Albums Out This Week: W/C 9th March 2009

The poor man's folly bring their album game this week. Starsailor, the Doves/Coldplay of the poverty stricken attempt to recapture the glimmer of success they enjoyed with previous albums.

Meanwhile, New Found Glory, the walkers of a fine pop-punk pseudo-niche are similarly doing the same. Neither are likely to set the charts on fire, but they are the premiere mainstream-appeal releases of the week.

After three years working on the piece, Cursive finally reemerge with an artistic feat sure to make all the fans of joined-up musicality warm in their boots. Facing a tougher battle for public acclaim will be Polly Scattergood (real name, apparently), with her reputation coming pre-ternished - thanks to her education at the BRIT School of Performing arts, the genesis of every annoying, cloying and ghastly act which currently make up the UK album charts - she's gone a long way to pre-empting such an upbringing by having the audacity to be a talented, eccentric and decidedly left-stream artist. So, good for her!

Pure Reason Revolution: Amor Vincit Omnia

Four years ago these seven delightful chaps where ambassadors to scrappy scene prog-rock, a title that doesn't come with a lot of recognition unfortunately. Due to this, Pure Reason Revolution have stripped three members and adopted a more accessible sound, a shame, we know.  

Starsailor: All The Plans

The kings of mainstream upset and harrowing music are releasing their fourth album on Virgin Records instead of EMI. If you're fond of this miserable bunch and pre-ordered the deluxe version you can download a free E.P with three songs of bonus depression not included in the album. 

New Found Glory: Without A Fight

Pop-Punk is a touchy genre now days mainly because bands such as Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes have tainted the mainstream with alien genres. Now even older bands such as New Found Glory have to tread carefully to not be typecast as another teen-pop sensation. We think that after five albums in the pop realm the chaps from L.A have not got the energy to deviate from their 'top of the pops' stereotype. 

Vetiver: Tight Knit

We first saw this yankee folk band break onto the scene in 2004 with their eponymous debut which evidently caught the attention of an SG favourite; Joanna Newsom had Vetiver support her tour a couple of years back which lead to the guys touring extensively until now. 

Milk & Honey Band: Dog Eared Moonlight

Brit rockers Milk & Honey Band have been parading their psychedelic riffs around the world since 1994. With their fourth full-length they say there is " fewer Crowded House or Hollies motifs, but arguably a more intensely singular agenda, with White’s lyrics and vocal performances veering closer to the schools of Nick Drake or early Elton John" Psych-rock to Elton John.... A transition which could be suicidal. 

Propagandhi : Supporting Castle

The latest punk-rock group to emanate from Canada boasting a wide spread continental tour and plenty of young frivolous energy. Rather nicely you can pick up songs from the album via a donation of a size at your discretion. 

Arbouretum: Song of the Pearl

Any that are lucky enough to catch these guys supporting Band Of Horses in June will see Arbouretum showcase their third album. The first of three to include a constant band lineup for every song, previously the band changed their calibration for most songs, maybe we can hope to hear a more organized and solid sound from the Baltimore based group. 

Jack's Mannequin: The Glass Passenger

Piano rock-pop group Jack's Mannequin have had an eventful four years in the mainstream including their front-man getting leukemia and recovering and signing to Major Record label Sire. Annoyingly the band will be touring their second album with The Fray in the summer. 

Elvis Perkins in Dearland: S/T [Import]

The folk scene is saturated with talented musicians and we often find that these talented individuals such as Elvis Perkins cant create the live atmosphere they intend to; they need further help from a backing band such as Dearland. They're no Cardinals but we will see what Elvis makes of them on their eponymous debut. 

Bibio: Vignetting The Compost

It's not often that we see electronica done well, especially now days with the mass hype around bad drum & bass or dance etc... its times like these that the geniuses who do it well get forgotten such as Boards Of Canada; However Bibio notes them as one of his main influences. Stephen Wilkinson found his love for music at the university of London a couple of years ago, a love that will hopefully bring hope to electronica. 

Cursive: Mama, I'm Swollen

Omaha punk-rockers Cursive have been preaching their punk essence worldwide since '95 with the exception of one year-long hiatus. They are releasing their seventh album on Saddle Creek Records home to Brand New and Tokyo Police Club.

