Xiu Xiu - A Promise

Do they sound like a band that would cover something ironically, though?

UPDATE: There's a cock on the cover? I love albums with cocks on the cover! I want this now!

A press release confirms: there is indeed a cover of tracy chapman's "fast car." I hope it's all about preserving the optimism-masking-desparation of the original, rather than bringing the desparation to the surface. (I think this means: I hope they cover it non-ironically...)

The band has an expanded lineup compared to their previous releases.

I'm leaning towards getting it.

But tell me more!

I wouldn't call Xiu Xiu's cover "ironic", but I don't think the veneer of optimism you speak of is preserved either -- then again, I don't like Tracy Chapman's work, so it's hard to say. I will say, however, that though the new album is good, it's also a bit of let down after the last ep -- speculating, I think for me at least, A Promise falls a little too much on the soft side -- or maybe I'm just tired of their schtick.

I'm a little disappointed by it as well. The first two tracks are ace, but the rest is a really mixed bag. The Tracy Chapman cover is just sort of...there. "Walnut House" is simply awful. It's partially redeemed by stronger tracks like "Ian Curtis Wishlist" but it's definitely not on par with "Knife Play".

This is "sad pony guerrilla girl" (downloadable from the 5rc website).