Best New Releases for April 28, 2009

A Camp - "Colonia" (Nettwerk)

*MP3: A Camp - "Stronger Than Jesus"
Buy it on iTunes.

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - "Nikorette" [Single] (Merge)

*MP3: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - "Nikorette"
Buy it on iTunes.

Daughters of the Sun - "Rings" (Modern Radio)

*MP3: Daughters of the Sun - "Gong The Divider"
Buy it on iTunes.

(Ian Anderson)

Daughters of the Sun - Rings

Daughters of the Sun
Rings (Modern Radio, 2009)
Grade: B+

Download: Daughters of the Sun - "Gong the Divider"

Short Take: If can buy only one album this year with fifteen minutes of field recordings from India, make it this one.

Long Take: And therein lies both the problem and the . After 2007's masterful, sorely underrated confection of pop-psychedelia Visions of the Ocean Head, the MPLS-based quartet have done what any reasonably forward-thinking would do: experiment further with their sound, and with more open-ended song structures. At first, the lack of another "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board" or "4am Astral Projector" seems disappointing.

But at its best, Rings is the kind of adventurous second album whose pleasures slowly reveal themselves over multiple listens, especially the ethereal soundscapes of "Right On" and "Meditations." Of course, some artistic diversions are better than others (have I mentioned the 15 minute field recordings yet?). Still, by the time that the closing title track reaches its rousing climax, Daughters of the Sun have more than proven themselves to worth successors to the psychedelic throne.

The record release party for Rings is tonight at the Hexagon Bar. Opening are Vampire Hands and Leisure Birds.

Daughters of the Sun MySpace Page

(Jon Graef)

New Daughters of the Sun - "The Long Way" (Excerpt)

Rings, the upcoming sophomore album from modern psychedelic quartet Daughters of The Sun, has already seen one song released from it, the poppy "Gong The Divider", but recently, the band gave listeners a taste of a more open-ended, less structured song from the record. The group posted an excerpt on new song "The Long Way" on their MySpace page. Wordless, the song showcases the band's more epic, experimental side, as the song is reminscent of an incantation. Listen to it at their MySpace Page.

Daughters of the Sun MySpace Page

(Jon Graef)

New Daughters of the Sun - "Gong The Divider"

Download: Daughters of the Sun - "Gong the Divider"

Easily, one of the most eagerly anticipated albums on my part is the new album from MPLS psych-freakout experts Daughters of The Sun, whose 2007 release, Visions of the Ocean Head, was one of my favorites of that year. Listeners got a sneak peak of their new LP, titled Rings, last fall, when the band stopped by the Radio K studios to play all new material. Early this morning, Modern Radio, via their newly established Twitter, released the first MP3 proper from Rings, a mid-tempo bit of kaleidoscopic rock called "Gong the Divider." Upon first listens, it hasn't blown us away in the same manner that "Light as a Feather..." or "4 am Astral Projector" did, but any band and label that decides Wednesday morning is as good a time as any for a minor free-jazz sax freak-out are absolutely A-OK in my book.

Check out "Gong the Divider" at the top of the post. Rings is out in April.

Daughters of the Sun MySpace Page

Today: Daughters of the Sun on "Off The Record"

Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Light As A Feather"

Friday, the Third
770 AM
Radio K
4 0'Clock P.M.

Tune in to Radio K today at 4 p.m. to hear Minneapolis-based, drum-heavy psych-rockers Daughters of the Sun perform new songs from their upcoming full-length Rings, as well as unreleased material. Their last album, Visions Of The Ocean Head was one of my favorites of last year. Needless to say, this appearance is highly anticipated, on my end at least.

Listen to songs here.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Minneapolis in Chicago: Daughters of the Sun, Tonight at The Note

Download: Daughters of the Sun - "4am Astral Projector

Tonight at The Note:

The Black Hollies
Wolfden
Daughters of the Sun

$10. 21+. 9 p.m.


