Magic Castles Announce Digital Release of "Lore of Mysticore," New Album

If the most recent post on MPLS-based neo-psychedelic quintet Magic Castles' MySpace page has shown readers anything, it's not the size of the post, but the...motion of the information ocean? While I work on my analogies, I'll point out the fact that the band announced that A) their 2008 release, The Lore of Mysticore, is now available on digital outlets, including Amazon and iTunes.

So, if, for whatever reason, listeners haven't gotten the chance to check out the reverb-heavy, self-released debut from the band, now they can. Additionally, those in the local area can eagerly anticipate the band's brand spankin' new sophomore album, titled Dreams of Dreams of Dreams (whoa) which is set to be released in May. No other details have been released, but the band's MySpace reveals that the CD release party will be at the Hexagon Bar, and will be on May 23rd.

To check out more Magic Castles, go here.

(Jon Graef)

New Video: Cecil Otter - "1999...The Curse of Gab"

(via)

Though its been POS whose gotten most of the attention lately, it would be the death of hip-hop fans everywhere to underestimate the rest of the estimable Doomtree collective. Poetess Dessa released the MPLS-based nonet's first book, a collection of poetry and essays called Spiral Bound on February 7th; also, rapper Cecil Otter put out his solo album Rebel Yellow last fall. Recently, Otter has signed with label Strange Famous Records, who, in a wider distribution deal, will re-release Yellow. To celebrate, Otter has released a video for "1999...The Curse of Gab," a track from Yellow. Watch it at the top of the post. According to Midwest Broadcast, Otter is currently working on Yellow's follow-up, Porcelain Revolver. 

Video: CunninLynguists - Never Come Down (The Brownie Song)

This may seem kind of random, but if you stick with this video until the end, you'll find out why I'm posting it. There's a surprisingly local connection to this video, one that involves a guest appearance on Cunninlynguists' upcoming album. Here's a hint: they just announced a tour to support a re-release of one of their earlier records.


Cunninlynguists MySpace Page

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

Fog's Andrew Broder Releases Third Free Online Solo Album In As Many Weeks

Download: Andrew Broder - Raw Bulb
Download: Andrew Broder - Experts, Specialists
Download: Andrew Broder - I Must Fix All The Problems

For the past three weeks, Fog man Andrew Broder has been releasing new, entirely instrumental, ambient solo works. The three albums (I Must Fix All The Problems; Experts, Specialists; and Raw Bulb) have all been released within this timeframe, usually toward the end of the week. Twin Cities Decider has done a pretty great job of keeping up with Broder's prolific solo output, which greatly differs from his group efforts with Fog.

On the whole, listening to all three albums back-to-back-to-back (now there was a trippy prospect) feels like emerging from stardust to sentience. Broder's ambient compositions start out as aggressive white noise--a comparison to Metal Machine Music probably doesn't flatter, but the results here are much, much more listenable and enjoyable--but slowly begin to take shape over the course of the album's durations. Broder has made all three albums available for free through YouSendIt--links that we have posted at the top.

However, Broder seems to admit that such musical generosity is unsustainable. In the words of man himself (via):

“Now, just because I am putting out free albums, that does not mean I can necessarily afford to do so. I can't. But in this ever-changing musical landscape, it seems like everyone is trying to re-configure how they do what they do, me included. So these are not tossed-off ideas, or freebies to advertise something else. This is what I do, and if you want to support it, you can feel free to send a voluntary donation via PayPal to: thefog@visi.com. If you can't do that, just telling a friend, or your thousands of friends online to check it out is also very helpful

So help a brotha out by throwing him a few digital dollars. Download the albums, then throw him some bucks.

Fog MySpace page

Man Is Doomed! Announce New Album Info

Man is Doomed is the newest project from Glorious Monster members Danny Burke and Brian Casey. Though Man is Doomed has a similar electronic starting-off point as Monster, Man is Doomed is clearly more influence by dance and funk music. Doomed has announced a new album, titled Escape to Europa, which will be released early in 2009. Here is the tracklisting:

intro
When the Walls Come Tumbling Down
Electrons in the Air
All Night Long
Pink Martini
Take Off Your Pants and Dance
Strung Out
Disco Angel
The Cougar Hunt
Mercy
Impact Juicy
The Machine
Escape to Europa

You can see the band's live debut this Saturday at the Triple Rock.

