speed of dark

As Indie Mom mentioned here, March 2007 is a heavy-duty month for new music. It's almost impossible to keep up with it all without a staff of researchers, which we certainly don't have. I'm afraid that a lot of really good groups will get lost in the flood, and one thing you should know about me is, I am ALWAYS on the side of the underdog.

Beirut

Amid all the hoopla over Arcade Fire (see our Contest!) and the leak of the new Wilco album, Beirut has quietly released a two-song EP called Pompeii. Don't expect the electricity of Gulag Orkestar here--these appear to be from a few years previous to last year's big premier, but you can hear the magic beginning to form. Very interesting, as usual for Zach Condon.

Beirut will be appearing next Wednesday, March 14, at SXSW.

Beirut: Napoleon on the Bellerophon from Pompeii (2007)

Available only at emusic
website | myspace | sxsw



Siberian

Also releasead this week was a debut six-song EP by Seattle band Siberian. I've been happily listening to these two cuts for months, and I've found that the other four songs are of equal good quality.

Name-dropping is entirely unnecessary, but it's interesting to note that members of Siberian helped make J. Tillman's 2006 CD, Minor Works, one of my favorites of the year. Finn Parnell played banjo, Zach Tillman (brother of Josh) played bass, and Colin Wolberg played singing saw.

You won't hear banjo or singing saw on Hey Celestial!, however. Siberian's sound is a jangle-rock blend of Keane and the Acorn, with a few more rough edges than the former (but I like that) and more consistency than the latter. Parnell cites 70s prog-rock band Yes as an influence, and I can hear that too.

From Hey Celestial! EP (2007):
Siberian: Soft Rains

Siberian: Paper Birds

website | myspace | Buy at itunes

Upcoming appearances:
Mar 9 2007, 6:00P--Live in-studio on 1077.7 The End!--Seattle, WA
Mar 10 2007, 9:00P--Crocodile Cafe(EP release)--Seattle, WA
Mar 31 2007, 1:00P--KEXP presents Sonic Avalanche at the Summit--Snoqualmie, WA

Too Dark For A Picture

For another great little band that I think has a bright future ahead, go back to my post of March 2 for the full story on Too Dark For a Picture. We were having a problem with our feed a few days ago, and these songs did not get nearly the recognition I think it should have, so I am reposting one of the MP3s today. Please check that post and give the others a try. The band and the management thank you!

Too Dark For a Picture: Only Dreaming