You can’t really look anywhere without at least hearing someone mentioning Passion Pit and their debut titled Manners. I’m not exactly on the bandwagon quite yet, as I still think the lead singer’s falsetto makes me want to pull my hair out. But for the most part, the music itself is catchy and that can make the difference in some instances.

From the singer-songwriter side of the spectrum, you’re in luck, as a few well-known names have new albums out this week including John Vanderslice and Iron & Wine with a 2-CD set of unreleased material.

A few other releases I’m excited to listen to this week would have to be Au Revoir Simone’s Still Night, Still Light, Jarvis Cocker’s Further Complications (despite that horrid single), Jason Lytle’s (formerly of Grandaddy) Yours Truly, The Commuter, White Rabbits’ It’s Frightening, and Polly Scattergood’s self-titled debut.

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At this point, anything new from Jarvis Cocker is exciting to me.  That being said, whether or not I like it is another story.  Following up his 2006 debut solo record (which was okay, I just didn’t love it) is Further Complications, which will be released May 19th via Rough Trade.  A free downloadable track has been made available called “Angela” and I’m not gonna lie about this, but it’s kinda crap.  Just a little too repetitive for my tastes.

Anyways, regardless of what I think of that song, if I were to be seeing him perform this live it would probably be the best thing ever.  That charismatic bastard.  What do you folks think about the new song?

MP3: Jarvis Cocker :: “Angela”

Like i’ve said numerous times before here, I love Britpop. No matter what I end up listening to now or in the future, the mid-90’s Britpop movement will always be my absolute favorite period of music. During that time was when I really started listening to and discovering such amazing bands. Luckily for me, despite living here in Alabama my entire life, I had a few friends in high school who shared the same common interest in everything Britpop, along with it starting to regulary make it’s way onto our local radio station. With stalwarts like Blur, Suede, Oasis and Pulp leading the way – it was a great time for me to be listening to music. Even though that period in time had run it’s course, it’s still nice to hear that a lot of those individuals involved are still making music today.

To keep this on the subject at hand, remember the first time you heard Pulp’s “Common People” or when you first listened to Different Class in it’s entirety? Easily one of the greatest Britpop songs of all time and a defining album that epitomizes everything I love about Pulp and one of the most instantly recognizable frontmen, Jarvis Cocker. I’m listening to it right now and it still sounds amazing to me. It’s amazing how albums like that can stand the test of time and still be just as terrific today. Even though it’s been a few years since Pulp went on their ‘hiatus’, Jarvis has managed to keep himself busy musically. He’s written songs for films (Goblet of Fire) and other artists, while also contributing and appearing on many albums. He even formed the electro band Relaxed Muscle while under the identity of ‘Darren Spooner’. His myspace page he’s created has been updated frequently with podcasts and updates about his long rumored solo album. After all of that though, he’s finally releasing his debut Jarvis in the UK on November 13th.

I have no idea if or when it’ll be released here in the US (bah!) sadly, but i’ll probably be plucking down the import price for this one. I’ve only listened to a couple of songs but I like what i’m hearing. Also, a few opinions that I trust 100% who have listened to it, have given it positive reviews. Plus, this is as close as we’re gonna get to a new Pulp album right now.

Jarvis Cocker | “Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time”
Jarvis Cocker | “Black Magic”

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Pulp | “Common People”
Weird Sisters | “Do The Hippogriff”