Sara Lov

Add Date: March 3

Artist: Sara Lov

Album: Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming

Label: Nettwerk

Genre: Indie

Comments: Sara Lov's Young Eyes EP was on our playlist not too long ago and with this, the Hawaiian-born singer/songwriter provides her first full-length. "Simple and sad with a shot of scotch" is how Lov describes her music, which matches delicate piano with cute and breathy crooning. And wikipedia tells me when Lov was four, she was kidnapped by her father to Israel, where she lived until a decade later upon her return to the US. Her blues and beaming blend into one as her Young Eyes become Seasoned. Start with tracks 1, 3, and 4.

Company of Thieves

Add Date: March 3

Artist: Company of Thieves

Album: Ordinary Riches

Label: Wind-up

Genre: Rock

Comments: Chicago three-piece, female singer, riding the waves of their iTunes-endorsed single "Oscar Wilde," which sounds familiar but not because I've heard it before. Bassist Dorian Duffy departed during the making of this album, but the group sounds unaffected, making sunny rock with a tinge of indie and a singer Genevieve Schatz does her best Elizabeth Powell (of Land of Talk) impression. Caution: careful pronouncing her name on air.

DM Stith

Add Date: March 3

Artist: DM Stith

Album: Heavy Ghost

Label: Asthmatic Kitty

Genre: Indie, weird folk

Comments: DM Stith's Heavy Ghost kicks off with a minute-and-a-half long Department of Eagles-esque light blend of voice and guitar and out of tune piano keys or whatever else he can muster. The first proper song, "Pity Dance," kicks the album off right with its dark and its drone, and Smith is definitely a disciple of Antony Hegarty. Imagine Tom Waits and Grizzly Bear co-producing the soundtrack to a Tim Burton film. Move over, Danny Elfman. Start with tracks 2 and 4.

New Found Glory

Add Date: March 3

Artist: New Found Glory

Album: Not Without A Fight

Label: Epitaph

Genre: Pop punk

Comments: I have to give New Found Glory credit, not only for being instrumental in my early "punk" days, but also for still kicking despite the odds of some of their pop punk peers of old. Now 12 years old, the band's music and lyrics have certainly matured and done it gracefully. This, their seventh full-length, is far more Jimmy Eat World than All American Rejects, and that's a very very good thing. Added bonus: Blink 182's Mark Hoppus produces. Write their name on your chucks and give tracks 1 and 3 a spin, if you're into that sort of thing.

Propagandhi

Add Date: March 3

Artist: Propagandhi

Album: Supporting Caste

Label: Smallman

Genre: Hard rock, metal

Comments: Fabulous name, kind of obnoxious political commentary, Colorado's Propagandhi makes metal/hardcore that I can stomach. Fans of the harder and faster stuff should give this a spin.

The Swills

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Swills

Album: Travelling Thru Time

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Key words about The Swills (courtesy of Planetary): Vancouver, new rock, energy. A very generic description for a very generic-sounding rock band. Track 1's kind of catchy.

Barrens

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Barrens

Album: Worming

Label: Self-released

Genre: Psychadelic rock

Comments: From AAM: "Worming is a psychadelic rock mini-opus from New York City-based Barrens. With a vibrant mix of rock, punk and grunge, Barrens create groove-oriented tunes that are equal parts epic pop and shimmering psychadelia." Not a bad little EP of supposedly Pixies-esque (I don't really see it, save for the dynamics), but I'll wait to hear the full-length. Start with Track 1.

Architecture in Helsinki

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Architecture in Helsinki

Album: That Beep (EP)

Label: Polyvinyl

Genre: Indie pop

Comments: Do they ever stop? Another quick-burst EP from these wonderful architects of weird indie pop. "That Beep" is their new single, their first since 2007's Places Like This. While it doesn't quite match the absolute perfection that was 2005's In Case We Die full-length, it is infectiously catchy and reminiscent of the Flight of the Conchord's theme song. The EP features 5 remixes of "That Beep," so don't burn yourself out. Choose wisely.

Telepathe

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Telepathe

Album: Dance Mother

Label: IAMSOUND

Genre: Electronica

Comments: A duo out of Brooklyn, Telepathe make fine electronica with poppy melodic undertones. You may remember them from last year's Chrome's On It EP. Dance Mother, the duo's first full-length, is full of art-pop majesty and was produced by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek. Fans of The Blow and recent playlisters Gang Gang Dance will nod along.

The Laureates

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Laureates

Album: There Are No More Gentlemen

Label: Funambulist

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: Midwesterners who transplanted themselves to Chicago and have a knack for succinct rock songs with a fine sense of melody. Bass and drums push themselves to the forefront on this, their debut record. Track 3 is a standout and reminds me of someone I just can't put my finger on. Chad Preston's voice is slightly Robert Pollard and fans of GBV and Spoon might find this a welcome edition to their Genuis playlists.

Everything Absent or Distorted

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Everything Absent or Distorted (A Love Story)

Album: The Great Collapse

Label: Needlepoint

Genre: Indie Pop

Comments: "It's a big band, and a big sound. 'The Great Collapse' is a lush and lovely collection of smart pop melancholia, filled with cathartic songs of loss and rumination arranged to induce joyful fist-pumping and all-out wall-bouncing."
-Denver Post

This rather dramatic group has been called "apocalyptic bubble gum," which makes sense, considering the number of references to death and disasters that pop up throughout the record-- for instance Track 4 is an ode to a hospital room. However, the EAOD (as they are conveniently referred to) does offer a few glimmers of hope, which actually seem more successful. Go to the anthemic "Beehive" or "Gospel of Slight Rust."

Vitriol

Coconut Records

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Coconut Records

Album: Davy

Label: Young Baby

Genre: Indie Pop

Comments: Davy is the sophomore release from Jason Schwartzman's solo project Coconut Records. This collection of little infectious, rather cute pop songs is likely to please fans of Ben Kweller or Ben Folds.

Syndicate

Marissa Nadler

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Marissa Nadler

Album: Little Hells

Label: Kemado

Genre: Folk

Comments: "On her fourth solo album, Little Hells, Boston-based Marissa Nadler lulls her ambient folk into vivid ballads with her luminous harmonies over picking guitars, effectively enveloping the listener in her gauzy moods with out becoming monochromatic."
-Terrorbird

A captivating voice, delicate instrumentation and interesting lyrics all make for a really successful work. Fans of Anna Ternheim, Mariee Sioux or Beach House should check out "Ghosts and Lovers" or "Rosary".

