NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL On Avery Island (Merge) cd 14.98
Another winner from the Denver/Athens (NMH, Olivia Tremor Control, Apples in Stereo) pop axis. 60's British Invasion pop a la Kinks meets lofi 4-trackery. Total Syd Barret vox, and incredible fuzz-drenched extended loopy beauty. Pop record of 1996, bar nothing. Stunning, stellar work from one of Denver's Elephant 6 posse and 1996 is their year. Jeff Mangum sings like Syd Barrett & Chris Knox, his lyrics bear repeated close reading, and just when you think it might turn sweet, a great big beautiful wall of noise hits you and you know that everything is going to be all right cos his instincts are so good. So far proving itself tasty to everyone I've played it for, no matter what their preferred flavor, this is the record Strapping Fieldhands should've & could've made, if only they'd kept it focused. Here're some of the lyrics to "Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone," which we rather pathetically found ourselves inspired to transcribe:

there are beads that wrap around yr knees that crackle into the dark
like a walk in the park, like the hole in yr head
like the feeling you get when you realize yr dead this time
we ride rollercoasters into the ocean
we feel no emotion as we spiral down to the world
and i guess it's worth yr time
cos there's some lives you live and some you leave behind
it gets hard to explain
the gardenhead knows my name
leave me alone
for you know this isn't the first time
in fact this is twice in a row
that the angels have stepped thru our landslide
and filled up our garden with snow
and i don't wish the taste of yr insides
for i've called out yr name thru my phone
for the glory boys at yr bedside
will love you as long as you're something to love
follow me through
the city of frost covered angels
i swear i have nothing to prove
i just wanna dance in yr tangles
to give me some reason to move
but to take on the world at all angles
requires a strength i can't use
so i'll meet you up high in yr anger
alone and it's moping and waiting for you
a love that is hoping and waiting for you

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL On Avery Island (Merge) lp 11.98
Another winner from the Denver/Athens (NMH, Olivia Tremor Control, Apples in Stereo) pop axis. 60's British Invasion pop a la Kinks meets lofi 4-trackery. Total Syd Barret vox, and incredible fuzz-drenched extended loopy beauty. Pop record of 1996, bar nothing. Stunning, stellar work from one of Denver's Elephant 6 posse and 1996 is their year. Jeff Mangum sings like Syd Barrett & Chris Knox, his lyrics bear repeated close reading, and just when you think it might turn sweet, a great big beautiful wall of noise hits you and you know that everything is going to be all right cos his instincts are so good. So far proving itself tasty to everyone I've played it for, no matter what their preferred flavor, this is the record Strapping Fieldhands should've & could've made, if only they'd kept it focused. Here're some of the lyrics to "Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone," which we rather pathetically found ourselves inspired to transcribe:

there are beads that wrap around yr knees that crackle into the dark
like a walk in the park, like the hole in yr head
like the feeling you get when you realize yr dead this time
we ride rollercoasters into the ocean
we feel no emotion as we spiral down to the world
and i guess it's worth yr time
cos there's some lives you live and some you leave behind
it gets hard to explain
the gardenhead knows my name
leave me alone
for you know this isn't the first time
in fact this is twice in a row
that the angels have stepped thru our landslide
and filled up our garden with snow
and i don't wish the taste of yr insides
for i've called out yr name thru my phone
for the glory boys at yr bedside
will love you as long as you're something to love
follow me through
the city of frost covered angels
i swear i have nothing to prove
i just wanna dance in yr tangles
to give me some reason to move
but to take on the world at all angles
requires a strength i can't use
so i'll meet you up high in yr anger
alone and it's moping and waiting for you
a love that is hoping and waiting for you

NEVER PRESENCE FOREVER / UNGEROMIMIZU split (Lyderhorn) 7" 4.50
Super bizarre 7" match up, that will have weirdo music freeks flipping out. Two bands, with essentially nothing in common, each exploring extreme and opposite ends of the sonic spectrum, both completely ruling. And in one case, completely baffling.
The A side is a band from Virginia called Never Presence Forever. Never heard of em? We hadn't either, but all it took was this brief 7" sampling to have us wanting to hear way more. We were sort of expecting some furious black metal, or damaged noise, but instead, NPF offer up some gorgeous creeping dark ambience, low rumbling strings, deep metallic reverberations, all mournful and melancholy, cinematic and haunting.
The flipside is a whole other something. A band, or a guy, called Ungeromimizu, whose sound is a sort of lo-fi black metal Whitehouse, a square wave damaged synth blown out psychnoise screamo, that is so intense and noisy and freaked out, we weren't sure if we were loving it or hating it. But it only took a few second for us to go with love.
Imagine full on white noise chaos, all hiss and squeal and speaker shredding skree, like Faxed Head with no bass and all the treble your stereo can('t) handle, super processed vocals Masonna style, squiggly FX addled synths, total ear punishing insanity. The second track is toned down, but only a little, a weird warbly techno synth pulse beneath howling black metal vox, and all sorts of squiggly high end streaks and squeals.
Due to a pressing mistake, pressed not on black, or bloody red, or trippy swirled vinyl, but various shades of pink!

NEVERMORE Dead Heart In A Dead World (Century Media) cd 12.98

NEVILLE, STEFAN Destroy Only After 10 Years (Stabbies Etc.) cd-r 11.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.

NEW AGE, THE All Around (RD) cd 23.00
One of the more heartbreaking stories of the mid to late sixties Northern California music scene also contains a newly discovered trove of beautiful raga folk that has rarely been heard before now. The New Age were a trio of musicians, namely Susan Graubard (who also played in The Habibiyya, which we raved about a few lists back - on an apologetic side note, we're sorry we mistakenly thought she was a guy) on flutes, viola and tamboura and singer and guitarist Patrick Kilroy whose haunting three octave voice and love for indigenous musical forms and instrumentation, namely the Indian raga, gave the trio a majestic Eastern spiritual quality with an Appalachian folk edge (they had all studied under Ali Akbar Khan). Playing numerous shows, with many famous players of the time in Big Sur, Los Gatos, Berkeley, New York, San Francisco and even at the Human Be-In at Golden Gate Park, The New Age seemed destined to make a big impact on the West Coast folk scene. Yet, one album half-recorded with Elektra in New York (Light of Day) was never finished due to a falling out Kilroy had with the arranger. Even more tragically, these sessions they recorded with Warner Brothers (featuring Bruce Langhorne) were shelved when Kilroy suddenly took ill and died from Hodgkin's Disease at the end of 1967, before the album could be completed. Graubard, now a school teacher in Berkeley, saddened that The New Age never garnered even a footnote or mention in any written sixties musical history, held onto the tapes, in hopes of sometime releasing them. When Raymond Dumont of RD records heard lost tapes of Light of Day, he was pleasantly surprised to hear that more recordings existed and here we are. Great timing, too, that re-issues of The Habibiyya, Extradition, The Christ Tree, Malachi, Joakim Skogsberg along with The New Age are opening up a window into a little seen past where making music was as it should be, a human-spiritual-communal connection.
MPEG Stream: "Dance Around The Sun"
MPEG Stream: "Bhairavi"
MPEG Stream: "All Around (Adagio)"

NEW AMSTERDAMS Never You Mind (Heroes & Villains) cd 13.98
A slow and pretty addition to the roster of this rapidly growing emo label (home to among others the awesome Get Up Kids and The Anniversary). Gentle guitars plucked and strummed and every so often rocked up a bit. The sensitive guy singer may appear familiar, as the tearjerking vocals are from the vocalist for the Get Up Kids / Reggie & The Full Effect. Check out tracks 3 and 7 for two particularly fine tunes.

