Top 5 Adds - September 29

Top 5 Adds for September 29:

Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons

Alberta Cross

The Shaky Hands

The Dutchess & the Duke

The XX

Also play:The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Lou Barlow, Vivian Girls

Certainly play: Islands

Lou Barlow

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Lou Barlow

Album: Goodnight Unknown

Label: Merge

Genre: Rock, lo-fi, folk rock

Comments: Goodnight Unknown is Lou Barlow's first proper solo record since 2005's Emoh, but in his defense, he's been kinda busy. You know, with that whole Dinosaur Jr. reunion thing, which has spun into two new LPs from the alt-rock legends. Plus, he's overseen the re-release of three of Sebadoh's classic LPs from the late '80s/early '90s. So there's been a lot going on. (No word on that Folk Implosion reunion, though let's hope this blog post starts up some rumors from diehard fans who regularly Google "Folk Implosion reunion.")

So what, exactly, is Goodnight Unknown? It's certainly not the greatest album in Barlow's rather extensive catalog, but it's still a fine set of sometimes folksy, sometimes lo-fi pop tunes from the man that AllMusic.com calls "[a]rguably the most prolific songwriter of his generation." While I'd counter that that title should probably be bestowed upon his fellow Dayton native, Robert Pollard, there's no debating Barlow's mastery of the craft. Start with the Sebadoh-lite title track and "One Machine, One Long Fight," as well as folk tunes "I'm Thinking..." and "The One I Call."

Vivian Girls

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Vivian Girls

Album: Everything Goes Wrong

Label: In the Red

Genre: Rock, punk, noise pop

Comments: Vivian Girls exploded onto the scene in 2008, initially wowing the blogosphere with their blend of '60s harmonies--both Beach Boys and girl group--'90s riot grrrl punk and '80s shoegaze pop. They later became everyone's favorite band to hate when a vicious case of foot-in-mouth disease swept over the trio. They're young kids thrust into the semi-spotlight; what did you expect?

While the Girls have made plenty of enemies among math-rock fans and the happy hour crowds at chain restaurants, they've also avoided the sophomore slump. Indeed, they've done so with flying colors on Everything Goes Wrong. This is probably a better album than their first LP; while Vivian Girls was a collection of great tunes, this new release sounds and flows better as a record. And their music is quickly starting to show signs of complexity and maturity, all without losing its poppy edge. Start with lead single "When I'm Gone," moody track "The Desert," pop gem "Can't Get Over You" and album opener "Walking Alone at Night."

Jenn Grant

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Jenn Grant

Album: Echoes

Label: Six Shooter

Genre: Pop/Folk

Comments: Singer-songwriter (and Ottawa's own) Jenn Grant brings us soothing folkish-pop on her album Echoes, which has a slightly retro undertone. The instrumentation is full but subdued (albeit sometimes drowsy); the focus is on Grant's skillful vocals which keep the record interesting. Try her cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".

Breakestra

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Breakestra

Album: Dusk 'Till Dawn

Label: Strut

Genre: Funk/Hip-Hop

Comments: Dusk 'Till Dawn is a interesting combination of old funk and hip-hop, a drum-happy, rhythmic collection of 15 songs from the 10-member group. Some tracks sound like they literally have been around for decades ("Dark Clouds Rain Soul"), and others are slightly more modern ("Posed to Be"). Overall, it's authentic, ambitious, and infectious--there doesn't seem to be a dull track. Fun for funk-fans, adventurous (but potentially worth it) for the rest of us.

From popmatters: "What makes Breakestra unique is that they don’t play entirely original tunes, or entirely covers. Instead, as the hip-hop influence implies, they essentially weave classic breaks in and out of their sound, in effect “sampling” records with their instruments, rather than a turntable and sampler. I can’t do a great job pointing out exactly where those breaks are. But I can tell you that the sound of this band brings to mind at various times the Blackbyrds, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Meters, perhaps Earth, Wind & Fire."

The Invisible Kid

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Invisible Kid

Album: The Entrance

Label: Bikiniwax

Genre: Electronic

Comments: The Entrance is the first full-length release from The Invisible Kid, a one-man outfit known previously for doing remixes and mash-ups (of note: remix work for UK trip-hop/electronic group the Sneaker Pimps). Part dance-floor ready tunes, part atmospheric electronic music, "The Entrance" is a welcome addition to this year's electronic releases. Try the first track ("The Last Night") for an upbeat anthem and the second track ("ITC (Keep the Light On)") for a slower, airy experience.

Noah and the Whale

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Noah and the Whale

Album: The First Days of Spring

Label: Cherrytree/Interscope

Genre: Folk/Rock

Comments: A gorgeously layered album, The First Days of Spring is chock-full of dreamy, un-rushed instrumentation and vocals. The title track is marvellous, and the rest of the album is certainly up to par. Start with tracks 1, 3, 6 (with a choral section!), and 8.

Vic Chesnutt

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Vic Chesnutt

Album: At the Cut

Label: Constellation

Genre: Folk, Folk/Rock

Comments: At the Cut is an intimate, detailed record from Vic Chesnutt--it starts out with a large-scale track ("Coward") but settles into the more familiar territory of grounded, authentic singer-songwriter folk. It's disarmingly quiet on some tracks and surprisingly loud on others but overall, a layered, focused record. Start with tracks 1, 3, and 6.

You Just Don't & the Ashtray Life

Add Date: September 29

Artist: You Just Don't & the Ashtray Life

Album: Monsters & Bird Monsters

Label: Missing Words

Genre: Folk/Rock

Comments: You Just Don't (aka Knoxville native Joshua Manis) and The Ashtray Life (aka Derek Jennings' solo project) bring us a pretty awesome split (misleading cover art aside) with Monsters & Bird Monsters, which is full of stripped-down folk (the You Just Don't side, or the first 5 songs) and gentle acoustic rock with melodic vocals (The Ashtray Life side, or the last 5 songs). Both sides are well worth a listen.

No Age

Add Date: September 29

Artist: No Age

Album: Losing Feeling [EP]

Label: Sub Pop

Genre: Rock

Comments: Overall solid EP from Southern California garage-rock band No Age. There's your usual throwaway track, but the other three songs are good enough, with the closer "You're a Target" being just enough to drum up good feelings for the upcoming new album.

Electric Tickle Machine

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Electric Tickle Machine

Album: Blew it Again

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop/Rock

Comments: The sticker on the front describes this music as "American Garage Pop," and I really can't disagree. At times the band sounds like a mix between early Strokes and early Shout out Louds, while other times they branch out a little more from the Garage Pop formula. When it all comes together ("Ask Me Anything"), it's a great example of how good pop music can be.

.moneen.

Add Date: September 29

Artist: .moneen.

Album: The World I Want to Leave Behind

Label: Vagrant

Genre: Rock

Comments: Canadian band Moneen's fourth album continue's on their path of playing music that is relatively loud and heavy combined with somewhat delicate guitars and lead vocals. It reminds me a lot of the alternative rock coming out near the start of this century, and that's a good thing.

The XX

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The XX

Album: XX

Label: XL

Genre: Pop

Comments: It's rare to find a pop band which uses synthesized beats well, which is what makes The XX. Instead of taking over the song, the synthesized parts of the song takes back seat to the two vocalists and a very fragile-sounding guitar. There is a reason this London-based band is really starting to pick up a lot of hype over there.

Richard Hawley

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Richard Hawley

Album: Truelove's Gutter

Label: Mute Corporation

Genre: Alternative Pop (going by Wikipedia)

Comments: "The former Pulp and Longpigs member returns with an exceptionally emotional affair." Definitely a darker album than his britpop work, and he throws in some strange instrumentation, just for fun.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Album: Higher than the Stars [EP]

Label: Slumberland

Genre: Pop, Indie-pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are back with four brand-new songs that do what the band does best-- breathe fresh life into indie-pop with their exuberance, charm and, of course, quality tunes. 'Higher than the Stars' races along on arpeggiated keyboards and quickly strummed guitars, a perfect pop nugget that could be ripped from Robert Smith's songbook. ... '103' [is] a fizzing slice of summertime noise-pop with all the melody, fuzz and fun you've come to expect from The Pains and a snazzy little stun-guitar solo to boot. ... 'Falling Over' [is] a brooding synth-led tune as yearning, lovelorn and dreamy as pop gets. 'Twins' turns up the fuzz, a mid-tempor rocker with a sing-along chorus and catchy-as-heck guitar lead as the hook."

Pure shoegazey indie pop for fans of The Cure, Asobi Seksu, or My Bloody Valentine. Check out the title track (be sure to play the clean version on track 1).

Terrorbird

The Avett Brothers

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Avett Brothers

Album: I and Love and You

Label: Columbia

Genre: Rock, Folk

Comments: From the promoter:

"The Avett Brothers are a rootsy amalgam of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and pop, with a jab of punk-style dynamics here and there. Drawn by the naked honesty of their songs and the rousing intensity of their live shows, legenday producer and talent scout Rick Rubin signed the Avett Brothers-- siblings Scott and Seth, and bassist Bob Crawford -- to his American Recodrings label in 2008. 'As soon as I heard hte depth in the singing and songwriting, I was in for the ride,' says Rubin, 'the purity of the message stops you in your tracks. It's unusual to hear such open-hearted sentiment from young artists today.'"

