FRIGHTENED RABBIT 'SINGS THE GREYS'

(Hits The Fan, 2006)

01 - the greys
02 - music now
03 - the first incident
04 - yawns
05 - be less rude
06 - the second incident
07 - go go girls
08 - behave!
09 - square 9
10 - the final incident

" 'Sing the Greys' could refer to a very Scottish take on the blues, or else some kind of singing alien visitors. Frightened Rabbit sound like either could be true. This masked Weegie bedroom brother collective play Donnie Darko-esque indie pop that goes down very well in France and Japan, if those kind of things are how you judge bands. This album was recorded three times before, in the band's home studio set-up, so they have had the benefit of being able to try out a few rough drafts of the album, and the songs feel already worn in as a result, like a comfy pair of trainers. This is by no means brand new, although even if you feel you've heard every vocal melody, every bouncy guitar line, every quirky interlude, Frightened Rabbit will still bring a smile to your face. I hope this IS their day job."

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THE TERMINALS 'LAST DAYS OF THE SUN'

(Last Visible Dog, 2007)

01 Vertigo
02 Undertows
03 Green Eyes
04 Different Air
05 Last Days Of The Sun
06 Blue Moon
07 Creepers
08 Whichever Way She Runs
09 Premonitions
10 Crown Of Teeth
11 In Your Mind
12 I Saw Your Ghost

"The Terminals are a well-known rock band from New Zealand combining elements of modern garage rock with the best of the 60’s era thrown into the mix. Last Days of the Sun is the bands first release since 1997, and it’s a shame really given the quality of this release. Despite the bands long silence, they never split up (they continued to play live shows) but many of the band members were involved in side projects. The twelve tracks on Last Days of the Sun consist of material that had been written over the time span since their last release; these songs represent the best of the bands backlog of material over that ten-year span.

The Terminals have a great sound. Last Days of the Sun captures that garage rock feel, while showing the musical maturity to elevate The Terminals above many bands of the respective genre. The Terminals definitely have remnants of 60s era bands within their music. At times, they remind me of The Doors which is by no means a bad comparison. The production suits the albums so well, it’s perfectly audible yet not quite perfect (in a good way). All of the instruments are clear but have a somewhat soft sound to them; nothing is overpowering and all of the different aspects of the album blend nicely together. I like that Last Days of the Sun doesn’t have razor sharp production. One, it wouldn’t suit The Terminals style; and two; I believe the sound they have sought gives the album a more real feel. The guitar’s tone emanates a fuzzy warmth that I really enjoy. While it could have been done with the newest technology, it reminds me of when bands used to use analog amps, before the days of digital."

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NYLES LANNON 'PRESSURE'

(Badman Recording Co., 2007)

01 Hesitation
02 Next Obsession
03 Did I Lose You
04 Slipping
05 Lost In The Stars
06 The Well-Groomed Man
07 Better With Nothing
08 Crash Landing
09 Old Sam
10 Elephant Song
11 River

"Former Film School member Nyles Lannon has been busy since his debut album Chemical Friends made many "Best Of" lists 3 years ago. During his nearly non-stop U.S. and European tours supporting both his debut and Film School's (Beggars Banquet) first album, he painstakingly worked on his second solo album, but it wasn't until he finally took a break from touring that he was able to truly devote himself. A feverish desire to build something greater than his standout debut ruled him throughout the making of the album, and Pressure took on a deep, epic character. It represents a true evolution for the artist.

As Lannon tells us,"Pressure doesn't have a light at the end of the tunnel." It's lyrical content is steeped in dark thought: denial, guilt, temptation, regret. Lannon choreographs his swirling emotions into a series of well-crafted, intelligent pop songs that twist and morph, weaving memorable melodies with electronic flare and soulful guitar playing. From the irresistible catchiness of "Next Obsession," the bluesy drone of "Slipping" or the country shuffle of "Well Groomed Man," Pressure constantly shifts and redefines itself. And with the final song, "River," Lannon delicately lures us out to space and leaves us hanging among the stars."

