Today we continue our look at some of our favorite EPs from the past year; we’ve got one more of these set for tomorrow as well.
Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind
As if 2009 wasn’t busy enough for AnCo, their Fall Be Kind EP was released at the end of November. (The EP, interestingly, contains the first licensed sample of The Grateful Dead on “What Would I Want? Sky.”) It’s signature Animal Collective – space-y, psychedelic rock that’s cementing them a place at laser light shows across the nation twenty years from now when our kids are getting stoned.
Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky (mp3) from Fall Be Kind EP
Death Cab for Cutie – The Open Door
Since their move away from Barsuk, reviews of Death Cab’s material has gone steadily downward. It may just be coincidental, but the indie goodwill they’d built up prior seems to have been waning. With The Open Door, the band released a few of the tracks from the Narrow Stairs sessions. A little less produced and polished than what ended up making the cut for that album, the songs sound much better.
Death Cab for Cutie – My Mirror Speaks (mp3) from The Open Door
Josh Rouse – Valencia
After a quiet couple of years, Josh Rouse took the unconventional route with his recent Valencia EP. Comprised of the leftovers from his forthcoming LP, Valencia is an excellent pre-cursor to what should be an excellent album. It’s upbeat, influenced by his current residency in Spain, and warms up the long winter nights with hints of the impending spring.
Josh Rouse – Easy Street (mp3) from Valencia
