by Carrie Brownstein

you always have the option of writing your own new album. not to sound snippy, but it kinda sounds like you're annoyed by other people not entertaining you

Sent by Don | 1:17 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Not to be a pednat, but Blood On The Tracks came out in 1975.

Sent by Scott | 1:27 PM ET | 01-10-2008

i just really think these Columbia bands are overrated. they remind me of the school, conservative and sanitary, completely lacking in sex appeal.

i have been listening to two great upcoming releases: magnetic fields - Distortion and British Seapower - Do you like rock music? they both have some excellent tracks and may end up on some 2008 year end lists.

Sent by AguaLinda | 1:31 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Blood On The Tracks came out in January of 1975. In January 1979, Dylan fans were anxiously awaiting the release of Live At Budokan in April.

Sent by Rick | 1:42 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Good post, but I believe Blood On The Tracks came out in 1975, not 1979.

Sent by Jordan | 1:44 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Do u have any inside info as to when the SM & the Jicks new LP will be released? I was blown away at the show and cant wait to hear what they did in the studio.

PS. Which Soundgarden were you rockin'?

Sent by Turning Eagles Into Vultures | 1:49 PM ET | 01-10-2008

A-Punk is quite an infectious little ditty. It definitely reminds me of The English Beat. I know people have been all over these supposedly preppy white kids for relying on African guitar rhythms, but it makes for some good music.

Sent by Meagan | 1:57 PM ET | 01-10-2008

blood on the tracks was released in jan '75 ;)

Sent by m | 2:21 PM ET | 01-10-2008

January really is the worst, isn't it. Then again, it's not a bad time to bury yourself in whatever albums you got for christmas or bought with a gift card. Such as I did with, say, Dig Me Out in Jan 98, listening to that almost exclusively for a good couple weeks or so. Now that I've sucked up sufficiently (though also truthfully)...wasn't Blood on the Tracks released more like 1975? If not, then I'm just being pointlessly pesky, an annoying stickler for unimportant details. If so...well, I guess I'm still guilty. But anyway.

Sent by tony | 2:34 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Hi Carrie! If you want to listen to some great music you should search for Miss Li, a Swedish musician with a great voice and uplifting songs.

Sent by Patricia | 3:38 PM ET | 01-10-2008

If you want nice and sweet indie pop with great harmonies I suggest checking out http://www.myspace.com/knockknocktheband who released a record at the end of 07 and for something without harmonies http://www.myspace.com/thebedsitinfamy who have a record coming out in march, i think.

Sent by Denise | 3:38 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I think Blood on the Tracks came out in 75, no?

Sent by Bill | 3:42 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I don't know if this is appropriate for interpreting the world, but the Juno soundtrack is pretty great. If you've seen the movie, the soundtrack daftly complements it.

Beck is releasing a deluxe version of Odelay. That's something right? Probably more in line with listening to old favorites though, huh?

Sent by Shaprio | 3:51 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I've been listening to the album "Out of Work Early" by Excuses for Skipping everyday for the past 3 weeks (www.excusesforskipping.com). The album has a layered sound that has deinitely grown on me. I keep hearing new things everytime I listen to it.

Sent by Eagle Eye Smith | 4:00 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I'm loving Neurosis' 2007 release, Given to the Rising. But that's just me and us Oaklandites...

Sent by joe | 4:05 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Ahh, the Chills. Submarine Bells or Kaleidoscope World?

Sent by mb | 4:05 PM ET | 01-10-2008

did anyone who pointed what year Blood on the Tracks came out bother to read the other comments to see that eighteen other people had already said it?

To be fair, I hadn't published the comments yet, so people weren't able to see that the point had already been made. -CB

Sent by Brian | 4:18 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I'm kind of addicted to the song Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, which is even catcher (to me) than A-Punk.

And he is singing with an accent, but I think he's fully aware of that (see aforementioned song title -- the combination of the words "Cape Cod" and "Kwassa Kwassa" alone sort of call for a laugh). I don't know, though -- does that make it better, or worse?

Catchy tunes, nonetheless.