NEW AMSTERDAMS Para Toda Vida (Vagrant) cd 14.98
I spent a few moments (too many actually) pondering who the New Amsterdam's singer sounds like. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Then - p o o f ! - I remembered, "it IS the guy from Get Up Kids!" Anyway, two words for ya... "Emo Unplugged"! Get Up Kids for the beatnik set. Quite nice actually.
RealAudio clip: "Forever Leaving"

NEW AMSTERDAMS, THE Killed Or Cured (Curb Appeal) 2cd 14.98

MPEG Stream: "Wears So Thin"
MPEG Stream: "Your Red Hand"
MPEG Stream: "Watch The World Cave In"

NEW AMSTERDAMS, THE Story Like A Scar (Vagrant) cd 14.98
Those New Amsterdams have returned with Story Like A Scar, an album packed to the gills with guitar driven energetic pop. Many of the songs reminded us of lots of other like-minded sensitive boy pop bands such as Sloan, Posies, Weezer, Matthew Sweet or their elders Cheap Trick, Big Star, Byrds, Beatles, but the one band that they perhaps most resemble is Chicago trio Material Issue. Remember them? They had that awesome album International Pop Overthrow back in 1991. Well, there's plenty of similarities between the super bright songwriting skills and vocal delivery of Matthew Pryor of New Amsterdams (also of Get Up Kids) and Material Issue's frontman Jim Ellison. Ten infectious, endearing and crushworthy tunes that'll surely find their way onto plenty of indie kids' mixtapes (or should we say iPods?) this summer.
MPEG Stream: "The Death Of Us"
MPEG Stream: "Intelligent Design"

NEW BAND Playing On The Original Harry Partch Instruments (Innova) cd 14.98
New Band is a group spearheaded by Dean Drummond, custodian of Harry Partch's collection of unique micro-tonal instruments. The group's mission includes both performing the works of Harry Partch (which can only be played on Partch's own instruments for the most part) and premiering new works composed for the instruments, primarily Drummond's own. This disc has two compositions by Harry Partch -- "Eleven Intrusions" and "Dark Brother" -- and two by Dean Drummond -- "Before the Last Laugh" and "Congressional Record". "Eleven Intrusions" (1950) is a suite of nine texts set to music by Partch and two instrumentals, while "Dark Brother" (1943) is a 10 minute piece based on the final paragraphs of Thomas Wolfe's "God's Lonely Man." Drummond's "Before the Last Laugh" is a reworking of a larger work that Drummond had composed for the 1925 silent film "The Last Laugh". "Congressional Record" is a satirical piece which utilizing the United States' Congressional Record as a source for its libretto, including: Jesse Helms' arguments for the abolishment of the N.E.A., Kenneth Starr's Independant Counsel Report on hanky panky in the White House and something from The Plumbing Standards Improvement Act of 1999. Drummond's pieces both feature new instruments built by Drummond in the spirit of Partch.
RealAudio clip: PARTCH, HARRY "The Rose"
RealAudio clip: DRUMMOND, DEAN "Congressional Record"

NEW BLACK s/t (Thick Records) cd 14.98
These Chicago kids rock with a frantic urgency positively bursting with confidence and energy. Both live and now on record, they keep up a smokin' pace with chunky crunch guitars, snappy drumming, feisty boy/girl vocals, and reeling Farfisa organ. As this album begins the sounds seem reminiscent of '90s Olympia, WA perky buzzin' garage pop, but as it progresses things get increasingly darker, heavier and more aggressive. A few of the songs sound alarmingly like recent AQ faves, SF to NY transplants Boyskout ("Last Wave" and "Robotobor"). As well, comparisons have been made to bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Throwing Muses or Pixies, however New Black certainly have their own thing goin' on, and a few of their own tricks up their sleeves. An impressive debut!
MPEG Stream: "Put It To Bed"
MPEG Stream: "Last Wave"

NEW BUFFALO The Last Beautiful Day (Arts & Crafts) cd 16.98
Who or what is New Buffalo? Why, it's a one woman band from Melbourne, Australia, Sally Seltmann (with some assistance from her husband Darren Seltmann of the Avalanches!). Her debut album The Last Beautiful Day is the first non-Canadian release on the Canadian label Arts + Crafts (home to fine bands such as Broken Social Scene and Valley Of The Giants), and it's pretty darn great. Achingly lovely and slightly woozy, you can easily imagine any one of these ten songs being included in a David Lynch film. Her vocals are reminiscent of the alternately earnest lilting sing-song and dreamily contemplative singing style and slightly off-kilter poetics of Canada's best-kept secret Ms Jane Siberry. Hmm, perhaps that's what drew the Arts & Crafts folks to the sounds of New Buffalo (consciously or not)? Notable guests include Beth Orton (whose voice blends perfectly with Seltmann's on the seventh song "Inside") and Dirty Three's Jim White (who drums on three songs). Recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Time To Go To Sleep"
MPEG Stream: "Inside"
MPEG Stream: "While You're Away"

NEW CENTURIES, THE s/t (self-released) cd ep 6.98
Charged guitar driven rock from this SF outfit who can be found rocking around town at places like El Rio and The Eagle. We've been smitten with their take on unpretentious post-punk inspired by prime-time Talking Heads that has reminded us a bit of the first Interpol record or a more in the garage and gutsy version of Bloc Party. A really nice debut and we'll be paying close attention to what the future holds for The New Centuries.
MPEG Stream: "Sharp Darts"
MPEG Stream: "Midnight Shows"

NEW CREATION, THE Troubled (Companion) cd 14.98
What would happen if the Shaggs had found God before recording their seminal LP? We've found the answer and it is The New Creation. Recorded in 1970, a year after the Shaggs' "Philosophy of the World" was released, one wonders if the group may have been inspired by the Shaggs D.I.Y. attitude. Hailing from Vancouver, B.C. The New Creation were the most unlikely blend of Christian evangelism with a flower-power hippy outlook which propelled their unique vision through an extremely off-kilter musical vehicle pieced together with leftover body parts: the Velvet Underground taped to the side of the Shaggs chassis with a rebuilt Pat Boone engine under the hood. Ramshackle and tentative, but so earnest and heartfelt and surprisingly catchy. And the lyrics aren't as positive as the music and the presentation might lead you to believe, focusing more on damnation, fire, and brimstone. These are biblical tales in which God wields his might and power for the purpose of final judgement. The biggest surprise is the opening track 'Countdown To Revolution', an epic, acid fried, unstructured freak out with strange effects, 'trippy' reverb, and all manner of TESTIFYIN'!! Creepy but cool!
From the same folks who brought us the amazing Teen Dance Music From China And Malaysia compilation.
MPEG Stream: "Countdown To Revolution!"
MPEG Stream: "Songs To Sing"
MPEG Stream: "Sodom And Gomorrah"

NEW IDEA SOCIETY You Are Awake Or Asleep (Magic Bullet) cd 14.98
Listening to New Idea Society's debut album sorta makes you feel like you've discovered a long lost early/mid '90s mix tape. This band really seems to have multiple personalities... and lots of them! The good thing tho' is that they're all really pleasing to the ear -- primarily centred on warm fuzzy cardigan indie strum-pop, and often with sing-a-long gang vocals. Come to think of it, N.I.S. might make a fine leafy twig on the folk-pop oriented branch of the remarkably varied Elephant 6 Collective musical tree (sorta like Olivia Tremor Control sans the trippy psychedelia). Whereas the first and third songs are graced by some sleepyhead sedated female vocals, tiny ballerina piano tinkling and thoughtful melodic progressions that bring to mind Ms Eleanor Friedberger and her band Fiery Furnaces, the second song, the hushed, brittle "Will/Won't" could be easily mistaken for an Elliott Smith outtake. Then there's the fifth song "The Waiting" that, with it's off-kilter bent-guitar melodies, is really reminiscent of Pavement. Further on in the album the band takes a brief dreamy turn into shoegazer territory with the shimmery, appropriately titled song "Swimming In The Rain". Really, they do it all very well!
Now you might be thinkin' that New Idea Society seems like something of an odd presence on Magic Bullet Records (a label more known as the home of numerous harder-hitting metal and hardcore bands such as Old Man Gloom, Forensics and Cave In). However, it all makes much more sense when you find out the lil' tidbit of info we've left for last, and that is... one of the fellows behind this project is noneother than Cave In's multi-faceted Stephen Brodsky!
MPEG Stream: "Will/Won't"
MPEG Stream: "The Aching Bells"

NEW KLEZMER TRIO Short For Something (Tzadik) cd 16.98
Third album (their first since '95, about time!) of jazz/klezmer/improv by these popular stalwarts of the "New Jewish Music" scene, featuring Ben Goldberg on clarinet, Kenny Wollesen on drums and Dan Seamans on bass.