Add?

Bosque Brown

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Bosque Brown

Album: Baby

Label: Burnt Toast Vinyl

Genre: Pop, Folk-Pop

Comments: Though recommended for fans of Nina Nastasia, Jolie Holland and Joanna Newsom the singing ladies of Bosque Baby ends up offering sort-of quirky generally unimpressive folksy-indie-pop. However, "This Train" is a very nice, beautifully-sung ditty which is definitely worth a listen.

Team Clermont

Putumayo Presents: India

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Various

Album: India

Label: Putumayo

Genre: International

Comments: "... a CD collection showcasing India's rich musical variety, from classical and acoustic folk to Bollywood and lounge music."

The Rockford Mules

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Rockford Mules

Album: From Devil's Spit to Angel Tears

Label: Self-released

Genre: Alt-country, Whiskey Rock

Comments: "..The Rockford mules are saltlick of the earth, blue collar sons of fathers who worked their own cars in cold garages." This snarling whiskey rock from Minneapolis already seems recognizable. Fans of Murder City Devils or old Black Keys should listen to "Step Aside, Son."

Tinderbox

The Takeover UK

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Takeover UK

Album: Running with the Wasters

Label: Ryko

Genre: Pop

Comments: Catchy pop-rock with some shiny "punk attitude" guitars. Totally catchy.

Planetary

The Deep Dark Woords

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Deep Dark Woods

Album: Winter Hours

Label: On That Note Media

Genre: Folk, Roots

Comments: Influenced by The Byrds, The Grateful Dead, Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits as well as traditional bluegrass artists, The Deep Dark Woods again prove themselves as fine musicians on their third full-length release. Mellow and well-crafted.

Angus & Julia Stone

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Angus & Julia Stone

Album: A Book Like This

Label: Nettwerk

Genre: Folk, Pop

Comments: The sticker says, "Australia's Angus and Julia Stone make their North American debut with 'A Book Like This' -- a collection of 13 heartfelt and organic songs. Together, Angus and Julia Stone form two halves of a musical act whose similarities include a pure and genuine love of music and a talent for telling beautiful and beguiling stories" and for once it is actually TRUE. Quiet but mobile. Listen to "The Beast."

Benjy Ferree

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Benjy Ferree

Album: Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee

Label: Domino

Genre: Rock, Americana

Comments: This album from D.C. musician Benjy Ferree pays homage to Bobby Driscoll, the child star who portrayed Peter Pan in the 1953 Disney feature. Fired by Disney after he hit puberty, Bobby "struggled to find work and fell into a life-long battle with drugs until ultimately dying homeless and broke in a Manhattan tenenment in 1968 at the age of 31. With polic unable to identify his body, the one-time Academy Award winner ended up in an unmarked mass grave on New York's Hart Island." (Domino) Tragic, right?

Singer-songwriter American rock on an intriguing premise. Maybe a rawer, brasher version of M.Ward?

Zion I

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Zion I

Album: The TakeOver

Label: Gold Dust

Genre: Hip Hop

Comments: Oakland hip-hop duo presents this smooth mix of funk, soul, house, and drum'n'bass. Check-out "DJ DJ" for some electro-rap or "Antenna" for spacey futuristic synths.
Sweet.

Spectre

The Kokoon

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Kokoon

Album: We Didn't Go (EP)

Label: New Average Records

Genre: Rock

Comments: "The group's new EP features an ironic view on modern big city lifestyle -- pushy, edgy, exciting and exhausting; sometimes all at the same time!"
-Planetary

Seems to be heavily influenced by the Cure.

The Kinetiks

Add Date: February 24

Artist: The Kinetics

Album: Aye Aye Aye Aye (EP)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Indie-pop

Comments: Young Dublin foursome does indie-pop rock with audible influence from The Strokes, Kings of Leon and Franz Ferdinand. Cheeky-- like on the title track where they sing, "I know I'm better than the last and will be better than the next."

Planetary

Ex Norwegian

Add Date: February 24

Artist: Ex Norwegian

Album: Standby

Label: Dying Van Gough

Genre: Rock

Comments: "Formerly known as Father Bloopy, Ex Norwegian changed their name in summer 2008 inspired by Monty Python."
-Planetary
Fun, moderately catchy, upbeat-- if not particularly noteworthy. Go to "Something Unreal."

MYNX

Add Date: February 24

Artist: MYNX

Album: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Label: Self-released

Genre: Electronica/Dance

Comments: "Their dynamic combination of punchy lyrics, infectious hooks and fierce vocals make for a sound that calls up imagery of an Electro rebirth of Sonny & Cher or The B52s meet Goldfrapp."
-Spectre

Energetic. Check out "I'm So LA."

These Are Powers

Add Date: February 24

Artist: These Are Powers

Album: All Aboard Future

Label: Dead Oceans

Genre: Electro Rock

Comments: "These Are Powers savor the space between skittering drums, echoes screams and ringing guitars on 'All Aboard the Future.' Dubbier, darker than their 2008 'Taro Tarot' EP."

Rumbling, pretty cool-- though rather dissonant.

Terrorbird

K'Naan

Add Date: February 17

Artist: K'Naan

Album: Troubadour

Label: A&M/Octone

Genre: Hip hop

Comments: Born in Mogadishu, the MC K'Naan grew up during the Somali Civil War, then spent time in Harlem before relocating to Toronto. Troubadour, his second album, features guest appearances from Mos Def, Chubb Rock, and Damian Marley. The Source proclaims that K'Naan provides "a refreshing voice in Hip-Hop," while SPIN argues that he's "set to invigorate a scene burned out on braggadocio posturing." Sounds good to me.

The Vines

Add Date: February 17

Artist: The Vines

Album: Melodia

Label: Ivy League

Genre: Rock

Comments: Let me start with the first paragraph from the onesheet: "It was the cover of Rolling Stone, on September 19, 2002, that first introduced the Vines to America. 'Meet the Vines,' it announced. 'Rock is back.'"

The question thus becomes, which is more irrelevant to rock music: Rolling Stone or the Vines? (Hint: There is no wrong answer.)

Yawn.

N.A.S.A.

Add Date: February 17

Artist: N.A.S.A.

