Posts Tagged “Or The Whale”

merriweathercdfront

We’re nearly three weeks into 2009, but you could argue that the year (in terms of music) officially begins this week. Lots of big name players have albums out this week and trying to single out just one to purchase wouldn’t be fair. New stuff from A.C. Newman, Animal Collective, Andrew Bird, and Antony and the Johnsons? Just those alone would make it a worthwhile week for most, but that is in fact just from the letter “A.” It’s silly, isn’t it?

With these huge release weeks, i’ve always been curious as to whether having all of these high-profile albums bunched together is even considered a good idea. Are people willing to shell out enough money to buy a handful of albums in a single week? I certainly am not. I would probably be willing to buy two at the most. I guess it doesn’t matter too much, as you could just pick something up at another time. But as far as my buying history goes, albums that I don’t purchase within the first week of release, the need for them diminish over time and/or I tend to forget about them completely. Do any of you have an opinion on this?

Also, just a little something to add in regards to Merriweather Post Pavilion, from someone who’s never particularly understood Animal Collective at all. Considering the massive hype surrounding this album’s release (hello 9.6 Pitchfork review), I was hesitant to listen to this one, and was ready to throw massive amounts of flaming hatred towards my friends who have righteously defended this band. Keeping things short, I am seriously impressed at how aurally and lyrically pleasing this record is. I’ve probably listened to “My Girls” and “Guys Eyes” more than any song so far this year. I think coming from a non-AC fan like myself, I certainly enjoyed listening to this one, and they’ve really turned the corner in terms of accessibility.

1900s
The 1900s
Medium High EP
MP3: “Age of Metals”

ac-newman
A.C. Newman
Get Guilty
full album stream
MP3: “Submarines Of Stockholm”

andrew-bird
Andrew Bird
Noble Beast
MP3: “Fitz and the Dizzyspells”

animal-collective
Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion
full album stream
MP3: “My Girls”

antony
Antony and the Johnsons
The Crying Light
full album stream
MP3: “Another World”

atmosphere
Atmosphere
God Loves Ugly (Reissue)
MP3: “God Loves Ugly”

blackout-beach
Blackout Beach
Skin of Evil
MP3: “Astoria, Menthol Lite, Hilltop, Wave of Evil, 1982″

blue-giant
Blue Giant
Target Heart EP
MP3: “Target Heart”

bon-iver
Bon Iver
Blood Bank EP
full album stream
MP3: “Blood Bank”

coconut-records
Coconut Records
Davy
full album stream
MP3: “Drummer”

cut-off-your-hands
Cut Off Your Hands
You & I
full album stream
MP3: “Turn Cold”
MP3: “Happy As Can Be”

fiction-family
Fiction Family
Fiction Family
full album stream
MP3: “When She’s Near”

j-tillman
J. Tillman
Vacilando Territory Blues
MP3: “Steel on Steel”

kyle-andrews
Kyle Andrews
Real Blasty
MP3: “Sushi”

matt-and-kim
Matt & Kim
Grand
full album stream
MP3: “Daylight”

modern-skirts
Modern Skirts
All Of Us In Our Night
full album stream
MP3: “Soft Pedals”

or-the-whale
Or, The Whale
Light Poles and Pines
MP3: “Call and Response”

robert-pollard
Robert Pollard
The Crawling Distance
MP3: “Imaginary Queen Ann”

roger-odonnell
Roger O’Donnell
Songs From The Silver Box
MP3: “Tiny Pieces of You (feat. Erin Lang)”

psychic-ills
Psychic Ills
Mirror Eye
MP3: “Fingernail Tea”

saeta
Saeta
Else Another Light Might Go Out
MP3: “When Will You Find Love”

six-organs-of-admittance
Six Organs of Admittance
RTZ
MP3: “Resurrection”

titus-andronicus
Titus Andronicus
Airing of Grievances
MP3: “Titus Andronicus”

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