New Joan of Arc: Love Life

MP3: Joan of Arc - Love Life

I think when it comes down to it, Joan of Arc are quite a fine band. Their new record wasn't produced by Steve Albini and it's called "Life Like", is released May 10th on Polyvinyl.

Guitarist and co-Cap'n Jazz co-hort Victor Villarreal joins the trio as full time member, playing off the electronics of the past and putting the band in a van as a regular touring unit. Whoa.

Pre-order "Life Like" here. Hurry: they're only 5 blue cassettes left dude!

Cale Parks

MP3: Cale Parks - This Garden Is A Maze
MP3: Cale Parks - Oh, Holy Night

Polyvinyl released "Illuminated Manuscript" last year and it's a record I find myself enjoying more and more with each listen. It soars with fantastic drumming (what else to except from one of the best drummers playing today?) and great key parts. There are little vocals, but when he sings, Parks' has a voice that's both reserved and soothing. The lyrics, like the singing, are very sparse but poetic. Not everyone can pull of a song of two vocalists singing "la la la", but "This Garden Is A Maze" accomplishes it and is a true thing of beauty.

"Oh, Holy Night" appeared on a limited edition Christmas compilation released by Suburban Sprawl. It's available for download (along with songs from previous years) right here.

{buy cale parks recordings on insound}