Speaking to their mainstream appeal, NPR called this an album that "anyone could love." Given the secretly sentimental, Southern tendencies of W&L students, there's no reason why this warm, captivating, earnest music shouldn't be a hit here. If you haven't heard the title track of "I and Love and You" yet, check it out. I also liked "Laundry Room" and "Ten Thousand Words."

Team Clermont

Cosmo Jarvis

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Cosmo Jarvis

Album: Humasayouhitch/Sonofabitch

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop

Comments: Cosmo Jarvis creates upbeat, well-crafted pop (sometimes tinged with electronic sensibilities) on Humasyouhitch/Sonofabitch, his 6-song release. It's creative, and despite being divded into 2 "sides" (the 'fun' side vs. the side in which "Cosmo really demostrates the wisdom lurking in a heart that's not so much dark as immensely human"), pretty cohesive. Try tracks 1 and 3.

Orenda Fink

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Orenda Fink

Album: Ask the Night

Label: Saddle Creek

Genre: Folk pop

Comments: "The songs vary in tone and style and often defy categorization as they move between old-time waltz, country, folk, and haunting bluegrass." Ms. Fink's voice is breathy and heartfelt, and lends an air of authenticity and sincerity to her haunting melodies and story-telling vocals.

The Lost Fingers

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Lost Fingers

Album: Lost in the 80s

Label: Tandem.mu

Genre: Paul Anka

Comments: 80s hits reworked as jazz. sometimes the fact that it is clearly a well-known 80s song is just distracting, sometimes its funny, sometimes it is brilliant- "Billie Jean" and "Tainted Love" are great.

Shayna Zaid & The Catch

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Shayna Zaid & The Catch

Album: Shayna Zaid & The Catch

Label: tinderbox music

Genre: Folk, pop

Comments: Quirky, folksy pop music with lovely female vocals.

The Cribs

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Cribs

Album: Ignore the Ignorant

Label: Universal

Genre: Indie Rock

Comments: This is so British indie rock that I don't even know what to talk about. There's only four songs in the whole teaser CD, and they have a sort of post-punk sound, though I might just be confused by The Smiths's guitarist creating tunes that are simultaneously pleasing and instantly forgettable (just like the Smiths's original music hurr hurr hurr). Still, the prophets of indie sound are starting to wave around "top album of 2009" for the full thing, and really it is pretty nicely produced, but there's just a lack of real passion in the sound. Part of me wants to track down the previous albums, as the first two were produced by Bobby Conn and a member of Orange Juice, while this one was done by Paul Epworth, whose credits are basically a hitlist for albums to which my reaction was "yeah it's nice but who effing cares."

I guess I'm saying is that my musical sixth sense is implying that people who love indie rock are going to love the hell out of this, but I just feel like I was taken to an exhibit of the "WORLD'S MOST PERFECT BRITISH INDIE SONG" under bulletproof glass and scowling guards with CCTV cameras for eyes. Brr.

Joel Plaskett

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Joel Plaskett

Album: 3

Label: Maple Music

Genre: Bluesy rock

Comments: although i personally believe that 1. only the magnetic fields can make a three-cd album that is worth listening to ("69 love songs") and 2. only the magnetic fields can make an obsessively themed cd ("i"), i also think that 3. this release is really quite good. twangy, bluesy rock are accompanied by various styles of vocals, from three-part boy/girl harmony to fuzzbox solos. slightly country rock music (a little softer than the drive-by truckers). start with wait wait wait.

Alice in Chains

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Alice in Chains

Album: Black Turns to Blue

Label: Virgin

Genre: Grunge

Comments: Alice in Chains, after having not released a single album since...good lord, 1996 (I am so old) is finally back with a new singer, a new album, and...honestly, the exact same sound they had in 1996. This cannot be overemphasized: Black Turns to Blue is not a departure from the Alice In Chains sound, so if you're wanting to play some 90's nostalgia and still work down your playlist, have no fear. Hell, the replacement singer is basically a nearly perfect imitation of Layne, which is kind of comforting, but also a teensy-bit creepy.

I have to admit, I've always been a little hesitant towards Alice in Chains. Their sludgey metal was never my thing, and being marketed to the public as alternative/grunge just made my younger self confused about how the hell I was supposed to interpret this band, eventually giving up and listening to Soundgarden. The album itself is sort a mishmash of the various Alice in Chains sounds, from the slightly overlong dirges to the rock ballads to the standard anthems. Still, there aren't many standout songs. "Check My Brain" is the obvious hook-laden single, while "Black Turns to Blue," the tribute track to Layne, is probably the most out of the ordinary track, though not in the best way: it features Elton John on piano.

In Defence

Add Date: September 29

Artist: In Defence

Album: Into the Sewer

Label: Learning Curve

Genre: Thrashcore

Comments: It's, well, thrashcore. Or, basically, thrash metal with a slightly more punk aesthetic (which for In Defence, means only one song over two minutes and thirty seconds). It's hard to really rate stuff like this, though I was handbanging the entire time, and some of the arrangments are actually pretty creative for an album whose cover art is a zombie coming out of a sewer. If you're some sort of metal purist, it may be annoying that the band's aesthetic is slightly satirical towards some aspects of the hardcore culture ("I'm Not a Moshist" is a careful dissertation comparing square pits versus circle pits), but I imagine that people that take this sort of thing seriously probably don't have radio shows for very long, aye?

Karl Blau

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Karl Blau

Album: Zebra

Label: K

Genre: Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Listening to Karl Blau's albums and trying to describe what you hear is like walking through a local farmer's market and describing all the vegetables grown in that area. The common thread running through Blau's records is a love felt for homegrown music. ... In a world of instant access to musical cultures near and far, Blau overtly mirrors African musical influences with hints of blues, soul and rock steeped in l'herbe de Northwest and calls it Zebra... Blessed with an expressive and gentle barritone, Blau asks the eternal question: 'What's next?'"

As weird as a desciption as the above is, I really couldn't do any better myself. Blau's music is earthy pop (does that make it folksy?) tinged with bluesy-bass lines and glazed over with some psychedelics. Strange, but gentley so. Listen to "Dark Sedan Returns" for a good psych-pop number. "Flood" makes me think Kurt Cobain does downers with Jefferson Airplane.

Team Clermont

The Dutchess and The Duke

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Dutchess and The Duke

Album: Sunset/Sunrise

Label: Hardly Art

Genre: Pop, Folk, "Campfire punk"

Comments: From the promoter:

"Sunset/Sunrise [is] a slump-dodging opus that takes the dark, raw beauty of the band's debut and scales it up to distinctly luminescent heights, thanks to a graceful synthesis of painfully earned creative maturity and thoughtful production under Greg Ashley's (Gris Gris) adroitly tuned ears. ... Though minor chords and romantically morose lyrical yarns about misplaced affections and spiritual inertia remain touchstones, there's a refreshing undercurrent of optimistic light running through songs like 'The River' and 'New Shadows,' a bewildered and beautiful reflection on Dutchess and the Duke leader Jesse Lortz's impending parenthood. The presence of of Lortz's innate grasp of classic '60s pop structures is still audible, but so is growth beyond an obvious affection for early Rolling Stones, with songs like 'Let it Die' pulsing with a sly warmth and subtle twang all their own."

The sophmore release from The Dutchess and The Duke following their 2008 release, She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke. The great, intimate mix of male and female vocals are the icing on the cake for this very well-crafted, exuberant, dramatic and generally likeable collection of pop/folk ditties for fans of Kimya Dawson or 60's pop. Listen to "Living This Life."

AAM

Eureka Birds

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Eureka Birds

Album: Eureka Birds

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: The Baltimore City Paper calls this record "a Brian Wilson-esque orchestral pop cornucopia." I wouldn't go quite that far. I like this six-piece from Baltimore, representing the Old Line State in a way that Good Charlotte and O.A.R. could only dream (sorry, Justine), but I wouldn't call this one of the best records of the year. Very Death Cab with a nod to the Get Up Kids, but not to be strictly pigeonholed as emo. Check out tracks 1 and 3 to begin.

Islands

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Islands

Album: Vapours

Label: Anti-

Genre: Indie pop

Comments: I tore into this one almost immediately, being a pretty big Islands fan meself, and am not disappointed. Islands produce another fantastic pop album in Vapours, which isn't really full of a dull moment. Tracks like "Switched On," "Tender Torture," and the title track are standouts, but I don't think you'll find a clunker on here. Fans of bands in the style of Wolf Parade and the Arcade Fire should give this a spin. Trivia: Jaime Thompson, ex-Unicorn and bandmate of Islands' frontman Nick Diamonds, re-joins the mix on Vapours. He's welcome to stick around, as far as I'm concerned.

Dethklok

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Dethklok

Album: The Dethalbum II

Label: Williams Street

Genre: Death Metal

Comments: For those not cool enough to be watching MATURE CARTOONS, Dethklok is the fictional band from the Adult Swim series Metalocalypse. The show's premise is fairly simple: Dethklok is a phenomonally successful metal band made up of musicians who, except for their playing abilities, are incredibly hopeless in almost every way. In other words, think of This is Spinal Tap with frequent bouts of comically grotesque violence. One hook of the show is that one of the show's creators, Brendon Small, composes original music for the show, and this album is full-length arrangements of the music from the second season.

