Just a quick post of some songs we've been listening to here at Arm's Reach, stuff that makes us fuzzy at the moment.

Cass McCombs is set to release his fourth album, Dropping The Writ, this time with Domino Records, and "That's That" has been doing the rounds everywhere, and we just love it. So no originality here I'm afraid.



Next up is The Octopus Project and "I saw the bright shinies" which will be on their forthcoming album, Hello, Avalanche, out on the October 9th. This song is perfect to warm up to on the crisp mornings that have reared their ugly head recently.



And finally a song that has refused to leave my stereo for a good three months now, Department of Eagles'
"No one does it like you". This is just perfect and possibly my favourite song of the year. There is no sign of a follow up to Whitey On The Moon UK Lp but the website does hint at a second album in the offing and Ed from Grizzly Bear reckons he's heard it. So fingers crossed.

The Cave Singers

Seattle's Cave Singers release their album today via Matador Records. So what you say? Well that's good news you grumpy poo. The Cave Singers have been a blog favourite since album track "Seeds Of Night" surfaced a couple of months ago and it's been on heavy rotation at Arm's Reach HQ. Have a listen to "Seeds of Night" below and if you dig go get a copy of Invitation Songs through the Matador shop here.

Monster Bastard Project

So what's in a name? Very little if you're a member of Bath based Monster Bastard Project, who are clearly flying a massive V sign in the face of critics and press alike. Dave, Chris and Robin are three optimistic characters from the country intent on making music that would soundtrack a day out in an indestructible robot suit. The jolly three manage to set themselves apart from the post rock fraternity with their love of face melting metal and although a quiet/loud song structure is in place, each change up takes you somewhere you're not quite expecting, and it's somewhere I like going as I pound the pavement on my way home from work. We're hosting a track below so set aside a couple of minutes times 5 for your ears to be punched...

Eh, I think music just passed away. Probably too many steroids.....

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

It must be tough to be just a regular kid in Brooklyn, what with all these blasted musicians and artists continually cropping up, they must feel like their lives are boring and pointless sometimes. Well I'm afraid it's time to feel insecure again kids, because Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson is in town! This 23 year old has already recorded an album with both Chris's from Grizzly Bear and it features guest apperances from TVOTR's Kyp Malone and Grizzly Bear's Daniel Rossen. Not too shabby hey. Details of where to get this album aren't exactly forthcoming, so your guess is as good as mine, but I'm sure after an hour or so on google, something will come up. Anyway pop along to his Myspace here and see for yourself if this kid has moxy. Brooklyn baby.

Clear Tigers get the Catbird treatment

You may remember Arm's Reach getting excited about Brooklyn outfit Clear Tigers in one of our very first posts. Since then we've been listening to the songs on their Myspace incessantly and now we can own these songs on a CD!! That's right, super "undiscovered musical gems" label Catbird Records, home to Tap Tap (in the US), Mathew Sawyer and The Ghosts, The Underpainting and, well everyone on the label is great, trust me, have just released a 4 song Clear Tigers EP, limited to 200 copies and at the super low price of $3!!! You'd be a fool not to jump on this immediately, here. Catbird have done it again and we here at Arm's Reach must raise our hands to you.

Music Mike

Once in a while, if very lucky, some of us are touched by the hand of God. Whilst scouring the interweb for old blues related footage, my thoughts turned strangely towards the 60/70s country rock singer-songwriter and session musician Leon Russell. A man who achieved fame for his collaborations with Joe Cocker, and worked with Phil Spector, Jerry Lee Lewis and Glen Campbell. He also wrote the song "Superstar" which went on to become a major hit for The Carpenters. However, it turns out that Leon Russell was a mere warm up act to the main attraction... that attraction being Music Mike!

It was exactly 17 seconds before I realised that the above segment was not a joke, but instead presented in good faith with the most sincere intentions for both its audience and subject. Firstly, 'Music Mike's' appearance and delivery swiftly turned my bemusement to incessant giggling, as I had, no doubt about it, struck comedy gold. If the introduction wasn't enough, then stay tuned for Mike's presentation of Russell's somewhat dismal 80s rendition of Danny O'Keefe's "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" which Mike describes as "polished" and "really good". This is all delivered with the kind of swagger only Music Mike can pull off without breaking sweat.

Music Mike's wardrobe is renowned for elegance and style, and this is demonstrated wonderfully by a simple creamy white turtle neck and some classic dark denim boot cut jeans. His pose is also never in doubt. Music Mike is a seasoned professional at the wide stance, with one leg perched on a support, and a 45" sleeve resting on his lap... he just makes it look all too easy.

