Micro-News
As the snow begins to pile up on the lawn I thought I'd take this opportunity to get caught up on the latest music news that you may have missed over the last 7 days as well as a preview to this weekends much anticipated Super Furry Animals show.

Earlier this week Robert Pollard announced that he has parted amicably with Merge Records and will release his new album Robert Pollard Is Off To Business on June 2nd via his brand new Guided By Voices, Inc. label. Off To Business will be the only proper "Robert Pollard" full length for 2008. However June 2nd is also the day that Fantagraphics' Town Of Mirrors: The Reassembled Imagery of RobertPollard, a lavish coffee-table book retrospective of Pollard's collage art and lyrics, as well as several Pollard art exhibits. The first release on GBV Inc. will be a 3-song EP released April 8, available only through www.robertpollard.net. The limited edition EP (cd & 12" 33 1/3 vinyl) will include one album standout "Weatherman And Skin Goddess" plus two exclusive non-album tracks. Thanks to Rich Turiel for posting the details of these releases.

Spiritualized have announced plans to release there first new album in over five years with Songs in A&E. The album is set to drop in the UK and Europe on May 19th. As of this post there is no information as to when the album will see the light of the day in the US. Can you say import?

Artic Monkey's frontman Alex Turner is preparing to release his first release from his side project, The Last Shadow Puppets The Age of the Understatement on Domino May 6th. The albums includes the 22-piece London Metropolitan Orchestra on some tracks. We'll get a preview of The Last Shadow Puppets when Domino releases The Age of the Understatement single on April 15th.

Saturday night will bring Super Furry Animals to the Paradise in support of there excellent Hey Venus album. I've been kicking myself for missing the Gruff Rhys' show at the Berkley Performance Center last year, so I'm pretty excited for this show. The bonus is, the owners of one of the my favorite releases of this young year Times New Viking are supporting. I'll post some kind of review next week.

Wilco's Winter Residency

Wilco is streaming tonight's 5th and final show of there Winter Residency live from the Riviera Theatre in Chicago. The Show starts at 7:30 Central Time. You can listen here.

Supernatural Superserious

REM are set to release Accelerate on April 1st. Until then you can check out Supernatural Superserious via the bands site.
I can not get this song out of my head!
It's great to hear Micheal Stipe sing something with a little balls to it.
I'll hold off before crowning this the return to form I've been hoping for until I hear the entire record. For now I'll keep hitting the repeat button.
Check out REMHQ.

Ski's and Micro-News


As I patiently wait for Radiohead to confirm a show in our city I'll go with the random. All I know for sure is that the Boston show is on the list of cities that they plan to play. The rest of the details should be announced shortly. I hope.

On a personal note I recently spent some time in New Hampshire with Mrs. Speakers for a brief getaway. Neither one of us had been on ski's in about 5 years so we jumped at the opportunity to get on the hill for a great day and fresh powder.


Here's a quick piece of music news form Mission of Burma to get us back in the swing of things.

Definitive Burma
on March 18th Matador Records are set to re-issue definitive versions of Mission of Brurma's Ace of Hearts catalog. Signals, Calls, and Marches, Vs., and The Horrible Truth About Burma will include bonus material and DVD's of Live footage including a show that was billed as the bands final performance at the Bradford Hotel in Boston 1983. The full details of these re-issues can be found here

The Last List of 2007

Before I can move forward and embrace the releases of 2008 I felt the need to share my favorite releases from the year gone by. It's just another list to toss on the 2007 fire. It was compiled and written by yours truly and as always I felt the need to post my opinions. Please free to share some feedback. Your thoughts are always welcome here. Thank you for reading and supporting the AGP.


The Ash Gray Proclamations Favorite 20 Albums of 2007


20.Sunset Rubdown- Random Spirit Lover (Jagjaguwar)
When he wasn't working on the next Wolf Parade album or playing with the Swan Lake Spencer Krug was recording the excellent Random Spirit Lover. With a solid song cycle steeped in magic and mythology Random Spirit Lover proves to be one of Krugs finest efforts.


19.Idlewild- Make Another World (Sanctuary)
Make Another World is a return to the guitar rock of Idlewild's early recordings. They've ditched the ballads of there last couple of releases in favor of 10 guitar driven pop anthems. A welcome return to form and great straight up rock record.


18.Menomena- Friend and Foe (Barsuk) This Portland Or. band delivered my eureka album of the year. How the hell did I go this long without hearing this band. Friend of Foe is filled with off kilter pop gems.