Loney Dear: Dear John

Emil Svanängen's native country Sweden nursed him onto the international market as a multi-instrumentalist under the name of Loney Dear. With four self-released albums followed by a debut for Sub-Pop Records; now Emil is releasing his second on our shores with Polyvinyl Records. 

Polly Scattergood: S/T

Polly is the artistic type, besides from making dark alternative music from home-town London she also spends time making short 'artistic' films. During the release of her debut self-titled album Polly is protesting against the council of London as they wish to remove a piece of Banksy's art from Shepherds Bush, 'One Nation Under CCTV' to be specific. 

The Boy Least Likely To: The Law of the Playground

We have already had one forgettable album from Brit pop duo The Boy Least Likely To and we assure you that their second full-length on the Too Young To Die Label will be the album your least likely to remember this year. 

Rocco Deluca & Burden: Mercy

Since Rocco Deluca broke his name into the mainstream he has gained mass publicity with help of his accompanying quartet Burden. They will be feeding this publicity with a huge North American tour in the coming months. 

Wake The President: You Can't Change That Boy

Wake the President are a four piece indie band from Glasgow including twin's Erik and Bjorn Sandberg. The siblings have been running an independent label for the past two year's gaining momentum to release their debut album You Can't Change That Boy. 

DM Stith: Heavy Ghost

DM Sith started his musical endeavors with his high school band Star child, since then he's delved into other parts of the artistic spectrum such as painting and poetry. After realizing where his forte lies DM Sith is releasing his twelve track debut on Asthmatic Kitty Records this week. 

The Number 12 Looks Like You: Worse Than Alone

The Number 12 Look Like You  are the latest screamo metal-pop five-piece from New Jersey. The guys are blitzing 37 dates throughout America between now and April to promote their fourth album. 

Extra Golden: Thank You Very Quickly

Extra Golden are a somewhat strange edition to this weeks releases; with members from Washington and Nairobi accompanied by Benga star Opiyo Bilongo the folks blend the sound of severely different cultures for the masses. 

Micachu & The Shapes : Jewellery

The young Mica Levi will be releasing her debut album with her duo backing band The Shapes. Surprisingly she is only 21 years-old and has already received hyped publicity around London for her catchy pop, but what will happen once she leaves home sweet home? 

Julie Doiron: I Can Wonder What You Did with Your Day

For any that have been to Montreal Canada you will know that its a city of culture and youth, on top of beautiful aesthetics and friendly people. Julie was born and raised in Montreal the city that founded her love for alternative indie, a passion that would bring twenty years of quality music to the international scene. 

Dan Michaelson: Saltwater

British pop-act Dan Michaelson is the current frontman to Absentee and 'Coastguard' is a result of solo ideas that sounded to far from the Absentee realm.  

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: S/T

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band are one of the many artists that will be playing at this years South by South-West Festival.  They recently self-release their E.P 'Weepy' with the help of Scott Colburn who has worked with Arcade Fire and The Animal Collective. Weepy earned them mass recognition which lead to a signing with Dead Oceans and Colburn producing their debut.

Bishop Allen: Grr...

NYC duo Bishop Allen will be releasing their third album this week clocking in at 14 tracks of quality rock pop. When asked by Strange Glue what was in store for '09 Justin Rice said "Tour, tour, tour.  SXSW falls in the middle of our first U.S. tour.When that's done, we go to Europe. Then the U.S. again. Then Europe again. On and on and on. Until it's time to make a new record. Which, wait, could be in just a few months.  I never can keep track of time."

The Race: In My Head It Works

It's been two years since The Race released their critically acclaimed debut 'Alibi'. This time round David Eringa who's worked alongside The Manic Street Preachers and Idlewild will be producing their second studio album. 

Calories: Adventuring

The small British band Calories recorded their debut album at The Lodge Studios in Northampton. Tip of the week; if you order this album directly from the label you get 26 bonus tracks! 

Bell Orchestre: As Seen Through Windows

Canadian instrumental group Bell Orchestra will be releasing their second album in British isles this week. If You're lucky enough to be near their residence in Montreal around april time you can catch them at La Tulipe on the 19th.