Julian Koster, key member of Neutral Milk Hotel, has announced a new LP under his moniker The Music Tapes to hit September 4th.
Entitled Mary’s Voice, The Music Tapes’ third full-length album follows up 2008’s acclaimed Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes — that album’s Majesty is below — and is described as a warm, “accessible invitation” to Koster’s world. ‘Accessible’ is an interesting but important keyword here, given that he has a famous penchant for uncommon instruments (ie. singing saw, orchestral banjo) and for staging ‘caroling’ and ‘lullaby’ tours (for real!).
Mary’s Voice is the first installment of a planned two-part album and is recorded with The Music Tapes’ signature method of using recording machines from all era’s, including the early 1900s, to produce a distinct and timeless sound.
In Koster’s own words, Mary’s Voice is “a holiday from what is so often mistakenly called the ‘real world.'”
Mary’s Voice Tracklisting
01. The Dark Is Singing Songs (Sleepy Time Down South)
02. Saw and Calliope Organ on Wire
03. S’ Alive (Pt. 1)
04. The Big Beautiful Shops (It’s Said That It Could Be Anyone)
05. Spare the Dark Streets
06. To All Who Say Goodnight
07. Kolyada #3
08. Playing “Evening”
09. Go Home Again
10. S’ Alive to Be Known (May We Starve)
11. Untitled
12. Takeshi and Elijah
