Not quite the stellar lineup of releases this week, but there are still some great records to be had with The Flaming Lips’ latest, Embryonic leading the pack.  Also not to be completely overshadowed are releases from Thao Nguyen, Neon Indian, Imaad Wasif, Grant-Lee Phillips, and Fanfarlo who’s debut finally get a proper US release after being available digitally for what feels like forever.

As always, feel free to recommend anything I may have missed.

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It definitely shows how much I’ve been keeping up with music lately, as only a couple of days ago I heard the self-titled track from Thao Nguyen’s follow-up to one of the better albums of 2008, We All Brave Bee Stings and All. The new record is titled Know Better Learn Faster and is due out on October 13 via Kill Rock Stars. According to Pitchfork, the album will feature a number of guests including Andrew Bird and Laura Veirs.

The aformentioned self-titled track is a wonderful sampling of what’s in store with the new record, as I want to say the track features what sounds like Andrew Bird-sounding violin riffs and whistling, though, I think it’s obvious that it’s actually Bird himself contributing to the track. All of this along with a great chorus, Thao’s guitar playing, and a pleasing build-up of an array of wonderful sounds equal a lovely song to kick off the beginnings of Fall.

MP3: Thao With the Get Down Stay Down :: “Know Better Learn Faster”