An Albatross: The An Albatross Family Album (Eyeball Records)
This nine-song, thirty-minute carnival is the most complete and true expression of An Albatross ever put to tape.
The band's trademark mixture of 1970s psychedelia, hardcore, modern rock, and synthesized circus music is most realized through the progressive, epic, trippy, metal tunes on this third full-length album. Layers of strings, horns, flute, and organs-and a lengthy spoken-word passage-make this more than your father's An Albatross.
Sao Paulo Underground: The Principle of Intrusive Relationships (Aesthetics)
Led by composer / cornet player Rob Mazurek, the mastermind behind Exploding Star Orchestra, this Brazilian version of Chicago Underground focuses more on rhythm for its second full-length.
The echoing, delayed cornet of Rob Mazurek and the boundary-less beats of drummer Mauricio Takara are augmented by a pair of additional percussionists as well as space-age electronics. This was overlooked last week, but we don't think that you'll mind us adding it seven days late.
Sao Paulo Underground: "Pulmões"
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RTX: JJ Got Live RaTX (Drag City)
Led by Jennifer Herrema of Royal Trux fame, RTX's second full-length amplifies the band's trademark blend of psychedelic rock and late '80s LA metal. Over the haze and arena-ready riffs, Herrema snarls her way through blistering tracks like opening number "You Should Shut Up" and the swaggering "Birthday Song."
RTX: "Cheap Wine Time"
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Of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping [Dig] (Polyvinyl)
From lo-fi indie pop to gender-bending glam rock, we've learned to expect the unexpected with Of Montreal, and with its sunny, eclectic dance pop, the group's ninth album has proven no exception.
There are furious hammered dulcimer riffs that give way to hazy psych-pop dissonance and multi-tracked vocal ululations ("Nonpareil of Favor"). There are heartbroken piano ballads ("Touched Something's Hollow") that shift into celebratory horn riffs and twin-lead-guitar arena rock ("An Eluardian Instance"). It's abrupt and jarring, and that's the whole point.
Pit er Pat: High Time (Thrill Jockey)
Poly-genre minimalist three-piece Pit er Pat weaves through indie rock, dub, haunting grooves and much more on High Time, the group's third full-length for Thrill Jockey. Traditional instrumentation is mixed with modern electronics and a rock base, and a talented guest panel of Dylan Ryan (Bronze, Herculaneum), trombonist Nick Broste (Mucca Pazza) and flutist Nate Lepine lends its talents.
Pit er Pat: "Evacuation Days"
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Night Horse: The Dark Won't Hide You (Tee Pee)
Comprised of members of LA-based epic-metal quintet Ancestors and psych rockers Bluebird, Night Horse presents a Southern-rock-tinged boogie — one that is the perfect soundtrack for downing numerous shots of whiskey and dancing your ass off.
