New CD Releases: February 19, 2008

The Big Sleep has a great band name and a great new album to boot.

Instrumental prog-rockers The Big Sleep release their new record, Sleep Forever, today. If you're looking for a calming musical sedative to fall asleep to, you won't find that here. The choice jam sessions on this album mostly make us want to turn up the volume. Really loud.
-Download the album's first single, "Pinkies," at French Kiss Records
-The Village Voice interviewed the band late last year
-You can download another song, "Bad Blood," at Pitchfork
-The Big Sleep is playing SXSW this year
-Watch music videos at La Blogotheque
-Buy Sleep Forever

Veteran rockers the Mountain Goats release Heretic Pride today, a shimmering record that has been called their poppiest album in years.
-The Village Voice asked lead singer John Darnielle seven questions
-Album single “Sax Rohmer #1” was recently a “Song of the Day” at NPR
-Read an album review in the Wall Street Journal
-You can preview the album at the band's label, 4AD
-Read Daily Show writer Sam Means’ interview with Josh Darnielle at Largehearted Boy
-Buy Heretic Pride

Danish duo The Raveonettes release the sleek and noir Lust Lust Lust in the States today.
-Read an interview with lead singer Sune Rose Wagner at Pitchfork
-Stream the entire album at AOL
-Read an album review in Rolling Stone
-Buy Lust Lust Lust

Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon is a very eccentric young man who has made some really pleasant understated music on his debut solo album, For Emma, Forever Ago.
-Bon Iver recently performed on MPR
-Justin Vernon spoke to Stereogum about his hunting hobby
-Read an interview with Vernon at Billboard
-Bon Iver was a Spin Artist of the Day recently
-Buy For Emma, Forever Ago