Listen to some songs from the album here.

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

New Pornographers' Newman To Get Guilty On New Album

Download: A.C. Newman - "Miracle Drug"
Download: A.C. Newman - "Drink To Me, Then"

The New Pornographers are rightly considered by many as one of the greatest power-pop groups to have emerged this decade. This assessment should be considered a surprise, given the fact that the Canadian group is almost saturated with seemingly supernatural talent--members include Neko Case, Dan Bejar, and A.C. Newman.

The first two names of that list either had, or were on their way to establishing, solo careers of their own, when the New Pornographers released their first album, Mass Romantic, in 2000. The third, Newman, released his first solo album, The Slow Wonder, in 2004. While there was the trademark bouncy pop effervescence on most of the album, there was a hint of wistful melancholy in tracks like on "Come Crash"--a stylistic tendency that showed up on the Pornos most recent effort, the underrated Challengers. No word on what Get Guilty, the second solo effort from Newman, to be released on January, 20th, 2009, will sound like, but Matablog states that "we’re confident ‘Get Guilty’ raises the bar on Carl Newman’s songwriting prowess even higher."

That's almost terrifying, in a way. We'll find out in a few weeks, when an MP3 from the record will be released. But in the meantime, peep the album cover at the top of the post, and check out Newman's day job covering ELO's "Don't Break Me Down" at the Hideout Block Party:



AC Newman MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

Los Campesinos! Are "Beautiful...Doomed" On New Album

Download: Los Campesinos! - "You! Me! Dancing!" (via I Guess I'm Floating)
Download: Los Campesinos! - "We Throw Parties, You Throw Bombs" (both from Hold On Now, Youngster...

In case you hadn't figured it out, Welsh septet Los Campesinos! are an excitable bunch, what with the wanton use of exclamation points on their debut album, Hold On Now, Youngster... and everything. In fact, the group are so excited about their infectiously enthusiastic brand of twee-pop that they've gone out and recorded an entirely new album consisting of ten songs. This after a mere 10 months after releasing Youngster..., which was released earlier this February. The album, titled We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, is set for release on November 11th. Who are these guys, the Beach Boys in 1964?

Lest you think that there's some anonymous Svengali over at Arts & Crafts who're treating Los Campesinos! like, well, peasents to be exploited, the band wants you to know that "that this is no post-album cash in." Rather, the group explained on their website that "(the new album is) no B-Sides and rarities or 'songs that weren't good enough to be on the album cobbled together with some remixes and field recordings of Cardiff's indie scene'; it's ten all-new tracks that none of you have ever heard before."

Now that's something to get excited about. Here's the tracklisting for We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed

1. Ways To Make It Through The Wall
2. Miserabilia
3. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
4. Between An Erupting Earth And An Exploding Sky
5. You'll Need Those Fingers For Crossing
6. It's Never That Easy Though, Is It? (Song For The Other Kurt)
7. The End Of The Asterisk
8. Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown # 1
9. Heart Swells/Pacific Daylight Time
10. All Your Kayfabe Friends

But where are the exclamation points!? Where did they go!? No Matter. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is out on October 13th.

Los Campesinos! MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

http://www.myspace.com/loscampesinos

El-P Releases Free Internet-Only Album

Radiohead may have popularized the give-away-your-latest-album-for-free business model, but, in recent times, it's hip-hop that's taken the baton and really ran with it. Artists like Atmosphere, Rhymefest, Girl Talk and The Cool Kids have gave it away, gave it away, gave it away, now.

Add to that list El-P, who last year put out one of 2007's best records, I'll Sleep When Your Dead. On his MySpace Blog, the Producto explains why he decided to give away disc one of his formerly tour-only We're All Going To Hell Megamix tape (of which this is the second volume):

...(T)o be honest i felt kind of bad not letting fans who weren't able to go to the shows hear this stuff.Also, for those lucky 500 who bought the limited pressings I am offering to replace any of the cds that may have been blank. Unfortunately I have heard that a small portion were, which sucks dick and makes me feel like an asshole at the same time. So in a bid to quell the justified pain and borderline rage some have felt popping in a blank cd please send your blank cd to Def Jux

115 South Oxford St.Suite 556
Brooklyn NY 11217
and we will send you a replacement of the cd only, keep your packaging. love, el

Read the full statement here here. Be sure that you do, because there is some key information in there.

