The Notwist
The Devil, You + Me
Release date: June 2008

The Devil, You + Me is the forthcoming [insert music-review cliché] release from these German indie/electronic geniuses. OMG – it’s so good!!

You might remember them for 2002’s Neon Golden, a release which often comes up in conversation to this day despite its vintage. This is one of my favourite bands. I wooed my husband with this band. Go and woo someone with this band, you won’t be sorry.

… and they like birds. Neat, um ’cause I like birds. Hmmm… what have we got on the cover here, a red-winged blackbird, a heron, a wood duck, some type of merganser??

Stereolab
Chemical Chords
Release date: August 2008

Kings and queens of the vintage Moog, every release from Stereolab is a release to celebrate.

I’ve only heard Three Women, but I love the horns and the arrangements – it’s a fantastic start. Pitchfork has the interview.

P.S. if you dig this kind of twee, do yourself a favour and check out "The Free Design". The band released seven albums from 1967 to 1972 and they will blow you away for two reasons: 1) ’cause no one makes music like that anymore; 2) connecting the dots from The Free Design to modern bands is fun, just like kites…

The Dandy Warhols
Earth to The Dandy Warhols
Release date: May 2008

This one kind of came out of left field for me. I didn’t think there would be another album from the Dandy’s after Odditorium or Warlords of Mars… I dunno, I guess I imagined that Courtney’s head would have imploded by now, what with the crushing weight of that giant ego. Ouch. But I love you Courtney! Really, I’m just jealous of your drama.

Anyhow, the first track is promising. I’m excited and you should be too.