This week it’s all about the numbers. Former Seattle resident Neko Case returns with her anticipated sixth studio album, Middle Cyclone. Double that and you have the twelfth album from Irish legends U2, who are pimping No Line on the Horizon with a week-long residency on the Late Show with David Letterman this week (for which their first task was shoveling snow). Perhaps not as long lived, but certainly at least as influential, turntable pioneer Grandmaster Flash returns with his first album of new material in 20 years. The first release from Seattle’s own Say Hi (a.k.a. Eric Ellbogen) on local label Barsuk is also his sixth overall. Swedish collective The Soundtrack of Our Lives and British electronica group The Prodigy each return with their fifth albums. The ethereally voiced Marissa Nadler is on her fourth while bi-continental group Extra Golden and new Americana songwriter Justin Townes Earle both on their third. Boston band Wild Light is only on their first, and who knows how many releases this makes for Robert Pollard, whose latest project, Boston Spaceships, is now available. There’s no need to bring a calculator, though, when you head out to your local record shop. Just bring plenty of cash, a list cribbed from Largehearted Boy, and the joyful knowledge that there’s plenty of great music to be had this week. Who knew math could be so fun?
from Blue Lights on the Runway on Yep Roc
The Bitter Tears - Starlight (MP3)
from Jam Tarts in the Jakehouse on Carrot Top Records
Bosque Brown - Went Walking (MP3)
from Baby on Burnt Toast Vinyl
Boston Spaceships - Big O Gets an Earful (MP3)
from Planets Are Blasted on Guided By Voices, Inc.
Neko Case - People Got a Lotta Nerve (MP3)
from Middle Cyclone on Anti Records
The Cloud Hymn - Wide (MP3)
from A Seed Buried In The Ground on Amble Down Records
De Rosa - Nocturne For An Absentee (MP3)
from Prevention on Chemikal Underground
Justin Townes Earle - What I Mean to You (MP3)
from Midnight at the Movies on Bloodshot Records
Emma-Lee - Never Just a Dream (MP3)
from Never Just A Dream on Bumstead
Extra Golden - Anyango (MP3)
from Thank You Very Quickly on Thrill Jockey
Grandmaster Flash - Swagger
from The Bridge on Strut Records
Marissa Nadler - River of Dirt (MP3)
from Little Hells on Kemado Records
The Prodigy - Omen
from Invaders Must Die on Cooking Vinyl
Say Hi - November Was White December Was Grey (MP3)
from Oohs & Aahs on Barsuk Records
Shotgun Jimmie - Mind Crumb (MP3)
from the self-released Still Jimmie
The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Flipside (MP3)
from Communion on Yep Roc
U2 - Get On Your Boots
from No Line on the Horizon on Island
Seth Walker - Can’t Come With You (MP3)
from Leap of Faith on Hyena Records
Wild Light - California on My Mind (MP3)
from Adult Nights on Almost Gold/StarTime International