As for the mix itself, it's mostly instrumental, but there are a few tracks where El-P is in more emcee mode than DJ. One of those is "Krazy Kings 3", which is posted at the top. Another highlight we've posted is "Fuck The Law", which we've done so because of the crazy sample that's featured prominently. For the rest, including one track that sample the same orchestral track that Lupe Fiasco's "Intro", from his Food and Liquor CD, sampled, go here

El-P MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Doomtree Announces New Album...And This Time, We're Absolutely Sure of It

It's kind of amazing what you miss when you take a few days off from music blogging. For starters, the local news that hip-hop collective Doomtree will, in fact, be releasing their self-titled debut record on July 29th of this year, as previously announce, albeit in highly cryptic fashion. The 21-track album will be the first record released by the entire collective, after several False Hopes records by Doomtree members, including poet/emcee Dessa, as well as solo albums by the likes of P.O.S., who has put out two albums via Rhymesayers. The band will be celebrating Doomtree in August, with a record release party at First Avenue. The 18+ show will set you back $8, and will start at 8 p.m. Opening will be Kill The Vultures and I Self Devine.

Here's the tracklisting for the set (via Switchblade Comb):

1. Close Your Ears (intro)
2. Drumsticks
3. Gander Back
4. The Wren
5. Gameshow Host
6. Dots & Dashes
7. Game Over
8. Real Class (interlude)
9. Last Call
10. Accident
11. Sadie Hawkins
12. The Walrus (interlude)
13. Twentyfourseven
14. Let Me Tell You, Baby
15. Down the Line
16. Kid Gloves
17. Pop Gun War
18. Reintroduction
19. Liver Let Die
20. I’m Talking
21. Jaded

In what should be excellent news for fans, given the group's reputation for award-winning live shows, is that Doomtree will be playing Doomtree. Check out the group's MySpace Page for the deets.

Check out the album cover here:



Pre-order Doomtree here

In other Doomtree member news, emcee Mike Mictlan guests on the latest installment of Toki Wright's "Best Week Ever" series. Download the track at Wright's MySpace Page.

Doomtree is out on July 29th.

Doomtree MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
Jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com

The Pack A.D. Announce New Album, Tour

For those who can't get enough of The White Stripes' brand of Led Zepplin-as-punk-rock brand of blues, you can always get another fix someplace else. Namely, via the British Columbia-based duo The Pack A.D.

Like the Stripes, or The Black Keys, The Pack A.D. play the kind of back-to-bare-bones-basics brand of blues-rock so scorching that it will most likely peel the flesh off of your bones, and then try to sell your skeleton a nice, new flesh-suit, fresh off the market. The duo, consisting of Becky Black and Maya Miller, have announced the new release of a record called Funeral Mixtape, which follows 2007's "Tintype". The new album is due to arrive via Mint Records on August the 12th.

As with most bands promoting a new album, the band will be touring their asses off in order to preach the good word. Here are the tour dates:

June 27 Berbati's Pan - Portland, OR
June 28 The Axe & Fiddle - Cottage Grove, OR
June 30 Jambalaya - Arcata, CA
July 2 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
July 3 3 Kings Tavern - Denver, CO
July 5 Barleycorn's - Wichita, KS
July 9 The Blue Fugue - Columbia, MO
July 10 JJ's Bohemia - Chattanooga, TN
July 12 The Lager House - Detroit, MI
July 13 The Boathouse - Saugatuck, MI
July 16 Pianos - New York, NY
July 18 Big V's - St. Paul, MN
July 19 The Rox - St. Cloud, MN
July 20 Deep Blues Festival - Lake Elmo, MN
July 23 The Brass Rail - Ft. Wayne, IN
July 24 The Garage - Winston-Salem, NC
July 25 Poe's Pub - Richmond, VA
July 26 The Village Tavern - Mount Pleasant, SC
July 30 Egan's - Tuscaloosa, AL
July 31 Government Street Grocery - Ocean Springs, MS
Aug 1 Finnegan's Pub - Alexandria, LA
Aug 2 Hole in the Wall - Austin, TX
Aug 4 The Ruby Room - Phoenix, AZ
Aug 6 The Filling Station - Bozeman, MT
Aug 8 The Voyeur - Olympia, WA

I guess they must really like Minnesota. Listen to "Gold Rush", a track from "Tintype", at the top of the post.

