I’ve been listening to a lot of good stuff so far this week. There are a lot of new releases out this month that are worth checking out, in addition to some older stuff that deserve a chance (even with poor Pitchfork reviews). Here are 4 of the albums I’m digging this week. I usually stream new albums on Lala, so I’d recommend checking it out to stream any of these albums.

1. The Avett Brothers — I and Love and You

Admittedly, I’m pretty late to the game with the Avetts. I was familiar with “Emotionalism” before seeing them live earlier this year, at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University here in DC. It was a really great live show, and it turned me on to them even more. Mostly, I think, because of the songs they played on this album. “Kickdrum Heart,” “Laundry Room,” and “And It Spread” are highlights. The Avett Brothers wear their hearts on their sleeves, and it’s a refreshing album that stands out from the increasingly popular slew of 80s synth rehashes from artists who were probably born in the 90s (I’m looking at you, Neon Indian).

2. Dirty Projectors — Bitte Orca

This has bene on my favorites list for most of the year, and I am listening to it right now as I type. It’s a challenging listen, but incredibly rewarding throughout nearly the entire album. To be candid, I hated it at first. I saw them open for TV on the Radio at the 9:30 club here in DC, and I was underwhelmed. The performance was muddled, confusing, and didn’t deliver nearly the same amount of cohesiveness found on the disc. However, the live version of “No Intention” was terrific, and it served as my gateway to the rest of the album. Also check out “Temecula Sunrise” and “The Bride,” which is perhaps the best on the album.

3. M. Ward — Hold Time

Perhaps I just don’t like new music these days without seeing the artists live, but I saw M. Ward last year before loving his work. He was really good at the Synogogue in DC, and both “Post-War” and ‘Transfiguration of Vincent” slowly grew on me. It was this foundation of two (eventually) great albums that prepared me for “Hold Time,” which seems to be the most modern-American album he’s made yet. Doesn’t seem to be as old timey, if that makes sense, but the Americana essence is absolutely still front and center. While it was nice to hear “Rave On” remade, it seems to me to be slightly out of place — an homage to hard-working Buddy Holly amid a sea of more modern glimpses of lazy American experiences. Also, Zooey Deschanel is forgettable. She’s probably terrific and funny, but ultimately, it sounds to me like M. Ward is doing a favor by working with her. I think his talent far exceeds hers on their album work together. Anyway, listen to “For Beginners,” “Epistemology,”  and “One Hundred Million Years.”  M. Ward’s charm is undeniable.

4. Washed Out — Life of Leisure

Washed Out’s EP, while short, is very rewarding…and not just for probably my favorite album cover of the year. There is definitely a late 70s-early 80s feel to it, but it also has the same downtempo charm that made me really get into both Air and Air France. Again, it’s short, and it might be too early to tell what Washed Out has in store for 2010 and beyond, but the EP is strong all the way through. Start with “Hold Out,” “Feel It All Around,” and “New Theory.” Terrific stuff that makes me want to stay up all night on a beach.

For me, I think the next albums to check out will be the new Flaming Lips record, “Embryonic,” as well as another run through of Air’s “Love 2.” Any other suggestions?

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This entry was posted on October 14, 2009 at 1:39 pm and is filed under Music Review. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.

Tags: Music Review, review, air, pitchfork, dirty projectors, washed out, m. ward, zooey deschanel, life of leisure, hold time, post-war, transfiguration of vincent, bitte orca, avett brothers, i and love and you, emotionalism, flaming lips, embryonic

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