Today's Mail

Usually I post this as a portion of the daily headlines, but I got a ton of stuff today. Here's how it breaks down:

Boys Like Girls, "Love Drunk"
Haven't listened to it yet, but these guys became super popular over the last few years with tunes like "Hero/Heroine" and "The Great Escape." It's pretty poppy rock stuff and seems like the sort that's super-popular with 14 to 18-year-old girls. This will inevitably sell a ton of copies.

Sea Wolf, "White Water, White Bloom"
The second album from Sea Wolf, who will be in Omaha on Sept. 28. I honestly don't know a lot about this band, other that seeing its name pop up from time to time. Will be listening.

Pains of Being Pure at Heart, "Higher Than The Stars"
They play here Thursday. I'm going to do my best to be there because these folks are fantastic. This disc is an EP from the shoegazy, indie-poppy band, who released its much buzzed about full-length in February. Go to the band's MySpace, listen to its songs, come to the show Thursday. (Oh, and if you want to know more, look for my interview with the band Thursday online and in GO).

After Midnight Project, "Let's Build Something to Break"
I have nothing on this group other than what's in the press release. They're on Universal Motown, but the release said they broke into L.A.'s "indie scene." These seem like opposites. We'll see.

Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago"
Justin Vernon, the guy behind the band, isn't doing interviews. But his press people kindly sent me the CD, which was on several best-of 2008 lists. His show in a few weeks is sold out, so sorry if you didn't get tickets yet. Saw Bon Iver at Lollapalooza and, despite the rain, the show was outstanding. I'll be at Slowdown next week to watch.

Monsters of Folk, "Monsters of Folk"
Well, this is the biggie... Out Sept. 22, the new album is the brainchild of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, M. Ward and Jim James (still going by the solo moniker Yim Yames... weirdo). I haven't heard more than the few tracks that were released early ("Say Please," "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)" and "The Sandman, The Brakeman and Me"). I liked those, but they seem pretty dissonant, like one guy was obviously the writer of each track even though each song is credited to the whole band. I also can't help but think of the Traveling Wilburys when I think of this band. Here's hoping this album is just as good (or better) as the Wilburys. I'll find out later this afternoon when I give it a spin.

Simian Mobile Disco, "Temporary Pleasure"
The fourth album from the electro duo, "Temporary Pleasure" has so far garnered good reviews. I've never heard a lot from this band/group/whatever, to be honest.

Rodrigo & Gabriela, "11:11"
This disc has a DVD with concert footage and interviews as well as "tutorials." What that means, I'm not entirely sure. I like their last album, so hopefully I'll like this one too.



Sooooooo... Lots to listen to today. I'll probably do reviews of some of these eventually.