New Stuff, Old Material
I never really know what to do with pre-release mp3 teaser thingies on this site. I don’t like just slapping them up on the blog without any thought, as a great many mp3 bloggers do. It seems a bit of a waste of my time, and bit… well, a bit thoughtless I suppose. As if suddenly the site would become a mindless news aggregator, which is not really fair, but it does feel a bit like that.
So I decided a little while back that I would use the podcasts for popping in new mp3s I had been emailed, but which didn’t have a home within a proper review of any sort. That makes good sense, but then a lot of people don’t listen to the podcasts for varying reasons (no, not just because they’re shit), so it feels like there should be a way to pop the things up on the blog as well, for you other lot who heartlessly ignore all the hard work and effort that goes into the loving creation of a weekly podcast.
Anyhow, here are some things, most of which have been featured on every blog in Christendom already, and have also appeared on my own podcast already, but erm, I figured that non-podcasters deserved some fun too.
Sara Lowes may be best known for her work with the Earlies and Micah P. Hinson, but she is a fantastic solo artist in her own right, and this song is a teaser from a her new album Back to Creation, out, erm, soonish. It has quite a lush pop sound, but for a change I am not going to complain about that. Instead I am going to embrace it and say that I rather like it. How’s that for an old dog learning a new trick then, eh?
Sara Lowes – Night Times
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
My friend Phil and Little Matthew who helps with Toad Recordy things (as well as being a smart arse in the comments section) both love Eluvium, so I find myself really rather looking forward to their new record. This teaser track sounds extremely promising, too. The album is called Similies, is out on about the 15th Feb or so, and can be pre-ordered here.
Eluvium – The Motion Makes Me Last
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The new Eels album, frankly, ain’t really doing it for me just yet. It’s a touch Eels-lite, but there are some good moments. Little Bird is the official teaser for the album, End Times, which is out on Monday I think.
Eels – Little Bird
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Sam Amidon has also released an mp3 from a new album called I See the Sign. It’s out in March sometime, and when I put it on the last podcast I remarked that it sounded a lot more like the Doveman stuff he does with his friend Thomas Bartlett, and speculated that perhaps Thomas had a lot to do with the new record. Apparently this isn’t really how Bedroom Community (his label) work, so I may well be wrong, but I’m going to see him play in London in a week or two and I’ll ask him then. Until then, this is How Come That Blood – nothing like the Sam stuff we know and love, but still brilliant if you ask me. I’m really looking forward to this album.
Sam Amidon – How Come That Blood
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
So, feedback time. Do you have a preference for how to deal with this kind of newsy shite in future? Should I have a way of just slapping up brand new mp3s sent by PR people to make sure you get your news on time, or does waiting for the review but sticking new stuff in the podcast make more sense to you?
I think the podcast method makes perfect sense. I don’t get the time to listen to every one, but I’ll always check out the playlist, so if there’s any “newsy” stuff I don’t miss it. I guess there’s a danger that if you were throwing up newsy posts left right and centre then the attention for the “proper” posts would be diluted…
i like how you’ve done it here
i think the podcast is plenty but throwing in a wee post like this one with some standout stuff you have recieved that doesnt fit in anywhere else just every now and then is a nice wee extra if you ask me. as long as you add a short paragraph explaining the background behind the track and why you like it then its totally worthwhile and thoughtful.
A midweek news round-up post might be good – like what you’ve done here.
On a Wednesday or Thursday so it’s as far away from the podcast as possible – as you’ve done here.
Falling handily halfway inbetween the other routine posts (Live This Week on Mondays and the Friday Fives on erm.. Fridays.) so it reinforces the framework of the Song, By Toad schedule, people like their routines. Like you’ve done here.
Ooh-ooh! If you’re going to do a regular news bulletin, I could do the roving reporter spots for you again.
They were brilliant!
I love eluvium, but did not know there was a new album coming out.
You may not want to be a news aggregator Matthew, but if “someone” could provide the useful service of letting me know any news relating to the music I like that would be appreciated.
I generally don’t listen to your podcasts, so this is a pretty good way I think.
I’m with RCC. An VERY occasional “this was too good to pass up” collection like this one, with writing to accompany the tracks, is a FAR cry from the “I blog whatever comes in” method that we all abhor, but it is a good service for the occasional also-ran tracks that have begun to pile up. It suits your tone, too.
