Early Day Miners Head Inland For Treatment

Rebecca DrolenIt was a small bright spot and pleasant surprise last week when mail call brought a copy of the new Early Day Miners album, The Treatment. Pleasant because their last album, 2006’s Offshore, was an unexpected epic that turned out to be one of my favourites of the year. Offshore won my heart and mind with its sprawling and often desolate sonic topology, all slow and brooding and beautiful. It’s a record where the vocals don’t enter until nearly 10 minutes into its running time, so imagine my surprise when I pressed “play” on The Treatment and was met with singing barely one second in. And the reinvention continues throughout the record, with the Bloomington, Indiana outfit having scaled their lineup down to a four-piece and focused on more compact, pop-structured songs. And though it takes some getting used to, initial listens reveal that they can indeed handle the tighter melodies – first MP3 “So Slowly” is a gem – and for those who preferred them for their mopier sentiments, don’t worry – even when you hear them smiling, it’s evident they’re still frowns turned upside down.

MP3: Early Day Miners – “So Slowly”
MySpace: Early Day Miners

New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus are setting out on their first headlining tour this September in support of their debut The Airing Of Grievances.

MP3: Titus Andronicus – “Titus Andronicus”
Video: Titus Andronicus – “Titus Andronicus”

That Wavves guy is probably disobeying some doctor’s orders in touring this Fall so go catch a show and make it worth his/their while.

MP3: Wavves – “So Bored”

Sea Wolf’s second album White Water, White Bloom is due out September 22 and, of course, touring will follow with the band accompanied by Port O’Brien and Sara Lov.

The Gossip are hitting the road in support of their new album Music For Men. Beth Ditto tells Spinner she’s a big nerd.

Video: The Gossip – “Heavy Cross”

El Perro Del Mar will release her new album Love Is Not Pop on October 20 and tour as support for Peter Bjorn & John. NME has album details.

Broadcast and Atlas Sound have opted to split gas money this Fall as co-headliners on their tour. The former will be putting out a split EP with The Focus Group on October 13 while the latter’s new album Logos is out October 20.

- Frank Yang