Colin and family are back – pale, rested and ready – bringing us a lovely collection of singles that they’ve devised a wonderful method of delivery for. Oh, and speaking of “The Art of Frequency” (10/5/08 Post) – I think it’s fair to say that Team Decemberists have mastered it well. Here’s the skinny on their new release:
Apparently, the Decemberists have recorded a tidy heap of material which they’re releasing as 12″ vinyl and digital singles over the course of three months. The ’singles series’ as they’re referring to it, is aptly titled “Always the Bridesmaid” and will prominently feature songs that the Decemberists really loved but presciently felt they would not fit on the band’s forthcoming LP. What a novel idea, huh?

The first volume will hit fine indie record stores everywhere on October 14th, and will be comprised of “Valerie Plame,” and “O New England” on the A and B side, respectively.
And oh, hey… Do you remember Valerie Plame? The maligned CIA undercover special agent who was royally screwed by VIce President Dick Cheney and his boy Scooter Libby when they leaked her identity to right-wing nut case Robert Novak, who let the whole world know on CNN. Wow, hell is gonna be hot for people like that.
The Decemberists’ second volume of singles, “Days of Elaine” along with “Days of Elaine (Long)” and “I’m Sticking With You,” will be released on November 4th. In celebration of both Volume 2’s release and the promise of a shiny new administration (let’s pray it’s Obama), the Decemberists will be performing “Valerie Plame” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on the 3rd of November. Again, this band is simply brilliant!
The third and final volume, “Record Year for Rainfall,” along with “Raincoat Song,” will be released on December 2nd.
Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series will be available on high-grade 12″ vinyl and digital format in the US and 7″ vinyl and digital in the UK. The digital release will likely be available world-wide. Wow.
So here ya go. Here’s some fresh new music that Team Marmoset is really diggin’ on these days:
The Decemberists – Valerie Plame
Fleet Foxes – He Doesn’t Know Why
The Beatles – Lovely Rita (Okay, this one isn’t new.)
TV on the Radio – Staring at the Sun
Jay-Z – Jockin Jay-Z (Dope Boy Fresh)
Again… It goes without saying, but I’ll go ahead and say it anyhow. If you dig these tunes and find yourself listening to them more than once, please be a good human and buy the whole record and consider buying a ticket or two on the next occasion these artists visit a venue near you. It’s the right thing to do.
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