Album: The Spirit of Apollo

Label: Anti-

Genre: Hip hop, electronic

Comments: Without a doubt, this album from the duo N.A.S.A. has one of the most impressive guest lists ever assembled. A partial survey reveals David Byrne, Chuck D, Method Man, RZA, KRS-One, Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Tom Waits, Kool Keith, Kanye West, Santogold, Lykke Li, Lovefoxxx (CSS), George Clinton, Spank Rock, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, the Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, and Scarface. At first glance, that's simply jaw-dropping. But then it begs the question: How do ALL of those guests fit into one album? The answer, unfortunately, is that they don't. Why, for instance, does it many ANY sense for Tom Waits and Kool Keith to share a track? What about Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge and Z-Trip on the SAME song? Lykke Li becomes the backup singer for Santogold, Seu Jorge for Byrne. What's the point?

Pitchfork panned the record, giving it a 1.6 of 10 and declaring, "[I]t would be nice if The Spirit of Apollo had a compelling reason to exist beyond just showing off these guys' Buddy Lists. Because this album is a mess. And worse than that, it's a directionless, vaguely condescending mess that wastes the talents of some people who really should've had better things to do." The review goes on to declare that the beats of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon "are total washed-out dorm-room funk." Ouch.

It's really hard to contradict any of that, but I will say that there's simply too much musical acumen on this record for it to be truly terrible. Misguided, yes. A big-time clusterf*$#, yes. Worth your time? That's your decision.

Dark Was the Night

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Dark Was the Night (sampler)

Label: 4AD

Genre: Compilation/various genres

Comments: This benefit for the Red Hot Organization, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS, is a veritable who's who of independent music. This 9-song sampler includes tunes from Dirty Projectors feat. David Byrne, The Books feat. Jose Gonzalez, Feist & Ben Gibbard, The National (whose Aaron and Bryce Dessner produced the compilation), Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, and Sufjan Stevens. All tracks highly recommended.

As if that weren't enough, the entire 31-song set, available on iTunes, as a double CD or a triple LP, features music from Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Beach House, Cat Power, the Decemberists, Kevin Drew, Iron & Wine, Stuart Murdoch, My Brightest Diamond, My Morning Jacket, the New Pornographers, Conor Oberst, Spoon, and Yo La Tengo, among others. And all the tracks are exclusive to this set. Pretty ridiculous. And it's for a great cause!

For more information, check out http://www.darkwasthenight.com.

Odd Nosdam

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Odd Nosdam

Album: T.I.M.E. Soundtrack

Label: Anticon

Genre: Electronica

Comments: Producer/recording artist Odd Nosdam scored the Element skateboarding video This Is My Element in 2007, and this is a collection of his compositions for that film. These instrumental electronic jams almost make me want to skateboard. (Not really.) In all seriousness, if you've listened to any of Odd Nosdam's earlier work for the Anticon label (Why?, Anathallo, Dosh), you won't be surprised to find out that these tunes stand on their own. Check out "Zone Coaster," "Fly Mode" and "Wig Smasher."

Aria Orion

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Aria Orion

Album: Let the Sharp Stone Fly

Label: Self-released

Genre: Experimental

Comments: Says the promoter: "Aria Orion, a new project from composer and performer Jules Gimbrone, weaves mystical tales with experimental arrangements, orchestral dramatics, and soulful melodic phrasing. Let the Sharp Stone Fly is an acoustic dream of eerie, ethereal, bold movements and spine-tingling combinations of instruments. Gimbrone's emotional shaky high vocal range turns and twists within and mysteriously edges around the instrumentation. Blending oboe, upright bass, accordion, drums, violin and electric guitar/lap steel, Aria Orion achieves an arc of textures unique in vision and scope... Fans of Dirty Projectors, Akron/Family & Ariel Pink hold onto your hats for Aria Orion's magnum opus Let the Sharp Stone Fly."

Start with "When I Wake" and "Metal Birds."

Beat Strings

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Beat Strings

Album: Fang in Rain

Label: XOXO

Genre: Punk, rock, cabaret

Comments: From the promoter: "The Beat Strings offer a mixed bag of rock nuggets spanning genres like indie, glam and post-punk. Singer Adam Bolts' intriguingly offbeat warble often veers into falsetto that is anchored by punchy bass lines and frenzied guitar riffs. Variety is the name of the game on Fang in Rain, venturing into cabaret, folk and bluegrass... Fans of the Strokes, Against Me! & The Felice Brothers will find these rag tag vagabonds thoroughly enjoyable."

Thursday

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Thursday

Album: Common Existence

Label: Epitaph

Genre: Post-hardcore

Comments: Another very fine album. Here's what the band's label, Epitaph, has to say: "For the last decade, New Jersey's post-hardcore pioneers Thursday have released groundbreaking, essential albums like 2001's fan-favorite Full Collapse and 2003's breakthrough release War All the Time, and played riveting shows, garnering hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. As the band approaches their tenth anniversary, Thursday has dug deep to recapture the original fervor and fire to make their most honest and sincere record to date. Thursday spent a better part of a year writing and recording Common Existence, and their efforts have certainly paid off. From the cathartic 'As He Climbed the Mountain' to the stripped-down post-hardcore anthem 'Friends in the Armed Forces' (which features Quicksand's Walter Schriefels) and the simultaneously dizzying and jaw-dropping first single 'Resuscitation of a Dead Man' (featuring Rise Against's Tim McIlrath), Common Existence takes the elements of the band's previous evolutions and creates a cohesive, unique masterpiece that looks ahead to the next ten years."

That pretty much sums it up. I also really liked "Time's Arrow," as well as "Last Call"--if only for the line "Last call, when I held you tight/The DJ played cuts from The Knife." Rock on, Thursday.

Western Civ

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Western Civ

Album: Shower the People You Love With Gold

Label: No More Fake Labels

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: A very nicely done indie rock record that will appeal to fans of the Silver Jews, Pavement (actually sounds a good bit like the Spiral Stairs project Preston School of Industry), Portastatic, etc. Check out "The Disturbing" and "Rally."

Plushgun

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Plushgun

Album: Pins & Panzers

Label: Tommy Boy

Genre: Electro pop

Comments: This is directly from the Postal Service school of synth-driven indie pop, but Daniel Ingala's songwriting is better than most other imitators. Allmusic.com also compares Plushgun to the Notwist; while Pins & Panzers doesn't stack up to anything by those German pop masters, they at least seem to be striving for that level. What they have made, however, is a very catchy, foot-tapping, radio-friendly debut album, which should be consolation enough. Many of you will remember "How We Roll" and "Just Impolite" from a fall EP, both of which resurface here and are two of the LP's stronger tracks. Also check out "Dancing in a Minefield" and the acoustic guitar-laden "Let Me Kiss You Now (And I'll Fade Away)."

