Just some news and snippets I caught over the course of the day, plus a new single from Jane's Addiction . Via Dischord : The new Joe Lally ( Fugazi ) album,  Why Should I Get Used To It will be released on April 26 on Dischord Records in conjunction with Tolotta Records. This album was recorded in Rome, Italy, where Joe now lives, and features extensive contributions from his tour-mates, Elisa Abela and Emanuele Tomasi . Joe just wrapped up several weeks of European tour dates and will continue to tour throughout 2011.  Via Buy These Records :   Neurosis’ Sovereign EP To Be Reissued, Pre-orders Go Up Today Coming up today at 2pm CST from Hydra Head , pre-orders will be opening up for Sovereign , the 2000 EP from Neurosis . Out of print for years, this 4 track EP clocks in at over 30 minutes and was recorded by Chicago’s Steve Albini . Priced at $20, you can place your orders here . Check out the video below, which was part of the digital bonus material i...

In 2008, Seattle's folk heroes, Fleet Foxes , released their self-titled debut to much acclaim.  I was NOT a fan of that album, but "Grown Ocean," from their upcoming new album, Helplessness Blues , isn't bad.  Check out the video here:  http://fleetfoxes.com/grownocean.html Via Sub Pop: Fleet Foxes Video for Helplessness Blues Track "Grown Ocean" Debuts on fleetfoxes.com/grownocean.html Exclusive Poster Available with Album Pre-Order on www.SubPop.com HELPLESSNESS BLUES Out (release date: May 3, 2011)   Watch "Grown Ocean" now: fleetfoxes.com/grownocean.html Pre-Order Helplessness Blues here: http://www.subpop.com/releases/fleet_foxes/full_lengths/helplessness_blues Robin Pecknold talks about the new album: Hey, my name's Robin and I'm a singer in and songwriter for Fleet Foxes, here to write the promotional biography meant to accompany and explain Helplessness Blues . I'm just going to write down some thoughts...

They have a singer named Teri Gender Bender, so I don't know whether to nod in agreement or laugh hysterically.  Either way, Le Bucherettes throws down pretty well.  I hear pre-glam bound Yeah Yeah Yeahs and hints of PJ Harvey .  A few songs from their upcoming album, Sin Sin Sin , can be found via the links below as well as some live tracks from the iTunes exclusive SXSW release.  And, they're getting some help from The Mars Volta 's Omar Rodriguez Lopez . All information and links were supplied by Us/Them. Le Butcherettes release iTunes Live: SXSW EP, announce more U.S. dates surrounding May album release Mexico City garage-punks make huge impact at SXSW Photo courtesy MTV Iggy/Chris Carrasquillo "The best act I saw: Le Butcherettes singer Teri Gender Bender is something of a stunner. She can howl, she can yell, she can growl the letter "R" into multi-syllables, and she needs little more than one ferocious drum beat to have her way with...

Explosions In The Sky Take Care, Take Care, Take Care Temporary Residence Released: 4.26.11 Stereokiller review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Northern Primitive s/t (Self-released) Released: 1.1.11 Matt Sajn wrote me around February asking me to give a listen to his band, Northern Primitive . I’ll blame the backlog I’ve managed to amass so far this year, (it’s impressive), for the lateness in my acknowledgement of his self-released and self-titled debut. Sajn is definitely in good company and my Inbox will be supplying Letters From A Tapehead a good amount to talk about as I try and play catch up throughout Spring. Northern Primitive reflects the early 90s ruggedness of college rock informed “alternative” music. The textured guitar assault of its first track, “Highway,” sounds like an evolved variation of post-punk groups like Wire and The Feelies , its fast and completely uninterrupted movement a base for layering guitar effects and riffs. The band benefits from a lack of polish and refinement. That’s not to say that they’re sloppy or that they lack discipline, but that their sound vanquishes ease of accessi...