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PRE 'EPIC FITS'

(Skin Graft, 2007)

01 drool
02 fudging on our folks
03 scenes from a 1963 LA love-in
04 slash in the snake pit
05 ace cock
06 I met her in the bin
07 nope fun
08 so jazzed
09 dude fuk
10 greasers
11 popping showers
12 and prolapse
13 ride ride ride
14 know yr teachers
15 untitled

"This is chaos. And as we all know, there’s a fine line between chaos and creation - remember what Macca told us. PRE though, they’ve not just blurred the line, they’ve snapped it up into so many little pieces it might as well be dust, then blown it in old Paul Mc’s face. What the hell am I going on about? To be honest I’m not quite sure. It’s just that when you’ve taken the aural beating that PRE dish out, rational thinking kind of disappears. Y’see in just 26 minutes the London based 5 piece swing wildly and violently from Liars esque drone rock to the kind of funked up, screamo barrage of noise only previously available from The Blood Brothers. And all this played with a kind of intensity and fervour that’d make a Black Flag-era Henry Rollins seem placid."

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CLOUD CULT 'THE MEANING OF 8'

(Rebel Group, 2007)

(Request)

1.	Chain Reaction
2.	Please Remain Calm
3.	Chemicals Collide
4.	Pretty Voice
5.	Brain Gateway
6.	Take Your Medicine
7.	Your 8th Birthday
8.	Dance For The Dead
9.	Everywhere All At One Time
10.	Purpose
11.	A Good God
12.	Shape Of 8
13.	The Girl Underground
14.	2x2x2
15.	Thanks
16.	Alien Christ
17.	The Deaf Girl's Song
18.	Hope
19.	Song Of The Deaf Girl

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YEASAYER 'ALL HOUR CYMBALS'

(We Are Free, 2007)

01 Sunrise
02 Wait for the Summer
03 2080
04 Germs
05 Ah, Weir
06 No Need to Worry
07 Father and Son
08 Winter Time
09 Waves
10 Worms

"One could say they hear harmonies suggestive of Crosby Stills Nash and Young - or even the prog-ness of Peter Gabriel era Genesis. Although the band names both as influences, it is impossible to overlook the other myspace-listed inspirations: Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars and Popul Vuh. Incidentally, when the album is uploaded to itunes, “world music” is the genre into which it falls. Meanwhile, the band’s myspace jokingly uses “Visual / Gospel / Showtunes” to classify the group. Ironically, they actually are that difficult to categorize. These genre-spanning influences perplex and, therefore, create an odd uniqueness that allows you to thoroughly enjoy your very own dim destiny.

Case in point is the opening track “Sunrise”, which begins with repeated a capella “ohhhh”s, followed by hand claps and piano. Next, worldly rhythmic bass and drums accompany electronic samples. The voice then begins with the lyrics “Yea it started with a stumble/and I get old and I get humble/the sky cracked a million ways making me blind”. Now you are hooked."

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UNDERWORLD 'OBLIVION WITH BELLS'

(Ato Records / Red, 2007)

01 Crocodile
02 Beautiful Burnout
03 Holding The Moth
04 To Heal
05 Ring Road
06 Glam Bucket
07 Boy, Boy, Boy
08 Cuddle Bunny Vs The Celtic Villages
09 Faxed Invitation
10 Good Morning Cockerel
11 Best Mamgu Ever

"After a five-year hiatus, Underworld return with an album that draws from across their past. With a mix of aggression and sunshine, they calculate syncopated, ricocheted beats against cleanly delineated textures and circumscribed melodies that have the cool of the 1980s New Romantic movement from which they originally sprang as Freur. Kraftwerk is in the DNA of their sound, but they've moved well past that, incorporating elements of hip-hop and industrial music into the mix. The best tracks on Oblivion with Bells are also the most ambitious. "Crocodile" has some lovely, almost Gregorian harmonies, while "Beautiful Burnout" is an epic journey with broad synthesizer chords sweeping by like headlights before segueing into a joyfully ritualistic electro-percussion tribal workout."

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A MOUNTAIN OF ONE 'BROWN PIANO'

(Amo, 2007)

For Noodle

01 brown piano (original)
02 brown piano (studio remake)

Pioneers of the new wave of Balearic bands A Mountain Of One return with an epic 12" single backed with an awesome remix from Scandinavian darlings of the moment Studio.