The Old Ceremony

Add Date: February 17

Artist: The Old Ceremony

Album: Walk on Thin Air

Label: Alyosha

Genre: Rock

Comments: Django Haskins seems to be of the same stripe as Stephin Merritt and Will Sheff, in the sense of great songwriters with distinctive but aurally appealing voices. High praise, perhaps, but I think you'll find it justified upon listening to Walk on Thin Air. These are excellent rock tunes, occasionally infused with folk, but always hinging successfully on Haskins' lyrics and vocals. Long a favorite at home in Chapel Hill, here's hoping this record will put the Old Ceremony on a national stage. Start with "Plate Tectonics," "The Disappear" and "Till My Voice Is Gone."

Also, is their record label named after a character from The Brothers Karamazov? I'm going to say yes, because that would make me very happy.

Asobi Seksu

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Asobi Seksu

Album: Hush

Label: Polyvinyl

Genre: Dream pop, shoegaze

Comments: This New York band's 2006 effort Citrus was a wonderfully big, wall-of-noise shoegaze record, borrowing heavily from Loveless. While the band hasn't abandoned its My Bloody Valentine influences on Hush, their first release for Polyvinyl, guitarist/vocalist James Hanna and lead vocalist/keyboardist Yuki Chikudate have veered in a much poppier, yet no less dreamy, direction. "We knew we didn't want to do 7,000 reverb guitars this time," Hanna says hyperbolically of the transition in sound. "So we stripped the sound down and built it back up from there." The result is a record that will appeal to fans of Blonde Redhead--for more than just Yuki's vocals--as well as labelmates Headlights, and that terrific new release from the Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Start with "Layers," "Sing Tomorrow's Praise," "Glacially" and "Transparence."

Abe Vigoda

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Abe Vigoda

Album: Reviver (EP)

Label: PPM

Genre: Art punk

Comments: Last year, this L.A. band from the same "Smell" scene (so named for the club at which many of the bands got their starts) as No Age and Health put out a rather good LP, Skeleton, and the 5-song Reviver EP is a worthy followup. Those of you who, like myself, enjoy punk tunes infused with surf rock, noise, and art rock will find plenty to like here. Start with "House" and "Don't Lie."

Living Things

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Living Things

Album: Habeas Corpus

Label: Jive

Genre: Rock

Comments: St. Louis brother trio Living Things take lyrics and themes typically associated with punk rock (see song titles like "Cost of Living" and "Mercedes Marxist") or folk protest songs ("Post Millennium Extinction Blues"), and spin them into upbeat pop rock tunes. The results, as you might expect, are somewhat mixed. But when they work, they work well, such as on "Let It Rain" and "Oxygen." The other tracks are still worth a spin if you're a fan of the Vines, Mando Diao or the Strokes.

M. Ward

Add Date: February 17

Artist: M. Ward

Album: Hold Time

Label: Merge

Genre: Folk rock, alt-country

Comments: M. Ward was introduced to a much broader spectrum of music fans by collaborating with Zooey Deschanel in the duo She & Him, but he's been putting out great music of his own for years now. Hold Time is the followup to the excellent 2006 issue Post-War, and it's full of more brilliant, country-infused rock tunes. Will appeal to fans of Ryan Adams, Devendra Banhart (not to mention the new record from his friends in Vetiver), and the like. There's not really a weak track on this album--all the more impressive because it's a 14-song effort--but in particular I liked "For Beginners," "Stars of Leo," "Never Had Nobody Like You" and "Fisher of Men." One of the best releases thus far in 2009.

Lily Allen

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Lily Allen

Album: It's Not Me, It's You

Label: Capitol

Genre: Pop

Comments: Let me share some personal bias: I believe that Lily Allen is one of the best things happening in pop music not (currently) affiliated with Kanye West. Her debut album, 2006's Alright, Still, was full of ska-inspired gems laced with electronic beats; It's Not Me, It's You flips that formula around, with synth beats winning out over ska hooks. As a songwriter, Allen is very good (not great, but very good), and as usual she's at her best while being sweetly malicious ("Back to the Start," "Not Fair") or feigning naivete ("The Fear"). Yet even the tracks with weaker lyrics are enjoyable to listen to, thanks to the music and Allen's terrific voice. Another fine effort from this MySpace phenom leaves me asking just one question: Why can't all pop music sound like this?

Here We Go Magic

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Here We Go Magic

Album: Here We Go Magic

Label: Western Vinyl

Genre: Unclassifiable

Comments: "Developed over a two-month period of stream-of-consciousness recording in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Luke Temple's self-titled debut under his new moniker Here We Go Magic is a remarkable departure from his signature singer-songwriter material. Synths and trance and bleeps and bloops surround gorgeous little pop songs." Check this out if you like the latest from Animal Collective. Sufjan Stevens calls Temple's "one of the most beautiful voices in pop music." Probably because he sounds a little bit like him. Start with tracks 1, 2, and 4.

The Bran Flakes

Add Date: February 17

Artist: The Bran Flakes

Album: I Have Hands

Label: Illegal Art

Genre: Unclassifiable

Comments: What IS this?! I'm told the Bran Flakes are pioneers at creating "zany mash-ups and poppy audio collages that are more likely to cop a riff from Evel Knievel than anything on the current radio." Hmm. Samples abound, these guys do Girl Talk's label proud, creating brief but interesting snippets of almost-songs with titles like "Do You Want Salad With Your Taco" and "I Wonder Where My Grandmother Is." Track 4 is incredibly addictive and even manages to work in some "Eye of the Tiger." Kudos to them.

The Lovetones

Add Date: February 17

Artist: The Lovetones

Album: Dimensions

Label: Planting Seeds

Genre: Psychedelic rock

Comments: Fanatic tells me, "Harkening back to the likes of The Byrds and 13th Floor Elevators, The Lovetones channel the psychedelic splendor of the 60's on their fourth album Dimensions. Frontman Matthew J Tow is a brilliant Australian musician, cleverly penning some of the most genuine and impressive lyrics of the past decade as Ray Davies, Bowie, Lennon and McCartney before him." Pretty tough folks to emulate, but the songwriting on here is truly splendid, very British 60's circa New York City loft. Tow has worked with the Brian Jonestown Massacre before, but even if that makes you shudder, you'll find this a swinging collection of tunes in its own right. Tracks 2 and 3 are standouts.

