Quick, Before It Melts.

Last year, I fell in love with a little band out of Brooklyn with a big plan for world conquest: every month of 2006, Bishop Allen released a 4-song EP (with the exception of August's full-on live album) of material they were developing for their sophomore album. They were without a record deal, but they did have an old piano that they'd recently gained possession of (affectionately named "Corazon") which was the impetus for this monolith of a project.

Fast forward to July, 2007: Bishop Allen's new label, Dead Oceans is getting set to release The Broken String July 24, featuring a mixture of new material and reworked versions of songs from the year-long EP Project. Initially, I was a bit skeptical, and--I have to admit it--disappointed with some of the new versions of songs that had soundtracked 2006 for me. However, I am happy to report that all it took was a second listen, focusing on the fact that these songs now together were an album, to realize that The Broken String is a very cohesive and well-appointed work. It's going to take some getting used to the new versions of "Click, Click, Click, Click" and my all-time favourite track from the collection, "The Monitor" but I think the effort will be well worth it.

If you purchase The Borken String through Bishop Allen's online store, you get a digital download of the album now, along with some high res album art, and the physical CD will ship in time for the July 24 release date (which also happens to be QBiM's birthday!). Use the links below to pick up the album for yourself.

Bishop Allen "Rain" (from The Broken String)

Bishop Allen "Corazon" (from January EP)

Bishop Allen "The Monitor" (from March EP)

Bishop Allen "Click, Click, Click, Click" (from July EP)

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