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MORGAN PACKARD 'AIRSHIPS FILL THE SKY'

(Anticipate, 2007)

01-airships_fill_the_sky
02-i_think_i.....
03-mink_hills
04-a_place_worth_keeping_part_1
05-a_place_worth_keeping_part_2
06-dappled
07-kelp_sway
08-waterbugs
09-they_will_rise_forever

" ‘Airships Fill the Sky’ is built on loops, skips and folds of electronics and live instrumentation. Though two of the instruments are among my least favorite: accordion and saxophone, Packard manages to transmute them well enough into structure to sufficiently abrogate the effects.

The album has a heaviness that belies the title. It brings to mind the Tim Hecker of ‘Haunt Me’ and ‘Radio Amor’, though the second track is experimental in more of a Delay/agf vein with its mysterious vocal sample. The weight of the music, which comes from the lush chords and textured stabs, is balanced by a delicacy in the structures, and this parity gives the album, overall, the lugubrious grace of an old zeppelin. Its depth and pace can offer solace and rejuvenation on a quiet afternoon."

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FABRIC 36 'RICHARD VILLALOBOS'

(Fabric, 2007)

01. Groove 1880 – Ricardo Villalobos
02. Perc and Drums – Ricardo Villalobos
03. Moongomery – Ricardo Villalobos
04. Farenzer House - Ricardo Villalobos
05. M.Bassy – Ricardo Villalobos & Patrick Ense
06. Mecker – Ricardo Villalobos
07. 4 Wheel Drive – Ricardo Villalobos & Jorge Gonzales
08. Fizpatrick - Ricardo Villalobos & Patrick Ense
09. Andruic & Japan – Ricardo Villalobos & Andrew Gillings
10. Organic Tranceplant – Ricardo Villalobos
11. Prevorent – Ricardo Villalobos
12. Fumiyandric 2 – Ricardo Villalobos & Fumiya Tanaka
13. Won’t You Tell Me – Ricardo Villalobos
14. Primer Encuentro Latino-Americano (based on a same named song of: Los Jaivas and Manduka) - Ricardo Villalobos
15. Chropuspel Zündung – Ricardo Villalobos

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'FABRICLIVE 36 - JAMES MURPHY & PAT MAHONEY'

(Fabric, 2007)

01. Peter Gordon and Love Of Life Orchestra – Beginning of The Heartbreak – Lust/Unlust
02. Baby Oliver – Primetime (Uptown Express) – Environ
03. Donald Byrd and 125th St, NYC – Love Has Come Around – Elektra
04. Instant Funk – I Got My Mind Made Up – Salsoul
05. Chic – I Feel Your Love Comin’ On – Atlantic
06. Was (Not Was) – Tell Me That I’m Dreaming – ZE
07. GQ – Lies - GQ
08. Mudd – Adventures In Bickett Wood (Layne’s Head Stash Re-roll) – Rong
09. Elektrik Dred – Butter Up (Gimme Some Bread) – Sounds Of Florida
10. Lenny Williams – You Got Me Running - Geffen
11. Daniel Wang – Like Some Dream (I Can’t Stop Dreaming) – Daniel Wang
12. Gichy Dan – Cowboys and Gangsters – ZE
13. Still Going – Still Going Theme – DFA
14. City Of Women – Tablakone – Sähkö
15. Babytalk – Keep On Move – Stickydisc
16. Love Committee – Just As Long As I’ve Got You – Salsoul
17. Mouzon’s Electric Band – Everybody Get Down – Mouzon
18. Punkin’ Machine – I Need You Tonight – JC Records
19. LCD Soundsystem – Hippie Priest Bum-out – DFA/EMI
20. Junior Bryon – Dance To The Music (Dub) – Vanguard
21. JT – I Love Music – Vanguard
22. Jackson Jones – I Feel Good Put Your Pants On – Jackson Jones
23. NYC Peech Boys – Life Is Something Special – Island Def Jam
24. Peter Gordon and Love Of Life Orchestra – Don’t Don’t - Lust/Unlust

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LCD SOUNDSYSTEM 'A BUNCH OF STUFF E.P.'

