October 16 Releases, 2012

By: Colin Roose, News Editor

Well, it looks like the well of monster releases in September and October is finally running dry. Green Day, The Killers and Muse have all played their cards, and this week's list languishes in the obscurity of side projects and bands with names like "Police Teeth." But there is still an oasis or two in this desert of fringe albums (sadly, none of the Gallagher variety). So, let's hit on the big ones.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor will be expounding upon their affinity for exclamation points this week with the release of Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!. With their first album since Yanqui U.X.O. ten years ago, they have managed to reform almost their entire original lineup. No mean feat for eight members. Dissonant, distant post-rock weirdness is what you'll find here, with two of the songs actually written before their long hiatus. I really can't say I understand song titles like "Strung Like Lights at Thee Printemps Erable," but all signs point to them still being the latest and greatest in post-post-modern rock-as-art.

And next, we'll be getting Sunken Condos from the venerable Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, a band that has seemingly been forgotten by everyone except classic rock radio. Although he may be "Reelin' In The Years," he's still going to "Do It Again" and put out something that will get him on "F.M." again, heh heh…okay, I'll stop. It sounds like it's just about the closest thing to another album from the Dan that can be expected, with the same brand of neurotic jazz-pop. A dusky, driving-through-the-city kind of sound. Poppy and unpretentious while still having a sophisticated flair. Those last two sentences didn't really mean much, did they? Anyway, this guy is way too talented to be as obscure as he is. Roll over Peg, tell Josie the news: Donald Fagen is back.

In other news, Ben Gibbard certainly seems rather depressed. Take a look at that there gloomy cover. And with song titles like "Teardrop Windows" and "Oh, Woe?" Watch out everyone, I think we have a high-profile breakup album on our hands. I can't help but feel he should have cut the cryptic symbolism of Former Lives' name and just subtitled it Specifically, The One Before I Split Up With Zooey Deschanel. But I digress. From what I hear, the record goes to show that Death Cab for Cutie does not necessarily equal Ben Gibbard. There's less of an indie band sound here and more experimentation, like on the twee "Something's Rattling (Cowpoke)." It's also nice for a fan like myself to hear that he can still craft melodies and still sings like he's about 11 years old. But then again, his band just released a new album last year. I hope this solo venture won't mean we'l have to wait even longer for another Death Cab album.

And if you're into Phish, there is a new Trey Anastasio album out called Traveler. Which is good news considering that his home band is quickly becoming the new Grateful Dead, putting out millions of live releases instead of new studio material. This one is everywhere though, jumping between drum n' bass experiments, straightforward country-flavored rock and the jam band sound for which he's known. Such a work ethic, too--he's put out almost as many bands in the last decade as Phish has in 20 years. He's also covering "Clint Eastwood" by the Gorillaz, making it somewhat less intoxicated-sounding than the original. That song has special meaning for me, being one of the first pop songs I was exposed to long before I understood the meaning of "sunshine in a bag."

But that's pretty much it in terms of high-profile stuff. Unless you would like to hear about More Lullbaby Renditions of U2 or Piano Tribute to KISS. But looming large on the horizon for next week is the new Taylor Swift album. Inevitably, everyone and their teenybopper little sister will help it to break all the sales records, but you, the discriminating music aficionado, know better, don't you? Drop It Like It's Hot will cover the real noteworthy stuff just for you. Stay tuned.