So, how's the actual music? It's classified as "melodic death metal," though metal subgenres are generally pretty silly. Still, compared to the last album, there's much more thrash elements, though it's hardly balls to the wall, as it were. Ultimately, it's approachable metal, which means you can play this for people who don't have "OPETH" tattooed on their eyeballs and there's a chance they may not totally hate it (sort of like Mastodon and Converge, who are incidentally both appearing in Dethklok's "virtual tour"). Of course, it being approachable doesn't mean it's bad, and while not every 4-minute arrangement is able to keep up the energy, but "The Gears," "Black Fire Upon Us," and "Murmaider II" are all pretty excellent examples of modern metal, death, thrash, or whatever.

A final positive note. While playing The Dethalbum II during a drive to Charlottesville, I was compelled to commit absolutely retarded traffic manuevers, for fear the singer would come through the radio and kick my ass otherwise. And when you know that the singer is TOTALLY IMAGINARY, that's a pretty high testament to how metal your album is.

Dot Dot Dot

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Dot Dot Dot

Album: 1

Label: Level It

Genre: Electronic

Comments: Pure synth energy. 1 is a collection of 5 songs that has one foot in the 80s and the other on the modern dance-floor i.e., it's really catchy electrono-pop (the vocals are big and belted out). The best part, perhaps, is that it's RIYL Duran Duran, because WHO DOESN'T? (Note: also RIYL Hellogoodbye or The Killers).

Alberta Cross

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Alberta Cross

Album: Broken Side of Time

Label: ATO

Genre: Rock

Comments: Amazing album. Unique vocals grab you from the get-go and the on-point distortion, coupled with layered riffs and intertwined melodies, keeps you hooked. Blues-influenced if you listen for it; Kings of Leon pre-"Sex on Fire" + a bit of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club; toured with Oasis, The Shins, and Bat for Lashes. Well worth a listen or 12.

Hollis Brown

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Hollis Brown

Album: Hollis Brown

Label: Vibe Theory

Genre: Rock

Comments: Hollis Brown, despite hailing from NYC, creates "hook-soaked pop and blues-drenched rock 'n roll" and seems to be following in the recently-popular kinda-alt-country-rock trend. Thus, making them very radio-friendly. With that said, it's very poppy rock, but it's well thought-out and the songs are individually solid. Start with tracks 2 (featuring yowling vocals) and 3 (in a slower southern style).

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Album: The Whole Fam Damnily

Label: Side-One Dummy

Genre: Blues/Alternative

Comments: The Whole Fam Damnily by new-blues band Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band is an album full of rhythmic, energetic blues served straight up. Unprocessed and almost raw, but highly catchy--chalk that up to the washboard, perhaps? It's authentic but modern and pretty unusual, with pretty simple but quirky lyrics about topics such as heathcare and momma's cookin'. Start with tracks 1, 3 and 9 (titled "Walmart Killed the Country Store").

Velvet Truckstop

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Velvet Truckstop

Album: Sweet Release

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Another CD in the southern-roots rock tradition, Sweet Release by Velvet Truckstop is a melodic undertaking in the "new tradition of soul-infused Carolina Rock & Roll". It's straightforward Nashville-friendly rock, including piano and pedal steel in the instrumentation. Enjoyable if not mind-blowing; start with tracks 1 and 5.

Globes on Remote

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Globes on Remote

Album: The Woo Hoo Hoo

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, Electro-pop

Comments: Cutesy ironic rock about porn, space camp, and

Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Album: Death Won't Send a Letter

Label: Black Seal

Genre: Folk, Rock

Comments: From the promoter:

"The debut album from spiritual folk singer Cory Chisel features the combined sensibilities of old school rock 'n' roll with the smooth lyrical passion of a practiced artist. Along with his Wandering Sons, Chisel breaks out of his folk mold to explore a deeper, brooding rock on Death Won't Send a Letter. A true down-home boy from Appleton, WI, Chisel was raised a strict Baptist.... Inspired by his preacher father, Chisel started to develop a sense of performance that aids his smooth vocals and honest showmanship in this strong, soulful debut.

"The blend of influences lends itself to the album's juxtaposition of grassroots lyrics and a pulsing, gritty beat courtesy of Chisel's backing band that includes members of The Raconteurs and My Morning Jacket."

Polished and well-crafted folk rock. Check out the hand-clapping, toe-tapping lead single "Born Again." For fans of Robert Francis, Connor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Sea Wolf.

Syndicate

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Album: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Label: DH

Genre: Rock, 40's/50's rock

Comments: From the promoter:

"Multi-instrumentalists Kitty, Daisy & Lewis play guitar, piano banjo, lap steel guitar, harmonica, drums, double bass, ukulele, xylophone, trombone and accordion between them. Their debut album was recorded in glorious, utterly digital-free analogue by Lewis and his father Graeme in their home studio in Kentish Town. Lewis built a home studio for the group of all vintage 40s and 50s equipement, lending the group their authentic sound."

Well, they certainly succeeded in attaining an authentic old-old-old school sound. Check out "Going Up to The Country."

Syndicate

Rival Consoles

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Rival Consoles

Album: IO

Label: Erased Tapes

Genre: Dance, electronic

Comments: From the promoter:

"Rival Consoles is youthful purveyor of intelligent dance music Ryan Lee West and this is his debut album! Rival Consoles combines a clever and complex mix of hard-hitting beats with catchy acid melodies. West strives to humanize and at the same time emphasize entirely computerized sounds to defy categorization in modern electronic music. West's beats are lush and layered with a complexity that will surprise audiences and leave them begging for more."

For fans of Daft Punk. This is some sick, party-making, highly dynamic dance-music. Check out "1985."

Terrorbird

Speakeasy Tiger

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Speakeasy Tiger

Album: The Public

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop, Rock

Comments: From the promoter:

"Featuring a passionate and dynamic frontgirl, Keytar Savant, delay-heavy rock guitars, and danceable drums, these distinctive elements combine to create a performance that is more than just that; it is an experience."

Super-energetic and dancey rock for fans of The Subways, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs or The Black Angels. Definitely check out "She Says."

Tinderbox

Brother Ali

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Brother Ali

Album: Us

Label: Rhymesayers

Genre: Hip Hop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Brother Ali returns with the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed 2007 album The Undisputed Truth. Us is an album about the people closest to Ali... those that have shaped him as a person. Many of the stories are ones we know exist but might not have a personal understanding of: American slavery from the perspective of the enslaved, as well as those that carry the burden and bloodline of the slave master; rape and the struggle to regain control after experiencing it; drug abuse; depression; homophobia; divorce; and more. All heavy topics that few can approach with the same human touch and understanding as Ali.

"As with all his previous releases, Ali's muical landscape has been crafted by Atmosphere beatsmith Ant. Staying true to their soul and blues influences they've become infamous for, Us takes on a more lush and dense sonic quality with the duo's incorporation of live instrumentation."

Try out "The Preacher" or "Us."

Spectre

David Gray

Add Date: September 29

Artist: David Gray

Album: Draw the Line

Label: Mercer Street

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"David Gray's 8th studio album has been four years in the making after parting ways with his former band, feeling that 'the creative spark was sort of diminishing between the people who were involved.' The album has the delivery and arrangements Gray is know for but with but with new life imbued in the songs, the singer changing his introspection to looking outside of himself."

While the album is monotonous at times, the opener "Fugitive" is undeniably catchy pop and definitely radio-ready. Also listen to "Kathleen," which features vocals by Jolie Holland.

Syndicate

A Bad Think

Add Date: September 29

Artist: A Bad Think

Album: Simple Rhymes

Label: Windmark

Genre: Pop, Alt-Rock

Comments: From the promoter:

"The multi-talented drummer of early '80s phenomenon Flock of Seagulls is back with his new project, A Bad Think. Years after recording and touring stints with the synth-pop group, Michael Marquart has reinvigorated the songwriters' rock moverment with his compelling solo venture."

For fans of The Doves, Screaming Trees, Gentle Giant. Check out "Life of a Grape."

Powderfinger

Sole and the Skyrider Band

Add Date: September 29

Artist: Sole and the Skyrider Band

Album: Plastique

Label: Fake Four Inc

Genre: Hip Hop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Plastique is a reflection of the postmodern mess that is the 'me' generation. Sole and the Skyrider Band's sound has evolved into a dark, tension filled sonic experience. Sole bounces from the ironic to the iconoclastic, from the worldly to the the deeply personal. This is partly thanks to more immaculately composed music from multi-instrumentalist William Ryan Fritch, John Wagner (drummer) and Bud Berning (producer), and partly to Son Lux producer Doc Harril on the mixing boards. Featuring guest vocals from the Notwist's markus, this LP is one that will resonate with listeners for a long time."

