Now Downloading: New Releases 03.02.10

Playlist: New Releases 03.02.10

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Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When the tracklisting was revealed for Peter Gabriel's covers project, a lot of jaws dropped. It always seemed like Gabriel was one to ignore trends, finding inspiration in the oddest of spaces. With covers of Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Radiohead and others, it turns out Peter Gabriel is more like Davids Bowie and Byrne (both covered here as well) and is in tune with the indie rock trends. Adding to the attraction of the track list is Gabriel's refined voice and the orchestral arrangements, adding up to something that needs to be heard. At least once. I'm afraid, though, that this is not an album you can listen to a lot. Separately, the songs have a certain novelty factor, but after that wears off, they don't beat the originals. Again, though, this is an album that needs to be heard.

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Clogs - The Creatures In The Garden Of Lady Walton
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

Indie forest nymphs stretch out with guest vocals from Sufjan Stevens, The National's Matt Berninger and My Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden.

Free AOL Album Stream
Download: "On the Edge (featuring Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond)" [mp3]

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Jaguar Love - Hologram Jams
Stream / Purchase [mp3]

When this Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves union came up, you would've never expected this radical evolution to electro-punk. Of course, now that the Pretty Girls Make Graves element (Jay Clark) has been extracted from the equation, I guess anything is possible. Aside from the heavily effected guitars from Cody Votolato, the album is all electronically driven. Throw in the always recognizable vocals from Johnny Whitney and this is a freakishly good time. Just skip the bonus track. That's no way to treat "Piece of My Heart."

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More on the radar (and in the mp3 player) this week:
Japanther - Rock n' Roll Ice Cream / "Spread So Thin" [mp3]
Portugal. The Man - American Ghetto / "Dead Dog" [mp3]
The Ruby Suns - Fight Softly / Free AOL album stream / "Cranberry" [mp3]
Rogue Wave - Permalight / Free AOL album stream / "Good Morning" [mp3]
Citizen Cope - The Rainwater LP
Athlete - Black Swan / Free AOL album stream
Groove Armada - Black Light / Free AOL album stream
Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago
Shooter Jennings & Hierophant- Black Ribbons
Sarah Silverman - Songs of the Sarah Silverman Program: From Our rears to Your Ears! / Free AOL album stream
Raheem Devaughn - The Love & War Masterpeace
Yellow Swans - Going Places
Twin Tigers - Gray Waves / Free AOL album stream
Almost Alice / Free AOL album stream

REISSUES
Fela Kuti - Shakara / London Scene

tags: music, album review, peter gabriel, clogs, jaguar love, indie rock, new releases, rhapsody