NEW NATIVE FEATURING RADIOACTIVE Breakthrough (4sound) cd 9.98
Some of the best local hip hop we've heard in a while. Kind of upbeat (which usually turns me off immediately) but with a real sinister vibe and what sounds like a full on band: sliding guitars, funky bass, live sounding drums and actual catchy rock-ish choruses. The rhymes are slick, but also kind of syncopated and unorthodox, sometimes almost sung. Both vocalists have rough, kind of scratchy voices like Nine or Del after a pack of cigarettes and a fifth of Bourbon. Fans of Jurassic 5 will dig this.
RealAudio clip: "Breakthrough"

NEW ORDER Get Ready (Reprise) cd 17.98
Get ready ... to do what?! To flee from this disappointing cd, that's what. Appallingly schlocky rhymes abound... "You're everything to me, the sweetest symphony" and "What I mean to say is you keep the wolves at bay" Oh dear. Oh dear dear dear!

NEW ORDER Power, Corruption & Lies (Factory / Warner) cd 12.98

NEW ORDER Waiting For The Sirens' Call (Warner Bros.) cd 17.98
Considering the currently glut of upstart dance-oriented bands, this seems like a more than ripe time for the return of one of the genre's O.G.s who undoubtably inspired many of those youngsters, but sad to say it doesn't do much to ignite any fire in the hearts of their old fans. Really, you can barely tell this is an album by New Order, a band whose sound used to be absolutely unmistakable. No, Waiting For The Siren's Call is pretty darn faceless and much too long. Very disappointing.
MPEG Stream: "Who's Joe?"
MPEG Stream: "Krafty"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Challengers (Matador) cd 13.98
These aQ fave Canadian pop champions continue their reign of pop awesomeness. Despite the title (if we assume it is self referential), this new New Pornographers' album doesn't really push any envelopes, it doesn't wear a chip on its shoulder, nor puff its chest out. With nothing to prove -- their audience already deliriously won over -- the band's fourth full length is simply solid (not simple, mind you!), but if it is status quo, then it's the best sounding status quo around! It doesn't challenge the listeners, it gives them a big hug!
Really the only place where there have been any major changes is in the packaging department, and it's not for them better. While we've always felt that the band's visual aspects have fallen short of their kick-ass music, we weren't prepared for the latest cover art atrocity. Accented with splashes of purple and neon orange, it's a disturbing line drawing of NP keyboardist Blaine Thurier shirtless and flexing. Yikes.
With band members settlin' down, starting families and such, it's understandable that it would be reflected in their music too. The initial breathless pop exuberance of their debut indie hit "Letter To An Occupant" has certainly been tempered into a swooning finely crafted and composed pop splendor with some of their most introspective and eloquent songs to date. These immensely talented folks have taken all the goodness from Mass Romantic, Electric Version and Twin Cinema and lovingly rolled it all together into something far grander and more lush than ever before.
With the individual band members' songs and sounds skillfully integrated, but still retaining their unmistakable charms, Challengers is much less of a rollercoaster ride than any of their past recordings. It's quite possibly their most consistent album from start to finish. Check out the late-in-the-album vibrancy of "Mutiny, I Promise You" and the hushed sweetness of "Adventures In Solitude".
All the key familiar faces -- Carl Newman, Dan Bejar and Neko Case -- make their entrances with their respective distinct flair. Y'know, the kind that'll surely receive wild welcoming applause in concert. This album keeps the lovin' good feelings flowing. To boot, they give their Vancouver buddies The Choir Practice a nod by covering their best tune "Failsafe" (the original can be found on that group's own self-titled debut album which came out a couple months ago).
Yes, we can say once again, very recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Challengers"
MPEG Stream: "Mutiny, I Promise You"
MPEG Stream: "Myriad Harbour"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Challengers (Matador) lp 14.98
These aQ fave Canadian pop champions continue their reign of pop awesomeness. Despite the title (if we assume it is self referential), this new New Pornographers' album doesn't really push any envelopes, it doesn't wear a chip on its shoulder, nor puff its chest out. With nothing to prove -- their audience already deliriously won over -- the band's fourth full length is simply solid (not simple, mind you!), but if it is status quo, then it's the best sounding status quo around! It doesn't challenge the listeners, it gives them a big hug!
Really the only place where there have been any major changes is in the packaging department, and it's not for them better. While we've always felt that the band's visual aspects have fallen short of their kick-ass music, we weren't prepared for the latest cover art atrocity. Accented with splashes of purple and neon orange, it's a disturbing line drawing of NP keyboardist Blaine Thurier shirtless and flexing. Yikes.
With band members settlin' down, starting families and such, it's understandable that it would be reflected in their music too. The initial breathless pop exuberance of their debut indie hit "Letter To An Occupant" has certainly been tempered into a swooning finely crafted and composed pop splendor with some of their most introspective and eloquent songs to date. These immensely talented folks have taken all the goodness from Mass Romantic, Electric Version and Twin Cinema and lovingly rolled it all together into something far grander and more lush than ever before.
With the individual band members' songs and sounds skillfully integrated, but still retaining their unmistakable charms, Challengers is much less of a rollercoaster ride than any of their past recordings. It's quite possibly their most consistent album from start to finish. Check out the late-in-the-album vibrancy of "Mutiny, I Promise You" and the hushed sweetness of "Adventures In Solitude".
All the key familiar faces -- Carl Newman, Dan Bejar and Neko Case -- make their entrances with their respective distinct flair. Y'know, the kind that'll surely receive wild welcoming applause in concert. This album keeps the lovin' good feelings flowing. To boot, they give their Vancouver buddies The Choir Practice a nod by covering their best tune "Failsafe" (the original can be found on that group's own self-titled debut album which came out a couple months ago).
Yes, we can say once again, very recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Challengers"
MPEG Stream: "Mutiny, I Promise You"
MPEG Stream: "Myriad Harbour"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Challengers (Matador) cd + 3cdr 19.98
Also, we've got this SPECIAL "EXECUTIVE EDITION" BOX SET for just an extra $5 more than the cd itself. You get the regular Challengers cd, plus a cardboard slipcase containing 3 blank cd-rs in digipacks, and space for the Challengers cd too. Blank cd-rs? Yes, BLANK cd-rs, but you also get a code to login to the Matador website which will (eventually) allow you to download mp3s of live tracks and b-sides and stuff, that you then can burn onto the cd-rs and have yerself a special little deluxe Challengers box set. Some assembly required, in other words. And we said "eventually" 'cause the catch is, they haven't yet recorded any of this bonus material! Yes it's a bit of a weird idea but we figure if you're a HUGE NP fan this might just be worth your while.
These aQ fave Canadian pop champions continue their reign of pop awesomeness. Despite the title (if we assume it is self referential), this new New Pornographers' album doesn't really push any envelopes, it doesn't wear a chip on its shoulder, nor puff its chest out. With nothing to prove -- their audience already deliriously won over -- the band's fourth full length is simply solid (not simple, mind you!), but if it is status quo, then it's the best sounding status quo around! It doesn't challenge the listeners, it gives them a big hug!
Really the only place where there have been any major changes is in the packaging department, and it's not for them better. While we've always felt that the band's visual aspects have fallen short of their kick-ass music, we weren't prepared for the latest cover art atrocity. Accented with splashes of purple and neon orange, it's a disturbing line drawing of NP keyboardist Blaine Thurier shirtless and flexing. Yikes.
With band members settlin' down, starting families and such, it's understandable that it would be reflected in their music too. The initial breathless pop exuberance of their debut indie hit "Letter To An Occupant" has certainly been tempered into a swooning finely crafted and composed pop splendor with some of their most introspective and eloquent songs to date. These immensely talented folks have taken all the goodness from Mass Romantic, Electric Version and Twin Cinema and lovingly rolled it all together into something far grander and more lush than ever before.
With the individual band members' songs and sounds skillfully integrated, but still retaining their unmistakable charms, Challengers is much less of a rollercoaster ride than any of their past recordings. It's quite possibly their most consistent album from start to finish. Check out the late-in-the-album vibrancy of "Mutiny, I Promise You" and the hushed sweetness of "Adventures In Solitude".
All the key familiar faces -- Carl Newman, Dan Bejar and Neko Case -- make their entrances with their respective distinct flair. Y'know, the kind that'll surely receive wild welcoming applause in concert. This album keeps the lovin' good feelings flowing. To boot, they give their Vancouver buddies The Choir Practice a nod by covering their best tune "Failsafe" (the original can be found on that group's own self-titled debut album which came out a couple months ago).
Yes, we can say once again, very recommended!
MPEG Stream: "Challengers"
MPEG Stream: "Mutiny, I Promise You"
MPEG Stream: "Myriad Harbour"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Electric Version (Matador / Mint) cd 10.98
The LONG anticipated return of the undisputed gods of pop in the new millennium. Yes, it's here! The newest from the New Pornographers and, needless to say, it does not disappoint. From the very get go with the title track we have almost a reprise of "Letter From An Occupant" with its knee twitching, hip shaking energy and bouncing keyboard line. Carl Newman, Neko Case, et al continue to demonstrate not only superior song writing abilities but a sense of effortless and unpretentious musicianship which is perhaps most evident in their continued brilliant harmony vocals (to say nothing of the interplay between Neko and Carl's lead vocal lines throughout the album). And what's that? No, it may sound like "Year of the Cat" man Al Stewart, but it's actually Destroyer frontman Dan Bejar, returning to the group as a "secret member" on 3 tracks. There's something about the way that the New Pornographers are able to consistently tap into the seventies and early eighties radio pop continuum of ELO, Sparks, Cheap Trick, fatten up the harmonies, and then filter it all through a Rainer Maria style emo ethic -- and make it kick ass! And while admittedly this album might take a little longer for it to seep in than did Mass Romantic, it's worth the repeated listens cuz if this is bubblegum pop, it's the kind that gets more flavor the more you chew. And those of us who had 'issues' with the sound (not the songs) on the first album, finding it to be a little brittle with a bit of a brutal high end, will be quite pleased with the much warmer, dreamier sound. Pop record of the year wethinks.
MPEG Stream: "The Electric Version"
MPEG Stream: "All For Swinging You Around"
MPEG Stream: "The New Face of Zero and One"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Electric Version (Matador) lp 11.98
The LONG anticipated return of the undisputed gods of pop in the new millennium. Yes, it's here! The newest from the New Pornographers and, needless to say, it does not disappoint. From the very get go with the title track we have almost a reprise of "Letter From An Occupant" with its knee twitching, hip shaking energy and bouncing keyboard line. Carl Newman, Neko Case, et al continue to demonstrate not only superior song writing abilities but a sense of effortless and unpretentious musicianship which is perhaps most evident in their continued brilliant harmony vocals (to say nothing of the interplay between Neko and Carl's lead vocal lines throughout the album). And what's that? No, it may sound like "Year of the Cat" man Al Stewart, but it's actually Destroyer frontman Dan Bejar, retunring to the group as a "secret member" on 3 tracks. There's something about the way that the New Pornographers are able to consistently tap into the seventies and early eighties radio pop continuum of ELO, Sparks, Cheap Trick, fatten up the harmonies, and then filter it all through a Rainer Maria style emo ethic -- and make it kick ass! And while admittedly this album might take a little longer for it to seep in than did Mass Romantic, it's worth the repeated listens cuz if this is bubblegum pop, it's the kind that gets more flavor the more you chew. And those of us who had 'issues' with the sound (not the songs) on the first album, finding it to be a little brittle with a bit of a brutal high end, will be quite pleased with the much warmer, dreamier sound. Pop record of the year wethinks.

