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Anticipated to an almost ridiculous degree, no one looking forward to the latest Animal Collective record-- out tomorrow on vinyl and digitally, and on CD in two weeks-- will be disappointed. Everything that's defined the band to this point has here been refined and amplified into a record that captures the group's quirky and forwardly expressive style.
Malawian-born, London-based singer Esau Mwamwaya teams with the European production team Radioclit for a hugely eclectic mixtape that veers from South Africa's marabi and kwaito music to Hans Zimmer scores to French and American hip-hop to Michael Jackson. While strong collaborations with M.I.A., Santogold, and Vampire Weekend include some surprising left-turns, tracks that lean away from the familiar work even better.
Reviews
In part compiled by Ray Davies, this mostly chronological jumble of singles, album tracks, alternate mixes, mono versions, live cuts, rarities, hits, misses, and even a couple demos and one rehearsal attempts the Herculean task of compiling the Kinks' four-decade career into one 6xCD box.
[Joe Tangari]Long considered a contender for the title of "best jungle album ever", A Guy Called Gerald offers a new remaster of the original 1995 classic.
[Tim Finney]After his strong self-titled comeback in 2007, the 81-year-old country legend has released two follow-ups, each exploring a starkly different theme: Steps to Heaven is an uplifting collection of old hymns; Charlie Louvin Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs is pretty self-explanatory.
[Stephen M. Deusner]The second solo album from the former Slowdive and Mojave 3 leader finds him sounding less like he's hiding from the English rain and more like he's soaking in the California sun.
[Nitsuh Abebe]Singer and songwriter Justin Kennedy joins former Attractions member Pete Thomas and several others to create a buoyant valentine to the power pop of the late 1970s and early 80s.
[Jayson Greene]Mon: 01-12-09
Fri: 01-09-09
Thu: 01-08-09
Wed: 01-07-09
Forkcast
- New Music: The Sound of Arrows: "M.A.G.I.C." [MP3]
- Pitchfork.tv: Alela Diane: "White as Diamonds" [Video Premiere]
- New Music: N.A.S.A. [ft. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner]: "Whachadoin?"
- New Music: Fever Ray [The Knife's Karin Dreijer]: "If I Had a Heart (Fuck Buttons Remix)" [Stream]
- Video: Radiohead: "MK 1" (National Coalition for the Homeless ad)
- Pitchfork.tv: A.C. Newman: "Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer" (Dumbo Session) [Video Premiere]
- New Music: Röyksopp: "Happy Up Here" [Stream]
Features
Interview: Kranky
We celebrate 15 years of Kranky, a Chicago label that has carved out a hard-earned niche, building a roster of artists that tend toward drifting ambience, by talking to founders Joel Leoschke and Bruce Adams.
[Marc Masters]Guest List: Truckasauras
Ryan Trudell of Truckasauras gives us some details about his custom-patched Game Boys, encourages taking in the Pac NW's natural scenery, and divulges which kind of truck a Truckasauras would sell. [Interview: Tyler Grisham]
[Ryan Trudell]Interview: Hauschka
Currently on tour in Europe, Bertelmann corresponded with us by email, discussing how his new album took shape, the relationship between image and music, and how childhood memories can often provide the best material when composing.
[Mia Lily Clarke]Interview: Abe Vigoda
We spoke to two members of Abe Vigoda about how the Smell's recent deluge of press has affected the club's vibe, the band's relationship to the character actor of the same name, and the origins of some of their bizarre guitar sounds.
[Ashford Tucker]Interview: Love Is All
We talk with Josephine Olausson about the Swedish quintet's sophomore album, A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night, the outside pressures to adjust their sound for the marketplace, and the pros and cons of reading one's own press.
[Matthew Perpetua]The 50 Best Albums of 2008
We count down our favorite albums of the year.
[Pitchfork Staff]