The Sigla Blog

Between racking up reviews before going away and lots of driving last weekend, there’s a ton of new stuff on the horizon that is seriously worth checking out.

Liking lots:
* We’re Smiling by Ann Scott - her myspace page has the new single ‘Mountains’ up there, which is available in Road. The album is out on September 15th and includes contributions from Adrian Crowley, David Kitt and Gerry Horan of Alphastates.
* So This Is Goodbye by The Junior Boys - one of many fine releases by Domino Records over the next few weeks. If you like dance pop electronica, these are the boys for you.
* I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass by Yo La Tengo - they played a blinder at the Electric Picnic and the new album is excellent.
* Get Yr Blood Sucked Out by Viva Voce - a husband and wife duo who make excellent indie garage, alt-country, psychedelic folk rock. Couldn’t cram any more descriptives in there, so here’s the review.
* Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain by Sparklehorse - the best album Mark Linkous has ever made.
* 2 by Simple Kid - Finally, he’s moved on from just sounding like Beck. Catchy stuff.
*Yellow House by Grizzly Bear - noisy, melodic and old-fashioned (in a good way).

Liking:
* The Letting Go by Bonnie Prince Billy (typically Will Oldham, but with lots of folky harmonies from Dawn McCarthy).
* Magnetic North by Iain Archer - (the ex-Snow Patrol guitarist is really coming into his own with this atmospheric bag of tracks).
* The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager by Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. - don’t be put off by the name - this 20-year-old has a bright future ahead.
* Into the Blue Again by The Album Leaf - beautiful stuff as usual, and so understated it’s barely there. This needs more listens as Jimmy LaValle is something of a genius. Definitely a grower.

Very disappointing:
* Crazy Itch Radio by Basement Jaxx - great Electric Picnic set - thanks to the old material. What happened?

News-y bits:
* Steve Reich has composed his most political piece of a work - about the murder of journalist Daniel Pearl.

* The super-talented Julie Feeney has landed a worldwide record deal with SonyBMG. Her debut 13 Songs was self-produced, self-financed and she played 11 instruments on it. Feeney was also the inaugural winner of this year’s Choice Music Prize.

* Sufjan Stevens is releasing a 5 CD Christmas box set (much xmas hint-dropping will follow this). Asthmatic Kitty has the details, while I Guess I’m Floating has an MP3 of ‘Sister Winter’.

The RSI is kicking off again so I’ll be taking a wee break for a day or two…