(DFA, 2007)

01 All My Friends (Franz Ferdinand Version)
02 Get Innocuous! (Soulwax Remix)
03 Sound of Silver (c2 Remix Rev.3)
04 Us V Them (Any Color U Like Remix By Windsurf)
05 Time to Get Away (Gucci Soundsystem Remix)
06 Us V Them (Live On KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic)

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ASBURY 'UNDER THE.....ASBURY'

(Semi-Content Music, 2007)

01 distance is the difference
02 designs
03 covered in acrylic
04 he's gone fetal
05 who turned up the voltage?
06 breathing
07 whatever you got
08 faking nice
09 a dancer's husband (my major faults)
10 where would we be without cruelty?
11 city

"A recording of 11 delicately placed, cleverly crafted, bizarre rock songs. These songs consist of character studies, fantastical dreams, and the genuine confusion that permeates big city life. The music ranges from a minimalist structure with glockenspiel and synthesizer to a more formal structure of melodic and harmonic layering. The album maintains an honest, melancholic atmosphere through haunting imagery, sardonic humor, and wistful vocals. Touches of modern electronic music and field recordings of arguments in a café, rain, traffic, and factory sounds add color to what is essentially a dark pop album in the vein of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, The Cure, REM, and Blonde Redhead."

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CHRIS AND THOMAS 'LAND OF SEA'

(Defend Music Inc., 2007)

01 land of sea
02 broken chair
03 bettin' on the moon
04 you're the one I want
05 isn't that so
06 don't hang your heart
07 take these thoughts
08 riversong
09 time to find out
10 in my time
11 dreaming of relief
12 horse in the sky

"As music journalists there is nothing more rewarding than finding something that turns your head immediately, perking your ears and sticking with you through the day, the week, the month. The first time I popped in Chris And Thomas' debut Land Of Sea I was immediately entranced by the mellow acoustic soulfulness that permeated the tracks. It was as if the death of Nick Drake had never happened and here was a new record from the man himself… but changed somehow. Perhaps Paul Simon had come by the studio to help him flesh out a couple of songs, thickening the sad beauty of the tunes without overemphasizing the darkness. The second time I listened to the CD I was impressed with the oblique verbiage used by the songwriters and the subtle, folky Americana sounds that are used to carry the overwhelmingly melancholy beauty of these songs. But, like great slow Americana purveyors Mojave 3, Chris And Thomas really lay it down when the steel guitar comes out and the vocal harmonies step into the proving territories. Check out "Time To Find Out" or "Dreaming Of Relief" for a real taste of this duo showing their true genius and fleshing out the simplest of passages with their extraordinarily earthy vocal talent. Or really get caught up in the opening track "Land Of Sea", a track which has all the haunting melancholia of Sam Beam's best songs coupled with some light mandolins and clomping percussion. I don't know where Chris And Thomas have been all my life, but I've found them now, and I believe that I'll never be the same." Hybrid Magazine

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THE ROBOCOP KRAUS 'BLUNDERS AND MISTAKES'

(Epitaph, 2007)

01 waiting above the ocean
02 hyenas
03 blunders and mistakes
04 standing in the punchline
05 gibraltar
06 automotive man
07 minions of satan
08 chances
09 snake
10 blood on the pullover
11 hex on me
12 ease the pain

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SWIMMER ONE 'THE REGIONAL VARIATIONS'

(Biophonic Records, 2007)

01 drowning nightmare 1
02 largs hum
03 national theatre
04 but my heart is broken
05 the fakester genocide
06 the balance company
07 drowning nightmare 2
08 whatever you do, don't go in the basement
09 regional
10 the dark ages
12 a petrol pump in the cradle of christianity

"There’s a lot of idiotic soulless electro pop around, so it’s a good job that Swimmer One are here to redress the balance. This stunning debut effort more than meets expectations raised by the Edinburgh and Glasgow-based duo’s promising set of single releases, and might just be the find of the year for the as-yet uninitiated. Kicking off with the mighty force of ‘Drowning Nightmare 1’’s soaring melody and anthemic fan favourite ‘Largs Hum’, The Regional Variations combines catchy choruses with minimal beats, atmospheric soundscapes and some incredibly original subject matter. Like a stripped-down Scottish Pet Shop Boys without the funny hats or a more melancholy synth-based Pulp, Swimmer One’s brilliance should be shouted from the rooftops."

