Albums Out This Week: W/C 16th February 2009

Reinvention and rejuvenation: two words which surmise the output of albums this week. Casting their emotional-hardcore roots behind them, The Appleseed Cast complete their transformation into a post-rock entity to be reckoned with. Similarly eager for new sounds is New Brunswick's premiere post-hardcore outfit Thursday finally free of their Victory Records/major label drama, able to do whatever they wish.

Morrissey is seeking a heady dose of rejuvenation having adhered to the law of diminished returns both in terms of critical acclaim and fan-interest. Years of Refusal may well make his emergence from the abyss of mediocrity.

The Appleseed Cast: Sagarmatha

After previous disclosing that 'Sagarmatha' was an entirely instrumental album, front man Chris Crisc stated  "Well, the idea is still there, although it has morphed into a mostly instrumental full length.' There's songs that are entirely instrumental, and there's one song with complete vocals that clocks in at about 2:30." Three of nine songs on 'Sagarmatha' have already been broadcasted to the internet community via MySpace. 

Morrissey: Years Refusal

We would say that Morrissey is not much of a 'Charming Man' anymore, however now releasing his ninth solo album he still has the respect from Smiths fans which coincidently is everyone over thirty in Britain. A well deserved fan base may we add, from a man that will always warrant a listen. 

Empire of the Sun: Walking On A Dream

Indie.... Franz Ferdinand and The Killers are both pioneers to the indie pop scene, from their wake hundreds of pathetic indie attempts have spawned creating this whole scene of bad music. Maybe if someone like Empire of the Sun would have been there to benchmark the standards in 2005 we wouldn't be in this predicament. This debut brings some astonishing singles that will appeal to all. 

Various Artists: Dark Was the Night:Red Hot Compilation

32 exclusive tracks brought to you by 4AD and your favorite artists, including: The National, Surfjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, Fiest, Ben Gibbard, The Decmberists, Bon Iver, Arcade Fire and many many more. These refined artists are doing this all for the Red Hot Organization who focus on curing aids. This is the 20th compilation from the charity, sure to be full with good will and quality music. 

Various Artists: War Child:Heroes Vol.1

'Heroes' is a concept that brings us covers of some of the most influential and monumental musicians, this editions covers artists such as Joy Division and Elvis Costello. Yet the cover is only half of a good record,  the other half will be filled with the likes of Elbow, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and Beck. 

Beirut: March of the Zapotec /Holland

A Zapotec is an indigenous group of people from Mexico or more specifically Oaxaca. Now you may think that Zach Condon just found a cool word and named his album after it, but no, Zach actually found a 19-piece band from Oaxaca and recorded the first half of his album with them. March of the Zapotec /Holland has been split up into two E.P's, unlike the first half the second 'Holland' does not feature any major culture shocks; floristry doesent really boast the same musical nature as the Zapotec's evidently do.

Alela Diane: To Be Still

Alela has been an eager singer song writer in the public eye since 2003 when she self-released 'Forest Parade', yet we did not prize her talent until Holocene music revised and re-released her second self released album 'A Pirates Gospel'. The album thrived on the low production values emphasizing her powerful voice, now with the fuller and more varied sounds in 'To Be Still' we see the strength of her songwriting flourish. 

M. Ward: Hold Time

Following up Matthew Ward's sixth solo album 'Post War' he is releasing this fourteen track LP featuring Jason Lyttle from Grandaddy, Lucinda Williams, multi-instrumented musician Tom Hagerman  from DeVotchKa and Matt's good friend Zooey Deschanel. 

Omar Rodriguez: Old Money

The Mars Volta have produced some amazing music with the influence of Omar as their lead guitarist. Music that consists of so much skill that when new material branches from their wake you are indebted to have a listen. Old Money will be Omars debut for Stones Throw Records. 

Thursday : Common Existence

Thursday are already back with new material after their highly acclaimed split E.P with Japanese post-rock screamo group Envy in 2008. With such a short gap between recording Thursday have created some high anticipation as to whether they can keep on "perfectly balancing their hardcore elements with their desire to break from its constraints through epic experimentation."

Jackie Leven : The Haunted Year - Winter

Traditional folk songs were often about interesting stories such as escaping jail, harvesting tobacco or even brewing moonshine; It would seem that a successful folk musician needs plenty to talk about. Jackie Leven was born in Fife and has been making folk music since the early 70's through heroin addictions and troubled times. Our bet is that this Scotsman tells a good story or two.  

Grand Duchy: Petit Fours

Grand Duchy is a new collaboration of two very unique musicians; Pixies frontman Black Francis and wife Violet Clark. The duo are releasing their debut album 'Petit Fours' on British isles first and the states later in April. 

