The New Pornographers either have a lot of friends or a lot of fans in Hollywood. They just released the video for their single “Moves,” off of last year’s Together, and there are about a dozen cameos made by recognizable actor/comedians. My favorite of which is Community’s Donald Glover. The song itself is alright. It’s definitely one of the stronger tracks from the album. The video is pretty entertaining though, and is worth watching at least for the fake preview for “Expectant Dads,” starring Paul Rudd and Bill Hader.
Thus far, May is taking the cake for 2010 when it comes to music releases. Plenty of great releases this week from both new and veteran acts, including the fantastic Josh Ritter album, that is available for purchase on Amie Street for only $5. Yet even with all these excellent releases, my top two most anticipated releases of the year are yet to come.
We finally got official notice that the great Christopher Nolan will be giving us another edition to his brilliantly revamped Batman franchise. No word yet on who the villian will be. It’s gonna be hard to top the the previous two performances by Cillian Murphy and Heath Ledger.
Apparently Letterman has decided to get into the music business. His new record label is launching this summer with the release of their first signed band, Runner Runner. I’m curious to see what kind of impact this might have on Late Night and the music featured on the show.
On a more unfortunate note, it was announced just the other day that the recent acquisition of Lala by Apple, will result in the shutting down of the music streaming site. I’m pretty bummed, but hopefully it will lead to iTunes giving us more than a 30 second preview. Here is a site worth checking out as a possible replacement, My Friends and Music.
Asthmatic Kitty has just recently announced the release of a tribute to Steven’s sophomore record Enjoy Your Rabbit. The Osso Quartet, who contributed string arrangements for both Stevens’ heralded Illinois and My Brightest Diamond’s Bring Me the Workhorse, have rearranged and recorded Enjoy Your Rabbit for the string quartet. The album is titled Run Rabbit Run and set to be released on October 6th by Asthmatic Kitty.
Enjoy Your Rabbit, a collection of electronic instrumental pieces inspired by the different animals of the Chinese Zodiac, has been the only Sufjan Stevens record that has been difficult for me to get into. It’s just such a unique and different album compared to the rest of the Stevens’ canon. That’s not to say that I haven’t found songs on here that I enjoy or don’t have any respect for the record. This just happens to be the last record of his that I am likely to put on. All that to say, I am really excited to hear The Osso Quartet’s interpretation of the record. These guys are just so talented and I have loved everything that they have done with a Stevens song so far. Each of thes band members, Rob Moose (violin), Olivier Manchon (violin), Marla Hansen (viola), and Maria Bella Jeffers (cello), have traveled and recorded with some of the greatest artists and musicians in the business, from the New Pornographers to The Polyphonic Spree to The Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall.
Accompanying the album will be a series of artwork that draws its influence from the song and its corresponding animal of the Chinese zodiac. All of the artwork was done by Jessica Dressner, big sister to Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National. I haven’t had the chance to listen to this year, but I am jus so thrilled to hear new music that originated from the mind of the brilliant Sufjan Stevens. Take a listen to a couple of the original tracks off of the album that started all this fuss, Enjoy Your Rabbit.
1. Year of the Ox (arr. Michael Atkinson)
2. Enjoy Your Rabbit (arr. Michael Atkinson)
3. Year of the Monkey (arr. Michael Atkinson)
4. Year of the Tiger (arr. Rob Moose)
5. Year of the Dragon (arr. Nico Muhly)
6. Year of the Snake (arr. Olivier Manchon)
7. Year of the Horse (arr. Rob Moose)
8. Year of the Sheep (arr. Maxim Moston)
9. Year of the Rat (arr. Olivier Manchon)
10. Year of the Rooster (arr. Gabriel Kahane)
11. Year of the Dog (arr. Rob Moose)
12. Year of the Boar (arr. Michael Atkinson)
13. Year of Our Lord (arr. Michael Atkinson)