Terrorbird

The Fall of Troy Fantasy

Add Date: September 29

Artist: The Fall of Troy

Album: In the Unlikely Event

Label: Equal Vision

Genre: Rock, prog, post-hardcore

Comments: From the promoter:
"Cinematic in scope and vision, In the Unlikely Event sees The Fall of Troy expanding its sound in every sense of the phrase: the heavy songs are bone crushing, the melodic passages are instantly memorable and, most importantly, the avant-garde experimentation doesn't overshadow the music's inherent accessibility."

The single is "Single."

Planetary

The Twilight Sad

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Twilight Sad

Album: Forget the Night Ahead

Label: FatCat

Genre: Rock

Comments: Not too many bands could be favorably and accurately compared to both Mogwai and The Smiths, but Glasgow's The Twilight Sad have quickly established just such a reputation. Forget the Night Ahead, their second LP, continues where 2007 debut Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters left off, with the loud-yet-melodic, guitar effects-driven rock of Andy MacFarlane and company providing the backdrop for James Graham's brilliant songwriting. Think of The Twilight Sad as a louder version of their countrymen/labelmates Frightened Rabbit; the music would be considered post-rock if Graham weren't delivering his lyrics, and indie pop if the guys behind him weren't cranking out such heavy, intricate melodies. One of 2009's best. Start with "Seven Years of Letters," "That Birthday Present" and "Reflection of the Television."

Le Loup

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Le Loup

Album: Family

Label: Hardly Art

Genre: Folk, folk rock, experimental pop

Comments: Family, the second LP from this D.C. pop collective, is equal parts surprising and good. Le Loup is veering away from the lo-fi, slightly electronic sounds of their 2007 debut, The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly, into a richer, fuller sound. This makes sense from the standpoint of personnel; what started out as the vehicle for Sam Simkoff's solo recordings is now a full-fledged band. The new sound is folksier, much in the vein of older Akron/Family or early Grizzly Bear. (Can we refer to an "early" period for a band that has released but three LPs? Well, I just did.) It also sounds like Panda Bear's Person Pitch had an impact on this record. Check out "Forgive Me," "Beach Town" and "Grow."

Top 5 Adds - September 22

Top 5 Adds for September 22:

(drumroll)

Monsters of Folk

Langhorne Slim

The Raveonettes

Castanets

Sissy Wish

Don't you dare miss: Coastwest Unrest, Owen, La Roux, Two Hours Traffic

La Roux

Add Date: September 22

Artist: La Roux

Album: La Roux

Label: Cherry Tree

Genre: Electronic/Pop

Comments: La Roux is an electropop outfit (actually a duo despite the overwhelming visibility of Elly Jackson in the front) hailing from the UK and making really catchy synth-happy pop songs. Their self-titled album is full of them, thanks to the electronic wonderworks of Ben Langmaid (the other half). Start with tracks 1, 3, and 4.

Rx Bandits

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Rx Bandits

Album: Mandala

Label: Sargent House

Genre: Rock

Comments: I guess late September is time for old-school bands to release new music, because along with this week's add of Pearl Jam, we also get the new Rx Bandits album Mandala. Anyone else remember when they were mostly a ska band? Those days are long gone, and Mandala "showcases a more rock-oriented quartet, while deftly sweeping in elements of Latin, prog-rock, punk, rock to dub and blues". It's complex and tightly played and produced; start with the mostly-Spanish track "Mientras La Veo Sonar".

Pearl Jam

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Pearl Jam

Album: Back Spacer

Label: Monekywrench, Inc.

Genre: Rock

Comments: It's Pearl Jam, so Back Spacer is a solid rock output. Nothing revolutionary, nothing on the level of "Ten" etc, but it's good enough--you've got your drums, your guitar, and Vedder's still-awesome voice, which saves the album from sounding generic. I guess that's as good as we're going to get from these guys at this point, and for the fact that they're still making music, thumbs up.

Forro in the Dark

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Forro in the Dark

Album: Light a Candle

Label: Nat Geo

Genre: International

Comments: Forro in the Dark are a quartet of New York-based Brazilian expatriates playing what is best described as "rural party music." It's definately not the type of music you would hear coming out of Rio, but it's still undeniably Brazilian. It's upbeat, it's tropical, it's soulful, and, dare I say it, more fun than anything I could imagine playing in Rio.

Big Bang TV

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Big Bang TV

Album: Big Bang TV

Label: Self-Released

Genre: Pop

Comments: No two songs on this album are the same style. This New York band come from vastly different backgrounds, and it shows in their musical dexterity, switching between influences from song-to-song. Even the lead singer position rotates. The only common thread running throughout the album is that every song is poppy and upbeat.

Muse

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Muse

Album: The Resistance

Label: Warner

Genre: Rock, Alternative

Comments: I don't think anyone can ever argue that Muse holds back. They are always pushing the boundaries of how 'big' songs can be in our post-stadium-rock-world. That's why I'm not surprised that lead singer Matthew Bellamy spends most of his time singing against a 1984-esque government (it works for Muse, not for Green Day), that there is an attempt at a new Bohemian Rhapsody in "United States of Eurasia (+ Collateral Damage)," or how there is a three-part symphony at the end. Of course, in going to the ridiculous edges of rock and roll, there will be some failures, and there are on this record, but when the band hits everything just right, like on "MK Ultra", you might find yourself trying to fight the power, whoever it is.

Big Pun

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Big Pun

Album: The Legacy: The Best of Big Pun (OST)

Label: Loud

Genre: Hip Hop

Comments: Big Pun lives on! The sadly deceased Terror Squad member hailed from the BRONX (NYC pride requires me to all-caps that), was the first Latino rapper to go platinum with a solo record, lost out on a Grammy to Bed-Stuy native Shawn Carter (NYC rappers > all the rest) and if you don't know the song "Still Not a Player" you are not only missing out, but potentially deaf, because that track has been everywhere and back in the past 10+ years since its release. The Legacy: The Best of Big Pun is music (and some spoken word) from the documentary about his life--basically a reason for every WLUR DJ to play some really good, authentic, early hip-hop. No excuses.

Kid Cudi

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Kid Cudi

Album: Man on the Moon: The End of Day

Label: G.O.O.D Music

Genre: Hip-Hop

Comments: Stylized electro-hip-hop; baby Kanye? Also known as the perfect hip-hop for those who generally don't listen to hip-hop. Kid Cudi--who apparently is 25 and from Ohio?!--has been all over the place lately, and even though I initially found "Day N Nite" really, really monotonous, I can no longer act like the beat isn't addictive. Which is pretty much the vibe I get from the entire album--it's not ridiculously genre-bending, but it's consistent and cohesive and really good for the whole new electronic hip hop movement, and some of the standout tracks require a replay, which says something positive about the beats. Especially the tracks with Ratatat/ Ratatat & MGMT ("Alive (Nightmare)" and "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)" respectively); the collaborations are pretty seamless and sensible and awesome.

silver starling

Add Date: sep 21

Artist: silver starling

Album: silver starling

Label: last gang records

Genre: indie rock

Comments: silver starling features members of stars and arcade fire, and unsurprisingly sounds a little like both of those bands- a little of the upbeat pop of stars and a little of the moody rock of arcade fire.

End Transmission

Add Date: September 22

Artist: End Transmission

Album: Devour

Label: Missing Words

Genre: Punk pop

Comments: I'm still not sure that this isn't secretly Motion City Soundtrack.

Eric Robertson & The Boston Boys

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Eric Robertson & The Boston Boys

Album: Listen

Label: Self-released

Genre: Singer/songwriter, folk pop

Comments: If Jason Mraz fronted Nickel Creek, and changed his name to Eric Roberson, and Nickel Creek was called The Boston Boys, these would be very similar bands sonically, and identical in name.

Mike Zito

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Mike Zito

Album: Pearl River

Label: Electro Groove

Genre: Blues

Comments: From the label:

"Mike Zito's passion for music has long been fueled by his love of the guitar and the icons who helped propel the instrument to its legendary status. While growing up Zito was initially captivated by the innovative guitar sounds of Eddie Van Halen, but later discovered the soulful blues-inspired playing of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan."

Soulful, bluesey Americana. Check out the title-track.

AM

Add Date: September 22

Artist: AM

Album: Future Sons & Daughters

Label: Filter

Genre: Alt-Rock, Folk-Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Los Angeles based alt-rock artist AM...(also his initials), found inspiration for his new album in his own 1960's record collection of obscure Brazilian music and Italian soundtracks. Fusing simple, intelligent lyrics, undeniable pop sensibilities and sparse, psychadelic groove, Future Sons and Daughters strikes a balance between the classic and the future. [It] breings a heady brew of twinkling Anglified folk-rock pop, twangling Americana, carressing Philly soul and funky R&B. With bridges and choruses reminiscent of The Beatles and Badfinger, Curtis Mayfield and Jorge Ben, AM demonstrates the simple fact of songwriting: that imaginiation and taste is what it's all about."

Super chill, nicely done folk-pop. Definitely listen to "It's Been So Long," which songs like a laid-back Peter Bjorn and John number. "Fortunate Family Tree" is also good and has more of a Belle & Sebastian vibe.