The Pack AD

(Jonathan Graef)

Doomtree Announce New Album...Or Do They?

Hmm...I can't decide whether this is cryptic in a humble kind of way--i.e., "if you build it, they will come--or if this is announcement is mysteriously annoying. Either way, the promise of a new album by MPLS-based hip-hop collective Doomtree is a prospect that's definitely worth getting excited about. The group, and its cast of thousands, posted the image you see above with only the words "7.29.08" in the subject line, on the band's MySpace bulletin.

So what's the significance of the date? Only time will tell. But hey, July 29th is an excellent day already, because it's my birthday, as well as the birthday of several good friends (not the least of whom is the significant other of one April Wright, a standup guy if there ever was one). So that must be it. Doomtree is planning a birthday celebration for all of us. If they aren't, then that means we all get to do a Stephen Colbert-esque post about Who's Not Honoring Us Now?. In all seriousness, if the band keeps writing songs like "I'm Talking" (no longer available on the band's MySpace!), then this release is something to look forward to.

As soon as we find out things like tracklisting and title, we'll let you know.

Doomtree MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)
(jon@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com)

Lykke Li To Release Full-Length Debut Album, Youth Novels, on August 19th

Download: Lykke Li - "Tonight"
Download: Lykke Li - "Dance Dance Dance"


Swedish pop songstress Lykke Li may have just issued her Little Bit EP stateside this past week, via her own label LL Recordings, but that doesn't mean that Li can't be focused on future releases. Indeed, as the NME reported yesterday, Li is planning on releasing her first full-length long player on August 19th. The record's title is Youth Novels, and it will also be issued by LL Recordings. The 14-track album was produced by Bjorn Yttling of fellow pop-minded Swede craftsmen Peter, Bjorn and John.

Here's the tracklisting, courtesy of NME:

'Melodies & Desires'
'Dance Dance Dance'
'I’m Good, I’m Gone'
'Let It Fall'
'My Love'
'Tonight'
'Little Bit'
'Hanging High'
'This Trumpet In My Head'
'Complained Department'
'Breaking It Up'
'Everybody But Me'
'Time Flies'

Youth Novels is out on August 19th.

Lykke Li MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

New Bound Stems - "Happens To Us All Otherwise"

Download: Bound Stems - "Happens To Us All Otherwise"

Bound Stems are a math-indie (Mindie?) rock band from sweet home Chicago who, in the fall, will put out the follow-up to their debut record Appreciation Night. The record is called The Family Afloat, and, hopefully, music fans will appreciate the new effort (did you like what I did there?) as much as they did the old. The first song from Afloat, "Happens To Us All Otherwise", sounds like the most straightforward song they've ever done, with a gloriously anthemic chorus taking center stage. But if this is the same band that I saw at the free Flameshovel sponsored show last year at the Double Door, I know that they still have a few wild tricks up their sleeve.

The Family Afloat is out in September.

Bound Stems MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

First Communion Afterparty Announce New Album Info, CD Release Party, New Drummer

Download: First Communion Afterparty - "The Mini-Apple

They say that the only thing that doesn't change is the nature of change itself. With this aphorism in mind, we can't say that we're surprised at the news of a First Communion Afterparty member (drummer Kiernan) exiting from the MPLS-based psychedelia revivalists, what with their extensive history of personnel changes and everything. But based on what's written online, this split sounds more than amicable.

From the band's MySpace Bulletin:

Our drummer Kieran has left FCAP to consentrate on Strange Lights (who if you havent heard yet then do so) and we are happy to announce that Justin of Huge Rat Attacks (who also if you havent heard yet then do so) has joined FCAP in his place. We are now working on material for the new new full length to be released in early winter. Our new album "sorry for all Mondays, and to those who cant sing" will be out on July 12th 2008 and an album party will be bringing down the house at the 7th Street Entry that night ...18+ btw. Other than that we are going on hiatus for a month or so to write more music and iron out the kinks with our new line up.

That's a lot of bands to check out! Sorry For All Mondays, And To Those Who Can't Sing has to be one of the better non-sequitur album titles out there. Although I'm sure Liars will come up with something quite memorable for their next record, unless they decide to title all of their future release eponymously.

