Final Mendoza Line Album Now on eMusic

Although not due for a physical release until August 21st, the final Mendoza Line album, entitled 30 Year Low is now available for download on eMusic. eMusic also has the band's accompanying disc of outtakes and rarities entitled The Final Remarks of the Legendary Malcontent.

I just finished listening to the main album, and it's stunning. My favorite song on the album may be Aspect of an Old Maid, although you're not going to find my favorite version of that song on the album. The album version features vocals by Shannon McArdle and Will Sheff of Okkervil River. While excellent, that version pales in comparison to the alternate (original?) take on the song by McArdle and the Mendoza Line's Timothy Bracy. Not surprisingly, considering that the two were going through a divorce during the recording of the album, the McArdle/Bracy version feels rawer and more immediate.

You can hear the alternate version at the Glurp Records website. (Click on "the mendoza line" under "latest news" for 5/10, and the link is just below the album cover. There's no more direct way for me to get you there aside from a deep-link to the song, which I prefer not to do.)