Wednesday Music News

02/22/2017

Janice Headley

John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats is on a creative streak. His second novel Universal Harvester just placed on the New York Times Bestseller List, and now we have news about a new album, the fantastically-titled Goths, out May 19th via Merge. The band will be talking more about the album at 1:00 PM PT/4:00 PM ET on Facebook Live, but right now we've got a track listing which features song titles such as "We Do It Different on the West Coast," "For the West Coast Dark Ambient Bedroom Warriors," and "Andrew Eldritch Is Moving Back to Leeds," an ode to the Sisters Of Mercy frontman, which you can stream below. The album also sees the band growing into a quartet with the addition of Matt Douglas on woodwinds, was recorded by Modest Mouse and Swans producer Brandon Eggleston, and features features members of the Nashville Symphony Chorus. [ Spin ]

Oxford, Mississippi record store The End of All Music is releasing a 12-inch EP to benefit The Southern Poverty Law Center. Participating artists include Patterson Hood of the Drive-by Truckers, William Tyler, Adam Torres, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy, whose contribution you can stream below. Via a press release, they explain, "All profits from the sale of this record will go directly to the Southern Poverty Law Center and the donation period for this project will remain open until the record sells out. The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education and other forms of advocacy, they work toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality." This limited edition EP will have 1,000 copies pressed, with the first 500 copies on colored vinyl. Get yours starting May 5th via The End Of All Music website or at the brick and mortar store in Oxford. [ Under the Radar ]

When it rains, it pours: yesterday, reunited shoegazers Ride released their first new song in twenty years, and today, we get another one! Stream the single "Home Is a Feeling" below, which invokes a bit more of the band's dreamier side than yesterday's release "Charm Assault." Both tracks will appear on a new Ride LP coming out this summer on Wichita Recordings. [ Pitchfork ]

Ted Leo is planning his triumphant return, but he needs your help. He's turned to Kickstarter to help fund his long-awaited follow-up to 2010's The Brutalist Bricks. Via Twitter, he elaborates "I need help to complete the project and set the stage for being able to get more stuff out in a more timely fashion, or on the fly, as needs may be. And so, I’m taking the plunge and just going directly to all of you." Some of that "stuff" includes touring, future albums, and even a possible release of a live album he recorded for the 10th anniversary of the album Shake the Sheets recorded three years ago at Washington, DC’s Black Cat. Check out his Kickstarter page here, and check out some of the perks like a personalized song, private concert, or enjoying a vegan meal together. [ Consequence of Sound ]

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