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Shadow People by Dr. Dog

One album that I didn’t realize was coming out was Shame, Shame from the amazing Dr. Dog. My old friend Graham got me into these guys a few years back and they’re hands down one of the most creative dudes out there right now. Their sound is vintage and familiar but like nothing you’ve heard before. They harmonize like the Beach Boys and jam like My Morning Jacket.

They’ve got a new song out called Shadow People to give you a taste of what the new album is going to sound like. Honestly they just keep getting better as they go. This song sounds like they’re jamming a little more, it’s a little more epic, maybe with a touch of 80′s guitars at the end. It’s wonderful no matter how you want to describe it.

Shame, Shame comes out on April 6, which isn’t nearly soon enough. They’ll also be touring the album, so be sure to catch ‘em live if they come near you.

Bobby

After almost four years Joanna Newsome is finally releasing a new album called Have One On Me which is coming out on February 23rd. Supposedly the record is going to be three discs long, which is kind of insane, but I’m all for it. It also may be part of the reason it took her 4 years to release something new. As far as I know the album hasn’t leaked yet, which is kind of unbelievable, but there’s a new song you can listen to called Good Intentions Paving Company.

The song reminds of somewhere between Joni Mitchell circa Blue and Regina Spektor. It seems like she’s shed her weirdo folk sound for something a little more in tune with Vetiver. It’s definitely still her traditional style of making songs epic-ly long, but it’s really a gem of a song. Put this on the list of albums to possibly freak out about.

Also, the tiny strip is by Geoff McFetridge and was posted on the Drag City site as a teaser. It would be sweet if he illustrated the album like he did for Whitest Boy Alive and Zwan.

Found through Gorilla vs. Bear

Bobby

One album that I’m super stoked about this year is Jónsi’s new album Go, which should be released on April 6 here in the States. I know a lot of you really loved the first sample we heard, the song Boy Lilikoi, but now there are a few more tracks to check out.

A couple weeks back Jónsi visited WNYC and had a little interview and played a few songs off of Go. It’s amazing to hear him perform because even though it’s just him and a ukelele (with three strings) his songs sound epic. He plays three songs live, one called Go Do and another called Around Us and Boy Lilikoi, and then we get to hear an album version of a song called Animal Arithmetic. I hope this brightens up your Monday some.

Bobby