March 9: Amazing Release Date & Two Cool Videos

2010 has already gotten off to a tremendous start in terms of music. For many, including yours truly, it has already surpassed all of what 2009 had to offer. I’m working on a list that covers the best releases for the first quarter and that should be up around the beginning of April. But now, March 9 features a slew of albums that are all very deserving of listens.

The cream of the crop (and the crop is immense) is Gonjasufi’s A Sufi and a Killer. An electronic feel with hip-hop beats and roots, the singer’s voice is an unbelievably enigmatic presence. The beats are fuzzy and cracked out with Sumach Ecks’ mesmerizing vocals; think of Flying Lotus’ work (he also produces some of the stuff here) with otherworldly vocals and this is it. The full album (personal favorite so far is “She Gone”) is streaming for free here.

Here is a small list of what comes out tomorrow:
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Liars – Sisterworld
The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night
Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat the Devil’s Tattoo
Broken Bells (Shins frontman James Mercer and Danger Mouse) – Broken Bells
Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists – The Brutalist Bricks

Here is the excellent video (in HD!) to the superb opening song off the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach. It’s gripping, moving and sets the album up perfectly.



I’ve been meaning to bring up Joanna Newsom for quite some time now. She’s a beautiful harpist that combines classical music with the experimental side of pop, along with exceptionally written stories. Her first two albums were easily two of the finest releases of the entire last decade and her new one, Have One on Me, is a triple album featuring eighteen songs of sublime music.

I’d encourage you to check it out and to take it all in sections, starting with one disc/record and then slowly moving on to the other ones. Her voice is as gorgeous as ever but the arrangements are tighter with everything retaining a far more focused sound. She’s always shied away from exposure and the limelight but she actually took the stage for Jimmy Fallon’s show, here is that performance. – Bryan