June 11, 2008

New High Places - "Vision's The First..." (Stereogum Premiere)

thubmnail icon: New High Places - "Vision's The First..." (Stereogum Premiere)

Herein lies the first listen of the new High Places record. Yesterday we received the "Vision's The First / Namer" 7", out now on sturdy UK label, Upset The Rhythm (you maybe remember it most for the super, dare I say, classic No Age "Get Hurt" 12"). Today, Chris at Upset let us know the A-Side "Vision's The First..." is going to be on HP's forthcoming self-titled Thrill Jockey/Upset full-length debut (out at the end of September), and that the album's cover is a photo of Mary's nephew. As far as this 7", Side B, "Namer," is a subtle, dreamy, hushed, but swiveling dance track about leaving home ("In those eighteen years and nine months I've been living here / I always knew there'd come a day when I'd be leaving here"), taxonomy, and an old dog ("Namer of Names"), that finds Mary and Rob exploring gorgeous new sonic terrain. Complimenting it well, the more upbeat "Vision's The First..." is a sunny, spiraling, gamelan-tinged song we first heard at our SXSW party. It shows up here in a more crystalline, multi-layered form.

The 7", decked in a purple and pink HP mountain/water/sky scape, comes with the lyrics on the back, which is appreciated, because Mary's words, as always, are worth listening to: "The picture's clear but it's going black / And you're not always sure you are on the right track / You gave a little bit and they took a lot / Of your sense of self and your private thoughts ... The picture's clear but it's going black / And your favorite song's still the hidden track," etc. Speaking of which, Mary posted the lyrics to a bunch of HP songs at their blog a ways back. Take a look, if you haven't.

"Vision's The First..." b/w "Namer" is out via Upset The Rhythm. Mary and Rob are currently on tour:

06/11 - Groningen, Netherlands @ Vera %
06/12 - Helsinki, Finland @ Kuudes Linja
06/14 - Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar %
06/15 - Glasgow, Scotland @ Stereo %
06/16 - Leeds, England @ Brudenell Social Club %
06/17 - London, Endland @ Koko % $
06/18 - Liverpool, England @ Kazamier % $
06/19 - Manchester, England @ Club Academy % $
06/20 - Brighton, England @ Audio %
06/21 - London, England @ Upset the Rhythm @ Bush Hall
07/02 - New York, NY @ Stuy Town Music On The Oval
07/08 - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel &#
07/09 - Baltimore, MD @ Floristree &#
07/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church &#
07/12 - Brooklyn, New York @ Todd P "Jammer"
07/14 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East &#
07/15 - Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rossa &#
07/16 - Toronto, Ontario @ Horseshoe Tavern &#
07/17 - Pontiac, MI @ Eagle Theatre &#
07/20 - Chicago, IL @ Union Park (Pitchfork Music Festival)
07/26 - Hyères, France - MIDI Festival