The Appleseed Cast

Add Date: February 17

Artist: The Appleseed Cast

Album: Sagarmatha

Label: The Militia Group/Vagrant

Genre: Rock, post-rock

Comments: "As the Little Things Go" certain doesn't sound small. It's a little bit epic, or at least as epic as this four-piece can get in 8 minutes. It drags on a little bit and I wouldn't exactly use it as my ringtone, but I think that's a fitting way to describe this collection of post-rock/emo (not in the My Bloody Valentine sense, more in the Sunny Day Real Estate one) tunes from these dudes from Lawrence, Kansas. I do like it though, and the band sounds tight throughout even if the singer leaves a little something to be desired. The album is mostly instrumental and would be a nice bridge song on a mixtape between Mogwai and Fugazi. Check out track 2.

Ketman

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Ketman

Album: El Toro

Label: Lifted & Gifted

Genre: Punk rock

Comments: A spirited all-analog (they make a big deal about this; this is obnoxious) effort from these Boston boys. The onesheet likens them to Wire and Mission of Burma, and I certainly see that, in that I like it and I would listen to it again and again. Track 5 pulls off more in under 3 minutes than others might in an EP. Certainly give this one some spins.

Morrissey

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Morrissey

Album: Years of Refusal

Label: Lost Highway

Genre: A harder rockin' version of Morrissey

Comments: Morrissey's Years of Refusal was released on Lost Highway, the label of Ryan Adams, the late Johnny Cash, and other such folkie pioneers. But Morrissey?! While Johnny Marr shocked the world with joining Modest Mouse a few years back after decades of keeping a low profile, the Moz continued in the tradition of his lounge singer-style crooning over jangly guitars, with plenty of hits and misses along the way.

While he may not be treading the alt-country roads of other Lost Highwaymen, this is certainly a departure for Morrissey. Years of Refusal kicks off with "Something Is Squeezing My Skull," an aptly titled rocker that finds the Moz belting, in as punk-rock a way as he still can, "don't gimmie anymore" o'er and o'er again. Those who might find his voice typically annoying might warm up a bit on his delivery here. And the first single, "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris," is vintage Morrissey: it's a refreshing Smiths-style tune, but it doesn't sound like he's resting on his laurels. Pitchfork gave Years of Refusal an 8.1, and while my initial impression was "Oh, another Morrissey album," this one truly earns its gold star.

Gospel Claws

Add Date: February 17

Artist: Gospel Claws

Album: Gospel Claws (EP)

Label: Common Wall Media

Genre: Rock

Comments: This review courtesy of miss owl. Her words, not mine.

5 rocking songs with Nada Surf-y vocals (he's really from Dear and the Headlights, though). This band would definitely have played at the Bait Shop in The OC (the TV show, not the actual place), had it been around then.

Operahouse

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Operahouse

Album: Genuis Child (EP)

Label: Marrakesh

Genre: Rock

Comments: Planetary claims, "Operahouse have built a sound that toowers over their young Britrock peers just like Babel would've done over Eiffel." Wow. The title track is pretty catchy, but I'm not sure about the little bridge breakdown that kicks off around 2 minutes. I think if these guys stick with their Britrock sensibilities, they'll actually sound better. They fiddle with stuff just for the sake of making it different, yearning in vain to find that place between Muse and Radiohead. Stick with track 1.

The Idan Raichel Project

Add Date: February 10

Artist: The Idan Raichel Project

Album: Within My Walls

Label: Helicon

Genre: International

Comments: "Israeli music phenomenon" isn't a phrase you hear every day (at least not in this country...), but the Idan Raichel Project is one man, a whole lot of guests, a language I cannot understand, but a set of melodies I love. Raichel has a way with pop construction and weaving in traditional and classical elements. Track 2 is a standout.

The Angel Sluts

Add Date: February 10

Artist: The Angel Sluts

Album: Designer Heat

Label: Wrecked-Em Wreckords

Genre: Punk, noise

Comments: Iggy and the Stooges with the microphone distortion turned way up.

Black Gold

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Black Gold

Album: Rush

Label: Red Bull

Genre: Pop/Rock

Comments: A collaberation of Eric Ronick of Panic at the Disco fame and Than Luu of other bands semi-fame, where the finished product adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Hooray.

Let Me Run

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Let Me Run

Album: Meet Me at the Bottom

Label: XOXO

Genre: Rock

Comments: Pretty decent punk-inspired rock record. I like to think of it sort of as a "hangover" record, as almost all of the songs are about regrets of drunken things.

Trentalange

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Trentalange

Album: Awakening, Level One

Label: Coco Tauro

Genre: Indie (and I'm angry that I can't find another one)

Comments: This album was actually a lot more sinister and dark sounding than I thought it would be. Barbara Trentalange's somewhat haunting vocals are layered over music which seems to draw its influences everywhere from 70's stoner rock to country music.

Vox Jaguars

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Vox Jaguars

Album: Vox Jaguars

Label: Anodyne

Genre: Rock/Pop

Comments: Pretty straightforward dance-rock here. It's good, it's catchy, it's poppy, and it has just a hint of a meaner side underneath it all.

Fol Chen

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Fol Chen

Album: Part 1:John Shade, Your Fortune's Made

Label: Asthmatic Kitty

Genre: Electronic

Comments: Definitely recommended for those fans of Hot Chip and similar--OK Go? MGMT? A little more electronic and less danceable than MGMT, but not in a bleep-bloop robot way, in a Casiotone for the Painfully Alone way.

Lazlo

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Lazlo

Album: In Search of El Dorado

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: This album fixates on westward expansion and adventure, and fittingly the sound of the record is wide-ranging. While "Out West" is a dreamy slow song with space noises in the background, "Jubei" sounds more like Against Me! than Mogwai, and the rest of the record follows in this tradition.

Goblin Cock

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Goblin Cock

Album: Come With me if you Want to Live

Label: Robcore

Genre: Rock/Grunge Metal

Comments: You read that right, the band's name is Goblin Cock. It gets better, though. Included in this band are Lord Phallus and Bane Ass-Pounder. I really wish I was making this up. Looking at all of the dubious names involved, I was expecting some pretty sweet speed metal, or at least some ridiculously out-there fantasy metal. In fact, they slow it down, do not ever growl OR scream, and, as far as I can tell, all songs are clean enough to play (although I'm not fully sure, some of the lyrics are hard to understand and are written in the cd jacket in Lord of The Rings Dwarfish, so I can't decifer it). Color me surprised.