Sent by Fran | 4:36 PM ET | 01-10-2008

In the absence of good new releases, I've been re-discovering old favorites, such as: "Searching for the Young Soul Rebels" by Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Strike" by Les Thugs, "The Tyranny of Distance" by Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, "On Avery Island" by Neutral Milk Hotel, "The Peacock Sessions" by Big Mama Thornton, "Horses" by Patti Smith, "Juju" by Siouxsie & The Banshees, "Culture for Pigeon" by Tracy + The Plastics, "Fire of Love" by Gun Club, and "Give 'Em Enough Rope" by The Clash. (I just counted these up and realized this is a nice round top ten list..)

To me all of these vaguely correspond to winter--both musically, and in the sense that in winter people seem to be a little more introverted, a little less concerned about the present and more reflective about the past and future, and so it makes sense to go back and relive the albums that brought you to where you are. Or maybe that's just me?

I also just stumbled on a leak of the new Goldfrapp-- I've never heard much of them before and decided to give it a try, and I was pleasantly surprised by it.

Sent by nikki | 4:43 PM ET | 01-10-2008

re: Indy rocker "gate" saga.

The prevailing image of folks in the "Indy community" is that they are profoundly more progressive and perhaps more evolved than the general populace. Given the artists who are a part of the community (such as yourself) it is easy to make that connection. The truth is no community, no scene, no group is immune from this kind of behavior (domestic violence). The "Indy community" is not above it. As someone who has followed this story since the incident, and someone who grew up having to witness domestic abuse from formative years into adulthood, I find it maddening that so many people are flippantly apathetic about this story.

While I agree that it is unfortunate that it had to blow up the way it did, I'm glad that this story has been brought to light. Without getting into specifics or torrid speculation, it is obvious some seriously wrong sh*t was going on. Although charges were dropped against both parties in the "gate" saga, it is my hope that the domestic violence issue is not swept under the rug. No one likes to acknowledge that their heroes have faults and that things can sometimes get ugly. This story is very ugly and very uncomfortable. But, more importantly, it needed to be told despite the putrid tabloid air that surrounded it.

Sent by Amy | 5:07 PM ET | 01-10-2008

January 08 is turning out to be my I've Been Meaning To Start Listening To Month. I just bought a Townes Van Zandt record today (For the Sake of the Song). I have Blossom Dearie and Henry Cow next on my list. I rather enjoy slow new music months. It gives me time to step back and reassess my music collection.

I'm not gonna pile on and tell you that Blood on the Tracks came out in 1975. My copyediting contribution is that it's Natalie, not Nathalie Merchant. Unless of course you have a lisp and are spelling it phonetically. :-)

Sent by East Coast Terry | 5:17 PM ET | 01-10-2008

You know what's worse than having an album come out in January? Having one come out in December on a small label that kept pushing your band's release date back! *grumble*

I think if I see the TV commercial for "In Rainbows" with the hands assembling the CD art one more time I might have to go find Radiohead and personally kick them all in the kneecap.

Sent by Chriso | 5:33 PM ET | 01-10-2008

It's weird to me that people evaluate records based on release dates and not recording dates, especially with records that might have statements on politics or news events. Besides, don???t we take after bears and kind of hibernate during the winter to write music and record? Or, like you said, it could be the big commercial machine causing the stall.

If you want to hear music being *recorded* in 2008, my band, H Is for Hellgate (http://www.myspace.com/hisforhellgate), is recording this weekend at Avast! in Seattle. But, you'll have to wait until May to hear it. (Yeah I know, shameless plug.)

Sent by JJ Hellgate | 5:33 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I am compensating for the dearth of new releases by spending January discovering people I really should already have known more about - notably Scott Walker, Tony Allen and the glorious Ghana Soundz collection(s) of 1970's funk.

Sent by Julia | 5:54 PM ET | 01-10-2008

"A-Punk" is an ace song. I've been listening to "Three-Way" quite a lot while looking forward to the new Magnetic Fields. I just picked up "Levitate" by The Fall (along with New Order's "Get Ready") and haven't been able to get into it. Then again, I haven't really gave it a good listen. I also have a copy of Soundgarden's "Superunknown" that I've never really listened to. Perhaps now I will.

Sent by Jaime | 7:01 PM ET | 01-10-2008

If you like "A-Punk" you should listen to "Campus" and "Walcott" too. They're even catchier.

