Best New Music - May 25

Three cheers for:

The Black Keys
Damien Jurado
Villagers
Janelle Monae
Jeremy Jay

Also check out: Doug Burr, Karen Elson, Gemma Ray

Villagers

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Villagers

Album: Becoming a Jackal

Label: Domino

Genre: Rock, folk pop

Comments: The debut LP from Villagers, the not-quite-one-man-band project of Ireland's Conor J. O'Brien, is an extremely impressive collection of folkish rock tunes. O'Brien's songwriting and earnest vocals are highlighted by simple, yet beautiful instrumentation--his guitar, piano and drums are nicely complemented by French horn and string arrangements, written by Cormac Curran and performed by the London Ensemble. It's a pretty simple formula that sounds quite good on first listen, and gets better with each spin of the record.

For fans of Beirut, Neutral Milk Hotel and Owen Pallett; though there's typically not quite as much going on in a Villagers song as in something from In the Aeroplane Over the Sea or Gulag Orkestar, here less is truly more. I really like Becoming a Jackal from start to finish, but in particular check out the title track, "Set the Tigers Free" and "The Pact (I'll Be Your Fever)."

Devo

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Devo

Album: New Traditionalists

Label: Warner Bros.

Genre: Rock, New Wave, synth pop

Comments: A reissue of Devo's 1981 album New Traditionalists, remastered with a handful of bonus tracks. Check out "Through Being Cool" and "Beautiful World."

Velvet Blue Music sampler

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Velvet Blue Music: 10 Significant Others

Label: Velvet Blue Music

Genre: Compilations, rock, folk

Comments: As if a delightful folk record from Doug Burr weren't enough, the Huntington Beach, Calif. label Velvet Blue Music also sent us this 10-song sampler. In addition to "Red, Red," the standout track from Burr's O Ye Devastator, this set includes the layered, distorted indie rock of The Prids, quiet folk pop from The Langley Sisters, and the dream pop of LN.

Walking on Sunshine 25

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Katrina & the Waves

Album: "Walking on Sunshine 25" (single)

Label: Tummy Touch

Genre: Pop

Comments: Every time I hear "Walking on Sunshine," I can't help but think of the scene from High Fidelity, when Jack Black's character comes into the record store, rips out the Belle & Sebastian tape ("old sad bastard music") from the stereo, and blares this song. As it turns out, 2010 is the 25th anniversary of the tune--evidently, we're celebrating those kinds of anniversaries these days--so Katrina & the Waves have re-recorded the original version; and, just in time for the World Cup, they've done an alternate take with South Africa's award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir. Fun times.

Karen Elson

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Karen Elson

Album: The Ghost Who Walks

Label: XL

Genre: Folk, rock

Comments: Karen Elson has delivered one of 2010's biggest surprises: despite being a solo debut, The Ghost Who Walks is an accomplished collection of folk, blues rock and alt-country. Elson has previously worked with The Citizens Band, and she sang a duet with Cat Power on a 2006 Serge Gainsbourg tribute album, but up until now she's been better known for her career as a fashion model, and for being married to Jack White. Her spouse produced this LP and played drums, and Elson also enlisted the help of Jackson Smith (the son of Patti and, as it turns out, the husband of Meg White) on guitar, Jack Lawrence of The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs on bass, Citizens Band member Rachelle Garniez on accordion and vocals, and My Morning Jacket's Carl Broemel on pedal steel.

The Ghost Who Walks is by no means a vanity project--the fact that XL (Sigur Ros, Thom Yorke, Vampire Weekend) would release it should tell you that much--but instead, it's a terrific effort that will appeal to fans of Elson's influences, namely PJ Harvey and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star), as well as Neko Case and Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Start with "The Truth Is in the Dirt," "Cruel Summer," "Stolen Roses" and the title track.

We Are Scientists

Add Date: May 25

Artist: We Are Scientists

Album: Barbara

Label: Masterswan/MRI

Genre: Rock

Comments: The promoter says: "New York City's We Are Scientists return with their third full-length album, Barbara. Building on the success of their previous two albums With Love and Squalor and Brain Thrust Mastery, We Are Scientists further their signature hook-laden songs into new sonic territories. Start with lead single 'Rules Don't Stop' and venture into album tracks like 'Nice Guys' and 'I Don't Bite.' Also, make sure to check out the album's brilliant liner notes, and the band's web series 'Steve Wants His Money.' ... RIYL: Tokyo Police Club, Arctic Monkeys, The Cribs."

Sleepy Sun

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Sleepy Sun

Album: Fever

Label: All Tomorrow's Parties

Genre: Rock, psychedelic rock

Comments: From the promoter: "Sleepy Sun is a California band, and there they birthed the Sleepy sound: dead blues shaken alive, razor-sharp and ramblin' soul, sonic science and dead-on pop surgery... Fever is the honey harmonies and danger wailing of Bret Constantino and Rachel Williams, pulled from a tender tangle into steel-strong braid; the wing-on-wing guitars of Matt Holliman and Evan Reiss in screaming dives and sweet ascending circles; the lowdown served up tough and thundering from drum and bass authorities Brian Tice and Jack Allen."

For fans of Black Mountain, Dungen and The Black Angels. Recommendations on the album promo sticker.

Kacey Johansing

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Kacey Johansing

Album: Many Seasons

Label: Porto Franco

Genre: Folk, pop

Comments: Though the packaging might look kind of cheesy, the music really isn't. San Francisco-by-way-of-Colorado singer/songwriter Kacey Johansing has a well-crafted sound on her debut record, Many Seasons. With traces of She & Him and The Living Sisters, Johansing's songs aren't the brightest little bulbs in the pop world, but they do twinkle. The title track twists and twirls around Rilo Kiley-esque guitars while "Oh, Brother"'s electric piano is purtyful. Start with easy-listener "Photographs and Letters."

Doug Burr

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Doug Burr

Album: O Ye Devastator

Label: Velvet Blue Music/Spune

Genre: Folk, Americana

Comments: With a voice like John Vanderslice and tunes like Red House Painters, Doug Burr of Denton, Texas gives us his third proper record, and what a fine record it is. Burr's slightly whiny voice works well with the slow-brooding ramble of the drums, pedal steel, banjo, keys, and guitar. "At the Public Dance" shows that DB is no stranger to using distortion carefully. Check out "Red, Red."