Beirut

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Beirut

Album: March of the Zapotec [EP]/ (Realpeople- Holland EP)

Label: Pompeii/ Ba Da Bing

Genre: Rock, Fancy-Rock

Comments: This is a double-disked EP that basically consists of half Mexican-style marches with lots of sweet trumpets and half blippy bedroom electonica to keep you amused until a real follow-up to The Flying Club Cup comes out next year. The whole thing is a little bit confusing as the "Holland" (electronic) bit is credited to one of Zach Condon's pseudonyms-- Realpeople, and while interesting, I think I'll go ahead and admit that I like the more Beirut-y first-half much better.


Since we have a burned copy on the shelf, here is a picture of the cover art (just for the record).

Hollywood, Mon Amour

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Hollywood, Mon Amour

Label: Pias

Genre: Compilation soundtrack

Comments: If you want to listen to the Rocky theme (who knows why), this is not the CD for you. However, if you are interested in hearing the Rocky theme re-worked as an slinky lounge-folk song, complete with cricket noises... then this is what you want. I would probably really like the songs on this cd if they didn't have such horrendous connotations. "Footloose" is particularly wonderfully strange.

Gun Outfit

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Gun Outfit

Album: Dim Light

Label: PPM

Genre: Rock

Comments: Fuzzy and hard but not mean-tempered rock.

Psapp

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Psapp

Album: The Camel's Back

Label: Domino

Genre: Pop

Comments: London duo Psapp present their third full length release full of cute, well-crafted, multi-instrumented songs with female vocals. The band won three BMi awards for the catchy original theme to Grey's Anatomy, "Cozy In The Rocket." According to Wikipedia, the pair "is sometimes credited with inventing a musical style known as toytronica, a form of electronica made with toys and toy instruments (the band uses toy guitars, flutes, and a chicken they named Brunhilda)."

AAM

Mindless Self Indulgence

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Mindless Self Indulgence

Album: "Mark David Chapman"/ "Evening Wear" (split single)

Label: The End

Genre: Electronic, Electro-Punk

Comments: NYC group makes electro-punk that fans of Ghostland Observatory should check out.

Syndicate

Iran

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Iran

Album: Dissolver

Label: Narnack

Genre: Rock/Alternative

Comments: Noise and hooks come together on Iran’s latest album Dissolver, which is a solid, satisfying rock record featuring full-force guitar, prominent vocals, and a steady background of experimental instrumentation. Guitarist Kyp Malone is also part of college-radio favorite TV on the Radio, and the success of that group has seemingly influenced Iran in terms of scope—Dissolver, their first full album in seven years, is fuller then previous recordings, and self-described as “very hi-fi” and “more structured”. Excellent record—start with tracks 1, 2, 7 and 8.

Sholi

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Sholi

Album: Sholi

Label: Quarterstick

Genre: Alternative/Experimental

Comments: Produced by Greg Saunier of Deerhoof fame, Sholi’s self-titled debut full-length is an experimental yet accessible record. Equally layered vocals and instrumentation make the album cohesive; the monotony is lessened by a few tracks (“Any Other God” in particular), although sometimes the record has a tendency to take on a slight background-music vibe. Solid first effort; start with tracks 1, 5, and 8.

Kim Garrison

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Kim Garrison

Album: You Are Loved

Label:

Genre: Alternative/Folk

Comments: The debut album from Kim Garrison, You are Loved, is an atmospheric, vocal-driven concoction, satisfyingly heavy but not dense. You are Loved has an ethereal tone to it, somewhat like the vocals of Bat for Lashes minus combined with smooth, complimentary instrumentation. A highlight of the album is the cover of Jeff Buckley’s “The Sky is a Landfill”, which shows off Kim’s vocal prowess, while still doing homage to the original.

Eleni Mandell

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Eleni Mandell

Album: Artificial Fire

Label: Zedtone

Genre: Alternative

Comments: Eleni Mandell has a fabulous voice, and her newest release Artificial Fire showcases her talents as a singer-songwriter while adding enough background instrumentation to add another dynamic to the record. Many songs have a part-jazz, soulful feel to them, reminiscent of Nanuchka, PJ Harvey, etc. Start with tracks 1, 2, and 7.

OWL

Add Date: February 10

Artist: OWL

Album: OWL

Label: Overit

Genre: Prog-Alt

Comments: "This is the kind of band I would want to hear," says bassist Chris Wyse of his own band.

Anyway, OWL is apparently one of the "best-kept secrets on the LA club scene" but it isn't too hard to believe. Catchy, big, pounding songs retain melodic sensibilities and successfully, progressively rock.

Last Charge of the Light Horse

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Last Charge of the Light Horse

Album: Fractures

Label: Curlock and Jalaiso

Genre: Rock, Americana, Alt

Comments: Vaguely, occasionally reminiscent of Eddie Vedder.

Tinderbox.

Astronauts of Antiquity

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Astronauts of Antiquity

Album: Rocket Science for Dummies

Label: RevCon

Genre: Electronic, Neo-Soul, Groove

Comments: Smooth, funky music sounds like a smoky lounge with Ikea furniture. Warm, jazzy and exotic. Go to "Soup du Jour"

PowderFinger

Ida Maria

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Ida Maria

Album: Ida Maria [EP]

Label: Waterfall

Genre: Pop

Comments: "Ida Maria was born and raised in the small town of Nesna in Nordland county, Norway, but she currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden. She was diagnosed as a child with synesthesia, a condition that makes you experience sensations together, rather than separately, as most people do. In her case, this means she sees colors when she hears music . This album is a sampler from forthcoming debut LP, 'Fortress Round My Heart' . A selection of six exquisite three-minute indie-pop songs, Ida's music is intuitive and direct, and perfectly captures the energy and spirit of Ida Maria's acclaimed live performances." -Syndicate

Synesthesia is cool. This music is poppy and energetic.

