As part of my best-of list last year, I posted this song from New York’s Daylight’s For the Birds under the category of “best singles”, which was really incorrect as it wasn’t a single at all – just an early taste of their album Trouble Everywhere which was finally released at the end of October. This track features vocals from Claudia Deheza, who was in On!Air!Library! with Daylights co-leader Phillip Wann and was a founding member of Daylight’s before moving on to other projects.

Though Deheza was replaced in the band by Amanda Garrett, her presence pervades the record with her voice and words appearing on seven of the ten tracks – Garrett takes lead on just two and Wann handles the title track and duets with Deheza on another. But the fact that I thought Garrett sang on far more of the album than she does is something of a testament to her ability to step into Deheza’s shoes. Even with the rotation of singers, Trouble Everywhere is quite consistent in delivering the dream-pop goods, ranging from the anthemic to the introspective. Though their shoegazer influences are unmistakable, there’s no shameless aping of what’s gone before – instead Daylight’s For The Birds take the spirit of the past and lead it through the present and into tomorrow. Unfailingly pretty, tinged with sadness around the edges but still fundamentally hopeful, there’s a glow about the whole affair not unlike looking at the sun with your eyes closed.

MP3: Daylight’s For The Birds – “Worlds Away”
MP3: Daylight’s For The Birds – “To No One”
MP3: Daylight’s For The Birds – “Flicker”
MySpace: Daylight’s For The Birds

Flowering Toilet has a treat for “crazed Dean Wareham fans” who find their way to his site – a live Luna recording of “Bobby Peru”, released as a b-side to “Tracy, I Love You”. Full Of Wishes has another Luna rarity on offer, a recording of “Malibu Love Nest” recorded at Philadelphia’s WXPN during their 2004 farewell tour. And not to be outdone, Newplanet pays tribute to the other half of Dean & Britta with an expansive post about Jem (who was truly outrageous). For those not in the know, one of Britta Phillips’ former gigs was as the singing voice of the cartoon pop star. I had a friend in seventh grade who would watch Jem before coming to school in the morning, and then tell us about it at recess. No, we didn’t ask him for the recaps. He just wanted to share.

Dean & Britta have also re-posted their Christmas song from last year on their MySpace, an old Roger Miller cover. Their new album Back Numbers is now available to pre-order before its February 27 release date. Grok the album art here.

MP3: Dean & Britta – “Old Toy Trains”

Prefix talks to David Sitek of TV On The Radio, who reveals that he was going to name his studio “Stu-Stu-Studio” but was deterred by those less visionary than himself.

I Am Fuel, You Are Friends has rounded up a bunch of Hold Steady bonus tracks, circa Boys And Girls In America. No idea why the audio levels are so low, though.

Harp gets to know Catfish Haven.

Pitchfork puts the release of Wheat’s Everyday I Said A Prayer For Kathy And Made A One Inch Square at March 6 of next year. Their teaser EP, That’s Exactly What I Wanted… Exactly That, is out next Tuesday.

James Mercer of The Shins talks to The Stranger about gearing up for the release of their new record Wincing The Night Away on January 23. And there’s a new, non-album version of an album track circulating, courtesy of AmpCamp.

MP3: The Shins – “Split Needles” (alternate version)

Newsarama talks to Mark Steven Johnson, who will be in charge of shepherding Preacher from comic to HBO series. Though he says all the right things, it’s hard to forget he’s also the guy responsible for Daredevil and the almost certain to be awful Ghost Rider. Still, fingers crossed.

np – Nethers / In Fields We Will Lie