Jeremy Jay

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Jeremy Jay

Album: Splash

Label: K

Genre: Rock, lo-fi pop

Comments: Los Angeles native Jeremy Jay is quite prolific--this is his third LP to be released in the last 24 months, starting with debut A Place Where We Could Go in May 2008--and, as Splash proves, he's equally adept at stylistic changes. On this 9-song, 27-minute effort, Jay starts to move away from the dance pop of his very good 2009 issue, Slow Dance, and into more of a lo-fi indie rock sound that should appeal to fans of Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. It's not a drastic shift, to be sure, and that's probably why it works. Check out "Just Dial My Number" and "This Is Our Time."

Knit Delicate

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Knit Delicate

Album: Fulton Hill

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop rock

Comments: Twangy power pop from these Midwesterners. Knit Delicate must have listened to their fair share of Big Star because they emulate them well. "Better Left Unsaid" has a great stairstep melody and "Had A Chance" is one of the most radio-friendly on the record--which is saying a lot. Knit Delicate seems made for warm summer sundowns.

Damien Jurado

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Damien Jurado

Album: Saint Bartlett

Label: Secretly Canadian

Genre: Indie, folk rock

Comments: With dashes of Jim James, Van Morrison, and Wayne Coyne, Damien Jurado delivers on this, something like the Seattle folker's 10th record. Slow and murky but in the best way, Saint Bartlett is over far too soon. Fans of Wilco, Califone, and Radiohead will dig it. Start with "Arkansas" or "Cloudy Shoes."

FM Belfast

Add Date: May 25

Artist: FM Belfast

Album: how to make friends

Label: Kimi

Genre: Electronica, synth pop

Comments: From the onesheet: "After being one of the most talked-about bands all over Europe, due in no small part to their energetic and engaging live show, Reykjavik's FM Belfast are set to release their debut album in the U.S., how to make friends... a careening electro-pop album full of unexpected jolts and turns, including trumpets, cowbells, and plenty of seething synths."

Start with "Underwear" and "Tropical."

Gemma Ray

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Gemma Ray

Album: It's a Shame About Gemma Ray

Label: Bronzerat

Genre: Rock, folk

Comments: In between her own studio LPs, English musician Gemma Ray laid down this 16-song set of covers in just five days, with the help of Matt Verta-Ray of blues rock masters Heavy Trash. And she did it all from memory, tackling the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Holly, Obits, Gun Club, Mudhoney, Etta James and more--not to mention an unlikely fusing of Sonic Youth's "Drunken Butterfly" and the theme from Rosemary's Baby. Check out "I'd Rather Be Your Enemy," "Ghost on the Highway," "Only to Other People" and "Looking the World Over."

Janelle Monae

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Janelle Monae

Album: The Archandroid

Label: Bad Boy/Atlantic

Genre: R&B, soul, hip hop, pop

Comments: From the promoter: "The funkstress herself, Janelle Monae, follows her Grammy-nominated debut EP Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase with her first full-length LP, The ArchAndroid. Drawing her inspiration from the likes of James Bond, Janelle Monae describes this album as 'just all the things I love--scores for films like Goldfinger, mixed with albums I adore, such as Stevie's Music of My Mind, David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, and jamming experimental hip hop stuff like Stankonia.'

"The soul-stirring diva of our time will entrance you with her poignant vocals, backed by a new-age twist on the '60s and jazz. Using elaborate orchestral arrangements... this album features the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, the psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal and punk prophets Deep Cotton...

"The ArchAndroid continues the story of Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase with Monae's alter-ego, Cindi Mayweather. 'It's said that when the ArchAndroid returns, it will mean freedom for the android community,' explains Monae. 'Cindi Mayweather realizes that she is indeed the ArchAndroid.' The soul/neo-funk pop star may be from another galaxy or perhaps an android, but her career as an artist will become legendary."

After listening to The ArchAndroid, I'm tempted to agree. Monae effortlessly flows from one style to the next: hip hop, pop and soul on Suite II (the album's first 11 tracks) to R&B and psych folk on Suite III (tracks 12-18). Check out "Faster," "Oh, Maker" and "Dance or Die" from Suite II, as well as "Make the Bus" and "57821" from Suite III.

Bell Gardens

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Bell Gardens

Album: Hangups Need Company (EP)

Label: Failed Better

Genre: Pop

Comments: Somber tunes from Bell Gardens, the duo of Kenneth James Gibson and Brian McBride, which showcase their great love for all things Beach Boys, Bobby Vinton, and Skeeter Davis (see their fine cover of "End of the World"). With their feet firmly planted in the bubblegum pop of decades past, these guys paint each song with a wash of reverb and goodness that at times reminds me of The Beta Band. "Can We Get," though long, is a standout acoustic chiller. Be on the lookout for Bell Gardens as they keep churning stuff out, which I hope they will.

Keane

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Keane

Album: Night Train (EP)

Label: Interscope/Cherry Tree

Genre: Pop rock

Comments: Not being a fan of these watered-down Coldplayers, I'm probably not the right person to be writing this review of the new Keane record. Or maybe I'm exactly the right person. Plus, at 8 songs, one of which is just filler intro, it's technically an EP.

Night Train was recorded over a year ago, but is just now seeing the light of day (and, at this very moment, peaking the UK album charts as well as hitting spot number 98 on the Belgian Flanders Albums Chart). From what I've heard, it's more of the same sort of straightforward pop rock, though rapper K'naan does provide a nice addition to the headbobber "Stop for a Minute" and the penultimate "Looking Back." While I'm still a miser about the band, I do think this EP is a fine addition to our playlist.

Carney

Add Date: May 25

Artist: Carney

Album: Mr. Green Volume 1

Label: Interscope

Genre: Rock

Comments: From the band's website: "First single, 'Love Me, Chase Me,' is a potion derived from extracts of Beatles, Doors, Zeppelin, and Hendrix, but the wisp of white smoke rising from that test-tube is some other element, newly discovered. 'It’s cinematic, it jumps around to different places, and in the span of five minutes, it sort of sums up what we’re capable of as a band,' says guitarist Zane Carney of the song."