Dan Auerbach

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Dan Auerbach

Album: Keep It Hid

Label: Nonesuch

Genre: Rock, blues-rock, folk

Comments: "Black Keys vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach shows up sans Patrick Carney for his solo debut Keep It Hid. It's wasn't too long ago that the duo themselves released their fifth album, Attack & Release Release; in fact, Auerbach wrote a bunch of these new songs while on the road in support of it. Auerbach produced the album by himself in his Akron Analog studio mentioning he "wanted a live, organic sound. Nothing was too plotted or planned, just a lot of spontaneity."

He got what he wanted because he performs most of it (drums, guitar, percussion, and keyboards) minus the occasional guest like his uncle James (not Robert) Quine, who adds vocal harmonies and electric guitar on "Street Walkin," Jessica Lea Mayfield (vocals on "When the Night Comes") and Bob Cesare (drums on "Whispered Words"). DA says the collection's "a mixture of things I like to listen to, psychedelia, soul music, country harmonies." Lead track "I Want Some More"'s a grimy, bluesy down-and-dirty love/lust song
that should go over well with fans of the Black Keys." - Stereogum

TRY: #2, 3, 6, 11

I feel like most anyone who likes The Black Keys (especially the more psychedelic Attack & Release) will want to check this out. "Whispered Words" stuck out the first time thru as being very nice, though if you are looking for something thicker and bluesier go for "I Want Some More."

Pirate

Trent Wagler and Jay Lapp

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Trent Wagler and Jay Lapp

Album: Adrienna Valentine

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk, roots

Comments: Duet of American roots music with banjo, fiddle, bass, drums, accordion and gospel choir vocals. "With a blend of hymns, harmony, bluegrass, blues and even a little gospel [they're] not your typical acoustic mix." -- Ruth Jones, The News Leader (Staunton, VA)

Ahmond

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Ahmond

Album: A Boy You Once Knew

Label: Self-released

Genre: Chamber pop

Comments: Brooklyn singer Ahmond blends lush guitar, strings, simple melodies and African rhythm on this chamber-pop album. "Everything Eden" reminds me of the Magnetic Fields in a way (perhaps the drama of the strings) while the catchy "Go to Africa" calls to mind Paul Simon or Toto.

AAM

Mike Bones

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Mike Bones

Album: A Fool For Everyone

Label: The Social Registry

Genre: Folk rock

Comments: Mike Bones throws it all out there on the first track of his new album, A Fool For Everyone, taking on love and hate and the fools caught somewhere in between. "Today The World Is Worthy Of My Loathing" is an articulate a pessimist's rant overtop of a delightfully sloppy rhythm section that builds to an epic Queen-style solo about three minutes in. Bones keeps the intensity up on this, his second album, which was recorded last April over the course of four days. With the production and the anthemic scope, you'd think it took at least our months. Matt Sweeney plays on here and lends some of his wonderful guitar chops to Bones' ramblin' David Dondero-esque folk-rockers.

Some generations removed from Dylan and Springsteen by way of Ted Leo, Bones has produced a gem of an album only 34 minutes in length but worth every listen. Bones even name checks Bright Eyes on a track, as well, which gets him points from me. Standouts include 1, 2, 3, and, most especially, "What I Have Left."

Vetiver

Add Date: February 10

Artist: Vetiver

Album: Tight Knit

Label: Sub Pop

Genre: Indie folk

Comments: Vetiver is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family, typically native to India, that decided to cross over into the musical world and record an album.  Oops.  This Vetiver is as fine a folk album I've heard this year (mind you, it's only February).  Track 1 is a light blend of nostalgia and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy-style folk rock, with a singer whose voice is a bit more George Harrison than Johnny Cash.  Vetiver is the musical project of singer/songwriter Andy Cabic, who frequently shares the stage with Devendra Banhart.  I can see why.  Slightly uptempo and delicate arrangements complement softer laments on this, the group's fourth album and first on Sub Pop.  Fans of the Elected or recent playlisters Little Joy will nod right along.  Check out 3, 4, or 6.

The Bird and the Bee

Add Date: February 3

Artist: The Bird and The Bee

Album: Ray Guns are not Just the Future

Label: Blue Note

Genre: Indie pop

Comments: "My Love" is handclaps, kickdrums, Casio keyboards, and a lovely little proclamation from The Bird and The Bee's Inara George, one half of this appropriately-named duo.  They hail from L.A. and make sunny indie pop just like you'd 'spect, but it's cluttered with enough percussive elements, harmony, and cool production effects to give it an edge above some of the other sunshiny California pop bands.  Start with 2, 4, and the single, "Polite Dance Song."

Faunts

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Faunts

Album: Feel. Love. Thinking Of.

Label: Friendly Fire

Genre: Electro-pop

Comments: Shoegaze-y electro-pop that isn't quite as depressing as you would expect from shoegaze-y electro-pop. Like a happier Halloween, Alaska.

Kinky

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Kinky

Album: Barracuda

Label: Nettwerk

Genre: International, electronica

Comments: From Terrorbird: "One of the most acclaimed music groups from Mexico in recent history, Kinky saw a meteoric rise in the global music community over the course of three infectious electronic pop records. Continuing to blend Mexican bass elements into New Wave-influenced electronic rock on their new LP, Barracuda, the record's energy hints at their exuberant live shows...another catchy, spirited collection of songs." Pretty head-boppin' stuff. Check out tracks 2, 3, and 4.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Album: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears [EP]

Label: Lost Highway

Genre: Soul, rock

Comments: Black Joe Lewis begins his EP screaming about gunpowder amidst a barrage of horns and drums, guitar and bass, and I'm instantly drawn in. His furious blend of rock and soul, funk and blues seems like kind of departure for the oft-folkin' Lost Highway, but his masterfully raw soul craftsmanship sounds right at home to me. "Gunpowder" is a punch in the face and "Bitch, I Love You" slows things down just a little bit, gives the kids something to dance to (but not until the late night hours on our station). "Cousin Randy" is a profane blues rant, but I won't fault Lewis because it's got character. Play the bookended tracks, 1 and 4.

Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3

Album: Goodnight Oslo

Label: Yep Roc

Genre: Rock, psychedelic pop, folk rock

Comments: Three decades on, Robyn Hitchcock is still creating brilliant pop music. Those of you who are too young to remember the Soft Boys or the Egyptians, two of Hitchcock's previous projects, will still be able to appreciate the influence that this Englishman has had on alternative music for the last three decades. (One of Hitchcock's obvious followers, Decemberists front man Colin Meloy, is a guest on this record.) On Goodnight Oslo, horns and strings provide the perfect accompaniment to the traditional rock lineup of the Venus 3, which includes R.E.M. members/affiliates Peter Buck, Bill Rieflin and Scott McCaughey.