The record playing sequence, with it's sophisticated editing, is something which just has to be seen to be believed. The whole thing was obviously put together quickly whilst Music Mike's wife (Mrs Mike) was on the golf course. His parents also must have been some sort of prophets to name their son Music, considering it would later become his number one passion.

Battles - Tonto

So Battles have come up trumps again on the video front with this new one for our favourite song off the album, Tonto. The video's got a similar feel to Atlas, with the band performing in an environment that reacts to and compliments their algebra rock (ha ha). Anyway have a watch and ofcourse get ready for 03:26, when the stomp really kicks in.

The Oldham Effect

Baltimore really is becoming a bit of creative hub at the moment. With names like Animal Collective, Beach House, Cass McCombs, Dan Deacon etc the American city looks set to take over from Portland for this year's hot spot on the musical map. Among Wolves are the next band to catch my well proportioned ears, with their obvious love of Will Oldham and ability to combine Beach Boys' harmonies with country/indie rock, I'm well and truly sold. Go over to their Myspace here and have a listen, particular song of choice is "Baltimore". Tell me yours (Steve).

Grizzly Bear's Chris Moonlighting!

This is not the first time one of the incredible Grizzly Bear has spent some time outside of the group to play in their own bands, Daniel has been playing in Arm's Reach favourites Department Of Eagles for some time now and it's looking like a new record is on it's way. This time though sees Chris (the busiest member of the band on stage) playing Bass in the Fast Fourier. Whereas Daniel's Dept Of Eagles shares some of the musicality of Grizzly Bear, Fast Fourier appear to tread a different path altogether, opting for a heavier sound draped in feedback. The harmonies are still there though, there's no escaping Grizzly Bear when it comes to those harmonies. Anyway have a listen here over the weekend Steve, it'll be good for that rash you've got.

Pete and The Pirates - Knots

Here's the new video from Reading wonderkids Pete and The Pirates. Their second single "Knots" gets released via one of the UK's best labels Stolen Recordings on the 8th October on both 7" and Download (Ugh). It's still surprising how small this band are, considering their huge crossover potential. I mean come on, just listen to any of their songs and try and deny your feet from tapping. Go and check this band out, it's a must! Everett True agrees with us, so we must be right.

May I?

Kevin Ayers releases his first material in 15 years with the album "Unfairground". It propels one of British Psychedelic’s true pioneers back into the limelight, after years of other contemporaries receiving all the plaudits. Ayers was one of the founding members of Soft Machine alongside Robert Wyatt, a group who spearheaded the movement in the 60s along with Pink Floyd. Ayers embarked on a successful solo career in 1969 with the release of "Joy of a Toy" and went on to record several more albums throughout the 70s on EMI's classic Harvest label. "Whatevershebringswesing" in 71 and "Bananamour" in 73 being the pick of these releases.

Fans of Nick Drake, Roy Harper and Syd Barrett will undoubtedly be wooed by Ayers' charm, and his emergence into the spotlight should have him mentioned in the same regard as those peers. Included is a rare Whistle Test performance from 1972 of Ayers doing a version of "May I?" from his second album "Shooting at the Moon". Listen out for the opening chords, which are uncannily reminiscent of Blondie's "Picture This" from 1978.

Bryn Lumsden

They have an odd enough name (they did, see edit), sure, but they make a rather pleasant sound not too distant from say Palace Brothers, Damien Jurado (circa I Break Chairs) and Shearwater. Christ, I hate myself for saying things like that but rest assured I don't sleep easy! The Seattle band have a couple of downloads available via their Myspace here, and you can listen to Tuesday Night below. Keep it short.



EDIT: After returning to their myspace a couple of days later, I noticed that the band name had indeed changed from Byrun Lumsford and the Ghetto Boom to Bryn Lumsden and so I must add an edit here so that no one thinks I have lost my marbles!

Central and Remote.

I just stumbled upon this new video for Grizzly Bear's "Central and Remote" (directed by Jesse Ewles) on my daily hunt and hadn't really seen it anywhere, so thought I'd stick it up. It's pretty crazy as usual, but amazing all the same. And if you're thirsty for more Grizzly Bear, even after last year's bestest album "Yellow House", then the juice will run on November 6th as Warp will release a new 10 track EP called "Friends". Excited? I thought so.

Deer Tick album due tomorrow

The extremely talented Deer Tick, aka John McCauley, will release his long awaited debut album on Feow! Records tomorrow. The Providence based singer, songwriter's debut "War Elephant" will see the light of day acorss the pond tomorrow via Jana Hunter's Feow! records. That means import only for the moment for us, but with the exchange rate the way it is, that doesn't mean much for us Pound carriers. The album can be purchased (hopefully) via here on the 4/9. And here's a little video of Deer Tick playing "Art Isn't Real" in a bathroom in Baltimore while you wait for the post.

Me thinks this will be an album of the year!