17.Modest Mouse-We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank(Epic)
Enter Johnny Marr for the most accessible Modest Mouse album without ever seeming like Brock & Co. were aiming for the top 40. This album is terrific, from the abrasive to beautiful and it includes my favorite song of 2007, Parting of the Sensory.




16.Buffalo Tom- Three Easy Pieces (New West)
Three Easy Pieces marks the 1st album of new material in 9 years from Buffalo Tom. I bought this album because I'm a long standing fan of BT.I kept listening because this album is everything I could have hoped for,superbly written guitar pop.



15.Iron & Wine- The Shepherd's Dog (Sub Pop)
Until his collaboration with Calexico in 2005 Iron & Wine albums were for the most part a solo affair. On The Shepard's Dog Sam Beam's lushed out vocals are supported by a wide range of instrumentation that elevate this album to Iron & Wine's best work to date.


14.Spoon- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (Merge)
The little speakers are big fans of The Underdog and so are the rest of us around here. Spoon finds a way to be adventurous without ever losing their focus. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a bold pop record of near perfection.


13.Ted Leo and Pharmacists- Living with the Living(Touch & Go)
This album was constantly playing in the car and on my ipod for a good reason. It rocks to put it simply. Recorded by Brendan Canty at North Brookfield's Longview Farms. Living with the Living is Leo's most diverse and politically charged record and it's also one his best.


12.Battles- Mirrored(Warp)
I cant remember having a listening experience quite like the one I had the 1st time I heard mirrored. Battles have created a blissful yet chaotic record with Mirrored. With each listen I was drawn in even more as the the melodic genius revealed itself.



11.Explosions In The Sky - All of The Sudden I Miss Everyone(TemporaryRes) An album that improves on there past recordings with there most consistent release to date. Once again they prove to be head and shoulders above there post- rock brethren. A stunning listen from beginning to end.


10.Wilco-Sky Blue Sky(Nonesuch)
This is what we call a grower kids. Sky Blue Sky took some repeated listening before I got it. At least I think I did. It's about jamming at Bonnaroo right? All kidding aside, on there eighth studio album Wilco shed some of the experimentalism for some 70's influenced guitar rock. When the guitars subside Jeff Tweedy reigns the band in for the albums quietest but strongest tracks.


09.Circus Devils- Sgt. Disco(Ipecac)
Sgt. Disco is the 5th and latest release from Circus Devils. The on-going collaboration between Robert Pollard and multi-instrumentalist/producer Todd Tobias. You would think that with 32 tracks things might get tedious but it never does. Sgt Disco manages to accomplish something quite impressive, it reveals an accessibility without losing any of the prog-pop fire of the the Circus Devils previous output. To put it simply Sgt. Disco fxxking rocks.


08.Arcade Fire- Neon Bible(Merge)
Arcade Fire have followed up there sparkling debut record with an album that rivals Funeral on every level. Neon Bible is a righteous and powerful record worthy of your attention and praise.


07.Panda Bear- Person Pitch(Paw Tracks)
This record is remarkable. A kaleidoscope of Beach Boys drenched Psychedelia from Noah Lennox A.K.A. Panda Bear. Person Pitch is certainly more accessible than his main project, Animal Collective. However it retains the experimentalism and warmth that has made all his records so compelling. Person Pitch is a Gorgeous and inventive album from beginning to end.



06Okkervil River- The Stage Names (Jagjaguwar)
I was looking forward to this release all year and when it finally arrived it did not disappoint. Okkervil River deliver another superb collection of dark litteral pop. The Stage Name is an outstanding album From the guitar rock gem of Unless it's kicks to the stunning closer John Allyn Smith Sails, complete with the Sloop John B chorus. Without question one of the finest releases of the year.



05Dinosaur Jr.- Beyond (Fat Possum)
I have to admit when I heard the original line up of Dinosaur Jr. was reuniting I was a little skeptical of it all. How do you follow up the three records that this line-up recorded in the 80's for SST? With a outstanding record that rivals anything that came before. Beyond is all that and more. Dinosuar Jr. has never sounded better to these years. Welcome back gentlemen.



04Radiohead- In Rainbows (Self Released)
I'm not sure what I respect more, the fact that Radiohead raised there collective middle fingers to their label or that they've released there strongest collection of songs in years. It's hard to argue with this record being on the top of any year end list. In Rainbows is a masterful reinvention.


