Review: Annuals - Sweet Sister EP (* * * 1/2)

After a major label debut LP a couple years ago, Annuals return, not with another major release, but with a self-produced/self-released EP entitled Sweet Sister. I'm not sure if it's a precursor to a full-length later this year or simply a chance to release some material without outside influence, but Sweet Sister seems to have the free-spirited feeling and exploratory nature of the latter. The five songs of the EP are often stylistically similar to the group's previous effort, Such Fun, but an obvious influx of influences (along with total control over the end result) makes for some entertaining if unfocused detours here. So the album doesn't play as a cohesive statement or even establish a certain new direction for the band, but it's fun, lighthearted, and easily enjoyable - the perfect accompaniment to the approaching Spring season.

Beginning with the smooth, rhythmic opener "Loxtep," it's immediately clear that Annuals intended to widen their sonic palette a great deal here. With bright synth riffs, marimbas, and a sampled choir of children, the track should be a mess, and I suppose it could easily be labeled as such, but it's a really catchy mess and intelligently assembled as well. The title track blends similarly disparate influences to an effective result, but "Holler and Howl" abruptly switches gears to a horn and accordion-laden circus tune that bounces its way to a beautiful orchestral outro. With the exception of the lackluster "Turncloaking," the album is a good deal of fun if you don't mind the head-spinning flow of the thing, and with a sunny (and relatively normal) cover of Johnny Cash's "Flesh and Blood" to close, Sweet Sister is a treat for fans that should tide them (us) over until Annuals give us a full compliment of songs.

Loxtep (MP3)

MySpace

Project Jenny, Project Jan - The Colors EP

Project Jenny, Project Jan is a two-man electro-rock band that are out to have a good time and want you to do the same. Their debut LP, Xoxoxoxoxo, is a blast of danceable pop music that's goofy and fun, but also good enough that the duo are clearly asking to be taken seriously. Now, with The Colors EP, programmer/keyboardist Sammy Rubin and vocalist Jeremy Haines have teamed up with Fujiya & Miyagi, Mixel Pixel, So Percussion, Adam Matta, Clack Singles Club and vocalists Katie Hasty of Numbers and Letters and Kellie Rae Powell for a collaborative set of five catchy tracks that rival the band's best work on their debut.

"Pins and Needles", featuring Fujiya & Miyagi, is a funky, infectious pop tune with a signature F&M vocal hook, while "You Said," with So Percussion, is a more experimental, psychedelic number that's equally fascinating but less immediate. My personal favorite is "Rainbows," with Mixel Pixel, is a dense, trance-like tune with a dark edge and a killer chorus. Add a couple of bizarre pop songs, "Junk," and "Caller ID," and you have an EP that goes less for cohesion than it does for breadth of style and fun, and succeeds admirably. Whether you're waiting for PJPJ's new full-length to be released later this year, or you're just looking for some good electronic pop music, The Colors EP should hit the spot.

Check out the "Pins and Needles" video over at Pitchfork, or head to PJPJ's MySpace page to hear more tunes from the EP and their debut LP.

New Artist: The Library

Five piece pop-rock outfit, The Library, are set to release their self-titled debut EP next week, March 10. The band make danceable, funky music behind singer Court Alexander's impressive set of pipes that immediately grab you with their smooth, soulful edge. The band's sound is something similar to Maroon 5 with a more electronic feel and their EP of four original songs and two remixes showcases their sense of melody and musicianship. For those looking for their next soundtrack to a night out, The Library EP is definitely worth a listen.

"It Ain't Over" starts things off with a techno-inspired groove and Alexander showing off his amazing vocal range, while "No Mercy, Only Violence" has a grittier, synth-heavy rythm and "One More Time" ventures even further into dance music territory in an over-the-top pop song. "You Don't Need No Doctor, Sugar," the album's last original tune, is available for download below, a combination of what the band does best - melding organic and electronic elements into a very, very good time.

You Don't Need No Doctor, Sugar (MP3)


The band have a few tour dates lined up around LA area:

March
11 Hollywood, CA - Boardners * EP Release Party
20 San Diego, CA - U-31
22 Hollywood, CA - Cinespace
28 Los Angeles, CA - Bardot

Throw Me the Statue release new EP, offer free MP3

Indie band Throw Me the Statue are back with a new EP entitled Purpleface, a four-song follow-up to last year's Moonbeams. The record features three new songs, "That's How You Win," "Honeybee," and "Ship," and one reworking of a previously released tune, "Written In Heart Signs, Faintly." The band are also recording a full-length LP to be released later this year (hopefully).

You can download the song "Ship," below, a beautiful, understated gem that holds up to singer/songwriter Scott Reitherman's best work on Moonbeams. With more material on the way soon, 2009 is looking good for Throw Me the Statue and those of us lucky enough to be familiar with their music.

Ship (MP3)


Tracklisting:
1. That's How You Win
2. Written In Heart Signs, Faintly
3. Honeybee
4. Ship

Mason Proper frontman releases FREE EP!

Recording under the bizarre name Bug Lung Baby, Mason Proper singer Jonathan Visger has recently released his second EP this year, entitled Trilobite Trash. It's a somewhat lighter version of Mason Proper's sound with more electronic elements and a spacier feel. It's an excellent four-song set made even better because it's free to download over at RCRD LBL!

Here's what Visger had to say about it:

This EP is a Christmas present from me to you, and a thank you for listening. This last year I have had it reaffirmed to me why I do this. It's for the people out there to whom this music speaks, especially those of you who tell me so. It's about trying really hard to bring something new to the world, and finding people who are looking for that particular thing. More so than ever before, I feel free to experiment and grow and really plumb the depths of what I can do, and that's because some of you have shown me you'll grow with me. I can make mistakes on the way. I don't have it all figured out. I'm not a master at this stuff, I'll always be a student. So thanks for helping to teach me.

So Merry Christmas to us! Go download this HERE. I promise it's worth your time.

If you like what you hear, make sure to check out Mason Proper's latest, also released this year, called Olly Oxen Free. If you want to know what I thought about it, go here.

Bon Iver to release new EP

Singer/songwriter Justin Vernon and his newly-formed band Bon Iver have announced they are releasing a new EP January 20th on Jagjaguwar. The EP is titled Blood Bank and will contain four new songs.

Bon Iver re-released his (it was just Vernon at the time) debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago earlier this year which has become one of my favorite records of 2008, so I'm thrilled to be hearing more so soon.


Blood Bank EP Tracklisting:
1. Blood Bank
2. Beach Baby
3. Babys
4. Woods

Bon Iver Tour Dates:
December
10 New York, NY - Town Hall *
11 New York, NY - Town Hall *
12 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
14 Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre *
15 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero *
17 Lousville, KY - Headliners *
18 Chicago, IL - The Vic *
19 Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre *
22 Eau Claire, WI - State Theatre

* = w/ the Tallest Man on Earth