As far as a label for distribution is concerned, the Afterparty hasn't named any names. However, given their history of freely giving away songs on their MySpace Page, we would be none too surprised if the band kicked it Radiohead style. Obviously, that's speculation. As soon as we have the facts, we'll vote yes, we'll let you know what's up. Ditto for any new songs.

If the band sounds as good as they do on these remastered recordings of their demos, or live in Wisconsin, then Mondays should be a very promising record indeed. At the top of the post, you can check out the *potential* cover art for the album, designed by head Party member Liam Watkins.

Sorry For All Mondays, And To Those Who Can't Sing is out July 12th.

First Communion Afterparty MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Toki Wright Enjoys "The Best Week Ever" (Plus: New Blueprint EP Online)

Download: Blueprint - "Too Funkadelic"

As a way to promote his upcoming debut album, Rhymesayers reggae act Toki Wright has been compiling an audio summary of what he's been doing that past week. Relevant to music, of course. I'd doubt anyone would want to listen to the minutiae of Wright deciding which brand of sugared cereal to go with. Rather, it's a way for Wright to communicate directly with his audience and to share new music with them.

Perhaps Wright can explain it better:

The Best Week Ever (This Week in RAP History) is a weekly wrap up of current events in the World of Toki Wright (that's me talking in 3rd person). Every week you will be able to get some new music, new verses, new info, and every once and a while a guest star. The first installment is posted at www.tokiwright.com or www.myspace.com/tokiwrightmusic. The track will be available for download for one week before it is replaced by the next installment.

Installment one has come and gone, but part two is still up at Wright's MySpace Page. About this, Wright says: "We had a pretty crazy week at home and abroad. What better way to sum it up than with some new music...The new joint has been posted and is sure to have people talking. If you missed last week's installment…don't know what to tell you except KEEP UP."

And keep up we shall. You can hear part two of Wright's "Best Week Ever" series by clicking here. You only have until the 16th, at which point a new installment will be uploaded.

In other Rhymesayers news, producer Blueprint has given away an entire EP worth of material away for free online. The EP, titled Blueprint Vs. Funkadelic, is inspired by the works of Funk Futurist/inadvertent inventor of hip-hop George Clinton. Listen to "Too Funkadelic" at the top of the post. Download the rest of the EP here. The cover art is very Hardcore Jollies.

Blueprint MySpace Page
Toki Wright MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

New Deerhunter - "Winter Never Stops" (Plus: New Atlas Sound EP!!)

on .

After a brief hiatus of sorts, activity has started to pick up around the Deerhunter camp. The band has added a new guitarist, Whitney Petty, and you can see her in action by watching her play on a new song, presumably one that has been demoed for the Atlanta-based psych-punk group's forthcoming Microcastle record. The track is called "Winter Never Stops", and its a song that, even in acoustic form, is highly reminiscent of The Beatles, as well as Bradford Cox's previous material. Despite the stripped down setting, I can hear the ambient touches that the band will undoubtedly add already.

Additionally, Cox made a new Atlas Sound EP available for download directly from his blog. It's called The Things I Miss EP, and it's all about the stuff that Bradford gets homesick for while he is recording. For instance, "My Car", the first song from the EP that you can listen to at the top of the post.

Download it here.

Deerhunter MySpace PAge

(Jonathan Graef)

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - New Album, New MP3

Download: Bonnie Prince Billy - "So Everyone" (Demo)

From the Drag City Newsletter:

We put together a sales slate of perfect balance, and then we go and add something else to throw the whole GD thing out of whack! It’s the Drag City way — and besides, who are we to not release a fantastic new Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy album that we feel super-strongly about? It’s called Lie Down in the Light and it’s coming along on LP and CD in May with these other records that I just described. You heard it here first. Did that just happen?

Oh, yes it did! Not only that, but the label was generous enough to give away a track from the upcoming record. The song is "So Everyone", and it's available in demo version. As long as there are tapes hissing, you can count on me to be a happy camper. And, though hearing the finished product would be good for the sake of comparing/contrast, this demo has the bare-bones quality of vintage blues and folk recordings--as a frame of reference, this track is more Leadbelly than Robert Johnson.

Lie Down In The Light is available in May.