Daughters of the Sun MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight: Daughters of the Sun at the Uptown Bar

Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Follow Smoke"
Download: Aunt Dracula - "Mongo" (via Culture Bully

There are those amongst us who say that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Those people clearly need to open up their schedule, because while there may be no such thing as a free mid-day meal, the evening is looking particularly stellar. That is especially the case tonight, when MPLS psych-pop trio, and MFR favorite, Daughters of the Sun play a free show tonight at the Uptown Bar and Cafe. Doors are at 9 p.m. and the show is 21+. Playing with DotS will be Aunt Dracula and Mike Lewis/Jeremy Ylvisaker.

(Jonathan Graef)

Tonight: Daughters Of The Sun, Magic Castles, First Communion Afterparty At The Turf Club

Daughters Of The Sun

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "Bait Upon The Drum"
Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Follow Smoke"

Should you decide to go out this evening, you could do a lot worse than see three of Minneapolis' most psychedelic bands in one place. Tonight at the Turf Club, First Communion Afterparty, Daughters Of The Sun and Magic Castles all share one bill. The show is 21+ and doors are at nine.

Daughters Of The Sun are still riding local buzz from its self-released album Visions Of The Oceans Head, while First Communion Afterparty have been lumped in with groups like Gospel Gossip and Mouthful Of Bees who play "refreshingly ageless rock music". Magic Castles are in the same neo-psychedelic vein as the aforementioned groups.

Listen to MP3s at the top of the post. For Magic Castles, head to the band's MySpace page.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page
Magic Castles MySpace Page
Daughters Of The Sun MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Daughters Of The Sun - "4am Astral Projector"

Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "4am Astral Projector"
Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Light As A Feather, Stiff As A Board"

Going on three weeks ago, Minneapolis-based psychedelic folk-rock band Daughters Of The Sun had the release party for their debut album, Visions Of The Ocean Head. You may have read about said show on More Cowbell. However, if you couldn't make it out to the show on that night, whether you were underage or live 400 miles away, fret not. Of the four songs posted on the band's MySpace Page, two are available for download.

Of those two songs, the serene "4am Astral Projector" may be the more appropriate for when the weather starts getting more and more picturesque. (I don't know about MPLS, but Chicago is a veritable winter wonderland right now). The gentle strum of an acoustic guitar and the barest of counterpoint melodies, also on acoustic guitar, deliberately lull the listener to a state of blissful calm.

After an extended intro of some peaceful, tranquil jamming, the vocals and drums hit their cues in a way that wouldn't disturb the most quietly sleeping babies. Indeed, what is remarkable about "4 am Astral Projector" is that, for all intents and purposes, the song is a lullaby. The melody which comprises the song is the same quality of soothing reassurance that most small children would hear right before they drifted to sleep (that's where they're vikings, no doubt).

Granted, most lullabies sung don't have a sense of hypnotic patience that "4 am" does. But then, most lullabies aren't this excellently psychedelic, or sound like a demo that Air would lay down right before getting its damn, dirty electronic paws all over it. It's to the Daughter Of The Sun's immense credit that they are able to create that kind of atmosphere normally heard in bands like Serena Maneesh or My Bloody Valentine using the most basic of instrumentation.

Visions Of The Ocean Head is out now.

Stream and download more songs at the band's MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Saturday Night: Vampire Hands, STNNNG Show At the Beat and Big V'S

Download: Vampire Hands - "Aaroo Piano"
Download: Vampire Hands - "Paradise Knife Fights"
Download: STNNNG - "Dubbed Warehousing"
Download: Gay Beast - "Id Politic"
Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "4am Astral Projector"


Go see STNNNG at Big V'S in Saint Paul. The band will be opening up for Vampire Hands, who will be headlining to celebrate the release of their new record, called Virgin Dust, American Lips. Gay Beast and Daughters of The Sun open as well. The show is 21+ and starts at 8 p.m.

Vampire Hands will also be throwing an all ages release party at the Beat (28th and Hennepin) at 5pm.

(Jonathan Graef/Ian Anderson)