Much-spoken-highly-of Australian pop band Augie March are at the 360 November 1, $8 at the door. Will I like these guys? From the chatter I’ve been hearing over the internet, I’m under the impression I’ll like these guys. That, however, is the same day that The Futureheads are playing Lee’s Palace (tickets $12). Hmm, decisions decisions. On one hand, I could go see Augie March and then go home and listen to The Compact XTC – the next best thing, or I could go see The Futureheads as I suspect that’s where the cool kids will be. Augie March’s Strange Bird just came out on in North America September 14 (it has been out down under since 2002) while The Futureheads’ debut self-titled record came out September 7.

Arcade Fire are Allmusic’s Spotlight Featured Artist for this week. As if Merge didn’t have enough problems keeping their record in print… Mac @ Merge said on the Merge message board, “Funeral has gone certifiably nuts — we knew it would be a classic but failed to anticipate quite how rapidly people would catch on to the Arcade Fire sensation — and we have indeed made more sleeves (the packaging is special) TWICE now.” It’s nice pacakging, I can believe it. And on a related note, their Friday show at Lee’s Palace is sold out (for real this time) but there will be a limited number of tickets available at the door for $10, so if you’re going to try and get em, go early. Or hop in a car and try for the Guelph or Hamilton shows.

CNN previews the release of Elliott Smith’s final record, From A Basement On The Hill, out October 19.

Some waaaaay off (read: 2005) album release news: Doves in February, The Posies in May, The Flaming Lips in Summer (working title of At War With The Mystics, full article here), and Big Star in September. And there’s a number of artists who had hoped to have records out this year but which are starting to look unlikely considering we’re already almost into October and the ’04 release calendar is starting to close up. New Order, Mercury Rev, Built To Spill, J Mascis & The Fog, and Sparklehorse – I’m looking in your direction. You’d think the veterans would have their shit together, wouldn’t you? And if anyone’s got some info on any of these alleged releases, please fill me in.

And if you wanted a little more info on those Posies and Big Star releases, there’s an interview with Jon Auer here where he talks a little bit more about each.

Oh, and I got my copy of American Music Club’s Love Songs For Patriots in the mail yesterday. Parts of it are as fierce as Mercury, other parts as gentle as Eitzel’s solo stuff. ‘S good.

np – American Music Club / Love Songs For Patriots

Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.