Cool. Podcasts and the occasional mp3 roundup it is.
Now, anyone got any thoughts on the songs?
The occasional random post hither and thither hardly merits discussion, does it?
I thought we were talking about a new idea for the site..
I was suggesting one. I could possibly just throw out the occasional ‘Here is an mp3 from a PR person’ post if people thought that timeliness was a priority and that it wouldn’t detract from the site as a whole. I get the impression that people like Chutters, Tom and BoyHowdy think that too much of that is a bit like thoughtless hit-whore blogs which I personally do not like at all, so maybe best not do it that way.
Your news idea would be good, but I think that between the podcast, the listings and the fives it’s already all a bit structured, and I don’t see the need for any more. Plus, that Monday post is a massive pain, and I could see this one being quite similar. I don’t want to end up making a rod for my own back.
I think it makes sense. Certainly, I am interested in hearing tracks like you posted today without having to sift through a whole podcast which I don’t have time to listen to.
i think a semi-regular mid-week round up would be good.
do it!
now the songs
Sara Lowes: i could go for a bit of that, nice but interesting enough.
The Eluvium: i know a couple of people around these parts love them, i just hope it wasn’t this bit of dreary shite that enticed them.
The Eels: I love em, so i guess i can’t be that objective, but i like this, the lyrics are good and i like the minimalistic approach.
Sam Amidon: quite quirky but i dunno if i would ever listen to this any more than i have done, a bit nondescript to be honest. ok but thats it
I think our opinions are absolutely 100% opposite!
(Which of course means that you’re wrong, because it couldn’t possibly be me!)
Whoops, nearly forgot: insert smiley face here.
i know where i’d insert you smiley face!!!
it’s ok tho, i can handle a difference of opinion…….just!!!!!!!
I’m going to bookmark this page on my phone so I can refer Chutters to that last statement next time we’re out for a pint.
He thinks he can handle it. But he can’t.
you’re living in hope Dylan!!!
Eluvium is brilliant. End of. No need for further discussion.
Are those vocals in my Eluvium? I’m not one hundred percent sure on this, but I don’t remember there being vocals before.
Sounds good though.
Yes, there are vocals! Damn straight. And it works beautifully too. A completely new and refreshing direction for Eluvium. So great to see someone evolve so naturally. I cannot wait for this album. I’ve already played this about a hundred times this week.
“I’m a vessel between two places I’ve never been.” And then the piano melody… *shivers* The absolute epitome of dreaming and being lost. Gorgeous.
There’s also another sneaky mp3 available for download here: http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new_eluvium__leaves_eclipse_the_light_stereogum_p_107621.html
It’s lovely also. Very different though, which is great. I’m not sure what’s in it though… xylophone or drums? Either/or it’s lovely.
Eluvium is one of the few bands that get the low end drones just perfect. And it works so well. I love low end a little too much. If only I had a sub-woofer – my neighbours would hate me (more).
Sam Amidon is good too.
I like the mp3s. But I suppose it depends how many you get per week?
Loving the Sam Amidon. I don’t think it’s a radical departure from the last one (which, admittedly, I only bought 2 days ago but have been listening to a lot) considering the arrangements around his singing can be anything they want them to be.
Eluvium, are you lot pulling my fucking leg? What a crock of flaming shite, bleepy bleepy winey winey nonsense.
That’s my last word on it, write what you want, you’ll all be ignored….fact.
No smiley face, instead have my gnashing teeth!
There are no bleeps and no whining in Eluvium. Did you listen to the right song? Or does your hearing aid need it’s batteries replaced again?
He listened to the right song, but with completely the wrong set of ears.
Sorry my venting is being encouraged by having to deal with a bunch of cunts in London called Foxtons.
Eluvium: i’ll just leave it at I don’t like them.
Tsk tsk Chutters. Just punch one of them.
I’m glad for the change here. I’m not a podcast fan in general, and my lack of internet at home makes downloading large files not worth the bother. My “mp3 menagerie” posts serve the same purpose, so I can share mp3s I like when I don’t have the time or desire to write a full album review.
Thanks for the Sam Amidon track in particular. I recently saw (and reviewed) American Wake, which is an Irish-American film he starred and played in. Talented guy.