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'LOST IN TRANSLATION O.S.T. (ENHANCED)'

01 - Yellow Generation - Intro - Tokyo
02 - Kevin Shields - City Girl
03 - Sebastian Tellier - Fantino
04 - Sarah Vaughn - You Stepped Out Of A Dream
05 - Pretenders - Brass In Pocket
06 - Squarepusher - Tommib
07 - Death In Vegas - Girls
08 - Kevin Shields - Goodbye
09 - Chemical Brothers - The State We're In
10 - Phoenix - Too Young
11 - Maria Muldaur - Midnight At The Oasis
12 - Happy End - Kaze Wo Atsumete
13 - Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better
14 - Brian Reitzell & Roger J. Manning Jr. - On The Subway
15 - Kevin Shields - Ikebana
16 - My Bloody Valentine - Sometimes
17 - Peaches - Fuck The Pain Away
18 - Rick James - Love Gun
19 - Nino Rota - La Dolce Vita
20 - Air - Alone In Kyoto
21 - Brian Reitzell & Roger J. Manning Jr. - Shibuya
22 - Kevin Shields - Are You Awake
23 - The Jesus And Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
24 - Bill Murray - More Than This

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'MARIE ANTOINETTE O.S.T.'

Disc 1

1.	Hong Kong Garden Steven Severin
2.	Aphrodisiac Bow Wow Wow
3.	What Ever Happened The Strokes
4.	Pulling Our Weight The Radio Dept.
5.	Ceremony New Order
6.	Natural's Not in It Gang Of Four
7.	I Want Candy (Kevin Shields Remix) Bow Wow Wow
8.	Kings of the Wild Frontier Adam & The Ants
9.	Concerto in G Antonio Vivaldi / Reitzell
10.	Melody of a Fallen Tree Windsor For The Derby
11.	I Don't Like It Like This The Radio Dept.
12.	Plainsong The Cure

Disc 2

1.	Intro Versailles Reitzell / Beggs
2.	Jynweythek Ylow Aphex Twin
3.	Opus 17 Dustin O'Halloran
4.	Il Secondo Giorno Air
5.	Keen on Boys The Radio Dept.
6.	Opus 23 Dustin O'Halloran
7.	Barricades Mysterious Francois Couperin / Reitzell
8.	Fools Rush In (Kevin Shields Remix) Bow Wow Wow
9.	Avril 14th Aphex Twin
10.	Sonata in D Minor, K.213: Andante Domenico Scarlatti / Reitzell
11.	Tommib Help Buss Squarepusher
12.	Tristes Apprets, Pales Flambeaux Jean Philippe Rameau /W. Christie
13.	Opus 36 Dustin O'Halloran
14.	All Cats Are Grey The Cure

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'THE SQUID AND THE WHALE O.S.T.'

1. Park Slope/Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips 2. Courting Blues/Bert Jansch

3. Holland Tunnel/John Phillips

4. Lullaby/Loudon Wainwright III

5. Heart Like A Wheel/Kate & Anna McGarrigle

6. The Bright New Year/Bert Jansch

7. Drive/The Cars ­

8. Let's Go/The Feelies

9. Figure Eight/Blossom Dearie

10. Come Sing Me A Happy Song To Prove We All Can Get Along the Lumpy, Bumpy, Long and Dusty Road/Bert Jansch

11. Hey You/Dean Wareham

12. Family Conference/Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips

13. Street Hassle/Lou Reed

14. The Swimming Song/Loudon Wainwright III

15. Life Depends On Love/Bert Jansch

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'GARDEN STATE O.S.T.'

1.	Don't Panic Coldplay
2.	Caring is Creepy The Shins
3.	In the Waiting Line Zero 7
4.	New Slang The Shins
5.	I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You Colin Hay
6.	Blue Eyes Cary Brothers
7.	Fair Remy Zero
8.	One of These Things First Nick Drake
9.	Lebanese Blonde Thievery Corporation
10.	The Only Living Boy in New York Simon & Garfunkel
11.	Such Great Heights Iron and Wine
12.	Let Go Frou Frou
13.	Winding Road Bonnie Somerville

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'ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND O.S.T.'

