Jessica Allen

Released 11.13.12 Asthmatic Kitty

Mark it down, guys: October 19th, the day KVNF started getting in Christmas albums. Not to worry, the airwaves won't be jingling for at least another month, I imagine. But with NPR's piece, New Holiday Songs: A Smart Career Move, we can ponder just why it is so attractive for every man, woman and child with access to a mic (read: every man, woman, and child) to record a bit of their own xmas cheer.

Released 10.9.12  Drag City

In the malevolence of Ty Segall's 2012 album onslaught (this is #4 if you include his tasty, old-time-high-fi collaboration with White Fence), Twins is the most organized- like a less-severe natural disaster. As the cover depicts, we're still in for a mind-bend, but it's as if some of the sheer fuzz was combed & suited by NASA in preparation for a space launch.

-DJ Jurassica

Released 10.5.12 Walt Disney Records

Danny Elfman does an indie-pop packed soundtrack for the black and white stop motion remake by Tim Burton of his 1984 short film by the same name. It's cute and expected, but with a few tracks not to miss.

Released 7.31.12 Polyvinyl

Sonny Smith recorded a country album after a breakup...When our tummies settle from the chuckle that incites, two things become clear:

1. The drive to use steel guitar in the midst of pain must be innate
2. A twang suits Sonny pretty well.
   

Released 7.24.12  Drag City

If this is your introduction to Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, you are meeting a man part-genius, part-indulgent rambler. His score’s of albums under a variety of names (Palace Music, Palace Brothers, Palace, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Bonnie Billy, Bonnie 'Blue' Billy, & Will Oldham) are expansive and lonely, romping and snide, and all together strangely harmonious

Released 5.29.12  Normaltown Records

Ukred, is exactly as fresh and lamby as its newly-birthed label, Normaltown. An imprint label of New West Records (Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, Kristofferson). Normaltown, named for the artists district in it's home town, Athens, GA, was established to grow young talent without immediate expectations.

Released 2.25.12 Matador

Another hauntingly soft and beautiful turn through the painful past of Mike Hadreas. This time the melodies aren't hung so gauntly on the notes of a singular piano, as with Learning, but fleshed out with a little more instrumentation and collaboration. Back deals with many of the same issues as Learning, but with a tinge of nourishment added to the pallor.