October 9 Releases, 2012

By: Rachel Haas, Features Editor

Wow, kids! Can you believe it’s already the second week of October? Pretty soon it’ll be Halloween, Thanksgiving and then *gasp* Christmas! But for now, let’s focus on the tracks released this week before we get too ahead of ourselves as there are a few exciting releases worth a shout-out.

First up, the release I am MOST stoked about for this week is II from the Bad Books, which is comprised of Manchester Orchestra's Andy Hull and lovely singer-songwriter/personal favorite Kevin Devine. Their self-titled debut was a delightful mix of soft acoustic and alternative rock tracks--or a blend of the in-between--with Hull and Devine's voices complimenting each other to near perfection. This album is more of the same, but in the absolute best way possible. The songs are just as enjoyable and both artists shine. It's so cool to listen to them meld into one insane, super musical identity instead of just being those two dudes from those two bands. Also, the song "Forest Whitaker" is so infectious you won't be able to pass up listening to the entire album. Yeah, that's a challenge.

Tame Impala released their second album Lonerism and, if this recommendation isn’t enough, maybe Pitchfork’s 9/10 review will convince you to take a listen. The band has kept up with the psychedelic sounds featured on their debut Innerspeaker, but have seemed to cultivate a fuller, more developed atmosphere. Enjoy this richly layered time machine, break out those groovy bell bottom pants and get ready to dance around a little when you put it on.

Jakob Dylan—yep, son of harmonica-wielder Bob—is back. The Wallflowers haven’t released an album since 2005 (that’s 7 years ago for those of you, like me, that are mathematically impaired). But finally, Wallflowers fans can get their fix with Glad All Over, the sometimes funky, usually catchy sixth studio release. It doesn’t sound like a bad album per se but, let’s be honest, we really all just want to go listen to “One Headlight” (or maybe that’s just me). However, former Clash guitarist Mike Jones appears on two of the tracks, which is pretty damn cool.  

Also, Ellie Goulding, the girl who sings that “Lights” song and is dating Skrillex, dropped Halcyon this week. The first track, “Don’t Say A Word,” softly opens the album, slowly building and building until reaching a predictable burst of peppy beats and high-pitched girlish vocals. The song teeters between dance-y and epic Robyn-meets-Florence ballad—kind of weird, I know, but it works. Actually, that pretty much sums up the album. I don’t think it’ll disappoint for those searching for that sort of thing. Plus she is super adorbs.

Fitz & the Tantrums, Freelance Whales, The Script and KISS (yes, Gene-Simmons-face-paint-I-wanna-rock-n-roll-all-night KISS) also dropped some tunes this week. Want to know who else dropped an album? Rick Springfield. RICK SPRINGFIELD. His album Songs for the End of the World is now out if you’re so inclined to have a Springfield listening party.

Speaking of which, brb, going to listen to “Jessie’s Girl” now.