Latest EP from The Men Streaming via Pitchfork Advance

Photo: wearethemen.blogspot.com

Campfire Songs

The Men have been one of my obsessions over the last year or two. I've enjoyed watching their evolution from droning, noise punk to something more classic and garage-y. The band continue changing things up with their fifth release in the last four years, Campfire Songs.

The Men recorded the all-acoustic EP around a campfire in Upstate New York. This all happened during the time they spent up there recording New Moon. We get acoustic versions of New Moon album tracks "I Saw Her Face" and "The Seeds." Totally new tracks "Patience" and "Turn Your Color" serve to showcase the beautiful noise this band can make with a whole bunch of acoustic guitars.

Speak Into My Good Eye are bringing The Men (along with Purling Hiss in a show that seems almost tailor made for me) to the very cozy space at The Saint on October 23rd. Given the diversity of the band's catalog over the last few years, it promises to be an evening potentially full of interesting twists and turns.

Head over to Pitchfork to check out Campfire Songs, and I'll see you at The Saint.

Campfire Songs is out next week on Sacred Bones Records.

New California X Video

"Spider X"

California X have provided Pitchfork.tv with a video for "Spider X" off of their self-titled debut out now on New Jersey's Don Giovanni Records.

I think we're all pretty clear by now that big, fat guitar sounds from Amherst, MA are something that I quite enjoy.

So, here you go.

The Men, "Electric"

55 Minutes into My 2-Hour Conference Call

Just as I was losing the will to live, I noticed via Pitchfork that The Men have announced a new album called New Moon (Sacred Bones) due on March 5th and a Bowery Ballroom date for March 7th.  As a little taste of what's to come, the band have also made available the first New Moon single, "Electric."

Open Your Heart is one of my favorite albums of 2012, and I'm ecstatic at the prospect of getting new stuff from The Men so soon.

Tickets for the Bowery show go on sale on Friday, and the "Electric" 7" will be available on January 22nd.

Yo La Tengo Streaming at P4K

Fade

Godfathers of indie rock and pride of Hoboken, NJ, Yo La Tengo, have made their upcoming Fade available for streaming over at Pitchfork Advance.

I'll have plenty to say about the record, I'm sure, following its release via Matador on January 15th; but so far, I'm enjoying the preview immensely.  While you listen, you may also want to check out Jesse Jarnow's Big Day Coming:  Yo La Tengo and the Rise of Indie Rock.  It's a great history not only of the band, but also of the indie music industry and the part of its origin story that takes place in the great state of New Jersey.

New Antlers Single

"Drift Dive"

The Antlers have released the first track from their upcoming Undersea EP (7/24, Anti-).  "Drift Dive" is a dreamy, atmospheric track featuring horns and Peter Silberman's lovely falsetto.

Their debut album Hospice was one of my favorite records of 2009.  It was both beautifully depressing and depressingly beautiful.  Last year's Burst Apart is another excellent album that dispelled any thoughts of a sophomore jinx for the band.

The Antlers are one of the acts I'm most looking forward to seeing at this fall's I'll Be Your Mirror festival in Asbury Park.

Head over to the Anti- Records Soundcloud to take a listen to "Drift Dive."

Update:  Just after I finished posting this, I noticed that All Songs Considered posted a Summer Music Preview Playlist that includes another track from Undersea:  "Crest."  They've also got new Cat Power, Divine Fits, JEFF the Brotherhood and more.