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Letter From An Occupant (Matador Europe) cd ep 6.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
At the most recent New Pornographers show here leader Carl Newman fielded the audience's unanimous request that the group release another album of new material. Newman claimed that if anyone really wanted high quality New Porn material they would have to wait, but that he would gladly send us all crappy mp3s tomorrow if we wished. While our own request for those "crappy" mp3s has gone unheeded, we are slightly mollified by this 3 track ep from our friends from the Great White North. This single is, as you may have guessed from the title, not exactly entirely new material, but was a companion release to 'Mass Romantic' for its European release there last year. And it has taken us this long to get our grubby paws on them. We can skip 'Letter From An Occupant' as it has been covered in detail already (although we never tire of listening to it). Of the two new tracks on this disc, 'The End of Medicine' is a N.P. original and 'When I Was A Baby' is a cover of Andee's favorite Donner Party song. We're happy to inform that these two new ditties are worth waiting for. 'The End of Medicine' is classic N.P. material that will have you humming the chorus hours after listening to this ep. And unlike the nursery rhyme-like 'naughty little boy' acoustic version presented by the Donner Party, the N.P.'s start the track off with just Neko Case backed by guitar, which becomes an almost tearjerkingly beautiful waltz arrangement with the full band kicking in and Carl taking up the lead vocals and backed in harmony by all else. The one downside to the song and the ep as a whole is its brevity. I find myself just replaying the thing over and over to satisfy my need for more N.P.
RealAudio clip: "The End Of Medicine"
RealAudio clip: "When I Was A Baby"
RealAudio clip: "Letter from an Occupant"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Letter From An Occupant (Matador Europe) 7" 4.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
At the most recent New Pornographers show here leader Carl Newman fielded the audience's unanimous request that the group release another album of new material. Newman claimed that if anyone really wanted high quality New Porn's material they would have to wait, but that he would gladly send us all crappy mp3's tomorrow if we wished. While our own request for those "crappy" mp3's has gone unheeded, we are slightly mollified by this 3 track ep from our friends from the Great White North. This single is, as you may have guessed from the title, not exactly entirely new material, but was a companion release to 'Mass Romantic' for its European release there last year. And it has taken us this long to get our grubby paws on them. We can skip 'Letter From An Occupant' as it has been covered in detail already (although we never tire of listening to it). Of the two new tracks on this disc, 'The End of Medicine' is a N.P. original and 'When I Was A Baby' is a cover of Andee's favorite Donner Party song. We're happy to inform that these two new ditties are worth waiting for. 'The End of Medicine' is classic N.P. material that will have you humming the chorus hours after listening to this ep. And unlike the nursery rhyme-like 'naughty little boy' acoustic version presented by the Donner Party, the N.P.'s start the track off with just Neko Case backed by guitar, which becomes an almost tearjerkingly beautiful waltz arrangement with the full band kicking in and Carl taking up the lead vocals and backed in harmony by all else. The one downside to the song and the ep as a whole is its brevity. I find myself just replaying the thing over and over to satisfy my need for more N.P.

