Deerhunter - Microcastle (Kranky)
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Finally, we see a physical release for the long leaked and digitally released Microcastle.

All the drone and gaze is still there. As are the effects laden multi tracked vocals that you can drown in. The glistening pitchshifted bright guitars. Walls of sound. Ambient scapes. and of course... "extensive vamping" (According to Pandora, who must have a trademark on that phrase cause they sure love it to pop up as often as humanly possible.) Beyond what you've come to expect from Deerhunter you'll get a far poppier record with a hook laden danceable low end so good that you'll wish some of these tracks were locked grooves. (Man, I can't remember the last time I saw a locked groove on a record. But I digress...)

The last record , Cryptograms, was a great album listening experience from start to finish and Microcastle is as well. What sets Microcastle apart is that at least half of the songs stand on their own as singles making it versatile and accessible for casual listening experiences as well as full on sonic emersion.

I like it lots and you will too.
- Edmund LeStrange

Ooga Boogas - Romance and Adventure (Aarght)
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Straight Outta Melbourne! Crunchy, DE-VOlved, Intelligence-y, and a lumbering backbeat. Oooo, it gets me all nervous and jittery... and I like it! Romance and Adventure flips between fuzzed out desolation with a wink on "Ooga Booga II" and throwback garage balladry on "Fannie Mae". Which sets up the kickassery of songs the like of "Neon Sunset" that brings me to the heights of dystopian fervor.

Plus there are awesome lyrics like "...And my cock's made of wood and though it drags on the ground it still tastes pretty good"

Oh, Ooga Boogas how can I not love thee?!
- Edmund LeStrange

Jay Reatard - Matador Singles '08 (Matador)
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You can't possibly pass this up. All of Jay Reatard's Matador 7" singles from the past year are collected on one glorious compilation. You don't get Deerhunter's rendition of "Oh Its Such A Shame" from their split 7", presumably due to copyright issues. However, you do a one brand new track "I'm Watching You" which perhaps provides a glimpse at the next Jay Reatard record which he has said will be a more "mature" "acoustic" affair. In the meantime you can bask in hit after furious hit and revel in the grainy pop genius that is Reatard
- Edmund LeStrange

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