Fall Music Preview

by Jeff Terich

09.02.2008





Uh-oh...Labor Day's over. You know what that means—summer is unofficially over. Technically, there's still a few more weeks, but for all the kids that have to get back to school and the rest of us that never got a break in the first place, fall is upon us. Lest you hate Halloween, sweaters, pumpkin pie and new album releases, however, this can really only be viewed as a good thing. Every fall, record labels queue up some of the best releases they have to offer. Now, while some artists have eschewed traditional label releases or have just taken to doing entirely digital distribution of some of their music, there are still countless bands that give us something to look forward to this season. We picked 20 albums in particular to watch this fall, that are almost guaranteed to be great listens.

Okkervil River - The Stand Ins (Jagjaguwar; Sept. 9)

In 2007, Will Sheff unleashed an impeccably crafted masterpiece in The Stage Names, which was as stellar an album as indie rock gets. So imagine how giddy we at Treble were when we discovered that it was merely part one in a series, with its companion The Stand Ins being released a year later. It's a somewhat shorter album, featuring eight songs and three short interludes, but no less offers an endless stream of intelligent and sublimely arranged pop songs. Sheff & Co. haven't steered us wrong yet.

Blitzen Trapper - Furr (Sub Pop; Sept. 23)

I'll be the first to admit my ignorance about Blitzen Trapper before 2008, but after checking them out at SXSW this year, I can safely say I'm down with this Portland, Ore., band's rootsy rock `n' roll. So the one sheet goes, the group's new album was recorded in a telegraph building in their home city, aided by a warped old piano. The range of bands two whom Blitzen Trapper has been compared spans as wide as the history of uniquely American music, and while no comparison is unfounded, none of them quite fit either. Nonetheless, Blitzen Trapper's Furr promises to be yet another American classic.

Fujiya and Miyagi - Lightbulbs (Deaf, Dumb and Blind Communications; Sept. 23)

There's a pretty awesome press photo of Fujiya & Miyagi (a four-piece band now, apparently), being assaulted by a rain of giant lightbulbs. I have no idea what bearing that has on the actual music on the album, but damn if that's not a cool photo. The press release says the band doesn't really sound like anything. I bet you're getting frustrated, now, aren't you? Well, this much you can count on: some dance beats, some hot grooves, some low-key whisper poetry, all the good stuff we've come to expect from F&M, and likely some sweet surprises as well.

High Places - High Places (Thrill Jockey; Sept. 23)

With their 03/07-09/07 singles collection released earlier this year, Brooklyn duo High Places revealed just how stunning their combination of sample-based creativity and penchant for melody truly are. With a new label and presumably a slightly bigger budget, High Places are releasing yet another collection of gems, albeit in a more cohesive fashion. If a lo-fi patchwork compilation can leave us breathless, then chances are a fully fleshed-out full-length has the potential to make an even greater impression. Consider us excited.

Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling (Matador; Sept. 23)

Mogwai is just about always guaranteed to offer some kind of enormous post-rock effort, as has been the case since day one. So it should come as no surprise that The Hawk Is Howling is no less ambitious, with only two tracks clocking at less than five minutes in length. By contrast, 2006's Mr. Beast is almost a damn pop album. In any case, The Hawk Is Howling promises one of Mogwai's most `cinematic' works, and if their previous albums weren't cinematic enough for you, then this will likely do the trick. First single "Batcat" has already been released, and the album's bald eagle artwork is ridiculous enough to be kitsch, but majestic enough to be appropriate.

TV on the Radio - Dear Science (Interscope; Sept. 23)

Now, just how, exactly, could TV on the Radio possibly top their amazing 2006 album Return to Cookie Mountain? I'm not sure exactly, but I have a sinking suspicion they'll be in the ballpark once again with Dear Science. While we didn't get invited to any of the listening parties (were there any? We don't really know), early reports suggest some bold new ideas, including some tracks that sound a bit like Prince. If that's not a high endorsement, I don't know what is. The album also boasts guests such as the horn section from Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and frequent vocal contributor, Katrina Ford, of Celebration.

Ben Folds - Way To Normal (Epic; Sept. 30)

Man, has it really been three years since the last Ben Folds album was released? I suppose it was. If Songs For Silverman wasn't quite the smart-assed Ben that we've all grown to know and love, then you may be pleased to know that Way To Normal features a track titled "Bitch Went Nuts." Rad. Also, Regina Spektor duets on one track, and Folds even uses an Altoids tin as percussion on an electronic experimental track called "Free Coffee." This has promise.

Murs - Murs For President (Warner Bros.; Sept. 30)

I'm not entirely sure if Murs has officially thrown in his candidacy for president, or if he has to follow any sort of campaign finance laws, but regardless, he does have a new album coming out, and though we haven't heard note one, it has potential to be a good one. Part of the backstory to the album comes from Murs' own desire to be the credible face of hip hop; in his own words, "if you're going to put idiots like Cam'ron on TV, put me on TV." Alright then. On Murs for President, the Los Angeles-based emcee works with the likes of Rick Rock, will.i.am and DJ Premier, and anyone who's down with Premo is okay with us.

Antony and the Johnsons - Another World (Secretly Canadian; Oct. 7)

More than three years have passed since Antony and the Johnson's released their breathtaking second album, I Am a Bird Now, and since then, frontman Antony Hegarty has been pretty busy, from collaborating with Hercules and Love Affair to lending vocals to the soundtrack of I'm Not There. While it would have been cool to see him tour with Hercules, it's nonetheless comforting to know that he and his band have been working on new material. A new full length, The Crying Light, will be released in January 2009, but in the meantime, Another World offers five new tracks, and promises to be a hell of a holdover.