Lead singer Reeve Carney (though the family name certainly spawned the name of the band, they ride the carnival shtick into the ground on this deese record) is set to play Spiderman on Broadway. Clearly he's got some pipes and this band takes some interesting twists and turns on their debut record -- particularly the jazzy "Amelie." Check that one out.

Best New Music for May 18

Hello summer!

Broken Social Scene
The Depreciation Guild
Pearly Gate Music
Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Everest

Also play: Futureheads, Parlovr, Telegraph Canyon, The Flaming Lips & etc.

Band of Horses

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Band of Horses

Album: Infinite arms

Label: Brown/Fat Possum

Genre: Rock

Comments: Oh, Band of Horses. I had such high expectations for your newest release, Infinite Arms. It's a respectable album, sure, and I like it, I'm just slightly let-down. Infinite Arms is pretty firmly tuned into country/Americana (and when they veer in this direction, it's promising--tracks "Blue Beard" and "Neighbor" are worth repeat listens), but overall it's not a particularly exciting record. Where are the great, powerful, moody tracks like "The Funeral"?! Instead, we get a slightly overproduced and overpolished sound, which isn't bland per-say, but it's not as gripping as Cease to Begin or Everything All the Time. It's certainly not bad, and perhaps it'll grow on me, but on first listen, it's a solid yet disappointingly safe release from a band that could have really knocked it out of the park.

The Flaming Lips & Stardeath & White Drawfs

Add Date: May 18

Artist: The Flaming Lips & Stardeath & White Dwarfs

Album: The Dark Side of the Moon

Label: Warner Bros.

Genre: Psych-Experimental-Rock

Comments: A track-for-track remake of Pink Floyd's seminal Dark Side of the Moon by psych-pop legends The Flaming Lips, this time collaborating with experimental rock band Stardeath & the White Dwarfs, also featuring Peaches and Henry Rollins. Despite a lackluster review from Pitchfork, I personally find the record to be a fitting tribute--it's not a cut and paste copy, nor is it so manipuated as to lose its ties to the original. And obviously, nothing is ever going to be the original, but it doesn't seem like the Flaming Lips are trying--it's exactly the kind of cover record you'd expect from them, an homage rather than a joke. Industrial, psyched out, manipuated and honed to weird almost-perfection, the Flaming Lip's take on the classic is a welcome, refreshing perspective. Ridiculously awesome, and as always, listen all the way through.

Various Artists

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Various Artists

Album: The New Brazilian Music: BM&A 2010 Vol.1

Label: BM&A

Genre: Compilation/International

Comments: 16 tunes straight out of Brazil, brought to you by BM&A, a non-profit Brazilian music promotion organization working to bring Brazilian music abroad. The 16 tracks are varied, with a broad-enough range for most people to find a few tracks in their style. Ranging from pop tunes to loose, quirky gararge rock (Garotas Suecas' "Eu"), electronic tunes (Lucy & The Popsonics' "I Wanna Be Your Tamagotchi"), to heavier, dense rock tracks (Canha Rave's "Aqui Agora"), the compilation is an excellent introduction to the Brazilian music scene.

Indian Jewelry

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Indian Jewelry

Album: Totaled

Label: We Are Free

Genre: Psych-rock

Comments: Weird, dissected psych-rock from Houston, TX natives Indian Jewelry. Their latest release, Totaled, is filled with distortions and steady beats, with fuzzy vocals highlighting dredged out synths and underlying base. Overall, the effects make for a moody, progressive record. Bleak, droning, strangely mystic and trippy, Totaled has been dubbed "an accessible album of stoney, droney pop tunes". Highly recommended. Start with tracks 1, 3, and 9.

Snowdrift

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Snowdrift

Album: Starry All Over

Label: Self-released

Genre: Experimental

Comments: From AAM: "Seattle's Snowdrift are a dreamy, dark trio with cellos, guitars, drums and keyboards, all hovering around in eerily presented and beautifully structured ballads. Singer Kat Terran's vocals have an ethereal beauty that swells and swoons over sparse slide guitar, shuffling snare and ambient keyboard effects. Songs like "Howl Snow" and "Secret" showcase Snowdrift's knack at creating incredibly moving and complex melodies with a hearbreaking tenderness. Starry All Over is a must spin for fans of Low, Codeine or Mazzy Star". Self-described as "Indie/Psychadelic/Shoegaze", Snowdrift's music is full of expansive ambience and slow, spaced-out charm that's a definitive mood-maker. Try tracks 1 and 7.

Ed Harcourt

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Ed Harcourt

Album: Lustre

Label: Piano Wolf

Genre: Pop

Comments: Melodic, lyrical pop tunes from singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt on his newest release, Lustre. Honest lyrics are supplemented by lush, sweeping instrumentation (the title track features slight strings and a choral entrance), but the tracks remain grounded in pop-sensibility. Try tracks 1 and 5.

Jamie Lidell

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Jamie Lidell

Album: Compass

Label: Warp

Genre: Disco/Funk/Electronica

Comments: In Compass, elements of many genres merge into a puzzle of tones. At times this album explodes into classic disco/funk dance mixes, with the bumping bass characteristic of modern electronica. But on tracks like track ten, the title track of the album, the music suddenly works its way into the folk vein (somewhere between Fleet Foxes and Cold War Kids), while sustaining hip-hop drums and rhythms.

The vocals are soft and layered, and the sounds underneath are extremely varied. Despite an original impression of incongruity, I eventually saw it all coming together. The floating choral vocals, background horn solos, and bluesy grooves all point to gospel/soul roots that saturate every song. If this album's got one thing, it's soul. In the words of Tower of Power: "The only thing that turns me on is when I hear a soulful song." If you're missing that good ol' gospel, but still crave modern beats you can move to, give this one a listen.

Recommended Tracks: 1 3 4 6 7 10 12

Now Hear This!

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Various

Album: Now Hear This: The Independent Music Awards 9th Annual Winners

Label: IMA

Genre: Compilation

Comments: From the promoter:

"Dig in a discover an eclectic mix of self-released and independent label talent culled from six continents and more than 250 nominees. This roster of established artists and rising stars including fun., Spinnerette, Gemma Ray, Tim Easton, All That Remains, Holly GoLightly & The Brokeoffs, Alaska in Winter, The So So Glos, The Very Best and State Radio, were selected by a panel of top industry ears. ... With genres spanning alt-country to world fusion and everything in between --- there's plenty to please the most discerning music fans."