Planetary

Alice Donut

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Alice Donut

Album: Ten Glorious Animals

Label: Alternative Tentacles

Genre: "Bent Psych Freak Pop"

Comments: Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Records has a history of some really good releases (a 30-year history this year!) and some really f***ed up and weird stuff. This one lingers in the middle of the spectrum just a little bit. Alice Donut, who've been making tunes since before you were born (1986), have quite the following for their ridiculous live shows. I'd say that some of that nonsense is channeled on Ten Glorious Animals. Fans of the Stooges and their imitators will probably find something they like. The closing track is a cover of Pixies' "Where Is My Mind," laced with trombones, which is an interesting take on this standard of the indie rock canon.

Two Hours Traffic

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Two Hours Traffic

Album: Territory

Label: Bumstead

Genre: Rock

Comments: The hook on the first track of Territory reminds me of the Foo Fighters, but don't let that throw you (or do? if you're a Foo fan, as I'm still not sure whether I am or not). Two Hours Traffic returns with their third record of "sunny pop gems for the heart and head." Pretty tight-knit straightforward rock and roll, conventional but by no means boring. You'll find a slew of great singles on here (and, to further indulge my '90s "alt rock" sensibilities, a voice that recalls Everclear's Art Alexakis). Start with "Noisemaker" and the title track.

Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons

Album: Born Again (single)

Label: Black Seal

Genre: Rock, allt-country

Comments: What the Kings of Leon might sound like if their lead singer wasn't perpetually gargling Listerine (that sounds like a great band name). A group hailing from APPLETON, WISCONSIN (that's right, everyone, hometown of our very own WILL ACKELL!), they make pretty solid alt-countryish rock and roll. Sounds pretty radio-friendly, but not in a bad way. Check out the full-length once we get it.

Manic Street Preachers

Add Date: September 12

Artist: Manic Street Preachers

Album: Journal For Plague Lovers

Label: Columbia

Genre: Alternative Rock

Comments: To start of this review with perfect honesty, I'd never listened to the Manic Street Preachers before, or at least wasn't aware that a song by them was something I had heard before. Part of this is due to my total lack of understanding of 90's British music, and part of it might be that I sort of lumped them in with the Reverend Horton Heat (hey it's a totally honest mistake they both have three words and have religious references right right). So, for an album that is taking lyrics from a missing bandmate and setting them to music, it seemed a little logical to hear at least one album before them. And being super logical, I picked "The Holy Bible," which was the final album from said missing bandmate, and apparently the last album from this band before they decided to try to beat U2 at their own game.

One problem is that I keep forgetting that alternative rock "dark" is different from my definition of "dark." Stuff like Foetus makes "The Holy Bible" about as dark as an episode of Arthur (though to be fair Arthur is a little morbid for a kid's show), but yeah for stuff that non-horrible people listen to, this is pretty dark stuff, like a slightly more palatable Fugazi with all the experimental stuff taken out in place of ALL POST PUNK, ALL THE TIME. And hell, "Faster" is a hell of an effective single.

So, without really waiting, I put on "Journal For Plague Lovers."

For better or worse, it's not a retread of "The Holy Bible." It's certainly not post-punk, sounding ironically more like all those other 90's British bands (I have to say that if this is a much harder album than the post-Bible albums by Manic Street Preachers as implied by reviews, I'm a little scared at how those sounded). This is kind of a detriment, for while The Holy Bible manage to hide its struggles at inserting frankly completely insane lyrics into coherent songs by pushing the noise to eleven, "Journal For Plague Lovers" simply attempts to straight face it. This works as long you don't actually listen to the lyrics, otherwise alot of the songs are like a businessman in a meeting talking about how Obama's birth certificate is on the moon that we never visited. There is a decent variety of songs, and while none are particularly catchy (with the exception of the New Order-ishy opening of "Marlon JD" and the creepy arrangement in "She Bathed Herself in a Bath of Bleach."

A final thought. Before I started reviewing the album, I read the whole backstory of the band, and was totally pumped to write a great review, either excoriating the band for basically profiting off the lyrics of their dead dude, or writing how the band miraculously used the lyrics to create this great work. Of course, as is often the case, the reality is pretty lame: it's a good album with an irksome little gimmick that slightly overshadows the actual music.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Music is...Awesome! (Yo Gabba Gabba)

Label: Filter U.S.

Genre: Kindergarten pop

Comments: A compilation from Nick Jr.'s latest brainchild, the Yo Gabba Gabba! band intersperses its own sometimes-terrifying happy tunes with those from indie rock and rap favorites (The Shins, The Roots, and I'm From Barcelona all show up). The show is a Sesame Street style romp and listening to the Yo Gabba Gabba! tracks on here -- brought to you by the show's own DJ Lance Rock -- is hypnotic. The Roots' track is a standout (and doesn't sound a thing like them) and Of Montreal urge you to "Brush, Brush, Brush" your teeth. Wonderfully bizarre; if you dig Pancake Mountain or Juno made you a recent Kimya Dawson convert, check this out.

Amusement Parks on Fire

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Amusement Parks on Fire

Album: Young Fight [EP]

Label: Filter U.S.

Genre: Rock, post-punk

Comments: A blend of balls-out noise rock and dream-pop sensibilities inhabit Young Fight, the precurser to Amusement Parks on Fire's soon-to-come full-length. Having toured in support of The Happy Mondays and The Psychadelic Furs, these guys have the chops to defend their friends in high places: to listen to this EP all the way through is to go from the tamest acoustics to the deepest reaches of fuzz. Compare and contrast the loud (track 1, "In Our Eyes") with the soft (track 4, "Young Fight").

Chuck Ragan

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Chuck Ragan

Album: Gold Country

Label: Side One Dummy

Genre: Folk/Alternative

Comments: Rough, large-scale vocals make Chuck Ragan's Gold Country a distinct album in the folk genre. The overall feel is slightly Mischief Brew-esque--full, slightly harsh vocals coupled with steady instrumentation of (most commonly) guitar, drums and violins, sometimes highlighted by backing vocals. The effect is awesomely catchy, layered folk-rock. Start with tracks 1, 2, and 11.

Old School Freight Train

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Old School Freight Train

Album: Six Years

Label: 11:12

Genre: Rock/Alternative

Comments: The new Old School Freight Train record Six Years starts off with a slow, folk version of Blondie's "Heart of Glass." It's an awesome cover, and the rest of the record is solid, with tracks ranging from bluesy-folk to upbeat drum-happy alt-rock to country-tinged tracks with violin, banjo, and saxophone. Impressive instrumentation and distinctive vocals tie the album together into a happy, eclectic alt-rock-somewhat-Americana production.

Langhorne Slim

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Langhorne Slim

Album: Be Set Free

Label: Kemado

Genre: Folk/Rock

Comments: Langhorne Slim's newest album Be Set Free is a delightful, upbeat folk-rock record full of cheery and prominent vocals highlighted by full instrumentation (sometimes a violin, sometimes a banjo). It's unfussy and enjoyable, with tracks ranging from powerful pop ("Say Yes") to large-scale folk ballads ("I Love You, but Goodbye"). Try tracks 2, 3, and 12.

The Grates

Add Date: September 22

Artist: The Grates

Album: Teeth Lost, Hearts Won

Label: Dew Process

Genre: Female Vocalist Indie Pop

Comments: The best way I can describe this band is a relentlessly happy "Pretty Girls Dig Graves." You could also compare it to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sleater-Kinney, Be Your Own Pet and any other pop-rock female vocalist bands, but again, the operative word is "happy." And maybe "bouncy." Still, even the softest songs have a undercurrent of driving rhythm that kept me fairly hooked to the album. The album does start to slow a little bit in the middle, but then wake up with a sequined ball and chain for the final two songs.

From the notes: "The Grates present their second album, Teeth Lost, Hearts Won: an entirely different animal altogether. Lead singer Patience says that "If Teeth Lost, Hearts Won was a beast, I imagine it'd be something from Where the Wild Things Are." Also features Kori Gardner from Mates of State on Track #6.

Turbo Fruits

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Turbo Fruits

Album: Echo Kid

Label: Fat Possum

Genre: Garage Rock

Comments: Sweet, simple garage rock music. They're no Guitar Wolf, but one can still see some sort of horrifying hipster biker walking into the bar with this kind of music, and that's probably what this sort of group was aiming for. They've definitely got massive reserves of passion and swagger, and while there's nothing especially noteworthy about them, screw it. It's awesome.

Tracks 1 and 2 are good for pick-me-ups, while 6 and 10 are your standard issue 60's pop reinventions that I've been hearing alot lately.

Times New Viking

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Times New Viking

Album: Born Again Revisited

Label: Matador

Genre: Noise Rock

Comments: First note. Don't play this band if you have some sort of death vendetta against low-fi. Because good effing lord, the band was apparently recorded in a burning building with microphones made out of whole grain Ritz crackers. You know when movies play some song from the 1920s on the original phonograph and all you can hear is some sort of demonic crackling? Times New Viking is worse than those records. It's even more surreal considering that past albums were apparently worse than this.

Generally, I don't really care about fidelity, but it's a little obnoxious that having music that sounds like shit is apparently a smug gimmick in modern music. "Oh ho ho," says Times New Viking, "You didn't like the fact that you can barely make anything out from the CD? Well, that's all part of our great plan, AND YOU FELL FOR IT YOU STUPID MUSIC BLOG PERSON." Then they throw down a smoke bomb and jump out a window, maybe yelling "Pavement!" on the way down. I get enough "NO U" responses with my daily interactions on the Internet without having the music I'm listening to add to the pile.

