Cameron McGill & What Army are set to release their fifth full-length studio album, Is a Beast, next month (out 4/12, pre-order here).

The new album finds the band in exciting new territory after two years of solid touring and their most expiremental lineup to date: Daniel McMahon (guitar), Rodrigo Palma (bass), and Darren Garvey (drums).  The album was recorded this past winter in Milwaukee, WI, and follows their Deserters EP (2010), Daytrotter session (2010), Sad Ambassador 7” single (2010), Two Hits and A Miss EP (2009), Warm Songs For Cold Shoulders (2009), Hold on Beauty (2008), Street Ballads & Murderesques (2006), and Stories of The Knife and The Back (2004).  Needless to say, Mr. McGill and company have been quite busy.

It’s easy to compare the band’s sound to Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s (2009 saw McGill joining the band Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, for which he plays keyboard), but there’s also a hint of Archer Avenue, The Shins, The Silent Years, Spoon, and Wilco.  But even though the similarities exist, Cameron McGill & What Army bring more than enough of there own sound to the table.

I was lucky enough to get an advanced preview of Is a Beast and i’ve really enjoyed listening to it over the past couple of weeks.  The combination of indie-folk and catchy pop creates quite an infectious record.  With multiple listens down, I would say I Don’t Believe In Magic (But All My Friends Just Disappeared) is my favorite track, but I also really enjoy The Road To Hell Is Paved With Adverbs, Dublin Fights Songs, and Michelangelo’s Blue Period.

For more Cameron McGill & What Army, be sure to check out their website.  You can also catch the band on the road with national tour dates throughout 2011 (details here) and they just recorded a new Daytrotter session, which will be released later to coincide with the release of Is a Beast.

Cameron McGill & What Army – I Don’t Believe In Magic (But All My Friends Just Disappeared)