The Weekly Reaping (9.May.2010)

So it was an awfully slow week as far as music releases go.  But when The National release a new record, it doesn’t really matter what else is going on.  Because you are going to want as much time as possible to dedicate to devouring that album. Because you know it will be as slow-cooker, but you know that it will only be a matter of time before you absolutely love it. Fortunately, or unfortunately; however you want to look at it, there really isn’t anything else worth mentioning. But don’t worry. We have plenty of great May releases yet to come.

11.May.2010

The National

High Violet

Full album Stream (courtesy of Spinner.com)

New Sufjan Stevens Record…Sort Of

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.

Sufjan Stevens – Year of the Ox

Sufjan Stevens – Enjoy Your Rabbit

Tracklist

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)

Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy

Mark Mulcahy fronted two bands in the late 1980s: Miracle Legion and, later, Polaris, better known as the house band from The Adventures of Pete & Pete. The musician’s wife, Melissa, died suddenly in September 2008, leaving Mark to raise their 3-year-old twin daughters.

Turns out Mark has quite a following. He’s a musician’s musician, wooing critics and peers with sincere, confounding pop songs. A number of notable artists have showed up to support the Mulcahy family in the forthcoming tribute album, Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy, the proceeds of which will allow Mark to continue his music career (Mulcahy’s 2005 solo record, In Pursuit of Your Happiness, was met with much acclaim).

The first two songs from the tribute leaked this week: Thom Yorke’s cover of “All For the Best” and the National’s rendition of “Ashamed of the Story I Told.” The former is a meloncholy, LCD-Soundsystem-sounding trek down memory lane, the latter a strummy, piano-leaden regretfest. Both find the artists channeling Mulcahy’s sadness through their own respective brands of misery, and both succeed wonderfully.

Here’s a taste: Thom Yorke – All For The Best

Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy is out September 29^th, courtesy of Shout! Factory.

Best Albums of 2007

i realize that i am extremely late on this, but i think it’s ok because i just started this a couple months ago. plus i feel like i need this much time to process. had i made this list back in january, a couple of these well-deserving albums would have been left off the list. so here it is.

10 Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

like most great albums this one took a little while to grow on me. but i am glad i gave it the time, because i have definitely found some great gems on this album. if you love wilco already just listen and enjoy. if not i suggest you see them live, it will surely help you to appreciate this album. at least it did for me.

wilco – hate it here (removed 2/13/09)

9 Beirut – Flying Club Cup

balkan music at its best. seriously. if you have never listened to this one man band you are missing out. each track has just gorgeous horn and string arrangements, and condon’s voice accompanies the music so well.

beirut – in the mausoleum (removed 2/13/09)

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