Sent by Dan | 7:51 PM ET | 01-10-2008

Hey Carrie,
hmmm...jan is a tough month, but i've been really obsessed with the fairly new Shout Out Louds album, 'Our Ill Wills'. As i've posted on my blog, it's a better new cure album than the real cure could make right now (unfortunately.) Just really great melodies, nice & simple, and very poppy! Sometimes that's all that is needed. Plus, they're from Sweden! How could you not love that?

Sent by edgar | 8:34 PM ET | 01-10-2008

http://www.myspace.com/artsexdeathtime

Check it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Sent by jr | 9:09 PM ET | 01-10-2008

I was fortunate enough to find a "deluxe" edition of Patti Smith's "Easter" at Goodwill for 2.50 recently. And also a remastered "Wind on the Water" by Crosby and Nash - a really wonderful record if you're a fan of the California sound of the 70s.

I discovered The Teenbeat recently when searching for the label Teenbeat on MySpace. The masthead on their web site at theteenbeat.co.uk borrows that "Unrest font", whatever it is, further adding to the confusion. At any rate, the site is chockablock with many charming, lo-fi and free downloads. I recommend "Tonka Toy" and "Hard On" if you sample only two.

And, AguaLinda, to see Vampire Weekend perform live is to know that they are anything but sexless. But more importantly, they are a tight, intimate unit on stage. I think what I love most about their sound is its perfect compactness, with every instrument in tasteful balance and none out of place. Their record release coincides with my birthday, and I'm looking forward to soundtracking with mp3s from Amazon.

Sent by KG | 3:03 AM ET | 01-11-2008

I've also have spent January listening to things I didn't get to in 2006- soundtracks mainly. I finally saw Once, which I loved, and have been listening to the songs from it a lot. Plus, I finally got around to getting the I'm Not There soundtrack. Which I guess is notable because I don't typically seek out soundtracks.

Sent by Carrie H. | 9:27 AM ET | 01-11-2008

Cat Power's Jukebox releases January 22nd. Also called "The Covers Record" take Two. She again covers her own songs, which I find slightly odd and amusing. I am looking forward to her versions of Joni Mitchell's Blue and Patsy Cline's She's Got You.

Is this considered a new release....I think so.

Sent by Jaryn | 9:28 AM ET | 01-11-2008

i am so pumped for kaki king's album in march!

Sent by trish | 10:37 AM ET | 01-11-2008

On a flight yesterday, I listened to the Podcast of All Songs Considered when "A-Punk" was played. I immediately wrote it down as something I had to listen to in its entirety.

Sent by Emily | 10:38 AM ET | 01-11-2008

well, this year we also got announcements of new albums from the black keys amd stephen malkmus & the jicks, which is pretty exciting. and i'm sure '75 and '79 had a lot of crap and dull points, too.

Sent by Ben | 11:18 AM ET | 01-11-2008

I may not be able to absorb stuff quite as quickly as I once did, but I'm personally drowning in stuff from 2007 still, & between that, the monthly eMusic downloads, & whatever pops up on http://www.hypem.com, it feels more like a flood than a dessert. Dunno--maybe my iPod is too big after all! But I have managed to notice a couple of new things this year--the Atlas Sound LP from Deerhunter leader Bradford Cox, & a new Missy Elliott single ("Ching-a-Ling"). Both searchable on Hype Machine, which I enjoy for pre-listening to things before I buy them. But these, too, not fully absorbed yet, so I can't say I'm endorsing them. But then, I haven't fully absorbed Vampire Weekend, either.

Or, of course, you could search out the original NY sessions of BOTT, which are pretty remarkable--(happy to share if you can't find 'em, but you music professionals always seem to be able to find everything.)

To an above poster, LEVITATE is really cool but a little spotty--"Ten Houses of Eve" and "Spencer Must Die" rarely let me down, though... (only slightly less reliable are "4,1/2 Inch" & "Masquerade")

Sent by David G. | 11:24 AM ET | 01-11-2008

2007 saw some incredible new albums, but 2008 does appear to be a pretty bleak year for music. The only album I can think of that I'm really thrilled about is the new Breeders.

