Favorite New Releases of the Week - Jan. 23rd, 2007

Menomena - Friend and Foe

I spent a lot of time with Menomena's first release I Am the Fun Blame Monster! and I'm still surprised that no matter how many times I listen to the album, I hear something new each time.  After just a few listens of Friend and Foe it's clear this album is going to provide the same opportunities for discovery.  The album feels like a much more polished, and even more complex, version of I Am the Fun Blame Monster!.  The record also reminds me of the innovative sounds we've come to expect from TV on the Radio or Radiohead.

This also might be one record that goes against the idea of not judging a book by its cover.  The intricate illustrations found on the cover, done by Craig Thompson of "Blankets" fame, give you an excellent idea of the artistic expressions found on the record.  You can preview the entire album, including all the artwork I talked about, via this nifty e-card courtesy of Barsuk.  I'm particularly fond of the song "Wet and Rusting" found below:

• Menomena - "Wet And Rusting" from Friend and Foe

Buy Friend and Foe at: iTunes | Amazon | Insound

David Vandervelde - The Moonstation House Band

OK, everyone who has reviewed David's record so far has talked about Marc Bolan, Supergrass, or a few others.  There's no denying that those influences are there but is the album any good?  My answer is most definitely!

Secretly Canadian records are just a stone's throw away from where I grew up and where I'm currently living.  The proximity keeps me pretty up-to-date on what's going on there and basically, there's always a lot of good stuff going on at Secretly Canadian.  The signing of David Vandervelde is no different.

"Nothin' No" could quite possibly be one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard.  I don't know what it is about it but I can't stop listening to it.  It's one of those songs that you just have to turn up and sing along to.  "Wisdom from a Tree" is another highlight from Mr. Vandervelde's first outing.  My only complaint is that at 8 tracks, the album leaves you wanting a whole lot more!  That being said, it just means you'll have to play it again... and again.  Stream the whole thing here or check out the track "Jacket" below:

• David Vandervelde - "Jacket" from The Moonstation House Band

Buy The Moonstation House Band at: iTunes | Amazon | Insound

Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Of Montreal remind me of The Flaming Lips in a lot of ways.  They have a sizable backlog of amazing material but only after toiling for several years have they really entered into the consciousness of people other than just your average hipster [attn: Outback Steakhouse patrons].  They're also a band that truly does it's own thing.  They don't conform to anyone's expectations.  Each album is a new adventure that takes the listener in a completely different direction than it's predecessor. The electronic darkness found on Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? is no different.  Add to all of this their amazing live shows and I think you know what I mean by the Flaming Lips comparison. 

You can stream the entire album here or just check out a couple of songs below.  The band is also known for some incredible covers and, as an added bonus, their version of "Moonage Daydream" found below is just that, incredible!

• Of Montreal - "Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse" from Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
• Of Montreal - "Gronlandic Edit" from Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
• Of Montreal - "Moonage Daydream" from San Antonio 01/21/07 (via YANP via Funeral Pudding)

Buy Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? at: iTunes | Amazon | Insound