: "There haven't been nearly enough comps in the last few years that have "Contort Yourself" on it!" Then I say: "Why are you being so sarcastically smug?" Or were the roles reversed?

Either way we now have the third release in the Disco Not Disco series Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Classics 1974-1986. A fine collection it is for who would like to get acquainted with Gang Of Four's sister group Delta 5 or the No Wave/pre-electro stylings of Konk or maybe you wanna get introduced to one of the creators of synthpop in Yellow Magic Orchestra. This record is a fine place to get your learn on. However, it might be a little disappointing for those already immersed in these worlds .
- Edmund LeStrange

Various Artists - BIPPP: French Synth Wave 1979-85 (Everlasting)
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Oh, mon Dieu! I am so excited about this record! Mostly because I know next to nothing about the artists on it! BIPPP is a remarkable collection of some of the most obscure selections from a movement birthed out of punk and krautrock in which you can hear the beginnings of cold wave, dark wave, post-punk, electro pop, twee and a host of other sub genres that would develop in the years to come. Each song retains its edge without sacrificing danceability or playfulness.

It's astounding how fresh the bulk of these songs sound, most seem like they could have been released within the last five years. Conversely it's a shame these artists aren't getting their just dues till now. Even now who knows how much they'll actually get but don't you sleep on this record!

This compilation does exactly what a compilation should do and rarely does; it features artists/groups that I, the listener, was sadly unaware of but due to excellent track selection will now investigate. Absorb BIPPP.
- Edmund LeStrange

Atlas Sound - (Kranky)
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Last year's Crytograms rocketed Atlanta's Deerhunter into the hearts and minds of many a hipster, trendsetter, scenester, tastemaker and critic, as well as all manner of decent people across the land. As a result 2007 became a year of nonstop touring, band lineup shakeup, controversy, speculation, blogosphere rumor and intrigue, and general kickassery. Knowing that the events of 2007 were enough to overwhelm and possibly end the career of lesser bands, the men of Deerhunter decided to put the band on hiatus. So sad.

But all is not lost! Bradford Cox of Deerhunter has released his much talked about solo project Atlas Sound. And I mean muuucchhh talked about. Geez, this record was getting internet buzz when it was no more than a seedling in Cox's brain and surely after this year's SXSW festival Cox may once again be swept up in the fever that Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel seems to be a direct response against.

Many of the textures will be familiar to fans of Deerhunter. Let The Blind Lead... is replete with drones, delay, and breathy effected vocals. Instead of the eventual driving riff born of drones comes a different beastie laced in ambience, atmospherics and memory. Your aural journey begins with a found sample of a boy telling the story of a ghost named Charlie before unraveling and reassembling layer after layer of warm remembrance leaving you in a sweet little sonic cocoon.

If anyone has a pool with a killer speaker system let me know! I want to float along to this here record.
- Edmund LeStrange