Seattle’s David Bazan, formerly of Pedro the Lion, has finally released his official solo album. The classically self-deprecating (just read his bio!) songwriter has written possibly his most probing album to date -- given his relatively recent disillusionment with his faith -- and yet it’s also perhaps his most listenable still. [For a fascinating article on Bazan's "breakup with God," check out Jessica Hopper's article in The Chicago Reader.]
Other new releases this week worth checking out include the third album from D.C.’s These United States, a welcome “best of” from Apples in Stereo, the return of Reverend Horton Heat, eccentric conceptualism from Alexis Gideon, and the next wholly entertaining educational album from They Might Be Giants, called Here Comes Science. Check out these other highlights from Largehearted Boy’s list before heading out to your favorite record shop:
from #1 Hits Explosion on Yep Roc
Susana Baca - El Bosque Armado (La Canoa) (MP3)
from Seis Poemas on Luaka Bop
David Bazan - Bless This Mess (MP3)
from Curse Your Branches on Barsuk
The Dustin Bentall Outfit - Railroad (MP3)
from Six Shooter on Impala Records
A.A. Bondy - I Can See the Pines Are Dancing (MP3)
from When The Devil’s Loose on Fat Possum
Datarock - True Stories (MP3)
from Red on Nettwerk Records
Eat Sugar - Pop Singer (MP3)
from It’s Not Our Responsibility! (self-released)
The Entrance Band - Lookout! (MP3)
from The Entrance Band on Ecstatic Peace
Liam Finn - Plane Crash (MP3)
from Champagne in Seashells on Yep Roc
Alexis Gideon - Brimstone Blaine (MP3)
from Video Musics on Sickroom Records
Heavy Young Heathens - Sha La La La (MP3)
from Heavy Young Heathens (self-released)
Octoberman - Trapped in the New Scene (MP3)
from Fortresses on White Whale Records
The Opposite Sex - Frozen Heart/Frozen Mind (MP3)
from Live + Burn (self-released)
Reverend Horton Heat - Drinkin’ and Smokin’ Cigarettes (MP3)
from Laughin’ and Cryin’ with Reverend Horton Heat on Yep Roc
Alan Semerdjian - Can’t Wait (MP3)
from The Big Beauty (self-released)
These United States - I Want You to Keep Everything (MP3)
from Everything Touches Everything on United Interests
They Might Be Giants - I Am a Paleontologist (MP3)
from Here Comes Science on Disney Sound
