Brightest Young Things

Matthew's handy print-and-use monthly guide to what is out and worth your emusic subscription returns for the February edition.
Things are warming up.

2/5/08

Bob Mould – District Line – Former Husker Du/Sugar frontman and Blowoff DJ releases his first album in 3 years, keeping very much to the sound he’s loved his whole career. (entire album is streaming on his Myspace page: myspace.com/bobmould)

Hot Chip – Made in the Dark – The London dance pop quintet’s third album is a bit more subdued than their last affair, but still sure to get those booties bouncing.

Jason Collett – Here’s to Being Here – The Toronto-based Broken Social Scene member is joined by several of his BSS bandmates on his fifth album of laid back rock.

Lightspeed Champion – Falling Off the Lavender Bridge – Devonte Hynes, formerly of Test Icicles, does Nashville-esque folk-y indie rock on his debut album under the Lightspeed Champion moniker.

Nada Surf – Lucky – The guys who made it big with “Popular” further the Death Cab-inspired sound their shifted to on 2002’s Let Go on this, their fifth album.

Say Hi – The Wishes and the Glitch – Eric Elbogen’s electro-pop project shortens the name from Say Hi to Your Mom, on his fifth album.

2/12/08

British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music? – The Brighton, UK quartet returns with its third album after a sophomore slump, hoping to regain the fans and critics who adored them for their debut.

Morrissey – Greatest Hits – Morrissey releases yet another Greatest Hits compilation, this one is heavily focused on his two most recent albums and contains two brand new songs, but very little from early in his career.

2/19/08

American Music Club – The Golden Age – Mark Eitzel’s San Francisco-based band has been releasing music for 23 years and this is their ninth full-length album.

Atlas Sound – Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel – Deerhunter leader Bradford Cox has been recording under the Atlas Sound name for years, but this is his first proper full-length album, recorded with the help of Deerhunter guitarist Lockett Pundt.

Big Sleep – Sleep Forever – This Brooklyn shoegaze/post-rock trio adds more vocals to their formula this time around on their sophomore release to create more traditionally structured songs.

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago – The solo project of Justin Vernon, formerly of Mount Vernon and DeYarmond Edison, has attracted a lot of blog attention for his gorgeous one man and guitar songs.

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles – This Toronto duo, who released their first single nearly two years ago, finally have a full-length album out, full of video game sound-influenced electropop for us all to enjoy.

Mountain Goats – Heretic Pride – Indie rock troubadour John Darnielle is one of the hardest working men in music today, as evidenced by his constant touring and this, his 15th album since 1995!

Panther – 14K God – Panther, aka Charlie Salas-Humara, continues his genre-bending on his sophomore album full of electronic, funk and soul music.

Raveonettes – Lust Lust Lust – The Danish duo keep showing their love for Jesus and Mary Chain and 60s girl groups on their fourth album as they try to rebound from 2005’s mis-step, Pretty in Black.

2/26/08

Beach House – Devotion – The Baltimore dream-pop duo attempt to repeat the surprise success of their debut on their sophomore release.

Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue – The Toronto indie rock trio finally gives us a debut album after teasing us with singles and opening for a slew of great bands over the last year.

Del the Funky Homosapien – Eleventh Hour – The Oakland-based MC, who is a member of Deltron 3030, Gorillaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School and Hieroglyphics, releases his first album under the Del name since 2000.

Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree – The London, UK duo of Allison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have only been releasing albums since 2000, but they’ve already earned a reputation for changing their sound from album to album. Seventh Tree, their fourth full-length is no different, as it leaves the big dance numbers behind and focuses on a more subdued, down-tempo sound.