Albums Out This Week: W/C 20th April 2009

As the world gasps in awe at the revelation that the aesthetically-challenged have talent too: thanks to Susan Boyle, the indie kids scratch their heads a little more and ask "Didn't we already know that?"

Consider this week's releases. Not a single looker in the bunch. Does that impugn on their ability to write good music? Only occasionally!

Illustrating the point to the contrary this week is Lacuna Coil. As their leading lady gets more attractive, the albums get worse. All we'll say on "Shallow Life" is that Cristina Scabbia couldn't possibly get any more attractive. Zombies are always fun too, and Redjetson highlight this by releasing their sophomoric, posthumous, postrockous album to the world finally. Cage the Elephant, meanwhile, still set themselves up as the best zombie band known to man. With the musical capacity, intelligence and good looks of an attack of the undead: they're sure to go far. Groovy!

Depeche Mode: Sounds Of The Universe

Next year these chaps from Essex will be celebrating thirty years of Depeche Mode, twelve albums and a heck load of achievements within the electronica realm. They've also recently announced their 'Tour Of The Universe' which in all honesty, is a slight exaggeration, although it is the first tour to have its own wikipedia page! Wiki - Tour Of The Universe 

Camera Obscura: My Maudlin Career

Since Camera Obscura announced their new album in November '08 they've signed to 4AD and revealed that their percussionist Nigel will be leaving due to family commitments. Yet the Scottish collective are still confident that their fourth album will top any previous work including the critically acclaimed '06 album 'Lets Get Out Of This Country'. 

Wooden Bird: Magnolia

Heading up this five-piece Texan group is American Analog Set front-man Andrew Kenny, who has already earned huge respect from the indie scene. His doings over the past few years make it obvious why he's such an indie hit; In 2008 Kenny wrote, and performed the entire score for the short film Pickup and Return which was written and directed by award winning writer/director Alex Johnson. 

Peter Bjorn and John: Living Things

Out of the past five albums from Bjorn, John and Peter we only really remember one distinctively and that's 'Writers Block' which surprisingly included the track 'Young Folks'. The Swedish folks have since struggled to par the fame which they once possessed for fifteen minutes. 'Living Things' has already received higher-than-average reviews but nothing compared to their previous hype. 

King Creosote: Flick the Vs

King Creosote is the stage name used by the talented Kenny Anderson, he has a monumental discography dating back to '98 yet 'Flick the Vs' is his first release solely on Domino Records.

Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard: Em Are I

Jeffrey Lewis has a rather strange way of singing, strange but intriguing to say the least. Only a man such as Jeffrey would come up with an album name like 'Em Are I' which for those that haven't noticed already; phonically sounds like MRI. The album will be unleashed onto the U.K market this week then over to the states in May. 

Fredo Viola: The Turn

Fredo Viola is one extremely cool dude. Born in London and raised in Woodstock America, Fredo has been brought up with art and culture for his backdrop. He is known as a multi-media artist due to his dabbling in photography and film made obvious by his '04 internet video hit 'The Sad Song' which he crafted himself.

Wildbirds & Peacedrums: The Snake

This rather young Swedish duo formed at the university of Gothenburg in '06 when they started recording their debut 'Heartcore', an album which they gave away free-of-charge to any interested parties. The chaps then won the award for best Swedish jazz act which funded the recording of their latest album 'The Snake'. Wildbirds and Peacedrum's sound consists of only percussion and vocals so be prepared to hear something new. 

Redjetson: Other Arms

There is almost no event filled with equal sadness than a mother expiring during child-birth. Redjetson are unable to be with us despite this - their second, and final - album together finally seeing the light of day. That it is a masterful slice of vocal-led post-rock only ups the poignancy.

Ladyfinger (ne): Dusk

Ladyfinger boast the best of modern-rock, especially the energy. The four folks from Omaha worked with Matt Bayles on 'Dusk' who has also produced work with Minus The Bear and Mastodon. They recently announced on their MySpace that "We're not going to sit around and tell you this is going to save rock and roll. We'll leave that up to the big boys. But for now, this saved rock for us. We think it's going help to save it for you, too."

Noisettes: Wild Young Hearts

The second album from The Noisettes "Wild Young Hearts" is out this week, but one of the songs from the album "Don't Upset The Rhythm' has already scooped the number two slot in the U.K charts. The single has spread across the radio like a virus, a seriously boring, unoriginal and sickly virus. 

Lacuna Coil : Shallow Life

American metal heads Lacuna Coil will be releasing their fifth studio album this week and front(wo)man Cristina Scabbia had this to say about the album, " It feels more rock" and that it is "the perfect mixture between our old European sound and something more modern...some of it's very heavy."

The Juan MacLean: The Future Will Come

The Juan MacLean or John Maclean released his last record in '06, however, it was only a downloadable remix CD. That makes 'The Future To Come' the only physical release we've seen from John since his debut in '05 which received mass hype from across the industry.

Handsome Family: Honey Moon

The Handsome Family comprises two artists from Chicago, their sound encompasses the bare essentials of country music but adds an alternative tinge; a mixture that has proved successful for the duos fourteen-year career. This will be their ninth album, all of which have been released on Carrot Top records. 

Video Nasties: On All Fours

The not so nasty Video Nasties have been rising through the punk rock scene for a few years, nowadays we can see them touring with Late Of The Pier or on Steve Lamacq's show. The Londoners state some of their influences as Sonic Youth, Interpol, Neil Young among others. Let's hope that we get to hear essence of these influences on their latest record 'On All Fours'.

Mascott: Art Project

Mascott is fronted by Kendall Jane Meade who owns the label Red Panda. Therefore Mascott's  third album was released last year in America on her own label, the album will be hitting Europe this week due to the severe amounts of publicity the five New Yorkers received on home shores. The album is their first in over four years since their second LP 'Dreamer's Book'. 

Cage The Elephant: S/T

Cage the Elephant release their debut album last year, the LP featured the single 'Ain't No Rest For The Wicked'  which reached No. 32 in the U.K charts even though the band originate from Kentucky. The collective originally released the album in America last year and will be supporting the U.K release with a trip to Europe soon. 

Art Brut: Art Brut Vs Satan

Art Brut started recording their third album in late '08, Pixie's legend Frank Black Produced all eleven tracks from the LP which will be released on time this week. The five-piece will be supporting their latest release with a huge tour across Europe and America. 

The Hours: See The Light

The Hours was formed by Antony Genn and Martin Slattery back in '04, they released their debut album 'Narcissus Road' a few year later which reached No. 47 in the U.K charts. The duo have already released a single 'Big Black Hole' on a limited 7" vinyl and download.  

The Broken Family Band: Please and Thank You

The Broken Family Band have announced they will be touring the UK in April and May to promote the release of its seventh album 'Please And Thank You'. This will be their first release on Cooking Vinyl.