Sent by Karissa | 12:28 PM ET | 01-11-2008

Beirut. The Flying Cub Cup. Beautiful, moving, breathtaking music.

Sent by Pamela Goldsteen | 1:05 PM ET | 01-11-2008

BOTT was originally going to be released in the fall of '74, but Dylan pulled it back at the last minute and re-recorded most of it. So you were close.

There's your random geek-fact for the day.

Oh, I know all about it. First he recorded in NYC and then he went off to industrial Minneapolis to redo it. And with a whole new set of musicians the second time around. Trust me, after writing an essay on the album, the fact that I put the wrong date is driving me crazy. But thanks. .

Sent by Paul | 2:33 PM ET | 01-11-2008

I kinda like the January break from new releases. As you said perfect time to catch up on some things that popped up on best-of lists. I finally got around to picking up some things from earlier in the year that are making me very happy. Tops on the list: M.I.A (how i waited so long, I'll never know), UGK, and No Age. The lull in releases a good excuse to pick up or listen to older stuff - in rotation in these parts Michael Rother, Harmonia, and a bunch of Brazilian stuff courtesy of the mighty Dusty Groove. And for some reason, today has been filled w. Paul Kelly: Live, May 1992 - perfect January music.

Anxiously awaiting new American Music Club and Nick Cave records. And very much wish that Chocolate Genius would release something new in '08.

Oh, and to set the record straight, I am fairly certain that Blood on the Tracks was actually recorded in 1932. If not then, it was 1956. Or maybe '68...

Sent by -pgc. | 3:00 PM ET | 01-11-2008

I dunno - 2008 is looking pretty good so far. Admittedly, the question as to when albums are "released" seems fuzzier now with mp3 blogs and the like, but The Magnetic Fields' "Distortion", The Mountain Goats' "Heretic Pride", Times New Viking's "Rip it Off" and Drive-By Trucker's "Brighter Than Creation's Dark" are all 2007 records for which my appetite has been stoked fully.

Sent by James Feldman | 3:27 PM ET | 01-11-2008

Please forgive me for sounding obnoxiously anal retentive, but London Calling was actually released in December 1979. I only know this because I was reading a list some time ago listing the "Best Records of the 80s" that included LC with a footnote that technically it was a late-1979 release.

I'm old enough to remember putting it on for the first time at the record store where I worked when it was brand new and being completely blown away within the first 30 seconds. I think the LP came with a sticker that said, "The Only Band That Matters."

It came out in the UK in 1979 and 1980 in the US.

Sent by Brian | 5:49 PM ET | 01-11-2008

This month will see new releases by Cat Power & The Magnetic Fields...that should hold me over.

Sent by haley | 11:08 PM ET | 01-13-2008

When I first read that last paragraph, it sounded like you were referring to a band called "Mahalia Jackson and the Fall," which sounded so good. Disappointing.

Sent by Alek Felstiner | 6:10 PM ET | 01-14-2008

I was feeling just as down in the doldrums, but preordered the new Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks album that comes with an advance stream. From this point, things are looking up.

Sent by James | 4:20 PM ET | 01-27-2008

Check out Times New Viking's "Rip It Off" on Matador, just released last week!

Sent by shelley | 2:42 AM ET | 01-28-2008

Not exactly brand new but some Aussie bands you might not have heard of for you to look out for in 2008:

The Red Sun Band:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=43051124

Love Of Diagarams:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=10642647

Howling Bells:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=29851910

I think/hope you might like at least 1

Sent by Georgina | 2:11 AM ET | 02-02-2008

It thrills me so that you listen to Soundgarden. A lot of people get themselves all sorts of stuck into one genre and can't even appreciate good old rock and roll.

Also. Remember when you and the other SK members were answering questions (maybe 7 years ago now) on the KRS website? I submitted a question to you then but I don't think you ever answered (obviously you are not obligated). I wanted to know if you were a fan of Black Sabbath's Volume 4 as there is a poster for the album shown in the cover photo for Dig Me Out.

My brain and heart both pretty much exploded when I finally saw that detail and realized that maybe my very favorite modern band (SK) was influenced in some way by one of my very favorite classic bands (BS).

Sent by Susan | 12:55 PM ET | 02-25-2008