Independent Rock Preview
John Bovay
Issue date: 1/17/07 Section: Distractions
2007 Indie Rock Preview
So Busta Rhymes played at the Pavilion. That's pretty cool, I have to admit. A rapper who was a big deal a decade ago is coming; the law students remember him from middle school.
So he was popular in 1997. What will be good in 2007? Here are some predictions.
Next week, Athens, GA band Of Montreal releases their eighth album, HISSING FAUNA, ARE YOU THE DESTROYER? Kevin Barnes, the brains behind the project, has been improving his songwriting and the band's sound drastically over the last two albums, and the promo materials for this record promise that will continue. In addition, I'm excited because the Of Montreal show last March in Charlottesville was one of my favorite few concerts ever.
The Shins also return next week with their third album, WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY. The first single is nothing special; while their first two CDs are the best 80 minutes of music in my collection, I don't know how they can improve upon them after not writing anything since 2003, during which time they've barely even toured. Also planning their first albums since 2003 are the Postal Service and Radiohead; I expect both of these albums to be delightful, especially with Jenny Lewis' increased involvement with the Postal Service.
The Arcade Fire releases NEON BIBLE March 6. (Ooh, they were raised Mormon.) While it will probably be a grander, more pretentious album than its predecessor, I don't think they can shock the world again. Especially when they're including an old concert favorite, "No Cars Go," that was originally on their debut self-titled EP.
Modest Mouse will have a new album called WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIPS EVEN SANK. I don't like the first single, "Dashboard," but the band now features Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, bringing the band up to 6 members (everyone who has ever played in the fractured group.) The Shins' James Mercer also guests on 3 tracks, bizarrely.
Bright Eyes will be releasing CASSADAGA on April 10, and Conor is joined by just producer Mike Mogis and trumpeter Nate Walcott. I think the stripped-down thing will be good for the "band"-nice and bleak, instead of including a menagerie of every Saddle Creek artist.
Saying that Conor Oberst has influenced his songwriting recently, Britt Daniel will be releasing both a solo album and a Spoon album. Wilco and Son Volt both have new albums out; I can't resist comparing Wilco to Radiohead by asking "what can they do next? How can they continue to make more experimental rock music?" Each member of the band has been doing so recently, though.
Finally, the Apples in Stereo (part of the Elephant 6 Collective with Of Montreal) follow up a showdown with the Decemberists on the Colbert Report by releasing an album on Elijah Wood's label that involves a new musical scale.
I'm also excited about new albums from MF Doom+Ghostface, Bloc Party, Feist, Rilo Kiley, the National, and John Vanderslice.
So Busta Rhymes played at the Pavilion. That's pretty cool, I have to admit. A rapper who was a big deal a decade ago is coming; the law students remember him from middle school.
So he was popular in 1997. What will be good in 2007? Here are some predictions.
Next week, Athens, GA band Of Montreal releases their eighth album, HISSING FAUNA, ARE YOU THE DESTROYER? Kevin Barnes, the brains behind the project, has been improving his songwriting and the band's sound drastically over the last two albums, and the promo materials for this record promise that will continue. In addition, I'm excited because the Of Montreal show last March in Charlottesville was one of my favorite few concerts ever.
The Shins also return next week with their third album, WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY. The first single is nothing special; while their first two CDs are the best 80 minutes of music in my collection, I don't know how they can improve upon them after not writing anything since 2003, during which time they've barely even toured. Also planning their first albums since 2003 are the Postal Service and Radiohead; I expect both of these albums to be delightful, especially with Jenny Lewis' increased involvement with the Postal Service.
The Arcade Fire releases NEON BIBLE March 6. (Ooh, they were raised Mormon.) While it will probably be a grander, more pretentious album than its predecessor, I don't think they can shock the world again. Especially when they're including an old concert favorite, "No Cars Go," that was originally on their debut self-titled EP.
Modest Mouse will have a new album called WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIPS EVEN SANK. I don't like the first single, "Dashboard," but the band now features Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, bringing the band up to 6 members (everyone who has ever played in the fractured group.) The Shins' James Mercer also guests on 3 tracks, bizarrely.
Bright Eyes will be releasing CASSADAGA on April 10, and Conor is joined by just producer Mike Mogis and trumpeter Nate Walcott. I think the stripped-down thing will be good for the "band"-nice and bleak, instead of including a menagerie of every Saddle Creek artist.
Saying that Conor Oberst has influenced his songwriting recently, Britt Daniel will be releasing both a solo album and a Spoon album. Wilco and Son Volt both have new albums out; I can't resist comparing Wilco to Radiohead by asking "what can they do next? How can they continue to make more experimental rock music?" Each member of the band has been doing so recently, though.
Finally, the Apples in Stereo (part of the Elephant 6 Collective with Of Montreal) follow up a showdown with the Decemberists on the Colbert Report by releasing an album on Elijah Wood's label that involves a new musical scale.
I'm also excited about new albums from MF Doom+Ghostface, Bloc Party, Feist, Rilo Kiley, the National, and John Vanderslice.
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