Planetary

The Dead Weather

Add Date: May 18

Artist: The Dead Weather

Album: Sea of Cowards

Label: Third Man

Genre: Rock/Blues

Comments: This is Jack White at his most unhinged and grungy. Featuring his legendary guitar playing, the signer from The Kills, and both the bassist and keyboardist from Queens of the Stone Age, this album never ceases to rock out loud. Sea of Cowards is foaming with down and dirty blues riffs. It manages to return to the grassroots of rock n' roll, while infusing it with a new-age groove reminiscent of The Raconteurs. It's the kind of back-street nastiness that is difficult to find in rock these days. But it is safe to say that such music will be far from dead, as long as Jack White has anything to say about it.

The whole album clocks in at about 35 minutes, pretty short for bloated modern standards, but it will feel just right when the final song comes to a screeching end, and you almost inevitably start it up from the beginning again. Extremely catchy, solidly groovy, and at its absolute core, the amalgamation of anger and sadness that exemplifies the birth of rock n' roll. You need this.

Nadia

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Nadia

Album: Arrival

Label: MAPL

Genre: Pop, Soul

Comments: From the promoter:

"Pop/Rock never had it so good. Nadia gives us a rockin' catchy and soulful production with her latest album. Pulling influences from old school acts like Zeppelin and Janis, Nadia is a a refreshing and thoughtful change of pace."

For fans of Kate Nash & Amy Winehouse. Check out "The Blues Always Bleed Red."

Planetary

Telegraph Canyon

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Telegraph Canyon

Album: The Tide and The Current

Label: Spune/Velvet Blue

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: Incorporating the best components of indie-rock stalwarts Arcade Fire, Deer Tick, Band of Horses, and Fleet Foxes, Telegraph Canyon deliver a wallop of a record. Catchy, consistent, clever, this one ought to make it onto some summer playlists.

Everest

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Everest

Album: On Approach

Label: Vapor/Warner Bros.

Genre: Rock, folk rock

Comments: L.A. band Everest make '70s rock-informed, country-leaning rock music that should appeal to fans of Band of Horses, Wilco and My Morning Jacket. Another of their biggest influences, Neil Young, signed the band to his Vapor imprint for their 2008 debut Ghost Notes, and On Approach is a very solid followup. Check out "I've Had This Feeling Before," "East Illinois" and "Keeping the Score."

Cary Ann Hearst

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Cary Ann Hearst

Album: Are You Ready to Die (EP)

Label: Filter

Genre: Folk, country

Comments: Says Planetary: "Cary Ann Hearst has a big mouth and a sparkle in her eye. She has a snappy turn of phrase, a simple sense of melody and primeval sense of guitar rhythm that is a direct result of her Nashville upbringing." Yup. This is impossible-to-turn-off folk/country/pop that is reminiscent of Neko Case, Bonnie Raitt, and -- dare I say -- the tame Karen O. Listen to Cary Ann croon on the title track and keep your ears peeled for the full length.

Active Child

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Active Child

Album: Curtis Lane (EP)

Label: Filter

Genre: Indie pop

Comments: "Choirboy-turned-indie pop" musician Pat Grossi is the mastermind behind Active Child, which seems to incorporate a lot of the choral sounds on this brief little EP. Sounding at times like New Order, Joy Division, and Tears for Fears channeled through a church hall, this is some lovely late-night-walking-down-the-streets-of-a-small-town music. Check out the aptly-titled "I'm In Your Church at Night" and "She Was A Vision."

The Depreciation Guild

Add Date: May 18

Artist: The Depreciation Guild

Album: Spirit Youth

Label: Kanine

Genre: Electronica

Comments: A stimulating mix of indie rock and 8-bit electronica. Almost every melody line on the album is sang by the light buzz of a vintage Famicom. For people like me, this adds a hint of nostalgia to every track, which is emphasized by the ambient guitar and deep, reverberating drum tracks. The vocals waver high above the mix, smooth and clear against the slow fuzz of the rhythm guitar and drums. I can tell this album was a serious mixing/mastering endeavor. The songs are fairly light-hearted (despite some intense lyrics), but the tones of each instrument are meticulously shifted and altered to dovetail with the mood of each song.

All and all, this album was a unique and enjoyable listen. The band has very audible roots in shoegaze (a slightly lighter companion to post-rock) which meld nicely with the electronica overtones. This stuff isn't party music, and neither is it deep brooding music. But the complex sounds and beats come together somewhere in between those two extremes in a pleasant, sing-song drift that is something to behold. Great stuff.

The Futureheads

Add Date: May 18

Artist: The Futureheads

Album: The Chaos

Label: Dovecote

Genre: Rock

Comments: The Futurehead's third album stays true to its title. Upon first listen, the sound can seem completely chaotic and in-your-face rock. The songs are fast and have a hard energy which might make the album unapproachable. I urge you, however, to keep listening because The Futureheads have a gift of channeling the insane experiences and emotions produced by life into an upbeat, punk-rock sound. With each song, the sound and message become more identifiable making The Futureheads an entertaining, yet candid band. Try "The Chaos" and "I Can Do That."

Poison Control Center

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Poison Control Center

Album: Sad Sour Future

Label: Afternoon

Genre: Rock

Comments: Poison Control Center definitely knows how to express the their angst, indecision, and anger about growing old and out of their current phase in life with Sad Sour Future. Each song becomes more interesting with each listen and with all of the confusing emotions coursing through the lyrics, the sound never stays the same for long. The band experiments with psych-rock, blues, and lo-fi but keeps cohesion through their continual fear of and reluctance to grow up and move away from what they know. Start with "Being Gone" and "After the Holiday."

Broken Social Scene

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Broken Social Scene

Album: Forgiveness Rock Record

Label: Arts & Crafts

Genre: Rock

Comments: Broken Social Scene doesn't really need to pad its resume as a band. The Canadian behemoth has launched the careers of several of its collaborators (Feist, Jason Collett) and boosted those of many others (Apostle of Hustle, Metric, Stars), all while churning out some of the best music of the 2000s. But in terms of making a second great LP--a record that follows in the footsteps of 2002's You Forgot It in People, one of the seminal rock albums of the just-expired decade--well, we had to wait until now.

