The Acorn finally peek out from under the blankets to release a new EP (credit: Aaron Mckenzie Fraser)

The fall flurry of record releases finally winds down this week, and it'll all end with a bang provided by a long-awaited new EP from local heroes The Acorn and the first full-length since 2004 from native experimental sextet As The Poets Affirm, who have now officially dropped the ellipses from the beginning of their name. Just thought you'd like to know, so now you don't have to pause in conversation everytime you want to bring them up.

Both bands bring something new to the table on their new records, too: ATPA's Awake takes "a new sonic direction," says Exclaim Magazine. What that direction is, dial613 is not so sure; guesses are it's either west or south (and definitely not east), but you're going to have to see the show or buy the 'best-selling' album to find out for yourself.
The Acorn, meanwhile, bring a new member into the fold to add another element to their folkyrock sound on the Tin Fist EP. Her name is Keiko Devaux, and rumour has it she used to be part of legendary Canadian supergroup Sugar Jones. Whatever her past, she fits in just fine on the record, contributing another layer to an already deep band.

You may also want to see DJ Cash Money, who is listed for no reason other than his name. So maybe you might not want to see him.
But you may actually want to party with jazzhiphoprnbfusion-ites Pocket Dwellers, or take in the Hilotrons show which is opened by Avey Tare & Kria Brekken, members of Animal Collective and Mum, respectively, as well as locals Sadie Hell.

So, what shows are you going to see this week?
Who was your favourite member of Sugar Jones?

W - 11.29.06
Danny Michel*, at Glebe Community Association
-->Danny Michel - It's Not The End Of The World (website, myspace)
The Junction with Travel By Owl*, at End Hits
-->Travel By Owl - I Am Listening So Close (myspace)
The Salads with Donkeypunch* and Staylefish, at Zaphod's

Th. - 11.30.06
DJ Cash Money, at Heaven
Pocket Dwellers with Camp Best Friends*, at Maverick's
-->Pocket Dwellers - To The Beat (website, myspace)

F - 12.01.06
As The Poets Affirm* (CD release) with Roll Gypsy Roll and SunParlour Players, at Barrymore's
-->As The Poets Affirm - Awake Chaos (website, myspace)
Embassies Of Denmark* with The Life And Times and The Setbacks*, at Café Dekcuf
En Garde* (CD release) with Daiquiri*, at Zaphod's

Sa. - 12.02.06
The Acorn* (CD release) with Ohbijou, at Babylon
-->The Acorn - Spring Thaw (website, myspace)
Evil Farm Children* (CD release) with Four 'n' Giv'r* and Mississippi Grover*, at Irene's Pub
Fortycentfix* with Viscera's Recital* and Lights Over Arkham, at Zaphod's
Hilotrons with Avey Tare & Kria Brekken and Sadie Hell*, at Maverick's
-->Hilotrons - Oh My (video) (website, myspace)
Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, at Black Sheep Inn

Su. - 12.03.06
Jordan Cook with Chris Koster, at Zaphod's

BONUS!
-->Sugar Jones - Days Like That (exclusive unmastered version)
-->Sugar Jones - Days Like That (b-side) (stream)
-->Sugar Jones - Days Like That (video)

* denotes local act

And thanks to those who voted (or didn't) to say that they thought >Dial 6-1-3_ was the best blog in Ottawa.