1.	Theme by John Brion
2.	Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra (not featured in the film)
3.	Collecting Things by John Brion
4.	Light & Day by The Polyphonic Spree
5.	Bookstore by John Brion
6.	It's The Sun by The Polyphonic Spree (live; not featured in the film)
7.	Wada Na Tod by Lata Mangeshkar
8.	Showtime by John Brion
9.	Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes by Beck
10.	Sidewalk Flight by John Brion
11.	Some Kinda Shuffle by Don Nelson
12.	Howard Make It All Go Away by John Brion
13.	Something by The Willows
14.	Postcard by John Brion
15.	I Wonder by The Willows (not featured in the film)
16.	Peer Pressure by John Brion
17.	A Dream Upon Waking by John Brion
18.	String That Tie To You by John Brion
19.	Phone Call by John Brion
20.	Nola's Bounce by John Brion
21.	Down the Drain by John Brion
22.	Row by John Brion
23.	Dive In by John Brion
24.	Main Title by John Brion
25.	Spotless Mind by John Brion
26.	Elephant Parade by John Brion

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'THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS O.S.T.'

1. "111 Arthur Avenue" by Mark Mothersbaugh
2. "These Days" by Nico
3. "String Quartet in F major (Second Movement)" by Ysaye Quartet
4. "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" by Paul Simon
   
5. "Lindbergh Palace Suite" by Mark Mothersbaugh
6. "Wigwam" by Bob Dylan
7. "Look At That Old Grizzly Bear" by Mark Mothersbaugh
8. "Look At Me" by John Lennon
   
9. "Lullaby" by Emitt Rhodes
10. "Mothersbaugh's Canon" by Mark Mothersbaugh
11. "Police & Thieves" by The Clash
12. "Scrapping and Yelling" by Mark Mothersbaugh
13. "Judy Is A Punk" by The Ramones
14. "Pagoda's Theme" by Mark Mothersbaugh
15. "Needle In The Hay" by Elliott Smith
16. "Fly" by Nick Drake
17. "I Always Wanted To Be A Tenenbaum" by Mark Mothersbaugh
18. "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi Trio
19. "Stephanie Says" by The Velvet Underground
20. "Rachel Evans Tenenbaum (1965-2000)" by Mark Mothersbaugh
21. "Sparkplug Minuet" by Mark Mothersbaugh
22. "The Fairest Of The Seasons" by Nico
23. "Hey Jude" by The Mutato Muzika Orchestra

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SIGHTINGS 'THROUGH THE PANAMA'

(Load, 2007)

1. A Rest
2. Debt Depths
3. Cloven Hoof
4. The Electrician
5. This Most Real of Hells
6. Perforated
7. Certificate of No Effect
8. Through the Panama
9. Degraded Hours
10. Black Peter

"Through The Panama is the band's sixth album (out Oct. 28, CD on Load, LP on Ecstatic Peace) and takes the notch so much higher than previous efforts in terms of songwriting and production. With Andrew W.K. as a producer, some of the caustic curtains that swathed past albums have been parted to reveal a coldly pulsing artificial heart. And the beat of this heart sounds off in an alien tongue of bass and drums. Guitars descend like unforgiving sheets of napalm from the smoldering skyline. Songs pop out of this miasma that tick off icy coolness with piano and vocal stylings. Indeed, hot and cool. To accentuate the difference this album has versus previous Sighting's records, a Scott Walker cover is included. This is a rock album, but a rock for times coming, a sound of future days. Break the chains from the days of past, listen to SIGHTINGS and evolve."

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NURSE AND SOLDIER 'MARGINALIA'

(Jagjaguwar, 2007)

01 Green Tea
02 Capture the Flag
03 In the Dark
04 Back in Yr Corner
05 Wrong
06 Bought Up Too Soon
07 What You Wanted
08 North of Baltimore
09 Imaginary Friend
10 Lies & Alterations
11 Fishing
12 Beatlemania
13 Satellightning
14 Her Higher Education

"Nurse & Soldier's Marginalia is gentle, bewildered psych-pop from the partnership of Robertson Thacher (aka Bobby Matador of Oneida) and longtime collaborator Erica Fletcher. The two have been making music together since their teenage years, a long history reflected in the intimate nature of the music. Far more vulnerable and raw than Oneida, Nurse & Soldier sing about longing, betrayal and reconciliation; the sound of Marginalia is a confused murmur, as opposed to Oneida's punishing roar.

