jameshusband

James Huggins’ solo recording project James Husband has been known mainly to Elephant 6 and of Montreal obsessives who may have heard some tracks on his MySpace, or via CD-Rs passed around at shows.  Earlier this year Huggins dropped word that Polyvinyl was showing interest in releasing his music officially, and a short while later they created a space for him on the label’s website as one of their signed artists.  Now, at long last, comes the album announcement.

A Parallax I will be released October 27th, a 12-track sampling of James Husband’s decade-plus collection of recordings.  According to the press release, “the first third of the album was recorded on cassette, the next third on strictly analog and the last third in a straight digital format,” which implies a kind of chronology, or at least progression, represented in the track sequencing (below).  The influences run the gamut, from 60’s psych to the witty, playful pop he’s currently playing as a member of of Montreal–so don’t judge the album by its cover, which seems strictly early-80’s Lionel Richie. (God, my childhood spent in department stores waiting for my mother and sister to come out of the dressing room!)  Incidentally, those who find themselves newfound James Husband fans can (and should) also seek out Great Lakes, in particular their first, Zombies-esque album; Huggins sings vocals on the terrific “Virgil.”

Anyway, pre-order now to get a limited edition deluxe CD, which comes with a James Husband EP featuring 6 covers.  You can also get a double-gatefold LP with the album on 180-gram pink vinyl (with digital download code).  (Pitchfork mentions the of Montreal/James Husband split 7″ on the Happy Happy Birthday to Me Singles club as though it’s forthcoming, but it’s already been released, and the singles club is almost entirely sold out–perhaps, by the time I finish writing this sentence, completely sold out.)  Here’s the track listing with a sample MP3:

A Parallax I,
by James Husband
1 Little Thrills
2 A Grave in the Gravel
3 Greyscale
4 Elephant Alibi
5 Take the Train
6 No No Baby
7 While the Boys Went Down Under
8 Window
9 Waiting on Rayne
10 Driving Around
11 The Darkestness
12 The Great Grand Ghosts of Buena Vista GA

Polyvinyl is simultaneously repressing some classic of Montreal albums on 180-gram vinyl.  Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies!  Aldhils Arboretum!  The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit’s Flower!  The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy!  The Early Four Track Recordings!  Expect those to be released on October 27th as well, but if you want everything, you can pre-order the whole lot right now.