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Mass Romantic (Mint) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. GET THE DOMESTIC VERSION ON MATADOR.
Amazing pop maestro Carl Newman (Zumpano, Superconductor) heads the star-studded cast of what is, to AQ's collective ears, simply THE BEST POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2000. When was the last time the AQ staff and our wildly differing tastes happened to *unanimously* agree on a single album's brilliance? Maybe Neutral Milk's second record? The Soft Bulletin or Conet Project? Suffice to say that this happens very rarely, and that's how good this New Pornographers record is. "Mass Romantic" is absolutely shiningly great power pop, with influences as wide-ranging as Big Star, the Zombies, Eno, the Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, and Built to Spill.
Not since, well, the last Zumpano record (or Silver Sun's debut) has a pop record emerged that's this powerful, kickass, well-crafted and totally complex. Really. Each of the twelve tracks is a fully realised pop creation unto itself. Intelligent, infectious, and uplifting, with truly flawless arrangements (the key to pop greatness).
In a sparkling non-country spin, the wonderful Neko Case lends her vocal gusto to complete the soaring FOUR-PART vocals on such gems as "Letter From An Occupant" not to mention the title track. And the four other members of the New Pornographers are super talents in their own right: Daniel Bejar (the enigmatic figure behind the very Nilsson-influenced combo known as Destroyer), John Collins (bassist/engineer for the Nardwuar the Human Serviette-lead freakos the Evaporators, garage-pop stalwarts Smugglers, and the rock army known as Superconductor), Kurt Dahle (drummer for Canadian college popsters Limblifter), and indie filmmaker Blaine Thurier.
Recommended for everyone -- even if you only buy one pop or rock record this year, this should be it.
RealAudio clip: "Letter From an Occupant"
RealAudio clip: "The Fake Headlines"
RealAudio clip: "The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism"
RealAudio clip: "To Wild Homes"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Mass Romantic (Mint) lp 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. GET THE DOMESTIC VERSION ON MATADOR.
Now in on LP!!! And it's about damn time! The first pressing of this glorious pop album was gone in such a flash we barely caught a glimpse of it, but now we've got the AQ ultra fave pop album in splendid vinyl abundance with lyric sheet to boot! So go on! Sing your lil' hearts out!
In case you somehow missed our gushing about the cd version (or your memory's a bit foggy), here's what we had to say:
Amazing pop maestro Carl Newman (Zumpano, Superconductor) heads the star-studded cast of what is, to AQ's collective ears, simply THE BEST POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2000. When was the last time the AQ staff and our wildly differing tastes happened to *unanimously* agree on a single album's brilliance? Maybe Neutral Milk's second record? The Soft Bulletin or Conet Project? Suffice to say that this happens very rarely, and that's how good this New Pornographers record is. "Mass Romantic" is absolutely shiningly great power pop, with influences as wide-ranging as Big Star, the Zombies, Eno, the Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, and Built to Spill.
Not since, well, the last Zumpano record (or Silver Sun's debut) has a pop record emerged that's this powerful, kickass, well-crafted and totally complex. Really. Each of the twelve tracks is a fully realised pop creation unto itself. Intelligent, infectious, and uplifting, with truly flawless arrangements (the key to pop greatness).
In a sparkling non-country spin, the wonderful Neko Case lends her vocal gusto to complete the soaring FOUR-PART vocals on such gems as "Letter From An Occupant" not to mention the title track. And the four other members of the New Pornographers are super talents in their own right: Daniel Bejar (the enigmatic figure behind the very Nilsson-influenced combo known as Destroyer), John Collins (bassist/engineer for the Nardwuar the Human Serviette-lead freakos the Evaporators, garage-pop stalwarts Smugglers, and the rock army known as Superconductor), Kurt Dahle (drummer for Canadian college popsters Limblifter), and indie filmmaker Blaine Thurier.
Recommended for everyone -- even if you only buy one pop or rock record this year, this should be it.
RealAudio clip: "Letter From an Occupant"
RealAudio clip: "The Fake Headlines"
RealAudio clip: "The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism"
RealAudio clip: "To Wild Homes"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Twin Cinema (Matador / Mint) cd 14.98
Sound the trumpets (hey, there is one on this album!), the third album from Vancouver's New Pornographers has arrived and it's nothing short of glorious! If you're even remotely familiar with us here at AQ, you know that we've championed this pop wunderkind since the very beginning (and maybe it can be said, even before that if you count our affection for their predecessor Zumpano). We celebrate the fact that their debut album Mass Romantic was an instant unanimous hit around these parts long before practically anywhere else (even prior to much of their homeland catchin' on!). Of course these days everyone is more than familiar with these guys' pop songwriting mighty might. Heck, they can't help but know it themselves, however they haven't just rested on their laurels nor have they gotten too clever for their own good. They remain steadfastly earnest and humble in the ways only Canadians can truly be (just check out that dorkier-than-dorky guitar 'solo' on the album's opener and title track... it's a hoot!).
Whereas Mass Romantic was a millennium freak of nature in its wall-to-wall power pop fireworks -- c'mon, the kind of spontaneous, unabashed puppy-dog romp bursting from songs like "Letter From An Occupant" can't be planned nor easily replicated -- 2003's Electric Version proved to be more of a grow-on-you kind of album. Slightly clouded by self-awareness and the pressure of elevated expectations, its hooks and charms weren't as immediate, but eventually that album put some solid roots down in our hearts too. So needless to say we were eagerly anticipating album number 3. And after just a couple of listens (who are we kidding? we've been playing it non-stop!), we can say that Twin Cinema nestles itself right in between. Having hurdled past the sophomore jinx obstacles and having numerous individual projects under their belts in the interim, the seven band members have once again reconvened with a remarkable effortlessness and consistency. We'd dare proclaim that the album even betters on both of its predecessors in certain aspects.
All the usual New Pornographers are present and accounted for. Tossing his delightful eccentricities into the mix, the elusive Dan Bejar surfaces for his sporadic appearances singing tales about his mysterious "Jackie" character once again. Carl Newman and Bejar can both be downright cryptic and non-sequitur-ish in the lyric department, but that certainly doesn't prevent you from gleefully singing along to lines like "Listenin' too long to one song, sing me Spanish Techno!" (wha'? huh?). If anything these peculiarities offer a neat contrast to their comparatively straight-forward guitar and piano leads. That said, they have stretched their creative limbs a little further adding nice touches like the dizzying vocal loops in "Falling Through Your Clothes", the cascading line from the abovementioned trumpet in "Stacked Crooked" and the even more effecting multi-part vocals that grace every song. Speaking of which, everyone's vocal performances are top notch with more full-on falsetto all around. Hurrah!
There's lots of fan-pleasing moments such as on the fourth song "The Bleeding Heart Show" which winds up with a big ol' chorus of "hey-la! hey-la!"s that's pushed over the top by an outtro counter-melody sung by noneother than Ms Neko Case. Definitely an album highlight, that tune has an air of sentimentality that feels like it was written specifically for a 'driving out of town' scene in a movie. Actually it was this song that was playing when our now-former co-worker (and major NP fanatic) Byram said his final farewell to the shop. Awww. Of course, if he hadn't left, it would rightfully be him writing this review, but we'll do our best in his absence. Anyways, we should let you know that this time around not all of the female vocal parts were sung by Neko Case, but don't get yourself in a panic! She does sing a whole bunch, but two other young ladies' sweet voices chime in as well -- one of them is Ms Nora O'Connor and the other is Carl Newman's long-lost niece Kathryn Calder (of their Mint Records labelmates The Immaculate Machine). And y'know what? You might have a hard time figuring out who's singing what 'cause despite each singer having distinct, seemingly recognizable voices, they all melt together into a single New Pornographers voice.
But back on the subject of Twin Cinema as a whole, it effectively strikes a balance of exuberantly vibrant hues and darker bittersweet shades. Indeed, there's an undercurrent of wistfulness (not quite heavy nor somber enough to be called melancholic) that runs throughout the fourteen songs, however it certainly doesn't dampen any spirits. Whereas Electric Version didn't have many instantly ass-kickin' pop anthems, Twin Cinema sure as hell does. They expertly cover the full palette of tempo and mood, serving up their trademark hooks all along the way. Whereas other band would/could muster one hook per song, Newman and Co. generously pack each song with numerous pop treats. Taking into consideration just how high they set the bar with their last two albums, not to mention how high fan and critic expectations probably are at this point, Twin Cinema is arguably the band's most polished and fully realized work to date. These Canucks have scored a hat trick!
MPEG Stream: "Twin Cinema"
MPEG Stream: "The Bleeding Heart Show"
MPEG Stream: "Sing Me Spanish Techno"
MPEG Stream: "Broken Breads"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Twin Cinema (Matador) lp 11.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Sound the trumpets (hey, there is one on this album!), the third album from Vancouver's New Pornographers has arrived and it's nothing short of glorious! If you're even remotely familiar with us here at AQ, you know that we've championed this pop wunderkind since the very beginning (and maybe it can be said, even before that if you count our affection for their predecessor Zumpano). We celebrate the fact that their debut album Mass Romantic was an instant unanimous hit around these parts long before practically anywhere else (even prior to much of their homeland catchin' on!). Of course these days everyone is more than familiar with these guys' pop songwriting mighty might. Heck, they can't help but know it themselves, however they haven't just rested on their laurels nor have they gotten too clever for their own good. They remain steadfastly earnest and humble in the ways only Canadians can truly be (just check out that dorkier-than-dorky guitar 'solo' on the album's opener and title track... it's a hoot!).
Whereas Mass Romantic was a millennium freak of nature in its wall-to-wall power pop fireworks -- c'mon, the kind of spontaneous, unabashed puppy-dog romp bursting from songs like "Letter From An Occupant" can't be planned nor easily replicated -- 2003's Electric Version proved to be more of a grow-on-you kind of album. Slightly clouded by self-awareness and the pressure of elevated expectations, its hooks and charms weren't as immediate, but eventually that album put some solid roots down in our hearts too. So needless to say we were eagerly anticipating album number 3. And after just a couple of listens (who are we kidding? we've been playing it non-stop!), we can say that Twin Cinema nestles itself right in between. Having hurdled past the sophomore jinx obstacles and having numerous individual projects under their belts in the interim, the seven band members have once again reconvened with a remarkable effortlessness and consistency. We'd dare proclaim that the album even betters on both of its predecessors in certain aspects.
All the usual New Pornographers are present and accounted for. Tossing his delightful eccentricities into the mix, the elusive Dan Bejar surfaces for his sporadic appearances singing tales about his mysterious "Jackie" character once again. Carl Newman and Bejar can both be downright cryptic and non-sequitur-ish in the lyric department, but that certainly doesn't prevent you from gleefully singing along to lines like "Listenin' too long to one song, sing me Spanish Techno!" (wha'? huh?). If anything these peculiarities offer a neat contrast to their comparatively straight-forward guitar and piano leads. That said, they have stretched their creative limbs a little further adding nice touches like the dizzying vocal loops in "Falling Through Your Clothes", the cascading line from the abovementioned trumpet in "Stacked Crooked" and the even more effecting multi-part vocals that grace every song. Speaking of which, everyone's vocal performances are top notch with more full-on falsetto all around. Hurrah!
There's lots of fan-pleasing moments such as on the fourth song "The Bleeding Heart Show" which winds up with a big ol' chorus of "hey-la! hey-la!"s that's pushed over the top by an outtro counter-melody sung by noneother than Ms Neko Case. Definitely an album highlight, that tune has an air of sentimentality that feels like it was written specifically for a 'driving out of town' scene in a movie. Actually it was this song that was playing when our now-former co-worker (and major NP fanatic) Byram said his final farewell to the shop. Awww. Of course, if he hadn't left, it would rightfully be him writing this review, but we'll do our best in his absence. Anyways, we should let you know that this time around not all of the female vocal parts were sung by Neko Case, but don't get yourself in a panic! She does sing a whole bunch, but two other young ladies' sweet voices chime in as well -- one of them is Ms Nora O'Connor and the other is Carl Newman's long-lost niece Kathryn Calder (of their Mint Records labelmates The Immaculate Machine). And y'know what? You might have a hard time figuring out who's singing what 'cause despite each singer having distinct, seemingly recognizable voices, they all melt together into a single New Pornographers voice.
But back on the subject of Twin Cinema as a whole, it effectively strikes a balance of exuberantly vibrant hues and darker bittersweet shades. Indeed, there's an undercurrent of wistfulness (not quite heavy nor somber enough to be called melancholic) that runs throughout the fourteen songs, however it certainly doesn't dampen any spirits. Whereas Electric Version didn't have many instantly ass-kickin' pop anthems, Twin Cinema sure as hell does. They expertly cover the full palette of tempo and mood, serving up their trademark hooks all along the way. Whereas other band would/could muster one hook per song, Newman and Co. generously pack each song with numerous pop treats. Taking into consideration just how high they set the bar with their last two albums, not to mention how high fan and critic expectations probably are at this point, Twin Cinema is arguably the band's most polished and fully realized work to date. These Canucks have scored a hat trick!
MPEG Stream: "Twin Cinema"
MPEG Stream: "The Bleeding Heart Show"
MPEG Stream: "Sing Me Spanish Techno"
MPEG Stream: "Broken Breads"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, THE Mass Romantic (Matador) cd 10.98
Remastered, repackaged, repriced, relisted! We're happy to announce that Matador has gone and reissued this AQ-fave band's 2000 debut (previously only available as a Canadian import, of which we sold gizillions) domestically. There's no bonus tracks or anything, but it's been remastered (which actually means something -- they tamed the treble and it's indeed an improvement), repackaged (the cd is in a jewel case this time), and now the price is a real deal. So if you haven't already picked this up, now's the time. Here's the review we wrote back when it originally came out:
Amazing pop maestro Carl Newman (Zumpano, Superconductor) heads the star-studded cast of what is, to AQ's collective ears, simply THE BEST POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2000. When was the last time the AQ staff and our wildly differing tastes happened to *unanimously* agree on a single album's brilliance? Maybe Neutral Milk's second record? The Soft Bulletin or Conet Project? Suffice to say that this happens very rarely, and that's how good this New Pornographers record is. "Mass Romantic" is absolutely shiningly great power pop, with influences as wide-ranging as Big Star, the Zombies, Eno, the Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, and Built to Spill.
Not since, well, the last Zumpano record (or Silver Sun's debut) has a pop record emerged that's this powerful, kickass, well-crafted and totally complex. Really. Each of the twelve tracks is a fully realised pop creation unto itself. Intelligent, infectious, and uplifting, with truly flawless arrangements (the key to pop greatness).
In a sparkling non-country spin, the wonderful Neko Case lends her vocal gusto to complete the soaring FOUR-PART vocals on such gems as "Letter From An Occupant" not to mention the title track. And the four other members of the New Pornographers are super talents in their own right: Daniel Bejar (the enigmatic figure behind the very Nilsson-influenced combo known as Destroyer), John Collins (bassist/engineer for the Nardwuar the Human Serviette-lead freakos the Evaporators, garage-pop stalwarts Smugglers, and the rock army known as Superconductor), Kurt Dahle (drummer for Canadian college popsters Limblifter), and indie filmmaker Blaine Thurier.
Recommended for everyone -- even if you only buy one pop or rock record this year, this should be it.
MPEG Stream: "Mass Romantic"
MPEG Stream: "The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism"
MPEG Stream: "Letter From An Occupant"
MPEG Stream: "Execution Day"