The two multi-instrumentalists sing and play organs, guitars, synths, woodwinds, drums, and more ñ they are also joined by friends, including regular collaborator Jake Bailey (guitar, organ, drums) and Kid Millions of Oneida (drums). Marginalia is their second full-length record, following 2001's self-released Ancient History."

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EPIC 45 'MAY YOUR HEART BE THE MAP'

(Make Mine Music, 2007)

01 may your heart be the map
02 the stars in spring
03 summers first breath
04 forgotten mornings
05 the stars in autumn
06 we left our homes for winter
07 lost in failing light
08 you are an annual
09 the balloonist
10 winterbirds
11 the trees and lanes
12 we grew up playing in the fields of england
13 early 80's snowfall

"Clocking in at 46 minutes in length, May Your Heart be The Map succeeds in not outstaying its welcome, too. Whereas Kranky label releases past have initially appeared serenity perfected, calming and bewitching from the outset, many have fallen foul of overly long durations; not so here, and while Epic45 lack the complexities of a Keith Fullerton Whitman or the repetition of a Growing, parallels can be drawn. Indeed, ‘Forgotten Morning’ cycles and recycles its closing moments in a manner that’s very similar to the latter point of reference, while the assortment of clickedy-click backing beats are an echo of the highly schooled approach of Whitman. In fact, numerous comparisons can be made to acts experienced previously after but a single listen to May Your Heart be The Map, but this isn’t imitation dressed up as innovation; source material is selected with care, and the assembly is startling in its affecting acuteness." Drowned In Sound

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CLEAR TIGERS 'E.P.'

(Catbird Records, 2007)

1. Igloo (stream)
2. Spook House
3. Vacation
4. Summer School

"I know everyone's going to love Clear Tigers. I know this because I loved the songs instantly, the very first time I heard them. I know this because after I posted about CT a few months back, I immediately started getting emails from people thanking me for turning them onto the band. I know this because we've sold 2/3 of our run of this new EP in less than 24 hours. Yes folks, they are going really damn fast.

It's a 4-song EP, in a hand-screened Mini-7" style sleeve. It's an edition of 200, and it's only 3 bucks." Catbirdseat

(The release is now completely sold out by the way.)

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BARN OWL 'BRIDGE TO THE CLOUDS'

(Self-released CDR, 2007)

01 diamond cloud
02 dirt road blues
03 absent afternoon
04 she swims in the clouds
05 the sun falls
06 golden forest
07 at peace with the fever

"Sounds like: shamanic trance fuzz ceremony in space, blues lost at sea under diamond raining clouds."

Listen to some tracks at the band's Myspace page.

A review of their self-titled release on Foxglove said ".....this release is like a walk through a vivid wonderland. it's maddening and enchanting, oblivious to the crumbling cityscapes outside. with a vague remnants of eastern influences, barn owl are treading their own path to the sea, and this organic expedition across windswept plains has both eyes staring directly at the sun."

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OFFICE 'A NIGHT AT THE RITZ'

(Scratchie/New Line Records, September 25, 2007)

1. Oh My
2. If you Don't know by Now
3. The Ritz
4. Company Calls
5. Wound Up
6. The Big Band Jump!
7. Plus Minus Fairytale
8. Paralyzed Prince
9. Had a Visit
10. Q&A
11. Dominoes
12. Possibilities
13. Suburban Perfume

"Pop culture, interpersonal relationships, city life and even social and office dynamics permeate the lyrics in A Night at the Ritz, the debut album of one of Chicago's popular bands, Office. The group's creator, producer and lead singer, Scott Masson, creatively comments on contemporary life through his sharp and quirky vocals.

The title track, “The Ritz," is my favorite lyrically - as it cuttingly observes pop culture and today's social scene with a memorable chorus. The cynical "Had a Visit" changes the melodic pace with hard-hitting guitar lines. In contrast to the above songs, the innocent acoustic "Suburban Perfume," reminiscent of 1960's folk rock, nostalgically flashes back to the singer's childhood in 1984."