Listen to "So Everyone" at the top of the post.

Bonnie Prince Billy on MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Tapes N Tapes Walk It Off On US Tour

Download: Tapes N Tapes - "Crazy Eights"

Tapes N Tapes have announced an US tour behind their upcoming sophomore release, Walk It Off, the cover of which is the image at the top of the post. After dates in SXSW, the group will start their trek across the US of A in their hometown of MPLS. The show will take place at First Avenue and tickets for the all-ages show will set you back 14 bucks. Tickets for the concert go on sale February 22nd , which is a Friday.

Tour dates below:

03-12-16 Austin, TX - SXSW
04-10 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue *
04-11 Chicago, IL - Metro *
04-12 Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick *
04-14 Toronto, Ontario - The Opera House *
04-15 Montreal, Quebec - Cabaret Music Hall *
04-16 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground *
04-17 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club *
04-18 New York, NY - Irving Plaza *
04-19 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
04-22 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church *
04-23 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
04-24 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *
04-25 Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
04-26 St. Augustine, FL - Café 11 *
04-28 Orlando, FL - The Social *
04-29 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds *
04-30 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree *
05-02 Austin, TX - Antone's *
05-03 Denton, TX - Hailey's *
05-06 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress *
05-07 San Diego, CA - The Casbah *
05-08 West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour *
05-09 West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour *
05-10 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore *
05-12 Eugene, OR - W.O.W. Hall *
05-13 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richards on Richards *
05-14 Seattle, WA - The Showbox *
05-16 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue *
05-17 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater *

MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Elf Power Announces New Album Details

Download: Elf Power - "Great Society"
Download: Elf Power - "I Walked With the Zombie"
Download: Elf Power- "Nothing's Going to Happen"

Elf Power is set to release their latest, In Caves, on March 25th of this year. As you'll read below, the buzz has been that this album will be their most psychedelic in years. After 2006's Back to the Web, which was regarded as a disappointment, this sounds like a step in the right direction.

Here's the first part of the press release:

New album out worldwide on Rykodisc March 25,2008. Elf Power formed in 1994 and have spent the last 14 years releasing nine albums, two eps, a handful of singles, and touring America, Europe, and Japan. Elf Power’s ninth album blasts them past the familiar territories of beautiful records past – landing them on exciting new terrain. Granted, the Elves’ sound is still founded on the bedrock attributes that make them memorable: leader Andrew Rieger’s otherworldly lyrical stances and his easy way with the rare and amazing melody, their instrumentally-eclectic reappraisal of classic rock, and a propulsive rhythm section that’s tight as ever. “In a Cave”, though, finds them filtering their powerful live approach through a varied, experimental series of recording processes and approaches; the new album plays like a spirited, exploratory series of treatments on the tried-and-true Elf Power sound. Derek Almstead’s production balances the elements perfectly: lean and muscular with a layer of warmth overtop, he opens ample windows for the band to expand and explore all available spaces. Drummer/multi-instrumentalist Eric Harris returns to the fold for this record, and his rhythmic interaction with bassist Almstead provides the supportive spine for each tune; notice how the two bury a chugging Krautrock underpinning in the sing-song pop of “Paralyzed” and provide the swagger inherent to the marching fuzz-boogie of “Spiral Stairs”. Harris’ homemade “tape-organ” – a Thriftstore Mellotron, of sorts — assumes a starring role on several of these songs, enveloping the driving jams and harmonically-dense balladry in a loopy, warbly aura. Truly, this is one of the most psychedelic Elf Power records in years; droned-out, interstitial songs like “Window to Mars” and the Eno-esque “Heads of Dust, Hearts of Lust” lend a sense of wholeness to this diverse album, and glue the longer tracks together perfectly. Elf Power has been busy this year, touring steadily, and recording an album with folk rock legend Vic Chesnutt that will be released this coming fall, and the resultant instrumental cohesion shows; the interplay between Rieger’s twelve-string and Jimmy Hughes’ overdriven lead guitar is as subtle and important as ever. Present, too, are those strange sonic touches that have long made the band distinctive: that edifying layer of melody that comes courtesy of Heather Macintosh’s virtuoso cello-playing and Laura Carter’s accordion and Moog Synthesizer.

The rest of the press release can be read at on Elf Power's MySpace.

(April Wright)