If you've seen the superb film Rachel Getting Married, then you're already familiar with the standout track, "Up to Our Nex," which Hitchcock plays in the movie. Also check out "I'm Falling," "Your Head Here," "What You Is" and the Buck-penned "Sixteen Years."

Hot Panda

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Hot Panda

Album: Volcano... Bloody Volcano

Label: Mint

Genre: Rock

Comments: Although the publicist would draw comparisons to the Talking Heads, this record would be most easily compared to a more adventurous, less fuzzed-out Strokes.

Spaceships are Cool

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Spaceships are Cool

Album: Spaceships are Cool

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop, Electro-pop

Comments: Sometimes sounding like my Super NES made a pop album, sometimes showing a much more layered sound, Spaceships are Cool really shows the versatility of the electronic pop sub-genre. Also, more bonus points for another cool band name.

Latvian Radio

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Latvian radio

Album: Seven Layers of Self-Defense

Label: Belpid

Genre: Indie Pop

Comments: Happy pop music in the vein of Fountains of Wayne, driven sadder-than-seems-at first-listen lyrics of Patric Westoo. They get bonus points for having a good name for a band.

Audrye Sessions

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Audrye Sessions

Album: Audrye Sessions

Label: Black Seal

Genre: Pop

Comments: Tight, guitar-driven, melodic pop band driven by Ryan Karazija's heartfelt vocals. Similar to Copeland.

Spiral Beach

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Spiral Beach

Album: Ball

Label: Sparks Music

Genre: Rock

Comments: To say a band has influences of Franz Ferdinand these days is like saying an 80's band is influenced by Led Zepplin: it's just a given that any indie band which plays guitar driven dance rock will be linked to those Glaswegians. So, yeah, Spiral Beach sort of sounds like Franz Ferdinand, and even captures the same sort of playfully sinister tone, but, really, I guess I am just saying they play catchy pop-rock.

Cazals

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Cazals

Album: What of Our Future

Label: The Hours

Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock

Comments: The part I like the most about the Cazals is that they play angular rock like it was still 2004. It's still danceable, but without all of the electronic influence inside today's dance rock. Case in point: "To Cut a Long Story Short" sounds like something Bloc Party should have made after Silent Alarm, but the Cazals manage to pull it off without sounding like they are copying anyone.

Other Lives

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Other Lives

Album: Other Lives

Label: TBD

Genre: Alternative/Folk

Comments: Other Lives’ self-titled record is full of deep instrumentation and longing vocals, creating a low-key vibe similar to recent playlist addition Oren Lavie. Thoughtfully orchestrated, Other Lives’ uses piano and violin to great effect—never overdone, always complementing the vocals. Solid album, start with tracks 1, 6, and particularly 7 (“Matador”), which has a style reminiscent of DeVotchKa.

The Love Language

Add Date: February 3

Artist: The Love Language

Album: The Love Language

Label: Bladen County

Genre: Indie-Pop

Comments: The Love Language, a self-described “lo-fi Indie-Pop band from Raleigh, NC”, creates the type of songs you would expect, but with a surprising amount of depth. The album starts out with an old-time piano-bar type song, and this trend continues throughout their entire self-titled debut. Radio-friendly; start with tracks 2 and 5.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Add Date: February 3

Artist: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Album: Lonely Road

Label: Virgin

Genre: Rock

Comments: Pop-punk in the vein of Cute is What We Aim for/The Academy Is…/virtually any Fueled by Ramen band, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is a pretty standard group in the genre—they create catchy (admittedly, really catchy), pretty inoffensive songs--but nothing totally surprising. With that said, “Lonely Road” is a well-crafted and well-produced album, and all of the songs are radio-ready--it’s just a question of whether or not pop-punk is your thing. If you’re up for it, start with tracks 3 or 8, and for slower tracks, try 7 and/or 11.

Umphrey's McGee

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Umphrey's McGee

Album: Mantis

Label: Sci Fidelity Records

Genre: Jam-Band/Rock

Comments: Jam band forerunners Umphrey’s McGee create another solid progressive rock album with Mantis, which sounds pretty much how you’d expect it to (even if, like me, you’re no jam-band expert, you’d probably be pretty comfortable describing what the album, although you’d be proven totally incorrect by their live shows). The sound is perpetually moving, the instrumentation stands without any vocals, and when there are vocals, they’re pretty upbeat. Apparently this record sees Umphrey’s moving towards a more progressive sound, but you can’t have an 11+ minute track and escape the jam-band category.

Mi Ami

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Mi Ami

Album: Watersports

Label: Quarterstick Records

Genre: Experimental/Other

Comments: Mi Ami might have difficulty making into solid radio-rotation, if only for the part-screeching, part-yelling vocals, which certainly set the tone for an experimental album. Watersports, which was recorded mostly live over a period of 2 ½ days, is reminiscent slightly of Little Teeth’s newest release “Child Bearing Man”. Frantic and sometimes downright overwhelming, Mi Ami’s sound is not for the faint of heart, but will certainly intrigue some listeners.

A'tris

Add Date: February 3

Artist: A'tris

Album: A'tris EP

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, Alt

Comments: This is a preview of their upcoming (Fall 2009) album and features songs familiar to live show fans. This Boston group may please fans of Mute Math or Copeland.

Syndicate

The Von Bondies

Add Date: February 3

Artist: The Von Bondies

Album: Love, Hate and Then There's You

Label: Majordomo

Genre: Rock

Comments: You might remember The Von Bondies from their 2004 hit "C'mon C'mon." This album, their third studio release brings tight, cathcy, anthemic rock which reminded me of The Subways or Jet. Check out the opener "This is Our Perfect Crime" or "Pale Bride."

Syndicate

Elusive Parallelograms

Add Date: February 3

Artist: Elusive Parallelograms

Album: And Everything Changes

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, Post-Punk, Psychedelia

Comments: Occasionally successful post-punk/shoe-gaze/experimental/electronica/rock with a heavy dose of the psychedelic sound form this Milwaukee group. "Destroyer" is a fast and hard rock blast that reminded me of Jet. I liked "coagulated conduit" which offers more mellow acoustics. RIYL: Eagles of Death Metal, Mando Diao, ...Trail of Dead

Team Clermont