Pitchfork

On October 8th, droning duo Stars of the Lid will release the cheekily titled triple album The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid. Tired Sounds is the fifth album the "nocturnal lullaby giants" have recorded for Kranky. It's hazy as to why the previous release, Avec Laudenum, was issued by the ultra-obscure Sub Rosa imprint, but what do you expect from the Stars, if not a little mystery? This will more than make up for the wait and the confusion they have afforded their bleary-eyed fans.

Stars of the Lid, the duo of Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride, were originally centered in Austin, but have become a more global proposition of late. With Adam in Brussels, Belgium and Brian in Chicago, things like writing and recording take a little longer. Both band members have done the side project thing as well: Adam Wiltzie with Labradford's Bobby Donne as part of Aix Em Klemm, and Brian McBride with the slowcore unit the Pilot Ships.

The new album will continue the expanding palette to include strings, horns, and piano, along with the usual guitars and field recordings. And for over-caffeinated pop spazmos, more overt melody! Of course, it'll still be ambient enough to put down a charging rhinoceros. Or perhaps even a charging Bald Bull. Left hook, Little Mac! Join the Nintendo Fun Club today!