Song of the Week

Modest Mouse released its first album in seven years.  Strangers to Ourselves is a polished take on Isaac Brock's singular songsmithing; the musicianship is self-assured and strong, but the record still teeters on the edge of abandonment, frenetic and uncertain.  The complicated rhythms and interlocking guitar grooves are some of the highlights of the record, as demonstrated by "The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box."

Five Things

(Chromatics)

Great artists are handing out sneak previews from their forthcoming records.  Life is good.  Plenty to listen to this week!

• Will Butler just dropped Policy, his first solo album.  Arcade Fire's multi-instrumentalist (and Win's younger brother) keeps the suit-and-sneakers dream alive in his awesome new wave video for the catchy "Anna."
• Death Cab for Cutie shared another cool new track from Kintsugi.  Check out "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive."
• "Should Have Known Better" is another heartbreaking song from the forthcoming Carrie & Lowell.
• Sun Kil Moon's Universal Themes will be another songwriting bonanza if "Ali/Spinks 2" is any indication.  Crazyhorse guitars meets Sonic Youth noise rock meets Kozelek's one-of-a-kind storytelling.
• Chromatics will release Dear Tommy this spring and have shared "I Can Never Be Myself When You're Around."  Absolutely stoked for Johnny Jewel and Ruth Radelet's wide-screen musical cinema, which was seemingly perfected on Kill for Love.

Five Things

(Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man on Earth)

Some great tracks are hitting the airwaves for spring releases.  Just in time for a road trip this week.

• The Tallest Man on Earth will release  Dark Bird Is Home in May.  Check out "Sagres," which  piles on instruments to the Swedish folkie's signature vibe.
• Kintsugi will be Death Cab for Cutie's eighth studio album.  Recorded with longtime producer/guitarist Chris Walla before he left the band, the album's first two tracks sound better than almost anything from Codes & Keys.  "No Room in Frame" is well worth a listen, and it certainly sounds like Ben is talking about Zooey.
• Purity Ring drop Another Eternity on Tuesday.  The electro duo's sophomore album features the excellent single "Push Pull."
• Calexico will release Edge of the Sun in April.  Check out "Falling from the Sky," featuring additional vocals from Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses).
• We already now how Mark Kozelek feels about Led Zeppelin.  Check out his entirely reworked cover of "Sick Again," which will be part of a forthcoming Physical Graffiti tribute album.