The Black Angles - I'd Rather Be lonely single

So I finally made it to a record store day after a year or two of me not being able to make the deadline and what have you. This was a little gem I picked up at the closest record store I could get to. The Black Angels are a psychedelic rock outfit out of Texas that I've always been meaning to check out. I've heard a lot about The Black Angles and their level of praise greatly varies each time. I've heard them called garbage while on the other hand I've been recommended them many times. I've heard one of their previous albums and it was a tab bit dark for my taste. Anyway I heard they were putting out something for RSD and I looked into it and it happens to be on orange cream vinyl. I put this on my list and picked it up. Once I got home I gave all my new records a few plays and this turned out to be my favorite purchase of the day. On this single I see a pretty big change from the last time I heard them. This single is much more relaxing and much more 60s influenced. The single has two songs on it but when I went to go download the album via the download coupon inside I found that an extra track was included. It turns out they covered The Zombies's She's Not There. Lemme tell you. They do it flawlessly, you often forget you're even listening to a cover. Check these guys out as soon as you can.

http://www.mediafire.com/?kasdvcaa8jngp4d

Nikki Lane - Walk of Shame

Whenever I go to shows I rarely care much about the opening acts nothing changed when I first heard Nikki Lane opening for Noah and the Whale. For some reason when I was searching for new music I came upon her album Walk of Shame. It definitely wasn't what I remembered. Walk of Shame is a great country album with an almost smokey 70s feeling. On a couple of tracks Nikki is accompanied by another band mate to create a pleasing vocal harmony that really makes the tracks stand out. Hopefully you'll enjoy this album as much as I did.

Poor Moon - Illusion EP

Years I got into a local band call Crystal Skulls. After two albums they seemed to be done. To say the least I was none to happy. Much to my surprise I was tipped onto Poor Moon and I instantly fell in love. Poor Moon includes members who are current members of Fleet Foxes and past members of Crystal Skulls. What you get is amazing. One of the things I liked most about Crystal Skulls were the vocals. Back are Chris Wargo's amazing vocals and the twangy indie pop sounding guitars mixed in with a smooth and folky Fleet Foxes sound. Honestly I'd probably say I like this ep much more than either of the Fleet Foxes albums. But that's just me.

L'Orange - Still Spinning

Like all hip-hop, not just instrumental I find myself being extremely picky when it comes to me enjoying an album. L'Orange's latest lp Still Spinning is one of those few hip-hop albums I found myself enjoying. In a lot of L'Orange's tracks he uses clips from old newscasts, movies, tv shows ect. I've seen this used a lot by many different artists but It's something I don't think I'll tire of any time soon. On his other albums he had a more jazz or loungy sound that was prevalent throughout the album but on Still Spinning it isn't as obvious but there's some bits and pieces sprinkled though the album. Make sure you pick this up if you like relaxing instrumental hip-hop and looking for something new.

Thieves Like Us - Bleed Bleed Bleed

Thieves Like Us first made their way into my library about a year or so ago and to be honest I didn't really care for them at first. Bleed Bleed Bleed is their fourth studio album and my favorite for sure. This album could likely make it's way onto my AOTY 2012 list.  Their sound has changed a bit between the album I first heard and their latest. In Steps was the last TLU I heard and it was much more upbeat and almost had a nu-disco feeling to it. Bleed Bleed Bleed has slowed down considerably. The album is full of relaxing and fairly mellow tunes that come off as incredibly catchy. I know that Indielectronica isn't a generally accepted term but it fits so well here I can't help but describe it that way. If I had to be a bit more specific I'd likely classify Bleed Bleed Bleed as mellow and almost funky synthpop. This year's been great for music so far. Get excited people!