Quick, Before It Melts.

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Welsh band Los Campesinos! follow the album they released on April 1st of this year, Hold On Now, Youngster... with another album (the band's website clearly states that they don't consider it their second album) available now digitally, and physically later next month. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed is ten songs recorded with John Goodmanson (Bikini Kill, Sleater Kinney) that Los Campesinos! are releasing in a limited run; there will be one worldwide run of CDs and then that's it. The package will feature a self-made documentary DVD of the band's appearances at the Oya Festival and SummerSonic this past August, a 30 page 'zine with lyrics, guest-artist artwork (think Xiu Xiu, Menomena and Paul Heaton), plus a poster by Jeffery Brown.

Shame, though, that the Arts & Crafts online store seems to have some issues processing my transaction, tonight, or else I could give you some insight and thoughts on the recording. But as it turns out, the best I can do right now is point you to the band's Myspace page where the albums first track, "Ways To Make It Through The Wall" is streaming, along with the album's title track. Both are typical of their earlier work: sharply played smart-pop, full of youthful energy and exuberance. I'm preferring "We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed"; of the two tracks, it's manic urgency feels genuinely like teen angst set to words and music.

MP3: Los Campesinos! "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives"
MP3: Los Campesinos! "Don't Tell Me To Do the Math(s)"
Video: Los Campesinos! "You! Me! Dancing!"
Myspace: Los Campesinos!