This is all especially frustrating because while this is all going on, there's some really good music going on in the background. Some of it's a little punk, some a little pop, with great hooks and occasionally a nice melody you could sway to. But I can't really see people wanting to hear this on the radios, unless your show is even more abusive to the audience than mine is.

DNP: 2

Thrice

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Thrice

Album: Thrice

Label: Vagrant

Genre: Post-Hardcore

Comments: The cover that this CD came in is a pretty good metaphor for the actual music: unwieldy, difficult to get into, and ultimately pretty unsatisfying for the effort put into it. I realize I'm firmly, firmly in the minority of not liking them, and as you probably already know who they are, suffice to say that if you liked the band before, there's nothing in this record that you're going to dislike (unless you were into them purely for their hard rock, in which case you're probably going to be a little sad). And heck, people newly exposed to Thrice will probably have a pretty good chance of liking them, as they're definitely a talented band. However, I feel the need to dissent a tad here.

I've tried to listen to Thrice several times, usually after I forget about my last attempt to jam with them. Generally, it's an exercise in frustration, as while they're not as hilariously overwrought as most post-hardcore bands, but I never understood what sort of frame of mind you're supposed to have when listening to them. You certainly can't rock out to them. You can't really relax, for while there are some downtempo songs, they occasionally bounce up up with the dude falsettoing "BLAAAGH MY LOVE CANNOT BE COMPOUNDED ALL AROUND THE HEART LIES IN THE GUTTER" (seriously, is there some unwritten rule that post-hardcore lyrics have to sound like poetry I wrote when I was fourteen). The only state of mind I can think of is some sort of self-satisfied intellectual "contemplation," and the band certainly seems to rely on less on crunchy riffs and more on LOGICAL CHORD PROGRESSIONS.

Indeed, there's nothing really wrong with the sound. They certainly know how to play their instruments, and how to play their instruments in a variety of sexy ways, from heavy/rock metal to Thom Yorke style bad dream music. But there's no sound that really stands out, and ultimately Beggars sounds like a selection of filler material from five different bands put onto one CD, a Voltron of "well the producer said we needed fifteen more minutes on this EP let's crank something out." It's not that I think Thrice is a bad band, but the sheer number of people who think this should be the album of the year blows my mind.

The Black Seeds

Add Date: September 22

Artist: The Black Seeds

Album: Solid Ground

Label: Easy Star

Genre: Dub, funk

Comments: From the promoter:

"With massive success down under, a a following spreading quickly around the globe, New Zealand-based 8-piece The Black Seeds are a musical brotherhood committed to making heavyweight sounds from the South Pacific. An institution in their world, they've carved out their reputaiton on the back of two double-platinum selling albums and a masterful live show.

"The Black Seeds' sound is a boundary-crossing fusion of dub, funk, afrobeat and soul, mixed with vintage reggae. Effortlessly gliding between big-beat funk and deep roots reggae..."

For fans of John Brown's Body, Bedoin Soundclash. Check out "Love is a Radiation."

Vitriol

Volcano Choir

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Volcano Choir

Album: Unmap

Label: Jagjaguwar

Genre: Folk, pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Volcano Choir is an assembly of old friends...Collections of Colonies of Bees and Jason Vernon (Bon Iver). The collaboration predates the meteoric rise of Vernon's Bon Iver project, with original songwriting dating back to the summer of 2005, right around the time the Bees first toured with Vernon's previous band DeYarn and Edison.

"While entirely a studio record, the collection doesn't suffer from the overburndens of a digital pileup or over-thinking. Rather it breathes and convulses in equal measure, radiating an inherent dynamism found only in the voluntary bondage of intimacy. With influences ranging from David Sylvian and Steve Reich to Mahalia Jackson and Tom Waits, it might be more accurate to say that the group's influence is music itself. You can hear it in the care and real love generously applied to each moment of Unmap. With the vibe of some intimate backwoods gospel, plus a spirit of patience and thoughtful repetition, the music of Volcano Choir is as dynamic as it is lovely... This scaffolding of loops and off grid tempos for choral style vocal offers a state of continual surprise, call it unexpectation."

The problem is that, at least to me, Vernon's For Emma, Forever Ago is just so good, and so radio-ready, that it can be hard to listen to work from him (and friends) that is as disjointed and jarring as Unmap. Nonetheless, it's growing on me with repeated listening-- revealing itself as a fine piece of work. Most immediately accessible are "Still," "Seeplymouth," and "Island, Is."

Planetary

Sissy Wish

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Sissy Wish

Album: Beauties Never Die

Label: Afternoon

Genre: Pop, electro

Comments: "Bolstering her charming eccentricities is an eclecticism that makes Beauties wide-ranging yet surprisingly cohesive, as if it has allowed her simultaneously to indulge and to give shape to her every whim. The wide range of styles speaks less of someone trying to re-create the music of the past than re-imagining it in her own image. 8.0" -Pitchfork

For fans of Lykke Li, Bjork, Dirty Projectors, Concretes. Start with the super-catchy, dance-tastic "Dwts." Opener "Float" is also solid.

Vitriol

The Raveonettes

Add Date: September 22

Artist: The Raveonettes

Album: In and Out of Control

Label: Vice

Genre: Rock, Pop

Comments: From the promoter: "After two months of 15-hour days of recording, The Raveonettes are back! This time the Danish-duo created an album that marries new sonic heights with themes spanning topics like love, loss, suicide and personal expression without social approval. Creating their most realized work to date, they fleshed out their fuzzy lo-fi pop sound with sugar-sweet vocals, created lush musical composition through layering melody and rhythm, punctuated with electronic manipulations and hypnotizing guitar riffs. While their previous record, Lust Lust Lust, took them to new critical heights, In and Out of Control solidifies the Raveonettes as classic."

Very well-produced, cheery-sounding, sinister pop-rock. Think Caribou gets lyrics from The Knife.

Listen to "Breaking into Cars" or "Last Dance." (Also, though NOT clean for air play, how's "Boy's Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed)" for W&L's next gender-relations campaign?)

Terrorbird

Spiral Beach

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Spiral Beach

Album: The Only Real Thing

Label: Sparks Music

Genre: Rock, Pop

Comments: From the promoter: "On their second full-length, Toronto wunderkinds Spiral Beach offer an intricate, meticulously constructed audio collage, bringing together heaps of different sounds and ideas under their crafty, pop-leaning, dance-punk tent. Bollywood influences sparkle over the entire Michael Olson (The Hidden Cameras)-produced album but are most audible on 'Raise the Snake' and stomping electro-rocker 'May Go Round (In a Mania).' Vocalist Maddy Wilde still channels Debbie Harry (Blondie) but explores mellower moments on 'Vagueries.' A sweet disco-inflected number called 'Cemetary,' the album's strongest offering, comes late in the game but features Wilde's catchiest performance to date." --NOW

Pirate

Julie Peel

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Julie Peel

Album: Near the Sun

Label: American Laundromat

Genre: Folk, Pop

Comments: This French, self-taught, multi-instrumentalist makes sweet, though often melancholy, folk-pop. Check out her track "Living in A Movie" for a cute pop number or "Unfold" for something a little sadder. For fans of Thao, Anna Ternheim or Aimee Mann.

Pirate

Crown City Rockers

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Crown City Rockers

Album: The Day After Forever

Label: Gold Dust

Genre: Hip Hop

Comments: From the promoter: "One of the Bay Area's best-kept secrets is no longer under wraps. This month marks the release of the Crown City Rockers' third album, The Day After Forever. Overflowing with inspired, passionately conscious hip hop statements and highly-melodic musical creativity, The Day After Forever is a refreshing change from the 'stuff' passing as music these days. Crashing cymbals... stupid fresh... atmospheric textures... futuristic funk... smooth bass."

Listen to "Forever Song."

Spectre

Damn Bullets

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Damn Bullets

Album: Electric Folk Boogie

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, Americana

Comments: From the promoter: "From old time folk music and early ragtime, to boogie-woogie blues and western swing, the Damn Bullets blend a wide variety of musical idioms into their unique brand of Americana which they have aptly dubbed 'Electric Folk Boogie,' the title of their first full-length studio album."

Tinderbox

Castanets

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Castanets

Album: Texas Rose, The Thaw & The Beasts

Label: Asthmatic Kitty

Genre: Folk, Pop

Comments: From Adam Gnade for Asthmatic Kitty:

"Recorded in April of this year at Singing Serpent Studios in San Diego, Texas Rose, Castanets' fifth for Asthmatic Kitty, clocks in just under 39 minutes. It neither drags nor flies by. It is, in essence, a substantial, unpretentious, bullshit-free listening experience. Apparitional noise gives way to AM country hits. Glitch-click pop songs flower up for a minute or three then duck back under the water. Wizardy synthesizer straight outta the IMAX theater surrounds you with sound as a throb of bass grabs your hand and drags you shuffling out onto the dancefloor. ...Tiny wisps of oscillating noise dissolves then mushrooms up over half-slivers of irradiated guitar licks. It's a dream sequence the whole way through but here comes the accessibility vis-a-vis "out" part. No matter how trippy this gets - and it gets - Texas Rose is [Ray] Raposa's clearest set of actualized songs to date ... always done naturally and with a thoughtful, well-recorded classiness."