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, THE Mass Romantic (Matador) lp 10.98
Remastered, repackaged, repriced, relisted! We're happy to announce that Matador has gone and reissued this AQ-fave band's 2000 debut (previously only available as a Canadian import, of which we sold gizillions) domestically. There's no bonus tracks or anything, but it's been remastered (which actually means something -- they tamed the treble and it's indeed an improvement), repackaged (the cd is in a jewel case this time), and now the price is a real deal. So if you haven't already picked this up, now's the time. Here's the review we wrote back when it originally came out:
Amazing pop maestro Carl Newman (Zumpano, Superconductor) heads the star-studded cast of what is, to AQ's collective ears, simply THE BEST POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2000. When was the last time the AQ staff and our wildly differing tastes happened to *unanimously* agree on a single album's brilliance? Maybe Neutral Milk's second record? The Soft Bulletin or Conet Project? Suffice to say that this happens very rarely, and that's how good this New Pornographers record is. "Mass Romantic" is absolutely shiningly great power pop, with influences as wide-ranging as Big Star, the Zombies, Eno, the Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, and Built to Spill.
Not since, well, the last Zumpano record (or Silver Sun's debut) has a pop record emerged that's this powerful, kickass, well-crafted and totally complex. Really. Each of the twelve tracks is a fully realised pop creation unto itself. Intelligent, infectious, and uplifting, with truly flawless arrangements (the key to pop greatness).
In a sparkling non-country spin, the wonderful Neko Case lends her vocal gusto to complete the soaring FOUR-PART vocals on such gems as "Letter From An Occupant" not to mention the title track. And the four other members of the New Pornographers are super talents in their own right: Daniel Bejar (the enigmatic figure behind the very Nilsson-influenced combo known as Destroyer), John Collins (bassist/engineer for the Nardwuar the Human Serviette-lead freakos the Evaporators, garage-pop stalwarts Smugglers, and the rock army known as Superconductor), Kurt Dahle (drummer for Canadian college popsters Limblifter), and indie filmmaker Blaine Thurier.
Recommended for everyone -- even if you only buy one pop or rock record this year, this should be it.

