New (Old) Department Of Eagles

New (Old) Department Of Eagles

Department Of Eagles assumes we care about their practice sessions and throwaway b-sides, and they are right. On July 20th the Grizzly Bear side project will be releasing Archive 2003-2006, a recording session that was originally intended to produce their sophomore full-length album, but was scrapped for whatever reason. So in truth these aren't really b-sides, they are more A-/B+ sides.

The album plays like an old jewelry box in the attic; there are treasures to be had and each listener can grab a different ring from the box, so to speak. The songs range from short incomplete ideas to fully realized pop tunes, and the tension between the two is at play throughout (a la White Album).

Recordings of practice sessions are significant because its one of the few instances an artist is not performing but thinking, and I'm convinced you can actually hear the difference. The most haunting and beautiful songs on the album are the five "Practice Room Sketches"; old pianos creak, acoustic guitars crawl up and down franksinatra scales, and Rossen's voice occasionally emerges to softly croon-- it's equal parts chilling and comforting. I highly recommend this album, especially for fans of In Ear Park, but it's not one of those b-sides that only die-hards can enjoy; there's plenty here for everyone.

[mp3] Department of Eagles :: While We're Young
[mp3] Department of Eagles :: Practice Room Sketch 5

Pre-order the album
DoE Myspace
Buy In Ear Park

Department of Eagles "No One Does it Like You" Video

Department of Eagles "No One Does it Like You" Video

The Grizzly Department of Bear Eagles Does Many Things of Note

The Brooklyn based Bear and Eagles associates have been busy lately. If you are one of those who have already partaken of the low-quality leak of Grizzly Bear's forthcoming album, Veckatimist, you may be pleased to know that "Cheerleader" is now available in a (slightly) higher quality version.

Again in the Grizzly camp, if you are planning on attending Record Store Day, then you may be able to get your hands on the limited edition Live on KCRW 7" LP that looks awesome. A full list of participating stores here.

The band is also readying a music video for "Two Weeks," directed by Patrick Daughters who did the video for Feist's "1234." Pictures of the set via Stereogum.

If you are in the video watching mood, you can check out this live video of "Two Weeks" at SXSW with Beach House's Victoria Legrand singing the chorus backup just like on the album.

Onto the Department of Eagles camp. One of In Ear Park's best tracks "No One Does It Like You" got the artsy mcfartsy video treatment directed by Patrick Daughters (this guy keeps coming up) and Marcel Dzama. I say artsy mcfartsy (which is a technical term) because it debuted at MOMA (which I think is awesome). I would describe the video to you but I think you should just watch it.

Veckatimest is out 5/26 via Warp.

Grizzly Bear "Cheerleader" - Veckatimest [Warp; 2009]

Department of Eagles "No One Does it Like You" - In Ear Park [4AD;2008]

Department of Eagles - Love Me (Elvis Presley Cover)

Department of Eagles - Love Me (Elvis Presley Cover)

As part of Starbucks' (heard of it?) heartless corporate moneygrubbing Sweetheart compilation, several great musician did some covers. This Department of Eagles one is pretty rad. I guess its time to get my double-tall-skinny-rice-milk-split-shot-no-foam-caramel-three-quarters-full-180-degrees-stirred-machiatto-with-two-sugars-and-seven-ice-cubes. Btw, if someone goes to Starbucks and actually orders that, Ill definitely pay for it (do coffee jokes make sense outside of Seattle?). You can listen over at Hype Machine.

Buy Department of Eagles - In Ear Park - 2008

Dan is the Man - Sampler

Dan is the Man - Sampler

As I was looking over a few albums that came out this year,  I couldn't help but notice how many great musicians are named Dan. I'm starting to think there are special powers imbued in that particular given name. For example, to the right is the first photo that came up on a google images search for "Dan." And how can you argue with that magic? 

Here is a quick smattering of some of Dan's work, past and present.

Dan Bejar - European Oils - Destroyer's Rubies

Dan Rossen - No One Does it Like You - In Ear Park 

Dan Auerbach - I Want Some More - Keep It Hid

Dan Smith - Bloodbook on the Half Shell - Ships

Dan Boeckner - I'm Confused - Face Control

Dan Deacon - Pink Batman - Spiderman of the Rings