Fans of Deer Tick, Phosphorescent, or Mountain Goats will like this. Definitely check out "My Heart" for a typically excellent Castanets song or "Worn From The Flight (With Fireworks)" for a dose of quiet glitchy-pop.

Team Clermont

Brand New

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Brand New

Album: Daisy

Label: DGC/Interscope/Procrastinate!

Genre: Hard rock

Comments: Brand New's latest, their fourth studio album since 2001's Your Favorite Weapon, is more of the same -- quietier meandering verses, loud singalong choruses, ambitious lyrics and all that jazz. Daisy comes out this week after a statement made by the band earlier this year that they would not be promoting the album with any American media outlets. Okay. "Bed" is a pretty good one on here and the single, "At the Bottom," picks up where there previous singles have left off. If you're a fan of the group or their imitators, I don't think you'll be disappointed. But make sure you find the Sunny Day Real Estate reissues to hear the originals.

Coastwest Unrest

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Coastwest Unrest

Album: Songs from the Desert

Label: Reclaim

Genre: Folkish rock

Comments: High-caliber acoustic-folk-punk-rock from this Las Vegas trio who own their own record label. Very DIY, but not in a contrived sort of way. Fans of Tom Waits, The Minutemen, and the Avett Brothers will probably dig this, but couldn't simply liken it to one of those groups. "Our Punk Rock" and "Fontana Bounce" are a couple of standouts, but the whole record is mighty fine, mighty fine.

Mum

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Mum

Album: Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know

Label: Euphono

Genre: Acoustic pop

Comments: Sounds like the child of a late-night Beach House and Azure Ray combination, these Icelandic wonders deliver their fifth album, Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know. Like their Icelandic compatriots, Sigur Ros, they have a knack for arrangements and unusual sounds (perhaps not with the same amount of bravado or intensity). Electronica slowly invades track 2 and I love it. Start with track 7.

Owen

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Owen

Album: New Leaves

Label: Polyvinyl

Genre: Folk

Comments: From the one-sheet: "Chicago indie rock pioneer, Mike Kinsella [Cap'n Jazz] has garnered much acclaim under his moniker Owen for his delicate guitar picking and beautifully hushed melodies. New Leaves finds Kinsella expanding his sound and musical scope, as evidenced by the stunning synth on "Good Friends, Bad Habits." New Leaves is a big step for Kinsella and is not to be missed."

That may not mean much to anyone who hasn't heard of Kinsella (including me), but this is a fine record. The songs are hushed without requiring you to turn the volume way up, emotional but never overbearing, and there's a beautiful understatement to the way Kinsella approaches his arrangements. Tracks 1, 2, and 10 are all stunning.

Monsters of Folk

Add Date: September 22

Artist: Monsters of Folk

Album: Monsters of Folk

Label: Shangri-La

Genre: Folk rock, meandering into various others

Comments: The players -- Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James, and Mike Mogis -- truly are "monsters" of the folk-rock world: each has played an integral role in the creation of some of the best music since the clocks read "2000." Oberst is Bright Eyes (and will be until their supposed final release of next year), but he's also ditched the bedroom-diary folk of late with his Mystic Valley Band and produced some pretty reputable folk-rock; M. Ward's solo career speaks volumes (I'm sure you've heard this year's Hold Time, but if you haven't or it's been awhile, brush the dust off of the mp3s and give them a play) and his work with Zooey Deschanel as She & Him is also top-notch; Jim James had become a modern day Robert Plant at the forefront of My Morning Jacket, with pipes that can both command the song and harmonize nicely in the background; and Mogis is the ultra-producer, able to play virtually every instrument you can imagine, having lent his time and talents to seminal recordings by Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, and Tilly and the Wall. This prolific resume is enough to go out and buy this record straightaway.

Hold up. Monsters of Folk is a fine collection of songs, but I'm not so sure it's unforgettable. The three vocalists each lend a little something special to their particular tracks and trade off all over the place. Monsters of Folk was born out of a few dates that the trio of Oberst, Ward, and James played together, as well as the more-recent collaborations that Oberst and Ward have tinkered around with. Despite this full-fledged album, I can't see Monsters of Folk cementing a spot at the top of any Best of '09 lists. Still, there are some fantastic songs on here: track 2 is baller and track 6 is dandy, but the latter sounds like something that M. Ward had leftover in his bag of tricks. In my mind, the M.Ward-voiced tracks are the strongest on here, but there's something to be said about each singer's idiosyncratic belting-out. This indie-folk Traveling Wilburys -- a fine listen, a good time, but not quite as strong as their individual parts.

Frank Turner

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Frank Turner

Album: Poetry of the Deed

Label: Epitath

Genre: Folk Punk

Comments: I'm probably alone in this comparison, but this album sort of reminds me of the Cardigans, which had the same passionate pop sounds masking slightly mordant sensibilities (or in the case of Lovefool, really mordant lyrics). The basic problem (which I also had with the Cardigans) is that the album has a really really slick production style, which removes alot of the imperfections, but also the bite of some of the songs. Also like the Cardigans, the more the band embraces its basic strengths, which in Frank Turner's case is an incredibly strong, if not super complex, folk punk sound, the better the album goes.

I'm not sure if this is a complement or an insult, but this is probably the sort of album I'd give to a hypothetical teenage son who would not stop listening to shit like Blink 182. It's still really approachable, but it provides a pretty nice gateway to more bizarre music.

The Drums

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Drums

Album: Summertime!"

Label: Twentyseven

Genre: Surf Rock

Comments: Infectious summertime pop that lasts 20 minutes. But it's September! Oh no! Oh well. Just listen to Track #2, remember all those bad choices you made in the past three months, and smile.

The Ettes

Add Date: September 14

Artist: The Ettes

Album: Do You Want Power

Label: Take Root Records

Genre: Beat Punk

Comments: I was pretty lucky this week in getting two very likeable bands trying to exploit 60's sound into a modern world. While I said The Drums would have worn out their welcome after another ten minutes of music, I could easily listen to another 30 minutes of the Ettes. Part of that is that the Ettes have a garage rock core, but the other part is that the Ettes go beyond that core into a surprisingly variety of music flavors, including some bluegrass, country, and a weird glam rock frosting layer.

There's not too much to say because there's not much to criticize, especially as the band is pretty much existing just to rock out. Check them out if you like retro-inspired girly punk. Also, track #2, "I Can't Be True," is probably one of my favorite tracks this year, which is probably more indicative of my total weakness to this kind of music than actual quality.

Shudder to Think

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Shudder to Think

Album: Live From Home

Label: Team Love

Genre: Post-Hardcore

Comments: I didn't realize this when I got the album, but Shudder to Think is another (sort of) famous Dischord Record band, and thus operates on the same post-hardcore vibe as its most famous bands (Fugazi, Dag Nasty, Nation of Ulysses). As a result, there's alot of heavy rocking, but tempered by a fair amount of experimenting from the band. This is probably even more the case with this album, as this album is taken from material in several concerts after they reunited in 2008, which means a fair amount of guitar noodling. But good guitar noodling, mind you. Of course, the singer also has to be a cuss mouth between songs, which means some of the best tracks are off limits.

One of the better examples of this is the opening song, "Red House," which has a definite punk background noise, but the voicework is marked by syncopations, modulations, and generally weird lyrics. It's also totally awesome. Still, if you miss that sort of 90's punk sound, and don't mind said 90's punk sound getting pretty weird occasionally, you cannot go wrong with this.

The Bodies Obtained

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Bodies Obtained

Album: Dead Plans

Label: Finding You Attractive

Genre: Doom Pop (I totally made this up, I hope)

Comments: Apparently, this is trying to appeal to the same music demographic as A Place to Bury Strangers, and it has the same idea of awkwardly trying to skirt the line between 80's new wave and no wave. One review plants it as "sinister synth-pop," and that actually is not a completely terrible way to put it. The worst parts of the album are when the band tries to go industrial and/or minimalistic, since their choice of synth sounds are generally not that great, and when there's just two of them playing, chances are that you're going to be the loser. I might have a special affinity for the more poppy parts, since it brings me back to watching USA Up All Night as a young'un, when virtually every movie had the same pseduo-creepy, pseudo-cheerful melody schemes.

The best stuff is in the first half, especially the first three songs. By the end, the album has degenerated pretty painfully, except for Track 8 ("What's Done is Done"), which reminds me of a fairly worse Swans, (which is still pretty good, for all intents).