Sure, there was plenty of solid stuff in between, from 2005's enjoyable (just not quite as good) eponymous full-length to the "Broken Social Scene Presents" records from Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. However, Forgiveness Rock Record is the second masterpiece in the Broken Social Scene catalog. The band is at full force here, both musically and personnel-wise, with Feist, Collett, Metric's Emily Haines, Stars' Amy Millan, The Sea & Cake's Sam Prekop, Pavement's Spiral Stairs and others joining the core of Drew, Canning, Andrew Whiteman, Charles Spearin and co. Canning's 2008 BSS Presents work was titled Something for All of Us..., but that moniker seems more appropriate for an album like this. Indeed, there's the crescendoing psych-rock sprawl of opener "World Sick," the driving rock of "Forced to Love" and "Chase Scene," the breezy art-pop of Whiteman-fronted "Art House Director," the sloppy bar-rock of "Water in Hell," the instrumental killer "Meet Me in the Basement," and the sweet-sounding indie pop of "Sentimental X's," in which Feist and Millan back up lead vocalist Haines.

Sometimes, too much star power is a bad thing, but for Broken Social Scene, it's what makes the band so great. Forgiveness Rock Record goes right up there with Teen Dream, High Violet, Have One on Me and Swim among 2010's best albums.

Sun Travellers

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Sun Travellers

Album: Excursions

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop, Psychedelia

Comments: From the promoter:

"Hailing from Amsterdam, Holland, the Sun Travellers are about to take you on a musical excursion the likes of which you have never seen before with their debut album Excursions. The Sun Travellers play music in the psychedelic spirit of greats like Pink Floyd, accented with electronic elements akin to Tangerine Dream. There are deeply layered sounds-- composed mainly of analog synths, draped over slow grooving drums and bass, and tone-rich guitars. True to their name, each composition is a voyage unto itself, and the final destination is never really known."

Parlovr

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Parlovr

Album: Parlovr

Label: Dine Alone

Genre: Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Diverse as the city that spawned them, Montreal's three-piece Parlovr (pretend the V is a U when you say it) are diving head first into the new decade with their self-titled debut. Despite the obvious nods to '80s post-punk and '90s garage, each track is oddly refreshing. From the yearning cries of 'Speech Bubble/Thought Cloud' to the opening epic 'Pen to Paper,' the album has a rooted dramatic touch to each song as they unwind spastically, yet they're also surprisingly full of teenage angst in a way we always hoped for but never really got from those bands we thought we loved when we were 18. Funny buisness aside, with opening slots for Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys you're sure to see and hear plenty Parlovr in the future."

Fun, super enegetic, kind of weird pop for fans of The Unicorns, Black Lips, and Poison Control Center. Listen to the opener "Pen to Paper."

Terrorbird

Neverever

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Neverever

Album: Angelic Swells

Label: Slumberland

Genre: Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

The debut album for Glasgow-turned-Los Angeles transplants, Neverever, is an accomplishment in expressing varying facets, teenage angst, and love. Vocally they hit that 50's girl group sound, yet it's the guitar that leads Angelic Swells. Very crisp and twangy riffs couple well to the backbeat of up-tempo drumming, which is most prevalent in 'Young and Dumb,' while sexual innuendos prevail during 'Blue Genes,' and 'Young Runaways" feels like Siouxie Sioux decided to pair up with Roy Orbison for a world-pop celebration.

Fun, summery pop with an oldies-meets-punk feel.

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Album: The Wages

Label: SideOneDummy

Genre: Country, Blues, Americana

Comments: From the promoter:

"There aren't a lot of Warped Tour vets who can claim proficiency in the use of washboards, bottleneck slides and five-gallon buckets. ... But the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band are all that and more. With wild sing-a-longs and flaming washboards, their live shows have been converting skeptics left and right. Now, with the May 25 release of The Wages, the soulful, swinging country-blues trio proves they're more than just a world class live band. Appropriate to our times, The Wages is thematically rooted in the blues tradition of hard-bitten reality matched with enduring optimism. The combination of authenticity and originality is evident throughout The Wages, driven by the trio's big damn vocals and melodies, gutbucket guitar playing, and foot-stomping rhythms, all in service of songs that are honest and moving, devoid of irony or artifice."

This powerful country-blues will hook you in instantly. Go to "Clap Your Hands."

Planetary

Maps

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Maps

Album: Turning the Mind

Label: Mute

Genre: Electro, Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Two years after Maps' Mercury Award shortlisted debut was released comes the brand new album, Turning the Mind, on Mute. It's an all-enveloping, psychedelic monster of a record by James Chapman than retains the uplifting melodic, melancholic feel of the debut, yet reveals a bigger, sleeker set of muscles under the skin. It's a big record both emotionally and musically."

Sweeping, heart-felt emotionally riveting pop for fans of Choir of Young Believers, M83 and Caribou. Check out the toe-tapping bass on "Let Go of the Fear" or the graceful melodies of "Chemelon."

Terrorbird

Wintersleep

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Wintersleep

Album: New Inheritors

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Wintersleep's fourth album, New Inheritors, was born on the road. Since the 2007 release of Welcome to the Night Sky, Wintersleep has been performing endlessly all over North America, Europe and Asia. ... Once again produced by Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian), New Inheritors has an ethereal quality that transforms every song."

High-energy pop with a dark undercurrent. For fans of Band of Horses, The Dears, & Sea Wolf. Check out the punchy, melancholy opener "Experience the Jewel" or go to the sunnier title-track.

Pirate

Soup

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Soup

Album: The Great Awakening

Label: Tasty Wax

Genre: Pop, Acoustic

Comments: From the promoter:

"Soup is a band that formed in Oceanside, California. They make music that reflects a desire for a positive inward change. They seek to inspire you to transcend the current social tide to promote peace, hope, and love. Soup recently released their first album aptly titled, The Great Awakening. Sixties psychedelic rock, country blues, electronica and modern alternative rock have all influenced their sound."