A new single from Boris ' upcoming release, Heavy Rocks , was unveiled today by Pitchfork. If "Riot Sugar" is any indication of the quality of Heavy Rocks , not to mention the accompanying Attention Please , there's cause for optimism.  The song has less of a drone, but the mud is energetic and intact. Information and links provided by Us/Them Group: Boris releases new song from forthcoming album Heavy Rocks Track listing revised for both new Boris albums out on Sargent House in May Iconoclast Japanese trio Boris have released the first single from the all-new Heavy Rocks -- one of TWO new full length Boris albums to be released on the same day via Sargent House this spring. The song, " Riot Sugar " premiered today via Pitchfork and is available HERE . Due to circumstances beyond the control of both Boris and Sargent House, the release date and track listings for the band's two new albums, Attention Please and the all-new Heavy Rocks ...

Via Speakeasy PR: TRUE WIDOW As High As The Highest Heavens and From The Center To the Circumference of the Earth Kemado Records Mar. 29, 2011 "The self-described "stonegaze" trio from Dallas is as hushed as it is ribcage-rattling. Imagine Low doing heavier, maybe even slower stoner-rock covers of their own songs, all that hurt with the volume turned way up." - NPR "It's an album that's easy to get lost in..." - Alternative Press "...raw emotion tightly mastered and boxed into a corner where it's antithetically filtered into barely restrained stoicism..." - Pitchfork When receiving word of the FIRST trailer ("Interlude") for True Widow 's now released album, As High As The Highest Heavens And From The Center To The Circumference Of The Earth , I'd meant to post it. I guess I got sidetracked. But, a new and more comprehensive trailer is up now for the album that better exemplifies how the album...

I received a couple more Record Store Day-related press releases from Jagjaguwar and Sub Pop. Read below. Via Jagjaguwar: Black Mountain Unveil Record Store Day Single, Headline Roadburn Festival Afterburner. Jagjaguwar are proud to announce that Black Mountain will celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday April 16 by unleashing the third single from their third LP Wilderness Heart on seven inch vinyl. "Rollercoaster" showcases the band's trademark psych-metal sound, with the interchanging vocals of Stephen McBean and Amber Webber in full force. The song was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood with D. Sardy . The B-side to this single is entitled "In The Drones" and is previously unreleased. It features Webber's haunting vocals at the forefront, accompanied by reverb-drenched picking and shadowy synth stylings underneath. The song was recorded in Seattle at London Bridge Studio with Randall Dunn . Vancouver's finest will mark this speci...

The Record Store Day website has been promising a comprehensive list of exclusive releases for a while now and it’s finally happened. Jason over at the 7 Inches blog linked up to a fully-compiled list of Record Store Day releases for 2011. It’s available as a downloadable PDF . My list of wants: Bad Brains — “Pay To Cum” 7” Skip James — Today 12” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts — I Love Rock & Roll 12” Fela Kuti and the Africa 70 – “Monday Morning In Lagos Parts 1 & 2” 7” Mastodon – Live at the Aragon double LP Mastodon/ZZ Top – Just Got Paid 7” Nirvana – Hormoaning 12” OFF! – Live at Generation Records 7” Opeth – “The Throat of Winter” 7” R.E.M. – R.E.M. Three 7” set Sonic Youth – Whore’s Moaning 12” Television – Live at the Old Waldorf double LP The Black Angels – Phosgene Nightmare 10” Remember when vinyl hounds ate shit while CDs dominated the record sales market?  Yeah. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Caught wind of a couple Zach Hill projects, one of which is a rather aggressive avant-garde hip-hop project dubbed, Death Grips .  This is called, "Full Moon (Death Classic)," and it obviously reflects the sort of percussion you expect from Hill and a lyrical flow to match.  I'm happy just listening to hip-hop that's not comprised of soundboard-generated tinny beats, extended hooks that cancel out the need to come up with an actual verse or two and a shitload of auto-tune. From Album Of The Year , there are three tracks from Wavves that feature Hill.  Either go there, or click below. Latest tracks by wavveswavves Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Stereogum posted a small blurb regarding “Benediction,” a new song by Thurston Moore . NPR is currently hosting the single, which is from Moore’s upcoming solo album, Demolished Thoughts . The album was produced by Beck Hanson and will be out in May. I’ll be reviewing it for No Ripcord at a later date. In the meantime, I reviewed Moore’s last solo album, Trees Outside The Academy , in 2007 along with the then-new reissue of Sonic Youth ’s Daydream Nation . If you want to check it out, just click here . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Tiny Mix Tapes posted a track from Battles ' upcoming Gloss Drop album.  The track is rhythmically playful and continues the band's tradition of vocal freestyling, (or mostly indecipherable lyrical jive).  Gloss Drop is releasing June 7th. Give "Ice Cream" a listen here . For a review of Battles' 2007 release, Mirrored , (and somewhat of a profile on drummer John Stanier ), click here . Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Drugs Of Faith Corroded Selfmadegod Records Released: 2.22.11 Virginia’s Drugs Of Faith revel in grinding speeds and syncopation for their debut LP, Corroded . Consider its less than thirty minutes more of an attack than an album, songs like album opener “Grayed Out” and “Race to the End” quintessentially hardcore wrapped up in a metallic attempt at crossing over. Think D.R.I. , though “Hidden Costs” unpredictably hits on Jawbox -informed melody, suggesting an allegiance to D.C. post-hardcore as well. Lecherous Gaze Lecherous Gaze EP Tee Pee Records Released: 3.29.11 Thin Lizzy and Motörhead meets Danzig ? Yeah, actually. Though their home page unjustly boasts them, “The Future Of Rock N’ Roll,” there’s a dirty soul and punk bred spirit throughout the EP’s four tracks that’s at least admirable. Plenty of guts are on display throughout riffs in songs like “Phaze” and “Sold,” hearkening back to Sabotage -era FM. The slow and grimy “Graveyard” and MC5-tinged “R ‘n’...

