Blur, Guided By Voices, & Spot
The Week in New Music & Dig Me Out podcast
New Releases
Blur - The Ballad of Darren
"The Ballad of Darren" is the ninth studio album by the iconic English rock band Blur. Released on 21 July 2023 through Parlophone and Warner Records, the album was produced by James Ford at Studio 13 in London and Devon. Notably, this is the first time since their 2003 album "Think Tank" that Blur did not collaborate with their longtime producer Stephen Street. "The Ballad of Darren" marks Blur's return to the music scene following their 2015 album "The Magic Whip." It stands out as the band's shortest album to date, with a runtime under 50 minutes. The album's creation saw frontman Damon Albarn penning demos during his 2022 tour with Gorillaz.
Half Japanese - Jump into Love
DIY/low-fi cult legends Half Japanese have just released their latest album, "Jump Into Love" via Fire Records. Crafted by Jad Fair alongside the current lineup of the band, which includes John Sluggett, Gilles-Vincent Rieder, Mick Hobbs, and Jason Willett, the album resonates with a unique rawness. This distinct sound is attributed to the geographical distances between the band members, making regular rehearsals a challenge. Recorded remotely in Baltimore, Bloomington, Donneville in France, and Tarragona in Spain, "Jump Into Love" is a testament to the band's adaptability and commitment to their craft. The album's lead single, "We Are Giants," is a clear reflection of Jad Fair's unmistakable style, and its release is accompanied by an animated video, a signature Jad Fair creation.
Oxbow - Love's Holiday
San Francisco noise rock veterans, Oxbow, have just released their anticipated album "Love's Holiday" via Ipecac Recordings. Initially teased in 2021, the band's guitarist Niko Wenner and renowned producer Joe Chiccarelli co-produced this album. One of the standout tracks, "1000 Hours," is a brooding six-minute piece that features the backing vocals of Roger Joseph Manning Jr. The evocative artwork for the album was crafted by Aaron Turner, known for his associations with bands like Isis and Sumac. Vocalist Eugene Robinson has drawn thematic connections between the single "1000 Hours" and another Oxbow song, "1000," reflecting on the profound essence of love. Niko Wenner highlighted the album's duality, capturing its bright and introspective moods.
Guided by Voices - Welshpool Frillies
"Guided by Voices" has just unveiled their latest studio album, "Welshpool Frillies," marking their second release for 2023. Recorded in a Brooklyn basement alongside producer Travis Harrison, much of the album was captured live to tape, resulting in a raw and energetic sound. This new collection of tracks harkens back to the band's '90s vibe, drawing particular inspiration from the "Scalping The Guru" compilation, curated by Robert Pollard in 2022. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, which saw the band recording remotely, Guided by Voices has remained prolific, churning out eight albums in the past three years. "Welshpool Frillies" is a testament to the band's enduring spirit and dedication to their craft. This release also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the band's formation in Dayton, Ohio. This significant milestone underscores Robert Pollard's remarkable journey from an elementary school teacher to the frontman of a revered rock band.
Jetboy - Before You Go - Single
Jetboy, a hard rock band from San Francisco, emerged in the mid-1980s and made waves in Hollywood's music scene. With a blend of punk rock, rock 'n' roll, and blues, they released their notable debut, "Feel the Shake," in 1988. After a hiatus in the 1990s, they returned with new releases and performances. Their latest endeavor includes a covers album titled "Crate Diggin'" on Cleopatra Records, featuring renditions of hits like Lewis Capaldi's "Before You Go," Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl," and Rainbow's "Since You Been Gone."
Juliana Hatfield - Can't Get it Out of My Head - Single
Juliana Hatfield, the seasoned alt-rocker, has recently unveiled her rendition of ELO's classic "Can’t Get It Out Of My Head." This cover is a part of her ongoing series where she dedicates entire albums to the works of iconic artists, having previously paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John and the Police. Her upcoming album, "Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO," is a full-length tribute to Jeff Lynne’s 1970s prog-pop sensation, Electric Light Orchestra. Hatfield's take on "Can’t Get It Out Of My Head" diverges from the original's orchestral flair, offering a more stripped-down guitar-pop version while preserving its nostalgic essence. The music video, directed by David Doobinin, showcases monochromatic visuals of Hatfield, capturing her distinct aura and the song's theme of yearning for an ethereal escape. The album "Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO" will be released on November 17th via American Laundromat Records.
Explosions In The Sky - Ten Billion People - Single
Texan post-rock luminaries, Explosions In The Sky have marked their return to the music scene by releasing their new single "Ten Billion People." While the band has been active, contributing soundtracks like the one for the public-TV nature documentary "Big Bend: The Wild Frontier Of Texas," it's been seven years since their last full-length album, "The Wilderness," was released in 2016. Their latest announcement reveals the upcoming release of their seventh studio album, "End," set to drop in two months. Contrary to what the title might suggest, the band has clarified that "End" is not their swan song. Instead, it's a profound reflection on the enigmatic certainty of death. The single "Ten Billion People" begins with a distinctive rhythmic pattern reminiscent of motorik and IDM genres before transitioning into the band's signature expansive soundscapes. Discussing the album's theme, the band shared, "Every song comes from a story, or an idea one of us has had that we’ve all expanded on and made its own world... The end of a thing or a time can mean a stop, but it can also mean a beginning."
1 Minute Reviews
New 90s Podcast
Spot - Spot
On their lone self-titled album from 1995, Spot injects their brand of mid-90s alternative rock with metal riffage and Faith No More vibes
The line between rock and metal is thin, often based on the listener and their preferences. Numerous bands in the 1990s blurred the line, injecting heavy riffs and guitar tones into their sound that pushed bands like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden onto Headbanger's Ball alongside Metallica and Slayer. But other bands like Spot took their inspiration and applied it differently, like on their self-titled debut from 1995. Opening with "Drop Down," the rhythm section gallops like Iron Maiden, while the riffs on Hole draw from 80s thrash, all while the vocals shift from the boozy "L'America" to harmonized power-pop without a hitch. It's a weird, singular sound that works when it works but limps when it doesn't.
Listen on Apple Podcasts (FREE)
Coming Soon
July Album Review Tournament - Final
We've been showcasing suggested albums over the past few weeks and asking for your votes to help us choose which ones to move forward. Now it's time for the final round, and your vote will decide the album we’ll feature on Dig Me Out! So check out the finalists and pick the one you think would make the best episode. Remember, you only get one vote, so make it count!
Pale Saints Slow Buildings
The final Pale Saints album, a band that was mostly known as a UK shoegaze powerhouse and contemporaries with Ride, Lush, etc. This final album saw an important lineup change in way of the lead singer quitting the band. For many bands this is a make or break situation but in this case, almost created a whole new band with a different sound. It did not succeed commercially and they disbanded afterwards. - Vadim Taver
The Flaming Lips - Transmissions From the Satellite Heart
Sure,the album is overly ridiculous, like the Lips themselves, but their psychedelic, spaced out pop rock is always engaging and exciting. It would seem they have a dedicated cult following, but are rarely mentioned in general circles other than being that "don't use jelly" band. - Kyle Bittner
Overwhelming Colorfast - Moonlight and Castanets
Burly everyman vocals with tons of warm fuzzy guitars. Reminiscent of Husker Du, Fluf, and Pegboy. - Joseph Long
Course of Empire - Initiation
Alt Rock from Texas caught between Industrial, Post Punk and they did that thing with 2 drummers..... also the video for the single is wonderfully dated in the special effects ... but they were ahead of their time as America is Infested. - Eric Peterson
Worthy Reading
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