03.Animal Collective- Strawberry Jam (Domino)
To me this is the sleeper of the year. Animal Collective have successfully evolved without losing any of there weird charm. Strawberry Jam is there most focused effort to date party due to the fact that you can understand almost every word that vocalist Avey Tare and Panda Bear mutter. Strawberry Jam may not be just be the bands finest hour, but a hint at what's coming next. Deconstruction has never sounded better.


02.Robert Pollard- Coast to Coast Carpet of Love(Merge)
This is the record you've been waiting for Robert Pollard to make.Coast To Coast Carpet of Love is a sublime rock record full of hooks and pop magic. This album is full of remarkable moments, listen to songs like Slow Hamilton and Current Desperation once and you'll be hooked. Coast to Coast Carpet of Love is full of 16 creamy guitar anthems. It might just make someone start a band. Yeah it's that kind of record.



01.The National- The Boxer (Beggars Banquet)
Ever since hearing there sophomore album Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers I've been singing the praises of The National. With each album the band has raised the bar and The Boxer continues that tradition. Like some of my favorite albums with repeated listens The Boxer reveals itself and uncovers some of it's hidden treasures. The Boxer is a smart and moody masterpiece from America's best band.

Superman Was A Rocker

This news comes to us courtesy of Rich Turiel and the good people at Rockathon Records. Thanks Rich.

ROBERT POLLARD - SUPERMAN WAS A ROCKER (HAPPY JACK ROCK RECORDS 15)

Robert Pollard's Superman Was A Rocker is a return to old ways for Bob. This mini-album (13 songs, 30 minutes) finds Bob using recording methods that he hasn't engaged in since the old GBV days.

Bob recently poured through a bunch of old cassette tapes of his and found some great instrumentals that he either wrote or co-wrote, and never used. He decided to go into the studio and put vocals (and melodies!) over them. The music spans a 20+ year period

Due to the span of time and body of work from which the clips were accessed, many of the classic GBV alumni appear on this album; Tobin Sprout, Mitch Mitchell, Kevin Fennell, Doug Gillard, Nate Farley.


NOTE: The CD/LP will be distributed world wide by Revolver and will be in stores on JANUARY 29th.

You can check out the mp3 of Love Your Spaceman right here

Another Christmas Past

I hope all the AGP readers had a nice Christmas holiday and I wish you all a Happy New Year. As the year comes to a close the flood gates have opened with year end lists from everyone from Pitchfork to The Phoenix and everyone in between. The ever growing staff at the Ash Gray Proclamation will also toss their list onto the the year end bonfire.

I expect to have this list of opinions and hyperbole posted sometime after the 1st of the year. Until then here's some news from two artists that need no introduction at least on this blog.

Robert Pollard has been working with former GBV members Doug Gillard, Tobin Sprout, as well as brother Jim Pollard on the forthcoming Superman Was A Rocker. The album is due on January 29th through Pollard's Happy Jack Rock Records.

Today Thom Yorke revelaed that Radiohead will be broadcasting a pre-recorded performace of tracks from In Rainbows filmed at the bands Oxford studio. You can check the performance out at radiohead.tv or on Al Gore'television station current. The events begins at 12 in the UK so lets just call it early evening here in the states.

Suburban Christmas Cards and a Present

The snow has just begun to fall here in America's home town. I started up the snow blower to assure that it is in opperational condition, I've just popped in the the excellent Random Spirit Lover from Sunset Rubdown and I'm ready for the 1st measurable snow fall of the season.

On to some worthy post material. Okkervil River has given permission for you to open there holiday gift early this year. The Golden Opportunities Mix tape is available for free download at the bands site Okkervil River Golden Opportunities was recorded on tour from 2006 to 2007 and includes 8 covers and 1 new track, the stunning Listening to Otis Redding at Home During Christmas. You'll definitely want to add that to your holiday play list.


Super Furry Animals finally drop there eighth album and first via Rough Trade Hey Venus on January 22nd. Hey Venus was released in August overseas to much acclaim. I for one can not wait to get my hands on this one.
SFA will play The Paradise on February 23rd.

Robert Pollard 12.31.07 The Metro Chicago,IL

For many Pollard fans this past weekends shows will have to be read about and not seen. Luckily the good kids from Strong Lions, the fan e-mail list of witch I am member have shared a set list and a video.

