Now Streaming: Hear New CDs from Wavves, The Strokes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, & More

It's a relatively slow week for new streaming albums, but there are a few titles that sounds interesting. Among them: the new collection from San Diego surf-rockers Wavves, the new Jeff Tweedy-produced album from Low, the latest from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the new disc from singer-songwriter Josh Rouse, and a Smithsonian Folkways-inspired collection from Ridgewood, New Jersey native Julian Lynch.

(UPDATE 2, 3/19: "Girl Who Got Away" by Dido added below.)
(UPDATE: New album by The Strokes, "Comedown Machine," added below.)


Part three of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's six-part "Specter At The Feast" short film series, directed by Malia James (who's also a member of Dum Dum Girls).

There's also "Night," the intriguing collaboration between folk/country singer-songwriter Tift Merritt and classically trained concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein.

For fans of old-style soul, there's an album of new material by '60s legends The Delfonics (whose material has lived on through extensive sampling by hip-hop artists). It features songs written by producer Adrian Younge, who also features his backing band on the album.

(Note: Low is playing in NYC at the Society for Ethical Culture; get tickets here.)


Video from the new collaboration between Tift Merritt and Simone Dinnerstein.

Pitchfork: 
"Comedown Machine" by The Strokes

CBC Radio:
"Girl Who Got Away" by Dido

NPR First Listen:
"Afraid of Height" by Wavves
"Lines" by Julian Lynch
"Amygdala" by DJ Koze

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Specter at the Feast" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
"The Happiness Waltz" by Josh Rouse
"The Invisible Way" by Low

AOL Music's Listening Party:
"Night" by Simone Dinnerstein and Tift Merritt

KCRW Album Preview: 
"Sleeper" by Carmen Villain
"Adrian Younge Presents the Delfonics" by The Delfonics

Music Notes: Mindy McCready Dead; Alabama Shakes on "SNL;" New Music from Civil Wars, The Strokes, & More

Among the notes on new albums this post was going to report, there's a sad new bit of news: country singing star Mindy McCready was found dead of a gunshot wound Sunday, apparently self inflicted, at a home in Heber Springs, Arkansas.



The 37-year-old performer, best known for her mid-1990s hits such as "Guys Do It All the Time" and "Ten Thousand Angels," had a turbulent personal life following her initial professional success. There were problems with doing drugs and with trying to fraudulently buy OxyContin, as well as a custody battle (with her mother) over her oldest son, a drunk driving arrest, an overdose, and at least two suicide attempts.

It's sad to see such a talented and popular singer derailed by personal demons. R.I.P., Mindy McCready.

Here's some other recent music news, which all of a sudden doesn't seem so important...

* Alabama Shakes got a big publicity boost last night when they were the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live." The band, which played "Hold On" and "," was the number-one item on Google Trends, a listing of the most-searched-for topics on the world's leading search engine.



* Radiohead fans will be glad to know that Thom Yorke and the boys are planning to start work on a new album in September. (via Rolling Stone)

* British Sea Power is also coming out with a new album, "Machineries of Joy," and you can stream the title track at Consequence of Sound. (via Consequence of Sound)

* And there's more new music: The Strokes have released a new single, "All The Time," and the Civil Wars and T-Bone Burnett (who just won a Grammy with Taylor Swift for "Safe and Sound") also have a new song out. (via Rolling Stone)

* The word "out" is also associated with Lady Gaga, but not in a good way: the singer is out of action for the time being. She's been forced to cancel her entire current tour due to a tear in a hip muscle, which will require surgery. (via Consequence of Sound)

* Mudhoney is going on tour to support their latest album, "Vanishing Point." The Seattle band, one of the original grunge-rock bands from the 1990s, will play Bowery Ballroom on May 11th and Music Hall of Williamsburg the next night. (via Consequence of Sound)

Free Album Streaming: New CDs from The Strokes, J Mascis, Peter Bjorn & John, Keren Ann, & More

Captivating singer-songwriter Keren Ann is back with a new album, "101," that's now offered for free streaming.

The return of J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.) and The Strokes are two of the most notable new albums available for free streaming this week. Also, the new one from the captivating Paris/New York singer-songwriter-composer Keren Ann, who has been acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic. Here are some of the other interesting albums offering free album previews right now:

KCRW Album Preview: 
"Several Shades of Why" by J Mascis (streaming until April 8; released March 15) — the indie-rock guitarist and leader of Dinosaur Jr. is back with a new solo album
"101" by Keren Ann (streaming until April 13; release date: March 22) — the Israeli-born, New York- and Paris-based singer-songwriter returns with a new album (see a recent New York Times Magazine story on her)
"Gimme Some" by Peter Bjorn and John (streaming until April 19; release date: March 29) — the Swedish trio that burst on the scene with the song "Young Folks" releases its first album in two years, with its familiar hook-laden songs but a "guitar-heavy attack," says KCRW
"The Most Incredible Thing" Original Score by the Pet Shop Boys — yes, the '80s pop-dance duo is back, and with a score to a ballet based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Angles" by The Strokes — the New York band is back with its first album since 2006
"Sucker Punch" Soundtrack by various artists — the soundtrack for this new action movie features Alison Mosshart, Emily Browning, Emiliana Torrini, and Bjork
"Salt on Sea Glass" by If By Yes — the first album by the band featuring Petra Haden (formerly of That Dog) and Yuka Honda (formerly of Cibo Matto), this CD features special guests David Byrne and guitarist Nels Cline.