A new year, and finally some new music worth listening to.   Be excited.

Vampire Weekend - Contra

Vampire Weekend – Contra (XL Recordings)

I saw Vampire Weekend last year at the Glasshouse.  The place was nowhere near packed and the average audience member could not legally buy a Lotto ticket.  Fastforward to 2010: their upcoming album has been generating buzz since the summer, and last week’s show had been sold out for awhile.
I’m still not sure what I think of the album.  It’s been streamed on various websites, and leaked from several sources, making this album even more hyped.  Their self titled effort was so unique and well produced that Contra sounded a bit boring.  But with every play, I seem to like a new track.  My favorites for now are Taxi Cab, and Horchata (which I’m now craving.  Yum.)
Local shows: 4/14 @ Fox Theatre (Pomona)
Buy Album: Contra
download mp3: Taxi Cab

Laura Veirs – July Flame (Raven Marching Band Records)

So you’re in your third trimester of pregnancy and have gestational diabetes… what do you do?  If you’re Laura Veirs, you go on a European tour!  My new hero’s (who’s blog post about leaving for tour would probably hit any estrogen-filled human) seventh album released today, with some resemblances to Ingrid Michelson, and Jessica Hoop.  Veirs has the ability to allow the album to sound incredibly feminine with beautiful, wimsical string arrangements, yet not get too cute or predictable.  The title track has a bit of a haunting edge to it, while others are light and airy.  July Flame features guests spots from My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James, and the added harmonies are merely a bonus.
Local shows: 3/8 @ Casbah (San Diego); 3/9 @ Spaceland (Silverlake)
Buy album: July Flame
Download mp3: July Flame

Listened to either album?  Stoked for different music that released this week?  Leave a comment.