It’s a rather thin week for new releases, most likely because it’s too late for summer releases, and too early for fall releases. Still, there are definitely releases we recommend, including new albums from Peter Wolf Crier, Gold Beach, Wiretree, Balmorehea, and many others.
What can we say about Peter Wolf Crier that hasn’t already been said? The Minneapolis-based duo of Peter Pisano (formerly of Wilco) and Brian Moen have definitely gone beyond the band to watch status we tagged them with in 2010. The release of the duo’s sophomore album, Garden of Arms, marks a maturation of their sound, and offers fans a set of 11 fresh tracks that are marked by experimentation, wonderful songwriting, a growing appreciation for music and a seriousness towards making music that gets people’s attention – and they are sure doing a good job at that.
The restrained intensity of “Setting It Off” and the experimental romp “Right Away” exemplify the contrasts the duo are involving more in their music. There is no question that the duo’s touring experience in 2010 has propelled them towards a more lively and intricate sound that includes organ foot pedals, looping effects, stronger drumming, reverb and dubbing. When we saw them live for the first time during South By Southwest 2010, the duo were one of that year’s biggest buzz bands, and they subsequently showed just why that was the case.
“Right Away” – Peter Wolf Crier from Garden of Arms
Setting It Off – Peter Wolf Crier from Garden of Arms
Following PWC, we are loving the new album, Habibti, from the band Gold Beach. When we heard the first few verses from their new single, “Diving Bell,” we could not help but to think how much it reminded us of The Shins. That said, Gold Beach makes the track all his own, with all of its chillwave, lo-fi charm, in the first minute with barely any instruments except for a quiet guitar and synthesizer. As the track progresses, it opens up into new territory, complete with a steady drum beat, reverb vocals and a merging of various synth and guitar dubbing.
“Diving Bell” – Gold Beach from Habibti (self-released)
And if that wasn’t thought-provoking enough, we also thought of Paul Westernberg (The Replacements) while listening to the rock pop-oozing track, “The Year Things Fell Apart,” off the album Increase the Sweetness from the band The Golden Seals.
“The Year Things Fell Apart” – The Golden Seals from Increase the Sweetness
“Eat Yr Heart” – HTRK from Work (work, work)
“Shimmy Shimmy Dang” – The Ladybirds from Shimmy Shimmy Dang
“Letter To A Friend” – Pregnant from Life Hard: I Try
Next is a title track, “Make Up,” off of Austin band Wiretree‘s third album, plus, singles from Steven Hephter, Sea Pinks, AM & Shawn Lee, Balmorhea, and St. Even.
“Make Up” – Wiretree from Make Up
“Dreams/My Rope”– Steven Hephter from Spirit Animal
“Fountain Tesserae” – Sea Pinks from Dead Seas
“Dark Into Light” – AM & Shawn Lee from Celestial Electric
“Untitled” – Balmorhea from Live at Sint-Elisabethkerk
Artist Spotlight: Andrew Adkins
Andrew Adkins, a roots rock singer and songwriter based in Nashville, is better known as the other half of the duo Mellow Down Easy. The duo’s 2010 album, Cosmisutra, has been praised by critics from Rolling Stone, Outlaw Magazine, and Vintage Guitar magazine, which described their sound as “the most original style in the last decade.” Adkins’ music has also been featured on ABC, MTV, and USA networks. With his solo album officially out, Adkins is taking to the road for a cross-country tour. Here are two tracks Adkins sent to us to share with you.
“We Knew It All Along” – Andrew Adkins from Troublesome My Love