Gentle vintage-ish pop. Go to "Cope."

Tinderbox

Widespread Panic

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Widespread Panic

Album: Dirty Side Down

Label: ATO

Genre: Rock

Comments: From the label:

"Dirty Side Down, the 11th studio album from Widespread Panic is set for a May 25th release on ATO Records. Dirty Side Down is comprised of 12 songs that incorporate Panic's unique blend of rock, jazz and blues inspired textures into songs flowing with melody, rhythm and emotion. After 24 years, Widespread Panic remain one of America's best live bands, and most successful touring acts. Aside from their legendary live shows, they continue to raise the bar in their genre through their songwriting, and Dirty Side Down is a prime example."

Check out the featured single, "North."

Salvador Santana

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Salvador Santana

Album: Keyboard City

Label: Various Music/Quannum

Genre: Rock, Jazz, Hip-Hop

Comments: From the promoter: "For Salvador Santana's new record, he enlisted the help of Del Tha Funky Homosapien and Beastie Boys producer Money Mark, who Santana has said changed the way he records his music, both with their writing and production skills. The album melds a combination of genres including jazz, reggae, hip-hop and even the Latin feel of his father Carlos Santana's music. Santana's music has already been remixed by Dan Deacon, Del The Funky Homosapien, and RCRD LBL's Hood Internet, featuring GZA."

Syndicate

Pearly Gate Music

Add Date: May 18

Artist: Pearly Gate Music

Album: Pearly Gate Music

Label: Barsuk Records

Genre: Alternative, Folk

Comments:

Pearly Gate Music's self-titled debut album sounds more experienced and creative than most. When you think about it, though, Zach Tillman has a hard act to follow. His brother, J. Tillman, is a member of Fleet Foxes and contributes his drumming talent to this album. While you can definitely hear the relation between the two bands, Tillman works to set his sound apart not just from his brother but from any one musical genre. I would classify this album as predominantly alternative but folk, country, rock, and even mariachi sounds keep the songs interesting without any lack of cohesion.

The real power behind this album, though, comes from Tillman's lyrics and vocals. Each lyric gives the feeling of being carefully crafted and reaches a level of introspection rival to Kris Kristofferson and Simon and Garfunkel. At one point in "Daddy Wrote You Letters," Tillman struggles to refrain from screaming 'Oh, God, I'm an animal/Don't tell anybody you saw the state I'm in.' Tillman's voice, whether crooning or frantically strained, provides a haunting, heart-stricken sound. Tillman portrays himself more like a worn, middle-aged man in the West around the 1950's than a truly gifted and budding artist. This entire album should be placed on repeat but start with "Daddy Wrote You Letters," "I Woke Up," and "Bad Nostalgia."

Best of the Week - May 11

Almost too much good music this week:

Woods
Crystal Castles
Tobacco
GAYNGS
Delorean

But don't miss: The National, LCD Soundsystem, Delta Spirit, Sadies, Gogol Bordello, Solex vs. Cristina Martinez & Jon Spencer , Josh Ritter (if you can get your hands on it)

Club 8

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Club 8

Album: The People's Record

Label: Self-released

Genre: Indie-pop

Comments: From AAM: "Sweden's Club 8 is commonly recognized for their personal blend of melancholic, dreamy and irresistibly catchy style of pop that has been a forerunner for bands like Camera Obscura, jj, and Kings of Convenience. The People's Record marks the beginning of a new era. Club 8 travelled to Brazil for inspiration, bought records made in the 70's in Western Africa, used a percussion player from Cuba...the result is a unique mix of Swedish pop melodies and African rhythms that are undoubtedly one of the most unique, captivating and catchiest pop records of the year".

Bright Swedish pop meets global rhythms to create upbeat, layered pop music, with light and airy vocals complimented by rich instrumental textures. Try tracks 1, 3, and 6.

Woods

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Woods

Album: At Echo Lake

Label: Woodsist

Genre: Folk-Rock/Psych

Comments: Awesome lo-fi, loose, psych-influenced folk-rock from indie darlings Woods, whose Songs of Shame was well-regarded of one of last year's fabulous records. Totally fuzzy and handmade sounding (which is the point, made successfully), the record is cohesive without having individual tracks blend together. The songs are well-crafted--the distortion works with the harmonies, and the sound is vintage-influenced without being dated, and overall, the music is delightfuly quirky without being inaccessible. Try trakcs 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Gogol Bordello

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Gogol Bordello

Album: Trans-Continental Hustle

Label: American

Genre: GYPSY PUNK

Comments: I'm slightly (okay, incredibly) biased when it comes to Gogol Bordello. I was but a young, musically-pretty-limited teenager when I first heard the group's first two records--the impeccable Voi-La Intruder, and Multi-Kontra Culti vs. Irony, respectively--and their lives shows were some of the first I ever went to. Needless to say, Gogol Bordello was one of the two bands that completely shaped both my musical tastes and love for live shows. When Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike came out in '05, it became less feasible to see them at a tiny CT club of 30 people, but their increasing popularity (and eventual signing to major-label status) did nothing to mess with the group's energy or style. While their music has evolved along with their live shows, it's still as fun as ever.

Punk, dub, Balkan tunes and traditional instruments, plus the undeniable and unmatched pure swagger of Eugene Hutz (potentially one of the most charismatic frontmen I have ever had the pleasure of giddily talking to in my life) combine to create infectious, danceable, slightly eccentric and totally enjoyable music. It's self-named "gypsy punk", and while that name might make you cringe, it's pretty accurate. Nothing like accordion and violin mixing with punk percussion, bold lyrics and un-matchable energy to create some of the most creative music you'll ever be so privileged to hear. And what's particularly awesome is that most of the group is coming from tangible roots--Hutz is Ukrainian with Roma background (he came to the US after Chernobyl, after living in various Eastern European refugee camps), Sergey and Yuri are Russian, and Oren Kaplan is Israeli--and the combination of these backgrounds with their Lower East Side attitudes make for an honest blend of traditional and punk-rock music.

