The Walkmen - In the New Year

The Walkmen - In the New Year video via Youtube

Words and more after the jump...

The Walkmen's latest album, You & Me is a sleeper record that received a lot of critical acclaim but not a lot of purchase support. Like many listeners, I was a big fan of the Walkmen's earlier album, Bows + Arrows but hadn't really paid much attention to the band since. But You & Me has definitely grown on me since its release back in August. First of all it's really more of a winter album anyway, so if you didn't dig it in August, try again in December/January. Your mood to receive these songs may have been off in August. You can expect a lot Edge-style guitar work, lots of reverb, strained, pleading vocals. All the basic elements for some good heart-wrenching, indie-rock. But don't be mislead, this is a lot more dark and dramatic than, say, Death Cab for Cutie and it may even impress your wanky guitar buddies.


The Walkmen - Dónde Está la Playa video via YouTube

In case you couldn't tell, that was a fan-made video. Give me a break it had the best sound-quality, besides it's better than just a photo of the album cover right?

Here's one from Bows + Arrows that you definitely should have heard by now, but I'm not judging you:


The Walkmen - The Rat video via YouTube

If you're interested, the Walkmen have a few West-Coast dates scheduled for January then it's off to Europe. Incidentally they are touring with Beach House right now, who have also been receiving major buzz on the year-end lists for their album, Devotion.


Beach House - Gila video via YouTube

People in Portland, OR love to make quirky videos around town for haunted indie-rock tunes. That is what I have decided...evidenced 3 vids above and 1 vid below:


Beach House - D.A.R.L.I.N.G. video via YouTube