Now Downloading: New Releases 06.30.09

It's Independence Day this week and Wilco's one of only a select few feeling patriotic with their releases. Meanwhile, while it's only a three-song EP, it's been awhile since we've heard from Spoon, so it's definitely welcome news. Not a whole lot else, but there are interesting new releases from Moby, Wu-Tang Clan, Levon Helm and Amy Speace.

Playlist: New Releases 06.30.09

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Wilco - Wilco (the Album)
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

I often use the word 'effortless' to describe songwriting in a positive matter, so when I use it here to describe Wilco (the Album), it should be taken as mostly positive. But there's something about the 'effortless' here that's also negative. Wilco, and as principle songwriter Jeff Tweedy, have made a living swinging in and out of effortless songwriting, but their albums have had at least a portion of the album aim for something more ambitious than where they've ended up here. The name of the album and the opening track, "Wilco (the Song,)" even underscore the comfort and ease with which they're working here. It works to their advantage with the aforementioned opening track and the George Harrison-referencing first single "You Never Know." It's hard not to think of the recent death of ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett and put in context with this release. Bennett is often credited with sparking Wilco's experimental side, and with Wilco (the Album), that part of the band feels as dead as it's ex-guitarist.

Free NPR Album Stream

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Spoon - Got Nuffin
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Placed within Spoon's rich discography, Got Nuffin feels kind of insignificant, just a song and two "f*ckin' around in the studio" tracks. But considering how long it's felt since the last new release from the Austin (and now also Portland) band, the EP/Single is a most welcome event. "Got Nuffin'" may not rank with the best songs Brit Daniels has written, but it's what we've got for now, so love it I must.

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Moby - Wait For Me / Free AOL Album Stream
Wu-Tang Clan - Chamber Music / Free AOL Album Stream
Levon Helm - Electric Dirt / Free AOL Album Stream
Amy Speace - Killer in Me (Free AOL Album Stream) / "The Killer in Me" [mp3]
Meese - Broadcast

tags: music, album review, wilco, spoon, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody