Monday's Leaky Faucet

Who: Megapuss
Title: Surfing
Release Date: October 7th
Label: Vapor
Thoughts: Megapuss is the very definition of a super group featuring Devendra Banhart, Greg Rogove (Priestbird), Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes), Noah Georgeson, and Aziz Ansari (comedian, Human Giant), they all have big time projects that have propelled them to be able to take on a pet project such as Megapuss. The funny thing is that I normally dislike their leader's (Banhart) music but for some reason I'm really drawn into this Megapuss album. On the band's debut Surfing, they debut some of Banhart's freak-folk history, but for the most part this is a far more rocking album then anything I've ever listened to from him. Perhaps it's the use of all the other musicians who are generally a bit more rock sensible. For the majority of the album there are loads of hard rocking riffs, pounding percussions, and an overall feeling of a psycahdelic nature. Okay, the psychadelic part definitely fits Banhart but aside from that there are only a couple of tunes - most prominently the title track, "Surfing" - that show off the freak-folk. It makes for an easier listen and something that you can flat out rock too. I'm thoroughly surprised by this album and I think most of you will be as well.
Listen: Megapuss - "Crop Circle Jerk '94"
Megapuss - "A Gun On His Hip and a Rose On His Chest"

Who: Antony & the Johnsons
Title: Another World
Release Date: October 7th
Label: Secretly Canadian
Thoughts: It's been three years since we've heard new music from Antony & the Johnsons, and I don't know about you but I've been missing the beautiful voice and the carefully crafted arrangements in that span of time. Lucky for us that the band are about to start pushing a lot of new stuff on us beginning with this brand new EP and going to next year's LP release. But let's start with what we've heard so far. On their five song EP, Another World, it seems like Anotony & the Johnsons are just preparing us for what is to come next. For the duration of the album most of the instruments are subtle and pushed to the background while Antony's voice soars into the spotlight where it belongs. It creates almost a hushed tone to the entire EP, but it also gives us a sense of darkness and forboding within these emotional songs. Lead and title track, "Another World", is a melancholy tune about the death of this plant known as Earth and the need for Antony to find a new home. Before he leaves he recites a list of the places he will miss, it's simple but it's also thoroughly breathtaking when sung in Antony's gorgeous voice. And the other 4-songs on the album mostly follow suit, generally with gentle piano and light percussion. It's a stark, minimalist album that puts all of its power in the pipe of Antony. After listening to this I hope they continue in this manner for the LP due early next year.
Listen: Antony & the Johnsons - "Another World"
Antony & the Johnsons - "Shake That Devil"