Crystal Antlers - Crystal Antlers EP (Touch & Go; Oct. 7)

Okay, we won't front; there's already a pretty good chance you've heard this EP. After all, Crystal Antlers did self-release it earlier this year. But there's also a pretty good chance you haven't heard it (and don't own an official copy, not that we're tattling). And that's where Touch & Go comes in. The legendary Chicago label has picked up the psych punk rockers and are offering up their new EP in both CD and LP form. And there's even better news: in early 2009, the band will release their first full-length. Hooray!

Deerhoof - Offend Maggie (Kill Rock Stars; Oct. 7)

You may recall that earlier this year, Deerhoof offered fans of their new album Offend Maggie by releasing one of the tracks as, um, sheet music? Yeah, they did. Interesting idea, I suppose but the band's new album will arrive soon enough, and then folks will be able to hear just exactly what that sheet music sounds like in practice. Given how likely we are to be enamored with the band's music, as we were with Friend Opportunity, we firmly believe that this one will be a winner.

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl; Oct. 7)

The longer that Of Montreal continues making music, the less said music resembles that of the lo-fi psych pop band that released Cherry Peel in the '90s. Kevin Barnes and his merry-making musicians have undergone quite a transformation over the years, and Skeletal Lamping is yet another step further. Skeletal Lamping boasts a continuous song cycle, with tracks bleeding into one another, making it work as one extended piece of music. And making it stand out even more is its unique packaging, or the variety in which it will be available. With t-shirt, poster, hand fan and button packages being offered in addition to typical CD and LP releases, Skeletal Lamping gives fans not only another exciting new album, but some fun extras to accompany the experience.

Jay Reatard - Singles `08 (Matador; Oct. 7)

If you haven't heard of Jay Reatard by now, chances are you don't spend much time on the Sound Opinions Message Board, but believe me, he'll be a household name by year's end. Formerly of punk rockers The Reatards, Jay Reatard has been slowly making waves across critical and blog circles with his 2006 effort Blood Visions. And with the announcement earlier this year that Matador would be releasing six seven-inch singles by the troubadour throughout the year, it was only inevitable that those very singles would be collected onto one cohesive compilation. This should prove to be a fun one, and a good way to play catch up for those who haven't tracked down the individual slabs of vinyl.

Women - Women (Jagjaguwar; Oct. 7)

Chad VanGaalen has made a name for himself as a solo artist, having released three albums on Sub Pop (and his own label Flemish Eye) in the past four years. And what's more, he's even drawn attention to the music of his home city, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Though VanGaalen is still surging ahead with his own lo-fi, solo offerings, he's also rounded up a few musicians and started a new band called Women, who make one truly awesome sound. Think Animal Collective meets Velvet Underground, and you've got some idea of what's going on. In any case, they're a damn fine band, and this album shouldn't be missed.

Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed (Arts & Crafts; Oct. 14)

Man, two albums in one year? How awesome is that!!! Los Campesinos! already did the music world a great service by releasing Hold On Now, Youngster, but with yet another full-length on the way before year's end, they may prove to be the indie rock gift that just keeps on giving. Suffice to say, there's double the chance of them making our `year in lists.' (groan)

Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphnia (The Social Registry; Oct. 21)

I read one enthusiastic fan on a message board declare Gang Gang Dance's new album the "album of the year." That's quite an endorsement. I'm not entirely sure how to take that, but there's plenty of reason to believe that Saint Dymphnia is, nonetheless, every bit as stunning as God's Money, and perhaps even better. Gang Gang Dance is one of the most unconventional groups around, and we can't wait to hear what new plateaus they'll reach with this one.

Deerhunter - Microcastle (Kranky; Oct. 28)

Bradford Cox is a busy guy. While his band Deerhunter released an album and an EP (Cryptograms and Fluorescent Grey, respectively) in 2007, the beginning of 2008 saw the debut release of his atmospheric side project, Atlas Sound. Well, that was apparently just the beginning, as Deerhunter has another full-length, Microcastle, due in October. It is, however, available now on iTunes, and if you choose to download it now, you'll find the band at their most accessible. Still rocking hard and still offering some trippy delights, but catchy ones at that.

Matthew Herbert - When There's Me and There's You (!K7; Oct. 28)

Matthew Herbert is just about the most exciting artist in electronic music, or at the very least the most unpredictable. One thing you should know not to expect from any of his albums—samples of other artists' music. One thing you will most likely hear—samples of really bizarre miscellanea. When There's Me and There's You is billed as a political album, with Parliamentary themes throughout the album, and one of those very bizarre samples alluded to earlier: a match being struck in the Houses of Parliament. Also, there's the sound of 70 condoms being scraped on the floor of the British Museum. Top that.

Free Blood - The Singles (Rong - DFA; Nov. 4)

Hmmm...there's been a surprising dearth of great DFA dance music in 2008...but that's all about to change. In November, its newest recruits and flagship band for new offshoot label Rong Music, Free Blood will be releasing a collection of singles in compilation form. Free Blood, for the uninitiated, consists of former !!! member John Pugh and fashion designer Madeleine Davies. While some of what's in store is a bit of a mystery (though there will be remixes, we guarantee you that), one can definitely expect some thumping beats and good times. After all, this is DFA.

Love Is All - A Hundred Things Kept Me Up at Night (What's Your Rupture?; Nov. 11)

I don't know what it is about Love Is All, but the Swedish post-punk rockers certainly enjoy slipping things in late in the game. If you recall, Nine Times That Same Song came in at the last minute in 2005, and now we can look forward to a November release for the band's new album, A Hundred Things Kept Me Up At Night. If there's as much spastic rocking, shimmy-shaking, saxophone, reverb and high-pitched wailing as there was the first time around, then we'll be happy to stay up all night listening to this one.