DC July 19 New Release Recap

Is it the heat or the humidity? Who gives a rat's sweaty behind when it's this hot! Keep cool and check out our picks for this week's new releases -- and browse our full listing of DC-ish titles. Click below to read, link and stream:

Amy Lavere - Stranger Me (Archer) - In the aftermath to the end of a six year relationship with her lover/drummer, exit of guitarist/collaborator Steve Selvidge (to The Hold Steady) and death of mentor and producer Jim Dickinson, the eclectic blues/country singer, songwriter and stand-up bassist extraordinaire  goes deeper, darker and a little, well, stranger on her eccentric but captivating new album. Working with producer Craig Silvey (engineer for the Grammy-winning Suburbs by Arcade Fire), LaVere dramatically expands upon her moody barroom cabaret roots music on her third album while wandering into the atmospheric and foreboding shadows of Tom Waits-meets- David-Lynch ethereal mystery. More DC

Meredith Bragg - Nest (Kora Records) - We're going to guess that the title of the Virginia songwriter's eagerly anticipated third full-length might be somewhat influenced by the recent birth of his daughter but we'll nevertheless find room to nestle in around Bragg's shimmering, engaging pop/folk...longtime collaborator and producer Chad Clark was again on hand to help steer this smart, ambitious project // Sounds like: a broadened sonic base for these personal Elliott Smith/Sufjan Stevens-like musical musings, a slight change up from the stark acoustic slant of 2007's Silver Sonya...Bragg's voice has an early Paul Simon feel, particularly on tracks like the simple strummer "Next Time" where string embellishments create a rich, velvety backing...more DC

TFDI - When I Stop Running (Rock Ridge Music) - Tony Lucca, Matt Duke and Jay Nash all have their own singer/songwriter careers to tend to, but when they join forces on their harmony-rich full-length debut something special happens...recorded live in the studio as the three faced each other in a tight circle, the new project follows up their 2009 self-titled EP and includes nine originals and three covers that close the album: Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again,” Bright Eyes’ “Lover I Don’t Have to Love” and Tom Petty’s “American Girl” // Sounds like: each of the trio's own particular style is on display -- Lucca's blue-eyed soul, Nash's sturdy Americana and Duke's spirited alt/pop -- but it is the simply-produced acoustic folk/rock backing and classic Crosby, Stills and Nash-styled harmonies that define the inspired sessions...more DC

Spiro - Lightbox (Real World) - Innovative, mesmerizing music from U.K. instrumental quartet utilizes traditional British folk instruments - guitar, accordion, mandolin and violin - to weave a flurry of intricate melodies together into a layered sound tapestry...signed to the Real World label by fan Peter Gabriel and finally receiving a belated U.S. release // Sounds like: it's almost impossible for the listener to discern individual melodies or themes as the four interplaying instruments begin to sound like a blur of whirling notes - almost an acoustic recreation of the minimalist neo-classical styles of composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass and a technique that the band simply refers to as "the mesh...more DC

Joshua Hyslop - Cold Wind EP (Nettwerk) - Vancouver-based singer/songwriter treads lightly into Damien Rice, Sam Beam, William Fitzsimmons and Sufjan Stevens territory...U.S release TBA...full length in production now, stay tuned // Sounds like: soft-spoken acoustic songs melding minimalist classic folk/pop trappings with contemporary neo-folk melodies...Hyslop credits stylistic inspiration for his new songs from a recent extended trip to India...more DC

3 Doors Down - Time of My Life
A Little Help (Soundtrack) (feat Jakob Dylan)
Anni Rossi - Heavy Meadows
Big Talk (Killers' Ronnie Venucci) - S/T
Burlap to Cashmere - Burlap to Cashmere
The Bye Bye Blackbirds - Fixed Hearts
The Click Five - The Clive Five
David Rotheray (Beautiful South) - Life of Birds
Delicate Cutters - Some Creatures
Fink - Perfect Darkness
Holly Throsby - Team
Imelda May - Mayhem (U.S.)
Jenny O. - Home
John Butler Trio - Live @ Red Rocks (CD/DVD)
Jon Anderson (Yes) - Survival (U.K.)
Jonathan Wilson - Gentle Spirit
Jonnel Mosser - Fortunes Lost, Fortunes Told
Kottonmouth Kings - Sunrise Sessions 
Lou Reed - Lollapalooza Live (DVD)
Memories of Machines - Warm Winter
NRBQ - Keep This Love Goin'
Portugal. The Man - In the Mountain in the Cloud
Richard Youngs - Amplifying Host
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live in France
Terri Lyne Carrington - The Mosaic Project
They Might Be Giants - Join Us
Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band - S/T
Tom Morello/Nightwatchman - Union Town