NEW RISEN THRONE Whispers Of The Approaching Wastefulness (Cyclic Law) cd 15.98
It gets harder and harder to describe drone records and dark ambient music. After hundreds of releases, all of them dark and drone-y and shimmery, mysterious and rumbling and blackened, whirring and abstract and ominous, we've pretty much exhausted our thesaurus. But truth be told, those words still do apply to most of the ambient music we like, and just because we run out of new words, doesn't at all mean that there isn't more dronemusic to be discovered. More black ambient to explore.
And while repeating ourselves is perhaps unavoidable, each record that does offer up something new, will hopefully in turn allow us to discover new ways of describing those sounds. Sounds that while perhaps similar to other music we've heard, are in fact, in their own way, unique, and which sonically transport us to someplace fresh and exciting.
Although fresh and exciting are maybe not words we would use to describe Whispers of The Approaching Wastefulness from Italian black ambient master New Risen Throne. The sounds here are, well, see above, all of those. But in addition to being ambient music, and dronemusic, the sounds here are much more than that. Incredibly textured and cinematic, each song playing out like the soundtrack to some harrowing journey, evoking underground caverns, windswept icefields, barren fields, forests of dead trees, these tracks are rife with all manner of miniature events, NRT approaching sound less as a composer as a recordist, or an anthropologist, making sure to make note of every detail, no matter how minimal or seemingly inconsequential, as all of those little details, when fused into a larger whole, offer up an incredibly rich and deep world of sound, surrounding and swallowing the listener whole. Stepping through your speakers and emerging in some lost world, dimly lit by some black sun, buildings in ruins, cities in flames, fields run fallow, a landscape of dead leaves and burned bodies, the usual long slow rumbles and shimmering blurred buzz are of course present, but those sounds are just the backdrop for what is really going on, much of it seemingly not musical, it's almost like a field recording made by some time traveler lost in the middle ages, the drone and whir and buzz, merely sonic artifacts from the time travel, or the faulty recording equipment, the actual magic being the lives and worlds captured on tape. Eyes closed, one is able to imagine these other places, sound being as powerful if not more powerful than sight or smell or touch. And sure, cursory listeners will find this to be some gorgeous drone music, perhaps a bit on the grim ominous side for some, but adventurous listeners, willing to strap in, eyes closed, and leap into the abyss, will definitely find much more than mere drone music within Whispers of The Approaching Wastefulness.
MPEG Stream: "Signs Of The Approaching Wastefulness (I)"
MPEG Stream: "Blowing Funeral Chant"

NEW RUINS The Sound They Make (Hidden Agenda) cd 14.98
This impressive debut album by New Ruins has been in pretty heavy rotation around here lately. The central Illinois band (consisting of two members and a guest cellist) describe their music as "small town mid-western gothic/folksy guitar-mantras tinted with martial snares and cooing organs." Anyone who has lived in a small town long enough has probably felt the inner struggle between the desire to move to an exciting city and the comfort and ease which comes with the affordability of a small town (especially a college town). Couple this struggle with winters that never seem to end and it's no surprise that The Sound They Make's opener "Ships" explodes with anxious guitar riffs and pressing organ lines that crescendo into melancholic vocals recalling roads too often travelled and pitting urgency against somebody's likely kind reminder that "we have the rest of our lives." This apprehensive eagerness paired with two distinctive vocal ranges that could be a perfect octave apart (imagine if Isaac Brock and Doug Marsch formed a dark folk band) make for an impeccable alt-gothic country album that's already garnered comparisons to John Fahey, Iron and Wine, Old 97's, and Grant Lee Buffalo, but still manages to stand alone. The indie kids are always eager for new alt-gothic country heroes. If New Ruins don't fill that void with "The Sound They Make," they'll certainly cause a flutter of anxious fans awaiting their next release (rumored to be in the works) on which their all-star live support--drummer Roy Ewing (Braid; Very Secretary) and bassist Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush; Matthew Sweet)--will contribute.
MPEG Stream: "Ships"
MPEG Stream: "Flowers"

NEW THRILL PARADE The Belly Washer (self-released) cd-r 5.98
You know a record is good, when you have no idea what the hell to say about it. Or if "what the fuck" is the first words that come to mind. Such is the case with this tour only cd-r ep from local twisted psych goth weirdos New Thrill Parade. Part of a burgeoning local scene that includes the Ovens (new record on tUMULt soon), Prizehog, Robocop 3 and a bunch of other dubiously named local noisemakers.
But New Thrill Parade definitely stand out, their dizzyingly druggy cabaret workouts, chiming high end guitars, chaotic drumming, long stretches of doomy Nick Cave like crooning, buzzing bass drones and wild operatic freakouts, like a soundtrack to some super fucked up Tim Burton student film. It's impossible to not imagine some strange stone creatures or gross, tentacled beasts singing the deep vocal parts, and some crazed multi headed ring master type balancing on some equally deformed beast belting out the wailing high parts.
Moody and dramatic and cinematic and over the top. Plenty psychedelic and tripped out and druggy, and really fucking catchy, hooks popping up all over the place, while the band unfurls their peculiar brand of funhouse doom and abandoned amusement park goth, horns bleat and moan sparring with the multiple voices, the vibe is definitely eighties, these guys would have KILLED at L.A.'s Scream club, maybe opening for Jane's Addiction or Tex & The Horseheads, but they take that sound and doll it all up with some more modern lo-fi noise rock heaviness, some warped off kilter over the top psych-glam freakouts, and plenty of textures and layers and effects and ambience.
Still need to see these guys live, might be a disappointment since we're envisioning strange beasts and scary monsters, but that's why the cd is perfect, close your eyes, and let these guys drag you screaming into their cracked and crazed world of sound.
TOUR ONLY, LIMITED TO 200 COPIES, we got a dozen or so, might very well be the only copies we get.
MPEG Stream: "Wine Tasting"
MPEG Stream: "Sun Like An Idiot"

NEW THRILL PARADE, THE s/t (Mountain Landis) 12" 8.98
This is a mind fuck of a 12"! We just got our hands on this, The New Thrill Parade's first ever document of their brand of head-trippy angular goth madness, and we could not be more pleased. This EP brings the listener to the edge of neurotic insanity, the place in your mind where shameful thoughts and nervous feelings are waging endless war. Dark, creeping discordances pummeling one and other, skull drilling guitar lines, saxophone squawking, and crooning vocals desperately narrating the most tenebrous thought processes of the human psyche. Heavy.
The ep begins with the drunken swagger of "Gift Horse". Starting slow and low, at a sort of swung pace, vocals sighing deeply, specks of reverby guitar and flittering sax punctuating the creeping crawl of the rhythm section. The chorus bursts in suddenly with a jagged romp, piercing guitars and guttural whoops, reminding us of The Birthday Party at their most frenetic. The second track, "Jealous Brothers" is a bit more rocking, the fucked up guitar lines becoming a little more strident and noisy. The bass lines on this one are throbbingly heavy, with the drummer playing a sort methamphetamine cowboy shuffle. Rounding out the a-side is "Spare My Teeth", starting off with a twisted spazzy groove, guitar wailing, drums churning out a clatter of syncopation, before everything pretty much drops off, and the tempo becomes stretched and abstracted, pushing and pulling with howling vocal lines, and then snapping back into the rocking tempo of the beginning. The song slowly dies, twisting and curling like the end of a fragmented dream.
The b-side starts up where the a-side left off, "Moat" is a riff heavy stomper, but maintains the abstract form of "Spare My Teeth". The tempo is stretched to hell, noisy and arrhythmic at times. The closing track is far and away our favorite. "Little Dancer, Age 14" is a creepfest! Dark and heavy aRes fuck, starting off with just twangy strung hgrfhtrt guitar stabs and funerary sounding organ carrying out the progression, the vocals murmuring in deep tones, lamenting some horrific train of thought. The song has an overwhelmingly elegiac feeling, drifting along like a Lynchian dream (nightmare?), fractured and abstracted. The piece ends beautifully, with tremolo picked wailing guitar melodies, outlining a more major sounding chord progression. A stark contrast from the rest of this minor sounding document. Killer!
This band recently moved to San Francisco from the nefarious beaches of Santa Cruz, and we are glad to have them. They are quickly becoming one of the most interesting and confounding local acts. While a little more raw then the debut full-length (reviewed on list #252) the dark intensity has been present from the beginning. This record is a bad trip, but in the best way! Like the type of nightmare you don't want to wake up from. Fractured and fucked up, noisy and scattered, and all together AMAZING! For fans of The Birthday Party, Public Image Ltd., Swans, Butthole Surfers, Scratch Acid, Lydia Lunch, and all jams damaged and demented. Recommended!