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HARRISONS 'NO FIGHTING IN THE WAR ROOM'

(Melodic, 2007)

1. Dear Constable
2. Man Of The Hour
3. Wishing Well
4. Little Boy Lost
5. Simmer Away
6. Take It To The Mattress
7. Listen
8. Monday's Arms
9. Medication Time
10. Sweet Crystal
11. Blue Note
12. Come For Me

"Little nods and winks to England’s rock idols are everywhere - the spacey, Floyd-y vocals, the guitar licks that skim across the back beat, and sizzle of 80's Brit punk. The opener, “Dear Constable”, is Clash-esque with syncopated guitars and hot drums. “Simmer Away” has this great Beatles vibe to it, and there’s a little Smiths in the structure of “Listen” that surprised the hell out of me and put a huge smile on my face. No Fighting In The War Room has great sonic variety." Delusions Of Adequacy

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PHOSPHORESCENT 'PRIDE'

(Dead Oceans, 2007)

01 a picture of our torn up praise
02 be dark night
03 wolves
04 at death, a proclamation
05 the waves at night
06 my dove, my lamb
07 cocaine lights
08 pride

"At the base level, Matthew Houck, is a singer-songwriter/folk artist, but one who is pushing the boundaries to the point that he no longer sounds like his contemporaries. For example, although sometimes sparkled with occasional piano, guitar and some other instruments, the main event is his otherworldly voice. On songs like the almost a cappella "Be Dark Night", his high outstanding voice is stacked up against each other to create a wonderful choir. In fact, the track and much of the production work, ends up sounding like a Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys record. And like these Brian Wilson studio experiments, the song manages to be powerful, quiet, peaceful and deeply emotional all in one. It as if Houck has written or found a lost hymn to an ancient and a long forgotten God. Like any good hymn, the track simply puts you at ease. It is as if you are drifting away on a cloud that lifts you from the every day and into a place where remarkable things happen every day. The race is over. The chase has lost it's thrill. Now all there is just the peace and tranquility of the hereafter." Broken Dial

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THE LUCKSMITHS 'SPRING A LEAK'

(Matinee Records, 2007)

Disc one:

01 Falling Off of My Feet Again
02 Point Being
03 The Invention of Ordinary Everyday Things
04 Synchronized Sinking (Radio Session)
05 Postcard
06 The Year of Driving Languorously (Radio Session)
07 Even Stevens (Radio Session)
08 These Is a Light That Never Goes Out
09 Macintyre
10 The Winter Proper
11 Anyone's Guess
12 $30
13 Get Well Now
14 A Hiccup in Your Happiness (Radio Session)
15 Deep Sea Diving Suit
16 Punchlines (Live)
17 Snug (Alternate Version)
18 I Prefer the Twentieth Century (Hydroplane Remix)
19 To Absent Votes
20 Make a Wish
21 Smokers in Love (Live)
22 Are You Having a Good Time?!?!

Disc two:

01 From Macaulay Station
02 I Started a Joke
03 Once Again
04 How to Tie a Tie (Pipas Remix)
05 Rushes of Pure Spring
06 Rue Something
07 Off With His Cardigan! (Radio Session)
08 Camera-Shy (Live)
09 Requiem for the Punters Club
10 Yunta Hair
11 Dignified and Old
12 Caravanna (7" Version)
13 The Thought That Counts
14 Up (7" Version)
15 Boat
16 Broken Bones (Radio Session)
17 Danielle Steel (Live)
18 Dolly
19 Shine on Me (7" Version)
20 Transpontine (Andrew Kaffer Remix)
21 The Tichborne Claimant (Live)
22 I've Got It and It's Not Worth Having
23 Your Favourite Shirt (Demo)

"Amazing to think the Aussie indie pop band the Lucksmiths have been around for well over a decade. Even more amazing for the fervent fans of the band would be the latest release from the Lucksmiths titled “Spring A Leak”. A massive (and I mean MASSIVE) 45 song collection of all never before released material. B-sides from those cherished 7″ singles, live tracks, alternate versions, demos, remixes, cover versions all exist on this sweetly packaged double CD album. It’s enough to make a skinny cardigan wearing kid uncuff his rolled up jeans and jump up for joy. Also for the more fanatical fans, a bit jaded from buying all those ultra-rare ($$$) 7″ releases from Ebay and what not." Lunapark6

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3