Asobi Seksu: Hush

Considering that Asobi Seksu is the colloquial Japanese term for 'casual sex' you would expect that the music would be the audible form of intercourse. Yet the New-york based group have blended shoegaze and dream-pop to create a sound that is far from 'asobi seksu'. 

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele : The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

Would you be interested in listening to a middle aged chap playing french pop with the help of a ukulele? You say its not your cup of tea? Well sir/madame we think you could be surprised here; Dent may recorded this fairly interesting debut album in his trailer last year. No its not trailer park music, the soft pop and sentimental lyrics are sure to charm the ladies. 

A.C. Newman : Get Guilty

Get Guilty is the second album we have seen this Canadian record since he branched from The New Pornographers in '04. Released on Metador Records which is also home to Newman's wife Christy Simpson Metador's marketing manager. If your 'hip' or 'cool' and you prefer to keep your whole music collection digital then purchase the B- side from iTunes featuring a cover of the Go-Betweens 'Love Goes On'. 

Aidan Moffat: How to Get to Heaven From Scotland

You may remember Mr. Moffat for his work with Mogwai or even musician Malcolm Middleton. If not then remember him as the fellow that was challenged by Malcolm Middlton to make a solo careers back in 2002, then remember him further as the scotsman that recorded three solo albums under the Chemikal Underground label since then. 

Crystal Stilts: Alight of Night

Every week we hear of a new band that wants to be the next Joy Diviosion or Interpol, yet every week we are let down by listening to drool that these aspiring bands have created. But why? Are these artists are too scared of being as innovative and musically dark like legends Ian Curtis and Paul Banks? Perhaps. Crystal Stilts are trying to steal the Inter-DIvision throne this week with music that even the pioneers themselves would appreciate.

Sam Kills Two: S/T

Acoustic folk quartet Sam Kills Two are a fairly young band that emerged from London in 2006 as a duo. Now with a new drummer and bassist they are releasing their debut LP on the Rocket Girl label.

Mountains: Choral

There's a wide range of different ways you can research a band that you have never heard of before e.g. genre, instrumental set-up, origin etc..... However, don't go exploring Mountains yet because all you need to know about this record is that Brian Eno, Fennesz and Susumu Yokota all helped out. For those of you with OCD; they are an ambient-rock duo from Brooklyn and choral is their debut for Thrill Jockey.

Manatees: Icarus the Sunclimber

Manatees the "UK based psychedelic sludge heavyweights" are releasing their debut for the Eye Of Sound Label who stated "Laced with feedback and noise, 'Icarus, The Sunclimber' is far darker and bleaker than their previous release" With the second song clocking in at over fifteen minutes long prepare to hear six very proggy songs. 

Sleeping: What it Takes

Currently supporting a tour with Funeral for a Friend, Sleeping have already released two songs from their album 'Bomb the World' and 'You'll Be a Corpse Before Your Time'. Two very enticing names there... 

The Low Frequency In Stereo: Futuro

The Low Frequency In Stereo's released their latest album on icy Norwegian shores back in January, to no surprise they received great publicity from their home-country. The group have big expectation to impress the western prog scene. 

Colossal Yes: Charlemagne's Big Thaw

Utrillo Kushner earned the nickname 'Drummer Dude' with psychedelic rock band Comets on Fire. These days 'Drummer Dude' takes centre-stage on the piano for Colossal Yes, concentrating his music on 70's soft-pop.

Watch Out There's Ghosts: Ghost Town

Ghost Town is the debut Album from Californian Duo Jordan Blake and Joshua Stotts. The pair have been touring their techno pop-rock sound since January; a perfect chance to party for those fortunate few that can and will dance in public places. 

Black Flowers: I Grew from a Stone to a Statue

In summer 08 Alex Neilson joined this group to his archive of project's including Trembling Bells and Directing Hands. Alex went into recording with Lavinia Blackwall and Michael Flower last year.

Odawas: The Blue Depths

 The ambient rock duo have stretched boundaries for their fourth album with the Jagjaguwar label  "It’s as if the band warmed itself with blankets of synth and soft, bionic heartbeats." The first single 'Harmless Lover's Discourse' is kindly available for download on their myspace.

Hot Panda: Volcano.... Bloody Volcano! (Dig)

I doubt that these canadians have ever come across a volcano or a hot panda for that matter, but the young indie-pop chaps are set on exploring most of Canada on their recent tour. Also adventuring south for SXSW before heading home to play for the Canadian music week in Toronto.