Trans-Continental Hustle is the group's 5th studio album (not counting various EPs, singles, and their live record), and it shows the group in great form. From the epic "When Universes Collide" to the upbeat, wordly "Pala Tute", the record is a great, balanced effort. One of the issues with Gogol Bordello's latest records have been the sliiiight veering away from the more traditional tunes when compared to their first two records, but Trans-Continental Hustle is a solid blend of their major-rock-band status with their creative world influences. A wonderful, wonderful record.

Ozomatli

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Ozomatli

Album: Fire Away

Label: Downtown Music

Genre: Hip-Hop/Latin/Rock

Comments: LA natives and fusion artists Ozomatli (also Grammy winners) are back with Fire Away, their newest blend of Latin music (cumbia, salsa, etc), hip hop, and rock. The influences are clear and the music is pretty infectious: there's a heavy dose of brass and percussion, and the varied vocals keep the tracks fresh and distinct. Upbeat, pulsing summer music: try tracks 1, 2, and the rockabilly-infused track 5 ("Gay Vatos in Love").

Trentemoller

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Trentemoller

Album: Sycamore Feeling

Label: In My Room

Genre: Electronic

Comments: From the promoter: "Danish dance-fixture Anders Trentemoller has traveled the globe as one of the world's premier DJs for more than a decade now. His sound has been elevated and tweaked to every change and niche in dance music culture in order to continuously pump enough energy into a crowd the size of a small city. In preparation for his newest departure coming this June, Trentemoller is serving up a first listen of "The Great Wide Yonder" with the album's first single, "Sycamore Feeling". This is a new side of the Dane as he steps outside the club rhythms and dives into a more orchestral approach to music making."

Featuring 6 versions of the lead single--pick any one.

The Salteens

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Salteens

Album: Moths (EP)

Label: Boompa

Genre: Rock

Comments: The Salteens' latest EP, Moths--their first release in 7 years--is a six song, cheery and bright pop record. Upfront and enjoyable, the EP is catchy and neatly arranged, occasionally supplementing tracks with horns and hand-clapping. Try tracks 2 and 3.

The Dear & Departed

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Dear & Departed

Album: Chapters

Label: Equal Vision

Genre: Rock

Comments: Emotive alt-rock from the Dear & Departed on their 5 track EP Chapters. It's a nice blend of vocal melodies and purposefully layered instruments (specifically guitar), creating an upbeat but solid rock effort--noted influences are the Smiths and the Cure, and the group has toured with Alkaline Trio, Cursive, and AFI. Try tracks 1 and 3 (definitely a Cure vibe here).

Harpeth Rising

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Harpeth Rising

Album: Harpeth Rising

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk

Comments: Very old-world-ish folk from Harpeth Rising, with the main instruments being the banjo, violin, cello, and hand drums. Overall, it's slightly rennaissance-fair-meets-americana-bluegrass: a pretty acquired taste, but certainly strong in it's niche. Try track 4 for a more country-folk vibe.

GAYNGS

Add Date: May 11

Artist: GAYNGS

Album: Relayted

Label: Jagjaguwar

Genre: Rock, R&B, electropop

Comments: Starting as the trio of Minneapolis songwriter Ryan Olson and Solid Gold's Adam Hurlburt and Zack Coulter, GAYNGS are complemented by a slew of 25 very special guests, including Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Mike Noyce, The Rosebuds' Ivan Howard, rapper P.O.S. and the three members of N.C. folk band Megafaun. Relayted is equal parts soothing and addictive: 55 minutes of soul-inspired, R&B-centered soft electropop--music that might inspire you to light candles and open a bottle of fine wine. Dim the lights and start with "Cry," "The Last Prom on Earth" and "The Walker."

LCD Soundsystem

Add Date: May 11

Artist: LCD Soundsystem

Album: This Is Happening

Label: DFA/Virgin

Genre: Electropop, pop

Comments: James Murphy is, and has been, on the verge of stardom. LCD Soundsystem's most recent LP, Sound of Silver, ended up topping many 2007 best-of lists, and was even named as the best album of the decade by NPR. Murphy's DFA imprint has worked with bands ranging from Hot Chip and YACHT to Black Dice and Free Energy, and he's been involved with production work and remixes for huge pop acts like M.I.A., Justin Timberlake and N.E.R.D.

So one might expect that Murphy's next step would be to make a genuine pop record, with 3-minute dance rock tracks that are just begging for commercial airplay. Nope. Not going to happen--that's simply not what LCD Soundsystem does. Outside of lead single "Drunk Girls," which clocks in at just under four minutes, This Is Happening is full of 6 and 7-minute electronic rock epics, songs that are as deep and intricate as anything on Sound of Silver without ever sacrificing accessibility. This is pop music as Murphy wants it to sound, and it sounds pretty damn good.

Check out "Dance Yrself Clean," "Home" and "You Wanted a Hit."

The Mint

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Mint

Album: Everything All at Once

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop rock

Comments: Not surprisingly, these Lancaster, Penn. softies liken themselves to The Fray, Keane, and Snow Patrol as they push to appeal to fans of those bands with their second album, Everything All at Once. If you're not moved by the three "similar" bands, don't worry: The Mint doesn't sound too, too much like any one of them, which for me is a good thing. Sure they're poppy and not too adventurious like their Top 40 peers, but we could all use some bubblegum hooks once in awhile. Start with the first one.

The Sadies

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Sadies

Album: Darker Circles

Label: Yep Roc

Genre: Alt-country, rock

Comments: I've known about the Toronto band The Sadies for a long time, and I'm familiar with their collaborations with John Doe (on last year's LP Country Club, which was full of old country standards) and Neko Case (on her terrific 2004 concert record The Tigers Have Spoken). However, Darker Circles is the first actual Sadies record that I've listened to, and--as it's the band's eighth studio album--I've quickly learned what I've been missing. The band's amalgam of traditional folk, Gram Parsons-inspired country-rock and psychedelic rock is perfectly executed here. Darker Circles was produced by Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), who sings backing vocals on six of the tracks. Start with "Another Day Again," "Postcards" and "Whispering Circles."

Jews and Catholics

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Jews and Catholics

Album: We Are? We Think We Are

Label: 307 Knox

Genre: Rock

Comments: Occasionally darker and moody textured rock in the style of your Afghan Whigs or your Twilight Singers, these guys are hard to not like. "Up for Days" is undeniably catchy, with its foot-stomp-vocal-singalong refrains and secret-agent-blazing rock guitar verses. Start with that or "Fevers."

