Stay tuned this week for a feature review of M83's latest, Saturdays = Youth, as well as a look at Austin's own Sword, and their new full-length, Gods of the Earth. Also recommended this week: Ethan, Master of the Hawaiian Ukulele, So Real, which you can grab at Waterloo, End of an Ear or Sound on Sound.

Glasgow's Frightened Rabbit are a a three-piece outfitted by siblings Scott and Grant Hutchinson (guitar/vocals and drums, respectively), and second guitarist Billy Kennedy. Their 2006 release, Sings the Greys, was well-received critically, but lacked the distribution to properly permeate initially. Luckily, Fat Cat stepped in and helped the band re-record and re-master Greys, setting them on their way to record Midnight Organ.

For most of us, Midnight Organ will be catch up, but it's worth noting the subtle transition the group has made between records. Midnight Organ is quite polished for a bassless three piece, and it walks the line between Springsteen-esque rock'n'roll muscle and self-loathing balladeering that would make both the brothers Dessner and Devendorf proud. Greys hints at all of this in a more lo-fi, gritty sort of way. In the interim between records, the group spent time honing their sound and working out methods to balance the lack of a low end with keys and a production style that showcases Grant's drumming.

"Modern Leper" opens the record by laying Scott's vocal inadequacies (the same qualities that make his voice compelling, even addictive) flat on the table, accompanied solely by strummed acoustic guitar. The song wastes no time, however, leading the listener directly to what they can expect from the rest of the album: tumultuous, muscular rock songs that showcase both energetic and stadium-worthy high points and vulnerable confessions. Fans of the Long Winters, Doves and the National will enjoy this one.

Frightened Rabbit will perform in Austin on June 5th with the French Kicks at the Mohawk.

Frightened Rabbit MySpace
Frightened Rabbit Official
Frightened Rabbit "Heads Roll Off" (YouTube)

Air: Moon Safari (10th Anniversary 3-disc Deluxe Edition)
American Princes: Other People
Asia: Phoenix
The Autumns: Fake Noise From a Box of Toys
Black Francis: Svn Fngrs
The Brian Jonestown Massacre: My Bloody Underground
Can: Future Days (reissue)
Can: Monster Movie (reissue)
The Child Ballad: Cheekbone Hollows
Christopher Bissonnette: In Between Words
Does It Offend You Yeah?: You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
Elliott Murphy: Notes From The Underground
Everclear: The Vegas Years
Frightened Rabbit: The Midnight Organ Fight
Gossip: Live in Liverpool
James: Hey Ma (import)
James McMurtry: Just Us Kids
Jason Isbell: Live at Twist & Shout EP (live)
Jordan Zevon: Insides Out
Joseph Arthur: Crazy Rain and Boredom EP
Justin Nozuka: Holly
Kate Rusby: Awkward Annie
The Kooks: Konk
Kris Delmhorst: Shotgun Singer
M83: Saturdays = Youth
Mariah Carey: E=MC2
Opeth: Still Life (reissue)
Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark: Dazzle Ships (remastered with bonus tracks)
Ours: Mercy (Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy)
Phantom Planet: Raise the Dead
The Plastic Constellations: We Appreciate You
REM: Supernatural Superserious EP [lp]
Robert Pollard: Weatherman and Skin Goddess EP
Rush: Snakes & Arrows (2-CD live album)
Sally Shapiro: Remix Romance, Vol. 1
The Silver State: Cut and Run
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes: 1978: Live in Boston
The Sword: Gods of the Earth [lp]
Tristan Prettyman: Hello
Thrice: The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth
Various Artists: Lord of the Rings - Original London Cast Recording
Various Artists: Migrating Bird: The Songs of Lal Waterson
Various Artists: Miles from India
Whiskeytown: Strangers Almanac (vinyl remastered reissue with bonus tracks) [lp]