OUR GAZE
COUNT US IN
RUD FINS
A HERO BLOWS THE REVOLUTION
PSYCHO INERTIA
ISLAND LOBBY
GIVE UP THE GRAPE
PEGASUS GLUE FACTORY
THE KILLERS
CUSTOMER'S THROAT
LIFE OF A WIFE
SHE GOES OFF AT NIGHT
CURRENT DESPERATION
SHADOW PORT, GET A FACEFUL
LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP
THE RIGHT THING
PILL GONE GIRl
I IN THE WORLD
SLOW HAMILTON
YOUTH LEAGUES
WHEN WE WERE SLAVES
PNUMBRA DUMB LADY
PIVOTAL FILM
NOW TO WAR
CHOKING TARA
I AM A SCIENTIST
MOTION SICKNESS GHOST
BOXING ABOUT
I FEEL GONE AGAIN
SPIDER EYES
FOLDED CLAWS
DON'T TRUST ANYBODY
SKILLS LIKE THIS
DANCING GIRLS AND DANCING MEN
FEEL NOT CRUSHED
MILES UNDER THE SKIN
CUT OUT WITCH
CATS LOVE A PARADE
ENCORE
A SALTY SALUTE
PICTURES OF LILY
RHODA RHODA
US MUSTARD CO
LOVE IS STRONGER THAN WITCHCRAFT
SHOCKER IN GLOOMTOWN
GAME OF PRICKS
RECOVERING
ENCORE 2
GIRLS OF WILD STRAWBERRIES
MOTOR AWAY

Thanks to Brian Felhandler for providing this video.
Our Gaze recorded at Southgate House Newport, KY 11.30.07
Our Gaze

I will most likely have this video posted in the next day or so. Until then enjoy!

Micro-News

There never seems to be enough time to spend on this blog. I'll take advantage of a bit of down time with some music news while I have the chance.

This weekend RobertPollard is scheduled to play two shows in support of the simultaneously released Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions respectively. Friday night you can catch the show at The Metro in Chicago and on Saturday you'll find him at Southgate House in Newport,Ky. In case you've been under a rock for the past couple of months you already know that these are the only shows planned for the foreseeable future. I'll have to take solace in the onslaught of new Pollard material coming in 2008. I'll be posting set lists and show reports as theAGP supporters send them in.

Death Cab For Cuttie's Chris Walla is preparing to release his first solo album Field Manual via Barsuk Records on Jan 29th. The album was delayed due to Walla's hard drive being confiscated by Homeland Security while a courier was transporting the album from Canada back to the US.

Second Chance Feedback

I doubt that this will turn into a regular segment seeing how March does a fine job of dusting off his favorite music from the past over at FDF.
This post reveals a mistake and a rush to judgement on my part I hope this is the first and last installment.



Ever have a disc change yout mind?
It doesn't happen often but it's happened to me over the past couple of days with the Shins' Wincing the Night Away. When I first heard the album last year I chalked it up as a rehash of there first two albums with a couple of decent songs. I was underwhelmed to say the least until recently that is A few days ago I was on my way out the door and was tired of everyting I had been listening to lately, so I figured what the hell I'd give it another spin.

It sticks to the Shins formula sure but the songwritting is superb and its a worthy addition to the catalog alongside Oh Inverted World and the there high water mark Chutes Too Narrow.

The shins will wrap up touring for Wincing the Night Away with a few holiday shows including the KROQ Acoustic Cristmas show on December 7th.

Where You Been?

Dinosaur Jr.'s 5th album seems like a good place as any to lift a title for this post. My first in nearly a month. In my absence The Red Sox won there 2nd World Series in four years, Radiohead has inked a deal with Dave Matthews label, and my eldest speaker has turned 6. I feel old, proud, and confused by all of the above.

Thanks to Bradley's Almanac for capturing The National's recent show at Paddy O's. This was a shw I desperately wanted to atttend but unfortunately did not. Go hear what we missed.

Where to begin?

I have yet to hear In Rainbows so lets just get that out of the way up front. All we need is another blog posting about the new Radiohead album. Truth be told i'm chomping at the bit to hear it. I just have not had the time to get it downloaded.

I've been caught up in playoff baseball and The Red Sox quest to get back to the Series, not to say I haven't found time to check out the 2 new albums from Robert Pollard Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions are equally impressive. They combine for 32 new Pollard tunes without a clunker in the bunch. He'll play just 2 shows in support of these releases and neither one is remotely close to our fair city so lets move on shall we.




I was recently checking out the Hood web site in hopes that there would be some update on when the band would be active again. Late last year the band announced that they would be going on sabatical for 2007. All I found was a few links to some side projects with no official Hood news. This led me to grab the 1999 EP Home is Where it Hurts. Hood might be the best band you've never heard or maybe you've forgotten how great they were. If you're looking for a starting point I would recomend 2001's Cold House. Here's hoping 2008 will be the return of Hood.

Hood

Computer Rock & Court Troubles

According to the bands newsletter Braintree's favorite sons Gang Green will play October 19th in the basement ofthe Baseball Tavern. Due to some impending court issues facing the band this could be there last show for the next year.

On Sunday NPR will be airing Okkervil River recorded Live in Washington D.C. It's the next best thing to being there and you don't have to pay a babysitter. It is sure to be bittersweat after missing out on there set at the Middle East earlier this week.

The entire show can be heard Sunday night at 10 PM
NPR

Sgt. Disco is gonna kick your ass (stolen from a sticker)

As the title says I lifted that from the sticker that came with the new Circus Devils album, but it was just too perfect for this short post to pass up. I make it no secret to friends, family, and anyone who will listen my admiration for all things Robert Pollard. I realize that most if not all of these projects are aimed at the Bob die hard fan but sometimes it's just too hard to keep my yap shut.

Sgt. Disco is the 5th and latest release from Circus Devils. The on-going collaboration between Bob and multi-instrumentalist/producer Todd Tobias. You would think that with 32 tracks things might get tedious but it never does. Sgt Disco manages to accomplish something quite impressive, it reveals an accessibility without losing any of the prog-pop fire of the the Circus Devils previous output. With standouts like Pattern Girl, Brick Soul Mascots, and Rose in Paradise Pollard and Tobias have delivered another opus for the vault. The only problem is this will get buried under the two forthcoming Pollard releases Coast to Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions out on Merge on October 9th. It's a good problem to have.

MOB at The ICA

Mission of Burma are set to play The Institute of Contemporary Art this Sunday. They will play a matinee show at 4 and then again at 8PM. I haven't seen MOB since Jaunuary 2001 at the Paradise. They've played there share of dates in New England over the past 4 or 5 years but something always seemed to prevent me from attending. I've cleared the calendar to be front in center for the afternoon set at ICA on Sunday. Ok I don't know about front in center, but I'll be in room.

Indie Snobs and Strawberry Jam
This might be the newness talking but Animal Collective have released a stunning new record with Strawberry Jam. If you respect or just enjoy bands for being inventive,experimental and always pushing themselves to their creative limits look no further, you've just found your new favorite record.
Have I gone overboard with my praise? Nope not even close.


Band of Horses have become the target of the indie set for liscensing two songs from their soon to be released Cease to Begin. Altough the album doesn't drop til October 9th you can hear 2 tracks via Ford Motor Company's new commercial as well as Wal-Marts web-site. This has led the bands fans and detractors to scream sell-out.
Did it bother you when Wilco liscensed what seems like evey track of Sky Blue Sky to Volswagon? Me either.

Excuse Our Appearance While We Remodel

It was time to update, change , and improve the look of The AGP.
Over the next few days I'll be finalizing these changes and I'll be increasing the volume of content here. So now I've gone and made a promise It's time to get to work.

Thanks to my pal March who has been recieving frantic e-mails from me begging for his blogging expertise over last couple of days.
Check out his work here March

Boston Heatwave Take #3

I thought it was a good time for a random post and music news update.

The National have announced a show at the Roxy on October 6th in support of their stunning 4th release Boxer. I have not had the opportunity to bear witness to their live show but I'm already working on convincing Mrs. Speakers to join me for this one.

This is more rumor at this point and should be treated as such until the crack staff at The AGP can get full confirmation. Robert Pollard will play a few shows in late November and December. The cities that I've heard mentioned include Chicago and Newport, KY. Until I hear that it won't happen I will keep hope that we will see a show in New England before long. If not I'll just have to pack my bags and hit the road. As you may remember Pollard announced that he would be taking a break from playing Live at the end of the Normal Happiness Tour. So pack his cooler he's hitting the stage again.

Just to remind us when a band breaks up it may not be for very long. Knoxville's favorite sons Superdrag have reconvened for a reunion tour that will consist of six shows kicking of Nashville on October 5th. The Drag will play the Paradise in Boston on November 3rd.

The Return of Buffalo Tom

Last Tuesday marked the return of Buffalo Tom. OK I know they've been playing there annual Paradise shows over the past few years, but they haven't released any new material in 9 years. So it's nice to be able to gush a little over a band I always felt deserved more acclaim. Three Easy Pieces finds the bands in top form with 13 stunning tracks. Clint Conley (Mission of Burma) and Chris Toppin (Fuzzy) guest on what can only be explained as the return of one of Boston's best bands. You can catch them at The Paradise tomorrow night.