Don't miss Nick Courtright's review of another release that lands today, Xiu Xiu's Women as Lovers, or the upcoming feature review of the much-anticipated debut from Vampire Weekend.

The relevance of a 7" originally pressed in 1987 (two years after the band broke) being reissued now, in 2008, speaks volumes about a band with impact beyond its lifespan, beyond its then-insular and divided scene, and beyond our own expectations. In 1985, the punk scene in D.C. revolved around a sort of Machiavellian machismo which turned many punks into disgruntled outsiders at their own shows. Rites of Spring retaliated (even before Fugazi did), with unapologetically emotional lyrics about friendship, love and (oh my god hardcore scene) personal issues and groundbreaking song structures that took the hardcore scene by storm. Guy Picciotto and Brendan Canty led the pack through a unbelievably short live career (the band played only 15 shows), and believe it or not, reject the idea that they birthed the genre that became known as "emo." Today, Brendan Canty composes music for documentaries (watch for his name next time you're watching Discovery Channel), and has produced records for only a dozen or so household names (Ted Leo, for one) when not raising his four children. Guy Picciotto continues to work with Fugazi, and has produced records for Blonde Redhead, the Gossip and the Makeup, and lives with his partner Kathi Wilcox (Bikini Kill) and their daughter. You could skip this release and just track down the LP somewhere, but why? Buy a record player so you can at least pretend to understand what a big deal it was to get a Dischord 7" in the mail and find out it sounds like ... this.

Rites of Spring @ Dischord
Rites of Spring Wiki
Rites of Spring "Spring" (Live in 1985)

Though 50% of the Internet thinks this came out in 2007, another 50% claims it drops today. It's probably just a domestic release confusion, though, as Future of the Left hails from the UK and nothing ever syncs with us because of it. What does sync, however, is gritty, wailing, atonal rock'n'roll that stinks of Albini and McClusky (rightly so, Future of the Left is composed of former McCluskians) and forces you to sit up and pay attention. When you first heard Shellac, it doesn't matter how old you were or what your undoubtedly impeccable taste had dictated prior. It doesn't even matter if you liked Shellac, because you had to listen and ask, "What the fuck is this?" Chuck Klosterman likes to talk about Advancement, and though the concept of Advancement when it comes to music is at best oblique and subjective and at the worst (and more likely) a mildly justifiable reason to accept shitty work from people you like, it's hard to argue that this record isn't incredibly advanced. There are elements of familiarity, deeply rooted devotions to the old days of loud, angular punk rock, but the delivery is so goddamn arty, so sharp, it's unlike anything else. No one is making music like this anymore, and by saying "anymore" we intimate a timeline, when really, this record is far ahead of almost anything else being written as we type. Groaning guitars reminiscent of Rick Froberg's seminal work with Drive Like Jehu, vocals and attitude undeniably Wire-influenced, and sarcastic social commentary that never ever dips into meaningless irony ("Suddenly It's a Folk Song") combine to produce a completely refreshing take on classic British (hell, why pigeon-hole?) punk rock and post rock structure and ethos. Find it immediately and listen to "Small Bones Small Bodies" as loud as you can stand it.

Future of the Left official
Future of the Left MySpace
Future of the Left "A Dead Enemy Always Smells Good (YouTube)

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Adele: Chasing Pavements (import single)
Amy Winehouse: Love Is a Losing Game
Beck: Odelay (deluxe edition)
The Bell: Make Some Quiet
Blind Boys of Alabama: Down in New Orleans
Chris Walla: Field Manual
Dub Trio: Another Sound is Dying
Helio Sequence: Keep Your Eyes Open
Hot Chip: Ready for the Floor (import single)
Human Bell: Human Bell
Ida: Lovers Prayers
Jeffrey Lewis: 12 Crass Songs
Joe Jackson: Rain (with DVD)
Louis XIV: Slick Dogs and Ponies
The Mars Volta: The Bedlam In Goliath
Murder Mystery: are you ready for the heartache cause here it comes
Quinn Walker: Laughter's An Asshole | Lion Land
Radar Bros.: Auditorium
The Shackeltons: The Shackeltons
Shelby Lynne: Just A Little Lovin'
SSM: Break Your Arm for Evolution
Sun Ra & His Arkestra: Some Blues But Not the Kind That's Blue
Thao: We Brave Bee Stings and All
This Will Destroy You: This Will Destroy You
Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend
Van Morrison: Avalon Sunset
Van Morrison: Back on Top
Van Morrison: Into the Music
Van Morrison: It's Too Late To Stop Now
Van Morrison: A Sense of Wonder
Van Morrison: Tupelo Honey
Van Morrison: Wavelength
Various Artists - 2008 Grammy Nominees
Various Artists: Classic African American Gospel from Smithsonian Folkways
Webb Wilder: Born to Be Wilder
Willie Nelson - Moment Of Forever
Yoav: Charmed & Strange
Xiu Xiu: Women As Lovers