Elephant 6 goodness: new releases

There's a good bit of exciting material coming out of the Elephant 6 camp. I've already mentioned the forthcoming album from Of Montreal (due out in January) here. In addition to that release, there are also new or forthcoming releases from Summer Hymns, Ladybug Transistor, and Apples in Stereo.

The new Summer Hymns album, Backward Masks, was released this month. The album is available from Misra Records. Unfortunately, I haven't picked this one up yet, but Paul at The Yellow Stereo has given it a glowing review. Based on what I have heard, it sounds like more of the sweet folk-laced pop that Summer Hymns have long churned out. Here are two tracks from Backward Masks courtesy of Misra:

Summer Hymns - Pity and Envy
Summer Hymns - Start Swimming

The Brooklyn/Marlborough Farms contingent has also unleashed a new release. Ladybug Transistor has just issued a 4-song EP of covers titled Here Comes the Rain. Tackling tunes by Grin, Trader Horne, John Cale, and Kevin Ayers, the EP was released on Spanish label Green UFOs on November 1. It is available for download from Merge Records (for $4!) or you can order a hard copy from Other Music ($9.99 + S&H). I finally got around to ordering mine last night after hearing the title track on their MySpace page. Fans of Jens Lekman will be interested in knowing that he guests on that track as well. Unfortunately, I don't have it yet to share a track, but here are two songs from their most recent full (self-titled) album:

Ladybug Transistor - Splendor in the Grass
Ladybug Transistor - A Burial at Sea

In addition to those releases, the forthcoming record from Apples in Stereo, New Magnetic Wonder, has been getting positive early buzz. It doesn't hit store shelves until February, but Yep Roc Records has already begun taking pre-orders for the release. They've also made available an Apples in Stereo SuperFan Pack that includes an enhanced CD, double LP, a holiday single, an autographed poster, a T-shirt, and other goodies. Of course you can order just the album too if you wish. Word is that Jeff Mangum guests on the album too, which is quite nifty. In the meantime, here are tracks from prior Apples in Stereo releases:

Apples in Stereo - Please
Apples in Stereo - Liza Jane (Dimension Mix)

Atlanta-area readers, please note that E6 friends Casper & the Cookies will be at The EARL on November 30. They'll also be on the Georgia Music Show on WRAS that evening (6pm). Here are their remaining tour dates, courtesy of Optical Atlas:

11.16.06 Cambridge, MD @ Phoning it In
11.19.06 Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree Cafe
11.30.06 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
12.01.06 Jacksonville, FL @ TSI
12.02.06 Greenville, SC @ The Gypsy

I raved about their current album, The Optimist's Club, back during the summer. Here is "Sid from Central Park" from The Optimist's Club and a couple older tracks:

Casper & The Cookies - Sid from Central Park
Casper & The Cookies - Take It Away, Kathy
Casper & The Cookies - Wave of Mutilation [Pixies cover]

If I missed anything, I'm sure Optical Atlas will pick up the slack.