Antony and the Johnsons - Thank You For Your Love [EP] (Secretly Canadian)

Antony and the Johnsons - Thank You For Your Love [EP] (Secretly Canadian) - Building toward their 4th LP, Swanlights (due October 12, 2010), this EP contains album track "Thank You For Your Love" plus 4 non-album tracks. His originals are paired with two covers. "Pressing On" (Track 4) is a Bob Dylan cover, featuring Stefon Harris on vibes and "Imagine" (Track 5) is the John Lennon classic, featuring avant-garde tape maestro William Basinski. As usual, Antony Hegarty's vocals are dramatic and stunning. "Thank You" features great NYC modern creative horn players Paul Shapiro, Briggan Krauss, Steven Bernstein and Douglas Wieselman. Sophisticated avant-pop not to be overlooked. Recommended. 1 3 or covers 4 5

David Vandervelde: Waiting For The Sunrise (Secretly Canadian)

David Vandervelde: Waiting For The Sunrise (Secretly Canadian) - David Vandervelde's second LP taps into the American rock tradition.  In striving to carry the torch for classic folk-rock tradition, his blend of high-pitched vocals, hazy guitar and warm keys wind up with a rather faded sound.  Ironically, the gauzey cover-art seems strikingly appropriate.  When press releases for a singer/ songwriter tout a collaboration with Jay Bennett (ex Wilco), you can guess where things are heading.  Reasonably enjoyable, but nothing special.