After a collection of stray tracks with Electronic Projects for Musicians, singer/songwriter Robert Schneider puts together a proper collection for the uninitiated here into what makes Apples in Stereo a great band. #1 Hits Explosion! gives us sixteen tracks from the group’s six albums. There is nothing new here for long time Elephant Six followers, but it’s a great opportunity for a younger generation to discover this band. Out September 1st, listen to the tracks on the widget below.
Pugwash “Giddy”
Andy Patridge’s Ape Records has signed on power pop powerhouse Pugwash, featuring those irrepressible Irishmen, Thomas Walsh and Keith Farrell. This allows a compilation of their catchiest hits to reach those who haven’t heard the symphonic pop stylings of the group before. Walsh is that rare breed of musician with a knack for crafting perfect melodic hooks with ease. The band has worked with XTC’s Andy Partridge & Dave Gregory, Michael Penn, Jason Falkner, and Nelson Bragg of The Brian Wilson Band, so the pedigree here is enviable. The collection includes work from 1999’s Almond Tea to Eleven Modern Antiquities (one of my favorites from last year). And if you can’t seem to get enough of Walsh’s Anglo-pop genius, I would recommend his collaboration with Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) to form the cricket-themed The Duckworth Lewis Method. And you don’t need to know sticks from a wicket to enjoy the music.
MySpace | Pugwash website | Puwash interview