Listening Assignments 3.31.08

1. Joan of Arc - A Tell-Tale Penis - ...pause. Take a second to get over the title. Better? Tim Kinsella is as inventive and avant-garde as ever, but this new acoustic-led sound brings a refreshing twist to the usually-noisy Kinsella brother. [from Boo Human (out 5.29)|buy]

2. Mates of State - The Nature and the Wreck - This piano dances dizzy circles around me, like crispy leaves in the first winds of winter. See, MoS are more than just twee-flavored poprocks. They have loved and lost as well. They have seen new growth on the forest floor. [from Bring it Back|buy]

3. Adele - Hometown Glory - This South London-accent thing is getting tired in places, but mainstream airwaves are still gobbling it up. Not that Adele should be ashamed of it, she can sing her little ass off. This song simply kills. (watch her bring it live while playing it on guitar) [from 19|buy]

4. Redbird - Ships - I could listen to any tune Jeffrey Foucault contributes his considerable vocal chops to, but this single-mic living room folk jam between three friends is as alive as the blood pumping around the corners of your body right now. Can't you hear it thrum? [from Redbird|buy]