In my mind, nothing will ever top Black Sheep Boy, but with “The Stand-Ins” coming out in a couple of weeks, Okkervil River is doing a good job on challenging that.  Of the songs that I have heard, the production has really come through.  Strings and other instruments make it much more ochestral than normal.  Will Scheff’s vocals as always are very melodic and packed with cunning lyrics.  Whether it can top Black Sheep Boy or not?  You be the judge.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

Preorder Okkervil River’s Upcoming Full-Length “The Stand-Ins” out September 9th

Mogwai is finally coming out with a new album for the first time in a few years.  They also haven’t toured in a very long time and are currently about to embark on a US-wide tour.  The Hawk Is Howling seems to be another step forward for them as we have heard a few tracks from the recent Batcat EP.  The song itself “Batcat” had a lot more of a grungy feel to it, but the song from the forthcoming album that has been released shows a lot less darkness and more of a song that you can actually bob your head to.  See for yourself.

Mogwai - The Sun Smells Too Loud

Preorder Mogwai’s Upcoming Full-length “The Hawk Is Howling” on Amazon.com

I never really was a huge fan of Days Away while they were a band, but then I noticed that Good Old War came around, which features Tim and Keith of the former Days Away.  Good Old War gives off a great folk feeling from the acoustic guitars and light drumming.  But the vocals are what differentiate from other acoustic folk acts.  Anyone who listened to Days Away may know that Keither was a pretty oustanding voice and to match it with these acoustics really makes it stand out that much more.  The vocals are so dynamic in a lot of the songs, especially in “Window”.  Some of them are even Beach Boys-esque.  Anthony Green is also very close with this band, as they have recorded his most recent solo album “Avalon”.  Any fans of all the latter, I highly suggest checking out Good Old War.

Good Old War - Window

Buy Good Old War’s debut full-length “Only Way To Be Alone” on Amazon.com

From Iceland now to Sweden, we’re using our first new posting day in over a month to promote some beautiful & talented foreign-based female artists.  Here is “Social Skills” from Swedish musician Sparrow who goes by the name Doctors & Dealers.  Most of the music on her new album Confessions of a Drunken Mind is piano-based, occasionally implementing a few bits of electronic accompaniament- more than most of the time, it’s interesting enough to warrant repeated listens.  Her higher pitched, slightly mis-pronounced singing gives away her foreign roots but then again she sounds more American/intelligible than Joni Mitchell so the whole Swedish thing may not actually be noticeable just from listening.

Doctors & Dealers - Social Skills

Buy Doctors & Dealers’ new album “Confessions of a Drunken Mind” on Amazon.com

Emiliana Torrini’s “Me and Armini” has all the swagger of Lily Allen’s “Smile” without the annoying superfluousness and tabloid attachment.  Also unlike the previously aforementioned track, the steady backing rhythym and Torrini’s confident, calm singing let the rest of “Armini”’s layers reveal themself over multiple satisfying listens rather than blowing its musical wad on the first go round.  Employing a cool, soothing vocal style, the Icelandic singer uses her new album to flip between ambient, acoustic folk songs and more upbeat, almost-radio ready pop songs, similar to Feist’s last record.   The album, also titled Me and Armini, ships out September 9th on Rough Trade Records.

Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini

Pre-order Emiliana Torrini’s new full length “Me And Armini” on Amazon.com