New Releases Tuesday (8/22)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl (Warner Bros.) You may have already heard that they decided to go acoustic for this record, but this is anything but just an unplugged rehash of their last two records. This is a really diverse album that spans genres from psychedelic folk to blues to gospel spirituals. I've been a fan of the band for a while, but even I'm a bit surprised at how well they pulled this off. One of the best overall records I've heard this year, probably second only to the latest Gorillaz record. With this release, I think BRMC should finally be able to shed their nickname, Black Rebel Mary Chain. Check out the video to the lead single "Ain't No Easy Way Out" here.

The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema (Matador) Looks like the critics love it and the fans are stoked. T. Raumschmiere - Blitzkrieg Pop (Mute) Latest full-length from hard-driving German techno mastermind and Shitkatapult co-founder Marco Haas. Don't miss his upcoming performance at the Empty Bottle on Sept. 26. Also...

Bjork - Drawing Restraint 9 (One Little Indian) Broken Spindles - Inside/Absent (Saddle Creek) Noam Chomsky - Imperial Presidency (G-7) Orenda Fink - Invisible Ones (Saddle Creek) Gabin - Mr. Freedom (Astralwerks) I Am Kloot - Gods and Monsters (Echo) Portastatic - Bright Ideas (Merge) Rogue Wave - 10:1[ep] (Sub Pop) John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt (Barsuk) Laura Veirs - Year of Meteors (Nonesuch) The Warlocks - Surgery (Mute) DVDs... Various Artists - Burn to Shine 2: Chicago 9.13.04 (Trixie) The Flaming Lips - VOID [music video collection] (Warner Bros.) Various Artists - Spend an Evening with Saddle Creek (Saddle Creek)