Top 5 Adds - September 8 and September 15

Two for one deal:

Top 5 Adds - September 8

Why?
Yo La Tengo
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions
BLK JKS
Grand Archives

Top 5 Adds - September 15

Sea Wolf
Vivian Girls
The Twilight Sad
Slaraffenland
Mason Jennings

Also check out (from both weeks): Soulsavers, Simian Mobile Disco, Le Loup, Port O'Brien, Baaba Maal (featuring Brazilian Girls)

Not to miss: Fantastic reissues of The Stone Roses and two albums from Sunny Day Real Estate

Baaba Maal

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Baaba Maal (Featuring Brazilian Girls)

Album: Television

Label: Palm Pictures

Genre: World

Comments: Take Baaba Maal, a "Senegalese master-musician", and have him collaborate with Sabina Sciubba and Didi Gutman of famed Brazilian Girls, and you get the album Television. It's a feast of multi-lingual vocals, traditional West African musical stylings, and subtle electronic elements. 2009's creative equivalent of the Manu Chao produced Amadou & Mariam album "Dimanche a Bamako". Highly recommended.

State Radio

Add Date: September 15

Artist: State Radio

Album: Let it Go

Label: Ruff Shod

Genre: Rock

Comments: "Hailing from Boston, State Radio returns with their third full length, Let it Go. Led by guitarist and vocalist Chad Urmston (formerly of Dispatch), the band comes out strong with a blend of different genres and explores punk, reggae, and rock, all with the melodic hooks that have earned them fans across the board." It's catchy rock-ska-reggae with political leanings, if nothing too extraordinary for the genre. If it's your thing, start with tracks 3, 6, and 9.

The Rifles

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Rifles

Album: The Great Escape

Label: Nettwerk

Genre: Rock

Comments: Upfront, tightly played rock is served up by UK band The Rifles on their album The Great Escape. Nothing heavy-handed, but it's solid instrumentation held together by appealing accented vocals and honest lyrics. Another welcome addition to the roster of unpretentious British rock bands--apparently "The General" is about Mike Tyson. Check out tracks 1, 4 and 10.

Lhasa

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Lhasa

Album: Lhasa

Label: Nettwerk

Genre: Folk

Comments: "Drawing from country, gospel, blues, and folk, Lhasa manages to feel ancient without a hint of nostalgia, and modern without a technological wizardly. RIYL: Cat Power, Marlene Deitrich". This is Canadian singer Lhasa's first album all in English, and the record is nicely divided between slower songs and more upbeat, Cat Power-ish tracks, where the added instrumentation allows Lhasa's vocals to be the focal point. Start with tracks 3 and 6.

Sunny Day Real Estate

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Sunny Day Real Estate

Album: Diary and LP2 (both remastered)

Label: Sub Pop

Genre: Rock

Comments: "When Sunny Day Real Estate collapsed in early 1995, few would have predicted the impact the Seattle band's music would still be having over a decade later. Now, more than 15 years since Sub Pop released Sunny Day's landmark debut album Diary, the band's original lineup is reuniting this fall to deliver its emotionally charged epics for live audiences once again". 1) Reunion tour?! 2) Sunny Day Real Estate is now on our playlist?! 3) These reissues are amazing, and Diary, whether it's your style or not, really was a big-deal album. Showing modern emo bands how it's DONE. Take note.

Animal Tropical

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Animal Tropical

Album: Doom Years

Label: Rottweiler Farm

Genre: Rock/Other

Comments: Animal Tropical has created a pretty fascinating record with Doom Years, which is a reverb-happy, peppy-vocaled, one-part toned down Animal Collective, one-part toned up Ima Robot-ish 6 track joyride. It's noisy but not heavy, experimental but still-listen-able. Sadly "Go Native" is DNP, but the other 5 are good to go. Track 2--"20 Millas"--starts out with a Beach Boys-esque vocal medley, turns into a heavy, part-electronic meltdown and then peps it up again. Awesome.

Alarm Will Sound

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Alarm Will Sound

Album: a/rhythmia

Label: Nonesuch

Genre: Instrumental/Experimental

Comments: Described by the New York Times as "one of the most vital and original ensembles on the American music scene", 20-member group Alarm Will Sound, led by artistic director Alan Pierson, is back with their latest release--the concept album a/rhythmia. They perform "14 pieces spanning six centuries, all of which explore the concept of a/rhythmia: "want of rhythm of regularity, specifically of the pulse"." Alarm Will Sound, despite being potentially difficult to fit onto most playlists, is filled with talented musicians who certainly live up to this albums' challenge.

Pastels/Tenniscoats

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Pastels/Tenniscoats

Album: Two Sunsets

Label: Domino

Genre: Folk-Pop/Other

Comments: Take "one of the godfathers of Twee" from Glasgow (Pastels) and add a pop-duo from Japan (Tenniscoats), and you get an unlikely collaboration that is melodic, relaxed, and really creative. Two Sunsets is a floaty, experiential record that is ridiculously unique. Start with tracks 2 and 7 but pay special attention to track 5, "Yomigaeru", which is probably the most accurate juxtaposition of the two groups.

Willard Overstreet

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Willard Overstreet

Album: Something to Hold Onto

Label: Heptone

Genre: Rock/Pop

Comments: "Willard delivers strong emotional vocal performances coupled with stories that seem as though they were taken from the pages of your diary". The vocals/lyrics are a bit too overtly emotional/earnest for my tastes (re:"I knew right then that time was so good, so right, so pure, so beautiful") but the instrumentation can be interesting (organ, fiddle, "dreamy lap steel swells"). Someone's cup of tea, but not mine.

The Pneurotics

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Pneurotics

Album: Second Skin

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Second Skin starts out with the amazing track "Just"--a catchy (and quite frankly, addictive) alt-country 3 minutes, and the Pneurotics keep up the pace for most of their latest record. Hailing from Chapel Hill (with Durham ties!), the husband, wife + drummer team has a slightly southern perspective but keeps their band firmly planted in the rock category, with jangly guitars and rough-but-earnest vocals. Catchy as anything.

The Proclaimers

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Proclaimers

Album: Notes & Rhymes

Label: Persevere/Universal

Genre: Rock

Comments: The Proclaimers are back after walking 500 miles to bring us new music...!! Sorry, it had to be done. Notes & Rhymes is an unoffensive, if not ground-breaking album from the Scottish twin brothers we all affectionately know--it's catchy pop on some tracks (the title track, for one), more ballad-y on others ("Sing All Our Cares Away"), and dramatic vocals all the way through. Pretty much what we would all expect, and well-done for that.

Drummer

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Drummer

Album: Feel Good Together

Label: Audio Eagle

Genre: Rock

Comments: Take the drummer from the Black Keys, add four more drummers, have them all NOT drum, and then throw in a drummer to actually drum, and you get Ohio-based group called (you guessed it), Drummer. The album Feel Good Together is a solid rock production, heavy on the slightly fuzzy-guitars and light on pretense. Check out tracks 2 and 10.

Quixote

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Quixote

Album: Quixote

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Jangly, pretty up-beat rock is served up on Quixote's self-release, along with slightly typical angry-singing--it's decent overall, but the band really pulls through when they pull out the country-influences and interesting instrumentation like horns (ie, track two, "Hubris"). Track three starts out sounding slightly like Mischief Brew, but quickly adds enough drums and guitar to keep the song from being folk. Tracks are varied enough to please most playlists, it just takes going through the album to find the stand-outs.

Craig Cassler

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Craig Cassler

Album: The Song Begins to Play

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk, country rock

Comments: Track 2 is a dead ringer for "Wagon Wheel," if you're into that sort of thing. A not-trash-worthy EP from this dude from Boston (Boston folk and southern rock?). Really, if you like Old Crow Medicine Show and don't discriminate too much with your folk balladeering, give this a spin or two.

Slaraffenland

Add Date: September 15

Artist: Slaraffenland

Album: We're On Your Side

Label: Hometapes

Genre: Rock, Pop

Comments: From the promoter: "A five-piece hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Slaraffenland (translated: 'the land of milk and honey'), splashed onto the scene with their critically acclaimed Hometapes debut Private Cinema. Dozens of shows later, including tours with Efterlang and Akron/Family, Slaraffenland returns with We're On Your Side. The new 10-track triumph connects the points between stage and studio, bringing Slaraffenland's virtuosic musicianship (brass, woodwinds, percussion, and group vocals top the standard rock band setup), compositional experimentalism (think Sonic Youth+This Heat), and the proven energy of their live performances (from house shows to the Roskilde Festival) into absolute, impeccable, addictive focus."

Heads up to fans of Akron/Family, The Knife or LCD Soundsystem. Listen to "Open Your Eyes" or "Meet and Greet."

Team Clermont

The Beatings

Add Date: September 15

Artist: The Beatings

Album: Late Season Kids

Label: Midriff

Genre: Rock, Pop, Noise-Rock

Comments: From the promoter: "Have you ever loved a band and not understood why everyone else didn't know about them? Ever going to a show with no big expectations and been blown away? The Beatings are exactly that kind of diamond-in-the-rough band. Steadily writing songs over a decade, the five person project has evolved from abrasive and narrow to polished and accessible. Their third full-length, Late Season Kids, will have you tapping your foot on your first listen and singing along by the second. Some of the album's best tracks arrive early with pop-y guitar licks and impassioned vocals coming rapidly. The shuffling beat of "All The Things You've Been missing" leads into summery melodies before the track unwinds with the whole band singing along to acoustic chords.... DJs who dig Bob Mould, The Hold Steady and The Replacements will love Late Season Kids!"

Check out "The Sleeping is No Fool."

AAM