Fantasy Black Channel

LATE OF THE PIER – FANTASY BLACK CHANNEL

I actually think it’s a GOOD thing when a reviewer’s first words are, “My first reaction is, what on earth is this?” Garnering many such reviews from befuddled critics who just don’t get it, Late of the Pier is an intoxicating blend of glam, psychedelia, new wave, dancepunk, metal and experimental synth-pop. One of my favorite albums of the past year – I love it.

Check out the track "The Enemy Are the Future" here:


Get your own copy of "Fantasy Black Channel" here.

Beacons of Ancestorship

TORTOISE – BEACONS OF ANCESTORSHIP

After a five year absence, Tortoise returns with their sixth studio album. "Beacons of Ancestorship" includes elements of techno, punk, electro, lo-fi noise, cut up beats, and heavily processed synths.

Check out my favorite track, "Monument Six One Thousand," here:


Get your own copy of "Beacons of Ancestorship" here.

The Very Best Of Neil Diamond

SUPER FURRY ANIMALS – DARK DAYS/LIGHT YEARS

Welsh psychedelic pop legends Super Furry Animals have just released their ninth album, 'Dark Days/Light Years.” Though previous albums have seen the band experiment with extra instrumentation, this release is full of songs based more on poppy hooks than layered composition. Franz Ferdinand guitarist Nick McCarthy provides guest vocals – in German! – for the Kraftwerk-esque track “Inaugural Trams.”

Check out my favorite track, "The Very Best Of Neil Diamond," here:


Get your own copy of "Dark Days/Light Years" here.

Begone Dull Care

JUNIOR BOYS – BEGONE DULL CARE

The Junior Boys’ third album takes its name from a film collaboration between Norman McLaren and Oscar Peterson. Like their previous efforts, “Begone Dull Care” is subtle, sleek electronica – quite listenable, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Check out the track "Parallel Lines" here:


Get your own copy here.

Werewolf!

EELS - HOMBRE LOBO

It's been four years since Mark Oliver Everett’s Eels released “Blinking Lights and Other Revelations,” and now they're finally ready to come back.
On June 2, Vagrant released the new Eels album, “Hombre Lobo.” The band recorded the 12-song collection in frontman Mark Oliver Everett's studio.

Check out my favorite track, "Fresh Blood," here:


Get your own "Hombre Lobo" here.

Primary Colours

THE HORRORS – PRIMARY COLOURS

Primary Colours is The Horrors’ first album for XL. Produced by Geoff Barrow (Portishead) and Chris Cunningham (Aphex Twin, Bjork), Primary Colours is reminiscent of Echo & the Bunnymen, Jesus and Mary Chain, the Chameleons, Joy Division, and lots of other great stuff that I like!

Check out the track "Three Decades" here:


Get your own copy of "Primary Colours" here.

They're baaaaack!

MISS KITTIN AND THE HACKER - TWO

Miss Kittin (Caroline Herve) and the Hacker (Michel Amato) met in Grenoble in the early 90s. Their first collaborative album, FIRST ALBUM, helped to spawn the electro-pop movement. The duo has now reunited for the aptly named TWO on Kittin's own label, Nobody’s Bizzness.

Check out the album opener here:


Get your own "Two" here.