After hearing Cate Le Bon's single "Puts Me to Work" earlier this fall, I added her upcoming album, CYRK, to my list of 2012's most anticipated recordings (The Control Group releases it on 1/17/12). I first wrote about Le Bon here.

Slightly off-topic, but after hearing the first dance-oriented single from the new Black Bananas record, I've taken that one off my list. Your mileage may vary, but I was expecting heavy rock, and hope it doesn't represent the album as a whole.

As for Le Bon, she's released a video for "Fold the Cloth" (below), announced 2012 tour dates (including Seattle), and recorded a Daytrotter session (you have to be a member to download; I signed up for the seven-day trial to check it out*).

Not only does the influence of the Velvet Underground and Nico permeate her discography, but Le Bon's lilting accent specifically recalls fellow Welshperson John Cale. The Daytrotter session also brings her lyrical finger-picking to light. Lovely.

* You also have to have Java installed. In my case, I needed to update the application.

Tour dates:
2/08 - Cambridge, MA - TT The Bear's
2/09 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
2/10 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
2/11 - Philadelphia, PA - Kungfu Necktie
2/12 - Washington, DC - DC9
2/14 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
2/16 - Madison, WI - The Frequency
2/22 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
2/23 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studio
2/26 - Santa Monica, CA - McCabe's Guitar Shop
2/27 - Los Angeles, CA - Bardot Hollywood (School Night)

Track listing: 1. Falcon Eyed, 2. Puts Me to Work, 3. CYRK, 4. Julia, 5. Greta, 6. Fold the Cloth, 7. The Man I Wanted, 8. Through the Mill, 9. Ploughing Out Part 1, and 10. Ploughing Out Part 2

More information at The Control Group or Cate Le Bon's official website.