Albums are usually released on Tuesdays, and today is no different. There’s a plethora (what IS a plethora?) of Cd’s to check out… here are just a few to perk your ears up to.
Dark Was The Night (2 Disc Compilation)
Dark Was The Night is a compilation disc that includes thirty one exclusive tracks by some of today’s biggest names in indie music. Containing exclusive original songs and covers, the release is available in double cd, triple vinyl and digital download formats. Profits from the sales will benefit the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. This is the 20th compilation by the Red Hot Organization, and the artist roster does not disappoint.
Just a few of the many artists to lend their talent to the compilation are Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, Feist, Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues, My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists, Spoon, Grizzly Bear… and that’s just the beginning.
You can learn more about the Red Hot Organization here. Take a listen to “Train Song” from the collection below and then click here or here to pick it up.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Train Song (Feist & Ben Gibbard)
William Elliott Whitmore – Animals In The Dark
Animals in the Dark is William Elliott Whitmore’s seventh release, but first with ANTI Records. Known for his classic songwriting, banjo playing, and deep, almost ancient sounding voice, Whitmore takes a step away from the familiarity of the Iowa farm he comes from, and touches on everything from the state of the country and government to the rich and poor. From Whitmore’s MySpace page, “While beautiful simplicity is familiar ground for the 30 year old Iowan, more than not Animals in the Dark highlights an artist stepping out. On this record Whitmore adds strings, a pedal steel, an organ, putting the songs into full arrangements and a band context for the first time. The results are a more expansive sound, without sacrificing any of the heart that has garnered Whitmore such devoted fans and critical acclaim. “
Whitmore has earned critical acclaim from folk, blues, Americana, alt-country, and punk communities. In support of the new release, he has just set out on an extensive tour that includes in-store appearances and concert dates that take him all over the United States and Europe. You can check out all his tour dates and listen to a stream of the complete album on his MySpace page. We’ve posted one song off the album, “Old Devils” below. If you like what you hear, click here or here to pick up the album for yourself.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Old Devils
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 – Goodnight Oslo
Goodnight Oslo is the 16th release for Robyn Hitchcock but only second with The Venus 3 (Peter Buck and Bill Reiflin of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows). Along with those heavy hitters, the album also features vocals from Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger), Morris Windsor (The Soft Boys) and Lianne Francis.
From the label (Yep Roc), “Stabbing horns from compatriot Terry Edwards swim alongside gorgeous harmonies throughout this 10-track snapshot of Hitchcock’s version of pop music in a perfect world. Goodnight Oslo features guest vocalists Colin Meloy, Sean Nelson and Morris Windsor who help Robyn sing his way through a dreamy remembrance of 16 years of intoxication. An album of nearly unwavering positivity, Goodnight Oslo shines down with the beautiful “I’m Falling” and the beatific “Up to Our Nex,” the latter written for the soundtrack to the stirring Jonathan Demme film Rachel Getting Married.”
Take a listen to the title track below and then grab the album here or here.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: Goodnight Oslo
The Appleseed Cast – Sagarmatha
Hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, The Appleseed Cast has been through its fair share of members and drama, but is now stable, strong, and releasing its seventh studio album, Sagarmatha.
Described in the band’s press release, Sagarmatha “finds the band self-assured and largely home-recorded, indulging in the creation of their art beyond the pressures of hype or doubt that compromise younger and lesser bands. It seems that they understand that for a band that’s been making music for ten years to sound fresh, their ideas must be fresh. Sagarmatha is a world where the melodic vocals and knotty delayed guitars Appleseed Cast is known for are supported by (and can’t exist without) the ambient noise, electronic beats, bells, percussion, and keyboards the band has grown to love.”
Appleseed Cast is currently on the road in support of the album hitting up everywhere from San Francisco, CA to Dekalb, IL (hello to all our Dekalb readers!). Check out the band’s MySpace page for a complete list of dates. You can hear the full album streaming on absolutepunk.net, or even better, pick up your own copy of the album here or here.
Check out “As The Litte Things Go”, one track off the album, below.
OH, and make sure to check out The Appleseed Cast Sagarmatha Vinyl Giveaway at Indie Rock Reviews. First place wins a one of a kind test vinyl pressing. The contest ends on the 20th, so better get moving (after you finish reading this…)
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: As The Little Things Go
Audrye Sessions – Self-titled EP
Audrye Sessions formed in 2002 when bassist Alicia Marie Campbell met singer Ryan Karazija while he was performing solo in coffee houses. The two clicked, Karazija hit up craigslist for a guitarist, which brought Michael Knox into the mix, who answered the ad stating that he didn’t have a guitar. Next along came drummer, James Leste, and the band was complete. Fun bit of trivia… the band’s name comes from a commercial for a CD burner that happened to be on TV when a venue called demanding a name.
The album has been described in the band’s bio as being “packed with polished, propulsive rock songs and gentle, stripped-down tunes with the kind of ear-grabbing melodies that instantly hard-wire themselves into your brain. Recorded with Andrew Scheps (U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash) and Matt Radosevich (The Hives, Taking Back Sunday), the album is anchored by Ryan Karazija’s remarkable voice, which is whisper vulnerable one minute, roiling with emotion the next and easily slips into a smooth falsetto.”
Check out the track, “New Year’s Day” below, and if you dig what you hear, you can hear more from the band on their MySpace page or pick up the album here.
Your Dig-It Download:
Download: New Year’s Day
There is so much great music being released this week that there’s just no way we can cover it all. A few others to take note of are Years of Refusal (Morrissey), El Rojo (Clutch As The Bakerton Group), Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (Jason Isbell), and Century of Self (…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead). For an almost (if not) complete list of today’s releases, check out Largeheartedboy’s post on This Week’s Interesting Releases.
We’d also like to send our CONGRATULATIONS to Dead Heart Bloom, who, through fan votes, was voted Deli Magazine’s Artist of the Month. Congrats, guys!!!!
If you’re saying, “Who’s Dead Heart Bloom?”, click here to find out. You’ll be glad you did.
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