New Iron & Wine

Yo everyone, sorry I've been absent from posting here for so long, but I've been sucked into this black hole of listening to the new Agalloch, Enslaved, The Ocean, Intronaut, and Yelawolf albums on repeat and I can't derive satisfaction from anything that's not brvtal (yes, Yelawolf is pretty brvtal). Anyways, here's a great new song from everyone's favorite bearded indie folkster Iron & Wine. Check out "Walking Far From Home," from the upcoming Kiss Each Other Clean over at Sam Beam and company's myspace.

For those of you who were praying for Beam to return to the whispering dude + acoustic guitar + lo-fi recording quality that he ditched on 2007's The Shepherd's Dog, that ain't going to happen, if this new cut is any indication. Against one of his typically pretty melodies and evocative lyrics, Beam colors a single repeating chord progression with a schizophrenic array of instruments. The shoegaze churn that opens the track quickly gives way to piano, with new sounds dropping in every few seconds. "Walking Far From Home" even features one of Beam's most unrestrained vocal performances ever during the coda, as he lets loose with a high-flying, joyous falsetto against Queen-like harmonies. I'm so stoked for this album.

The Walkmen

The new Walkmen probably hasn't slipped through the cracks for most of you music heads out there (and after their last record, You & Me, rightfully so) but if it has, check it out. While less of a polished and pretty magnum opus than their last effort, the new LP ignites yet again a genuinely energetic and youthful indie rocker's delight.

The Walkmen - Surf City

Plants and Animals

Unexpectedly, Montreal's Plants and Animals released one of my new favorite records this year. Employing what superficially sounds like shoegaze mixed with acoustic ballads and a hint 90s garage--brief bouts with horns but for the most part straight guitar rock--the band manages to remain conscious of the pleasure in simple rock chords. In light of this, however, experimentation all across the board reel in the three piece's unique charm. Instrumental sections that haphazardly draw from atmospheric seaward marches, harmony filled vocal drapes and every imaginable guitar texture add a touch of insanity to already immensely solid songwriting. Their live show is incredible too, featuring astonishing finesse and power. Listen to this band immediately.

Plants and Animals - Fake It
Plants and Animals - Tom Cruz