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We've already shared 25 Indie Films we're looking forward to this fall, but here are 16 albums coming out between now and the end of October that we think you should track down. They range from a little-known (in the U.S.) singer/songwriter named Frank Turner who releases a record today, to R.E.M., who has a live double-album coming out Oct. 26. At least three of these will likely end up among my 10 favorites of 2009, including my current Album of the Year.
1. Frank Turner - Poetry of the Deed (Epitaph, 9/7)
The Scoop: English anti-folk singer/songwriter (and former hardcore frontman) signs to Epitaph for a U.S. release (out today). Paste falls in love.
Stand-out tracks: "Live Fast Die Old," Dan's Song" and "Poetry of the Deed" reveal different facets of a gifted songwriter.
Verdict: This is a likely candidate for my year-end Top 10. There's not a weak track among the 13 here, from pub sing-a-longs to angsty ballads.
Listen:
More Frank Turner Coverage
2. Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day (G.O.O.D./Universal Motown, 9/15)
The Scoop: Recent Paste Artist of the Week and Ratatat/Jay-Z collaborator Kid Cudi is originally from Cleveland, but like everyone cool, now lives in Brooklyn. His debut album has leaked, but it's worth spending the change on the official release date.
Why we love him: "He's rhymed over industry beats and original production, but also curveball samples from indie artists (LCD Soundsystem, Band of Horses) and classic pop and country (Paul Simon, Pasty Cline). Man on the Moon features a collaboration with MGMT and beat production from Ratatat that will likely grant the genre-melding Cudi broad appeal outside the hip-hop community," says intern Julia Askenese.
More Kid Cudi Coverage
3. Tom Russell with Calexico - Blood and Candle Smoke (Shout! Factory, 9/15)
The Scoop: A quarter of a century after his debut album, Heart on a Sleeve, the Texas troubadour has recruited everybody's favorite backing band Calexico for his latest release, recorded at Wave Lab Studios (Neko Case, Iron & Wine).
Tracklisting:
1. East Of Woodstock, West Of Viet Nam
2. Santa Ana Wind
3. Nina Simone
4. Criminology
5. Crosses Of San Carlos
6. Finding You
7. Mississippi River Runnin’ Backwards
8. The Most Dangerous Woman In America
9. Don’t Look Down
10. Guadalupe
11. American Rivers
12. Darkness Visible
Verdict: A solid addition to an impressive catalog.
More Tom Russell Coverage
4. Pearl Jam - Backspacer (Independent, 9/20)
The Scoop: The band's ninth studio album finds Pearl Jam chugging along.
Verdict: Respectable, says Paste web editor Austin L. Ray. "Most of their new album's first half alternates between gritty guitar-led jams and able pop-rock, and in these moments Backpacker truly succeeds. But several of the introspective tunes fall flat."
Watch: the video for "The Fixer" directed by Cameron Crowe.
More Pearl Jam Coverage
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Nice list. I really dig the Thao clip for "Bag of Hammers." The Mountain Goats album sounds really interesting. And, as always, I rejoice in any mention of Brandi Carlile. And I have to agree with your daughters about the song "Dreams." :) I am so excited to hear this album in its entirety.
Paul Simon is one of the most talented singer/songwriters of his generation. He sings with such emotion and you can hear his soul come through the music. He is an amazing musician that deserves more attention. I hope I can see him in concert sometime!
Soo excited about Brandi Carlile's new CD! Heard some of her new songs amazing! I can not wait until October 6! Brandi is awesome!
Brandi Carlile has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. I'm so looking forward to her CD. She's amazing.
Thao was an overlooked gem of 2008. Hopefully the new album will bring her more much deserved success!
Excuse me, but how can you forget to put the new Kings of Convenience Album on this list? Or even the new Air album? Two excellent artists who haven't put out albums in a while and they don't get an ounce of notice? I would think paste writers would be licking their chops at these albums...guess not. Such a shame.
WHY? - Eskimo Snow
Dead Mans Bones - s/t
Otherwise, pretty good list.
Oooh - lots of awesome albums on this list that I'd forgotten were coming out (like Thao and Mountain Goats) - thanks for the heads up.
Two other awesome ones coming out this fall:
Atlas Sound - Logos
While I don't expect the rest of the album to sound like the amazing collaboration with Noah Lennox, Bradford Cox is quite capable of producing music that can put me in a dreamlike state.
Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy
I'm looking forward to this one a lot and think it'll be the sleeper of the 2nd half of the year. I don't know whether he'll go toward a more forward rock approach like he does in his live set or a more harrowing set like he did on last year's Constant Hitmaker, but man is this guy good!
October 13th. JEFF The Brotherhood. "Heavy Days". That's at the top of my list. Their vid for "Bone Jam" is beyond cool.
Haha. Saw Frank Taylor busking in the Lexington Avenue subway just the other day. Beats the hell out of those Peruvian pipe players and their elevator music, usually in that spot. Come back and stay a while, Frank. You sounded great.
Uh, TURNER, not Taylor. My bad. Sorry Frank. I'm buying two copies now.
Boy, the new Avett Bro's is quite a bit different from their last album. At first listen it sounded like they'd sold out, but its growing on me, and although it doesn't seem to have the same energy as Emotionalism it is still a solid album for them.