Mi Ami Dolphins Thrill Jockey Released: 3.15.11 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Obviously, there’s little else that matters as Japan continues to undergo the hardships following March 11th’s earthquake. Boris , though, is one of those wonderful things that Japan has given us, so as fans we're happy to have received the following statement from the band. All information is courtesy of Us/Them Group, who’ve thoughtfully included a link to the Red Cross for those who wish to send some aid. Via Us/Them Group: Boris issues statement regarding tragedy in Japan, album delays Iconoclast Japanese trio Boris have released a statement regarding the tragic events in Japan over the past several days. The full statement is as follows: " Boris expresses our condolences to everyone who passed away because of current unexpected earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, and also our deepest sympathies for all of the people who have a hard time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. "All Boris members, our families and staff are safe now. Thank yo...

I'm sold. First of all, Irish maniacal math trio, Adebisi Shank , have a great album title, This Is The Second Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank .  Menomena did something similar with I Am The Fun Blame Monster! , which unscrambled read, "The First Menomena Album." Second of all, Adebisi Shank is indeed comparable to a technologically aided progressive act like Battles , but there's also a very raw and reckless edge to them that reminds me of Shining 's Grindstone album.  They utilize overt metallic riffs, almost Yes -tinged ivory theatrics and vocoder-enhanced vocals, suggesting archaic notions of science fiction's future world.  I've posted two singles, "International Dreamboat" and "Genki Shank," but there is an option to stream the entire album through one of the links I'm posting below. All information is courtesy of Us/Them Group.  Irish trio Adebisi Shank releases award-winning album worldwide, U.S. live debu...

In 2004, few albums made headlines like Brian Wilson 's long-anticipated SMiLE . The album was shelved for years following Wilson’s mental collapse, and apparently some record company woes, and then brought to fruition almost four decades after its initial sessions began. Citing the success and acclaim that Wilson’s efforts gained, this new SMiLE Sessions box set is stated to be a very in-depth peek into the album’s development. Via EMI: THE BEACH BOYS’ LEGENDARY SMiLE ALBUM SESSIONS TO BE RELEASED THIS YEAR BY CAPITOL/EMI Never-Before-Released Original 1966-’67 Album Sessions Compiled for 2CD and Digital Packages and Deluxe, Limited Edition Box Set Hollywood, California - March 14, 2011 – Between the summer of 1966 and early 1967, The Beach Boys recorded, in several sessions, a bounty of songs and drafts for an album, SMiLE , that was intended to follow the band’s 1966 masterpiece, Pet Sounds . The sessions were ultimately shelved, and The Beach Boys’ SMiLE has...