NEW THRILL PARADE, THE Slumber In Colorland (Wonder Quest / Big Drum) lp + cd-r 14.98
Release me now from my mortal flesh, where all my thoughts look towards death. This blackened void in which I gasp for breath, death release me NOW! Oh, what I mean is, this is the newest release from San Francisco's own twisted goth, mindfreakin art damaged, sorrowfully psychedelic Death Rockers, The New Thrill Parade! Whoa. Woe.
We have reviewed all their previous releases up until now, and luckily for us things just keep getting weirder and weirder and more and more demented in the New Thrill Parade commune. The sound is an angular misanthropic romp. Bass and drums churning out urgent, fractured rhythms, while the guitar cuts the throat of any soul with open ears, with piercing, discordant, mind-bending leads. Everything swirling, and seething madly, till the brain leaks out of the ears, and any thoughts you had before, about music, life, social relations, death, sex, are completely mutated and subverted. It's a jubilant sonic experience, but travels dark roads to come to it. This explanation of NTP's sound world is not unlike those of our past reviews (which you should check out), but Slumber In Colorland presents a marked development in both the bands sound and aesthetic. The intensely orchestrated, and inspired song craft fuckery of this latest venture show the band maturing and really finding their own unique mode of operation, giving this album a consistency not yet found in their previous works. It's like gothy deathrock darkness has finally met its blurry-brained, altered state, tripped out, color smeared polar blood brother! The songs range from depressive dark jazz sounding crooners, to completely fucked up rock fury, with mutilated melodies and disjointed noises. Heavily warped shit! Not so much genre defying, as it is genre defining!

NEW THRILL PARADE, THE Universal Shame (Litter Box Records) cd 10.98
Welcome to New Weird Santa Cruz! New Thrill Parade are not your typical bowl-roasting beach bums. They're more likely to smear their faces with cherry red lip stick and hang out under that bridge from the movie Lost Boys, drinking goats blood and cutting themselves. This shit is GOTH. Fuck yeah. The sound of this record is actually a bit of a tough one to describe. The heart of New Thrill Parade's music lies in the pounding, arrhythmic dark dance created by the sexually charged rhythm section, compelling you to move as though you were mounted by some sort of Yoruba diety. Super discordant guitar lines, soaked in reverb and chorus float atop this propulsive thump. The sax squawks, the sounds of a knife being dragged against a piece of sheet metal creeps through the mix at points, and the vocals HOWL! Vocalist Amitai's yelps and croons push the band's already amazing sound WAY over the top...his lyrics are perfectly dramatic and dark, and his sense of delivery conveys the fucked up, twisted world this band seems to exist in. Favorite tracks include the slow building creep fest "Peace Punch", and the twisted fucked up "Body Ship", which sounds like some evil bubble gum music you might hear in a nightmare after watching too much Twin Peaks. But all the tracks are killer!! For fans of The Birthday Party, Christian Death, and the Butthole Surfers...and any other freaky, fucked up insane band that rules. Also, if you get the chance, SEE THEM LIVE! Amazing theater for sure.
MPEG Stream: "Ululations"
MPEG Stream: "Peace Punch"

NEW TWEEDY BROS!, THE s/t (Shadoks Music) cd 16.98
Reissue of rare 1968 collectible from this obscure (but of course legendary) psychedelic San Francisco band. A bit dour in a good way, imagine Moby Grape, with unison harmony vocals like a depressed Mamas and Papas. Another reason to get this is the glorious silver hexagonal digipak, a miniature of the original LP sleeve's "cosmic cube" design. It folds out and everything!

NEW WET KOJAK Do Things (Beggars Banquet) cd 13.98
SASSY CUTE BAND ALERT!! AQUARIUS SHIT BAND ALERT!!
"I'm really really sexy. I really don't think you know how sexy I really am. Let me unbutton my shirt and massage my thick carpet of chest hair. Yeah. That's sexy. You know what else is sexy? That sax player behind me. You know it, baby. I think I'll sing with a raspy voice. The chicks, they really dig that. I really know what the ladies want. Me. Of course, because I'm so sexy. I'm also in Girls Vs. Boys. That's a really sexy band, too. But you already know that, because I'm so damn sexy. Have you seen my tattoo? It's really sexy."

NEW WET KOJAK This Is The Glamorous (Matador) cd 15.98
This band features members of Girls Against Boys (Scott McCloud and Johnny Temple) and it certainly shows. Actually through the first few tracks of this their fourth album, you might even mistake it for a GVSB album especially compared to their most recent material. The main band line-up is rounded out by Charles Bennington (saxophone), Nick Pelleciotto (drums, ex-Edsel) and Geoff Turner (guitar, ex-Grey Matter), but they're also joined on a handful of tracks by Geoff Sanoff (guitar, keyboards, loops, vocoder), Enrico Biondetti (guitar), and Sophie Toulouse. Past NWK recordings have been much more deeply in the NY arty jazz-rock vein. On This Is Glamorous, the herky-jerk horns and rhythmic twists are much less dominant although they do surface prominently on tracks such as "Real World Tonight". And although Scott McCloud once again dons his hoarse sneering Mark E. Smith-esque vocal hat , in fact, the overall tone of this album is much more sleekly groovin' dance pop rock like... dare we say it? Jesus Jones or Pop Will Eat Itself, and with its sax-driven-ness it's also quite a bit like Morphine too.
MPEG Stream: "Real World Tonight"
MPEG Stream: "Reverse Of The Curse"

NEW YEAR s/t (Touch & Go) cd 15.98

NEW YEAR, THE Newness Ends (Touch & Go) cd 14.98
For a band that has supposedly called it quits, Bedhead sure are keeping pretty active. As a matter of fact, the biggest difference between Bedhead and The New Year is the moniker. The Kadane brothers are still the principal songwriters, the artwork is still steeped in Joy Division-esque minimalism and the album was even recorded by Steve Albini, who recorded Bedhead's 1998 swansong. Chris Brokaw of Codeine and Pullman takes over drumming duties, and the result is a little more pep in their step. So if you're in the mood for Bedhead a little earlier in the day, when thing're sunny and bright, give this a shot. Otherwise, just keep listening to your old Bedhead records late at night.
In fact, if you've never heard the chilling ebb and flow of Bedhead, now is the best time as Touch and Go have reissued all of their previous albums, including the wonderful "Beheaded" and the hard-to-find "whatfunlifewas."
RealAudio clip: "Simple Life"

NEW YEAR, THE The End Is Near (Touch & Go) cd 14.98
The New Year's second album The End Is Near vividly recalls the fond familiar sounds of those slouchy slowcore bands of the '90s. Heck, it's no wonder 'cause members of The New Year were in a couple of those very bands. Yup, brothers Matt and Bubba Kadane were in the mellower than mellow indie rock combo Bedhead, and drummer Chris Brokaw was in the darkly creeping blues rock band Come. Their second full length is laden with ample melancholic comtemplativeness, and yet some of the songs are comparatively livelier than those of their former incarnations -- more like Sebadoh, Pavement and Seam than the hushed Codeine and Low. Andee also thought they sounded like Wilco (mostly the vocals), while Cup likened it to Arab Strap's Malcolm Middleton. Electric guitars swell from warm delicate strums to full-on waves of washy distortion while the strolling basslines and tight drumming provide the solid foundation for the drowsy boyish spoken-sung vocals.
MPEG Stream: "The End's Not Near"
MPEG Stream: "Stranger To Kindness"

NEW YEAR, THE The End Is Near (Touch & Go) lp 13.98
The New Year's second album The End Is Near vividly recalls the fond familiar sounds of those slouchy slowcore bands of the '90s. Heck, it's no wonder 'cause members of The New Year were in a couple of those very bands. Yup, brothers Matt and Bubba Kadane were in the mellower than mellow indie rock combo Bedhead, and drummer Chris Brokaw was in the darkly creeping blues rock band Come. Their second full length is laden with ample melancholic comtemplativeness, and yet some of the songs are comparatively livelier than those of their former incarnations -- more like Sebadoh, Pavement and Seam than the hushed Codeine and Low. Andee also thought they sounded like Wilco (mostly the vocals), while Cup likened it to Arab Strap's Malcolm Middleton. Electric guitars swell from warm delicate strums to full-on waves of washy distortion while the strolling basslines and tight drumming provide the solid foundation for the drowsy boyish spoken-sung vocals.
MPEG Stream: "The End's Not Near"
MPEG Stream: "Stranger To Kindness"

NEW YORK DOLLS One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This (Roadrunner) cd + dvd 16.98

MPEG Stream: "Dance Like A Monkey"
MPEG Stream: "Runnin' Around"

NEW YORK DOLLS s/t (Polygram) cd 9.98

NEW YORK EAR AND EYE CONTROL s/t (ESP-Disk/Calibre) cd 14.98
The list of players says it all: Albert Ayler, Don Cherry, John Tchicai, Roswell Rudd, Gary Peacock and Sunny Murray. Noisy and free and amazing and completely essential.