Sunset Rubdown

Artist: Sunset Rubdown
Album: Shut Up I Am Dreaming


Sunset Rubdown is a side-project of Wolf Parade co-leader Spencer Krug. My two favorite Wolf Parade songs were written by Krug-- "I'll Believe In Anything" and "Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts". The former originally appeared in a slightly different-- neither better nor worse-- form on the first Sunset Rubdown LP, Snake's Got A Leg. This isn't to shit on Wolf Parade's other half, Dan "This Heart's On Fire" Boeckner, because his songs are equally great. But I just feel like I have a better connection with Krug's songwriting.

That said, there's something I like about Krug when he is outside of Wolf Parade. I don't want to say that Sunset Rubdown is a stripped down of Wolf Parade, because it isn't. What Sunset Rubdown brings is a less anthemic, not so down-on-my-knees feeling than its Sub Pop brother. This is to say, Wolf Parade is for arenas and Sunset Rubdown is for small clubs.

Sunset Rubdown just released a self-titled EP that is more or less a hint of what's to come on the forthcoming full-length, Shut Up I Am Dreaming, which is due in May. The sound of the LP is more fleshed out than the more lo-fi Snake's Got A Leg. This is due in part to a full-band, which creates a fuller-- but not bigger-- sound.

Spencer Krug is quietly establishing himself as one of the best songwriters of the moment.

Anticipated 2006 Record Releases

I was sitting in a coffeeshop yesterday talking to my friend Josh about how this year in music is going to be pretty rad with so many potentially great releases. Of course, the next part of our conversation was "what albums are going to be THE albums of 2006?" With a list like this and it only being February, it's anybody's guess:

Built To Spill (April)
Flaming Lips (April)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs (March)
Neko Case (March)
The Liars (March)
Prince (March)
The Islands (ex-Unicorns) (April)
Secret Machines (April)
Tom Verlaine (leader of Television, 2 albums) (April)
The Walkmen (May)
The Shins (summer)
TV on the Radio (May)
Radiohead (May or June)
Arcade Fire (winter)

There are also the distinct possibilities of new Wilco and Modest Mouse albums by the end of the year.

New Video Wrap-up

There is a beautiful video out now for Antony & The Johnsons' "You Are My Sister"
Click here to watch the video.

There is also an amazing video (finally!) for The Arcade Fire's "Tunnels"
Click here to watch the video.

Enjoy!