Albums Out This Week: W/C 1st June 2009

You remember that phase around five years ago where lazy writers, press releases and ill-informed music fans started calling everything with distorted vocals in it 'screamo', completely disregarding the actual nature of the genre 'screamo'?

Well, two of the better acts from that time-line make their return this week, although time has not been kind to either. Both had first albums which perfectly exemplified the dual-vocalist format, both enraptured audiences with their fresh take on relationship angst and life struggles, and both released increasingly depressing follow-ups. As luck would have it, both bands now release their fourth albums in tandem. Emery and Taking Back Sunday: we have a feeling that only one of them is going to come out well the other side.

For the indie minded, we have both Patrick Wolf and The Barlights to enjoy this fine week. One for pomp and flamboyance, the other for honest, raw, emotional songs wrapped in deliciously infectious riffs and choruses. Try to guess which is which.

Aqualung: Words & Music

Aqualung's last album Memory Man brought his career back to life and although it may not have parred with the astonishing Strange and Beautiful album, it still impressed. Unfortunately the looming publicity around this album is that Mr. Hales has got a bit too obsessed with love, listening to a man pour is heart out for 50 minutes isn't really up our street though, sorry. 

Malcolm Middleton: Waxing Gibbous

Waxing Gibbous is an album we've been anxiously waiting for since Middleton's last record Sleight Of Hearts, the album showcased the Scotsman's raw talent so brilliantly. This latest addition should be at the very top of your 'Amazingly Cool Monumental Albums To Buy' list and then added directly to your 'Uber Albums To Consider For 2009 No.1 Spot' list. 

 We interviewed the wondrous fellow HERE. 

The Ghost of a Thousand: New Hopes, New Demonstrations

The Ghost Of A Thousand recently signed to Epitaph records who shipped them out to Stockholm to record this sophomore album alongside producer Pelle Gunnerfeldt. Which is all good news unless you're ex-bassist Gez Walton who left the band back in October. 

Sharon Van Etten: Because I Was In Love

Sharon is currently finishing up a European tour with the Great Lake Swimmers after a long year of recording here début album Because I Was In Love. The record promises charming folk music presented by one very talented lady, we have high hopes for this one. 

Speck Mountain: Some Sweet Relief

These four chaps from Chicago use mainly analogue instruments to create a retro 70's rock sound that's genuinely intriguing. You don't need to own an OAP card to enjoy this record though, just a decent music taste and an open mind. Some Sweet Relief will be their second album following an under-publicised début however, this record will be their first on Carrot Top so lets hope it'll be a different story this time.

Ohbijou: Beacons

Canadian collective Ohbijou released their début Swift Feet For Troubled Times back in '06, in the three years since then the band have performed many dates around the world and built up huge amounts of publicity for this sophomore release. 

Jon Allen: Dead Man's Suit

Folk solo-artist Jon Allen has toured with the likes of Damien Rice and Jose Gonzales over the past few years. He's now releasing a début album on Monologue Records before he sets off to  tour the British lands. 

Patrick Wolf: The Bachelor

The Bachelor was originally intended for a double album called Battle, however, Patrick announced that he was splitting the album because he didn't want to "Overload people with too much".  Which is probably good considering that he also mentioned he didn't know whether his next release would be  a "Death-Metal Record or Children's pop"

Broken Records : Until The Earth Begins To Part

4AD picked up these chaps last year after their surprisingly successful début EP in 2007, after extensive touring Broken Records visited the prestigious Monnow Valley in Wales to record their first album release Until The Earth Begins To Part. The band should fit right in with the awesome roster that 4AD currently have.

Elvis Costello: Secret, Profane and Sugarcane

Secret, Profane and Sugercane is no normal Costello album compared to the other 3,000 that he's produced, this record was co-written with T-Bone Burnett and it will be his first release with the Starbucks owned Hear Label. 

Taking Back Sunday: New Again

The title "New Again" was chosen because front-man Adam Lazzara felt that they were a new band. Which is probably due to their lead guitarist and backing vocalist Fred Mascherino  leaving last year, although you could also connect it to the fact that "Louder Now" was horrifically bad and they are trying to start afresh: we'll let you make your own decision. 

Eilen Jewell: Sea Of Tears

Eilen will be leaving her home on the east coast of America  for a huge European tour in support of her third album release Sea Of Tears. The music scene is clogged full of folk artists at the moment but Eilen's sound holds darker, more alternative sensibilities that seat her far from the maddening crowd. 

Ryan Bingham: Roadhouse Sun

Ryan Bingham has produced three albums alongside a three-piece band now, he's taken them across the world on tours and even to the Tonight Show and  Late Night With Conan O'Brien. They're poppy folk has stormed it's way through America and will be reaching the U.K.

Emery: In Shallow Seas We Sail

The law of diminishing returns has hit Emery hard with many (including us) hailing anything following their spectacular début "The Weak's End" as 'disappointing'. Album number four, will it satiate the naysayers? We look forward to finding out.

The Barlights: If it Wasn't for the Light, the Dark Would Have Killed Us

The Norfolk, England lads come out of nowhere with an album which channels the spirit of Hope of the States for those people who didn't appreciate the post-rock trimmings. Yeah, we can't think of any such people, but still...