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Back at the beginning of the 2012, it was looking pretty barren on the new music front. I was starting to think the only good thing that would come out would be Cloud Nothings. But it turned out to be a pretty good month! Do you agree? What are you all about right now? Here are some of the highlights for me (links are to youtube/vimeo):


Cloud Nothings- Attack on Memory


"No Future / No Past"

When I saw them at FunFest, I was talkin with someone way back in the pip area, so I couldn't really tell what was going on... but I knew they sounded a lot different than any time I'd seen them before. I brushed it off as an, "oh well, maybe it's a messed up sound mix, or maybe it sounds different cause I'm so far away". But then I listened to the album, and it totally makes sense now. It's nothing like their first two releases. It's a little darker, and much heavier... but I like it! :D I can tell this will stay on my fav albums list all year. For those in Austin, they're playing Red 7 on 2/25.



Porcelain Raft- Strange Weekend


"Is It Too Deep For You?"

First time I'd heard of Porcelain Raft, it was because Memoryhouse had remixed one of their(or "his", I think?) songs, that I really enjoyed. Sooo, with not much coming out at the beginning of the year, I thought fuck it, I'll check that out. Glad I did. It's dream-pop for sure. If you want something that's a little beach house (cept with a dude's voice), and a little... something else good, check this out.



Grimes- Visions

"Oblivion" (live at Fader Fort 2011)

WOWZERS. I was probably reeeeaaaally late on Grimes in 2011. Had no idea who she was until about 2 months ago, but I'm glad I stumbled onto her when I did. Not many ppl I know agree (so far?), but I think it's pretty awesome. And what's up with all these Canadians lately making music I love? That's been happening so much. Makes me wish it wasn't so cold up there... It's similar to Zola Jesus w/o the full band, in a way, but that's not a great comparison..... her voice sounds like the girl from Tennis... it's like the vocals of Tennis, with the tunes of Moonface and Holy Ghost mixed together. Lulz, that's prolly still a terrible description. Watch the video. Austin folks, she'll be playing Lambert's on 2/29.



Tennis- Young & Old


"Origins"

Not sure if I like this more than Cape Dory, but time will tell. Cape Dory was such a great theme album, I couldn't imagine them following it up with more of the same. And thankfully, they didn't :) What they DID do, was make another fun album, and it's already growing on me. The "lovers out at sea" vibe is gone, and in its place is a more straight-forward pop/rock sound than they've made in the past. I was unable to catch them at SX last year, but this year, I'm determined to make time to see them.



Howler- America Give Up


"Beach Sluts"

This was one of those things where I heard a good song somewhere, and went to seek out the album, just on the off chance it would be good. Heeeeeeeey, it was pretty good. They kind of remind me of a beachy version the Strokes. Is that what the Drums are? I didn't like the Drums. This is better than that. And like the Strokes album last January, I'm not exactly loving it yet, but I know I will come back to it in the summertime. Just right now, I'm too preoccupied with other music :)
(edit: While I was writing this, I've been listening to the Howler record. It's solid.... I also listened to War on Drugs and Real Estate. Dunno why I needed to say that but I did, so whatever.)


Other stuff that wasn't bad: of Montreal- Paralytic Stalks, Chairlift- Something

Next thing I'll be checkin out: Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It



Upcoming Releases I'm Lookin Forward To


La Sera- Sees the Light


"Please Be My Third Eye"(video)

(3/27, Hardly Art)I just can't get enough of anything one of the Vivian Girls touches. Pre-orders available on Hardly Art's site. You can also download that awesome song there for free.



Memoryhouse (or MemHau5 like some ppl say)- The Slideshow Effect


"The Kids Were Wrong"

(2/28, Sub Pop)This is probably the album I'm most looking forward to (besides the possible new At the Drive-In record, which I know nothing about if it's really happening or not, or when), and they were probably my favorite FunFest aftershow performer last year (Glass Candy was pretty sick too, yeah?). I'm trying to not have expectations, but just based on the one new track, and some stuff I read, it seems like they're going from "bedroom project" to a much fuller sound. Nice. Pre-orders available on Sub Pop's site. And yeah, you can download that song there, too :)


Other Stuff I'm looking forward to coming out this year: Beach House, Girls Names, UFO Club, the Shins, Local Natives, Mind Spiders, Christian Bland & the Revelators, Fresh & Onlys, Twin Shadow, the Walkmen... seems like it's gonna be a good music year again :)

bye!