The National

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The National

Album: High Violet

Label: 4AD

Genre: Rock

Comments: I'm 22 years old and High Violet kind of freaks me out. Since I was first introduced to, and fell in love with, The National via "Green Gloves" on Boxer, I was drawn to their music by my ability to worm myself into the specificity their lyrics as they shaped images both personal and highly charged. There were drinks, drives, boxes of magazines, and the tough poignancy of real relationships. Going back and discovering Alligator, I found even more to connect with in the music of a younger version of The National.

The thing about The National and their emotive rock is that it's so wrapped up around ache. High Violet's ache involves kids and careers, and a sad twinge of dissatisfaction with that adult life I'm just about to embark on the very beginnings of. It's worrying.

I was worrying when I first listened to High Violet and found that while I liked it, I wasn't hooked like I had been before. Where was I, a young woman, in all of this middle-aged male angst? Listening again now, I realize that this cryptic brooding may be harder to get into, but the triumphant swells I am so attracted to are still there, they're just subtler. This is honest, earnest American rock, certain to succeed in the same way groups like Wilco have, carefully crafted in a way very loyal to The National's past and present.

So, while the whole album is a lot to take in, all the songs are great. The "big" ones are "Terrible Love," "Bloodbuzz Ohio," and "Afraid of Everyone." Right now my favorites are the slightly brighter "Lemonworld" and "England."

Crystal Castles

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Crystal Castles

Album: Crystal Castles

Label: Fiction

Genre: Electro, Pop

Comments: Experimental electro-pop group Crystal Castles has delivered another great album of nuanced, glitchy, bass-throbbing craziness. Dark, sometimes abrasive almost to the point of being deafening, Crystal Castles isn't for the faint of heart. Layered, funky, witchiness is layed on thick in every song, hooking you in to the the electic beats. Even so, it's hard for event the casual listener to not get seduced by "Celestia," the super accessible single. Fans of The Knife or Ladytron should also check out "Baptism" and "Not in Love."

The Nails

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Nails

Album: Hotel for Women

Label: Citybeat

Genre: Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"The Nails are best known for their enduring underground hit '88 Lines about 44 Women,' which still garners airplay 29 years after its original release on the Hotel for Women EP. Highlights [of this re-release] include the smoky reggae title track featuring Connie Garcia on lead vocals, the hard-hitting ska track 'Cutting Edge,' 'Ask the Dust' described as 'a frantic, frenzied, frenetic, frazzled look at the meaning of life."

Powderfinger

Blackmarket

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Blackmarket

Album: St. Vincent Decor

Label: Militia Group

Genre: Pop, Rock

Comments: Blackmarket makes super catchy pop-rock with huge guitar riffs and driving percussion. Energetic songs like "Tongue Twister Typo" should be checked out by fans of JET, The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand.

Planetary

500 Million Society

Add Date: May 11

Artist: 500 Million Society

Album: 500 Million Society

Label: Spin Out

Genre: Rock

Comments: From the promoter:

"This new disc from the 500 Million Society is a mash of sound. Think garage/indie with a distinctly gipsy Easy Rider feel. Out of Deluth, Minnesota, these guys are making unique and spectacular soundscapes."

Check out "Big Brother," which has a cool noisy groove to it.

Planetary

Setting Sun

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Setting Sun

Album: Fantasurreal

Label: Young Love

Genre: Rock, Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Setting Sun (aka prolific songwriter Gary Levitt) will release his latest record, Fantasurreal, June 1 on Young Love Records. The fourth full-length from New York State's leading indie folk pioneer, Fantasurreal finds Setting Sun exploring new, more electronic territory than his previous full-lengths. The end result is energetic indie electro-folk textured with brilliantly-solid chugging drums, swirling electronics, haunting strings, careful production with beautiful trumpet arrangements creating a record that exists somewhere between Beck's most insular moments and the giddy excitement of MGMT, simultaneously undercutting the vitality with raw, emotive vocals that channel Bright Eyes or Elliott Smith."

Lyrically-focused inviting music for fans fo David Bazan, Mumford & Sons, and Apostle of Hustle. Go to "Make You Feel" for a feelgood psych-pop vibe.

Pirate

CocoRosie

Add Date: May 11

Artist: CocoRosie

Album: Grey Oceans

Label: Sub Pop

Genre: Folk, Freak Folk

Comments: Grey Oceans is CocoRosie's fourth full-length album, and their first for Sub Pop. It was recorded in 2008 in Paris, Buenos Aires, Berlin, New York and Melbourne as the CocoRosie sisters traveled following their The Adventures of Ghost Horse and Stillborn tour, and was strongly influenced by their time with jazz artist Gael Rakotndrabe. According to CocoRosie, one of their favorite songs on the album was inspired by a recording they did at home. "We were searching through some old boxes from our mother's past and found tape from the '70s that she had recorded herself. The words were in Cherokee with an old, creaky folk sound. ... With our mother's voice in the beginning and end, 'Undertaker' delves into a dreamy soundscape of bass clarinets and drones reminscent of the film The Dark Crystal, and you will find lyrics of a medieval vernacular."

Considering some way to connect Paris piano jazz, medieval vernacular, Cherokee, and The Dark Crystal would actually be a pretty good way to imagine the CocoRosie sound. Grey Oceans is smoother, airier, more melancholy, and more mystical than Ghosthorse. "Lemonade" is a good starting point, and suprisingly accessible. Also check out "Hopscotch."

AAM

The Waylons

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Waylons

Album: Out Of Love

Label: Self-Released

Genre: Indie, Pop-rock

Comments: The Waylons fit the bill for your standard indie rock band: well-played though not too difficult or diverse instrumentals, consistent vocals, and songs running an average of three and a half minutes. The band's biggest strength comes from its vocal harmonies, which showcase the group's musical ability and potential that is not completely fulfilled in Out of Love. This album just made me question the ambition of The Waylons. Both the album and band are good, but they could grow fuller in their sound and therefore make themselves more distinctive.

"Lying In The Sun" is definitely the most interesting track on the album with a hazy, layered sound and catchy chorus. Try "Rachel" for a more acoustic-driven ballad.

Audra Mae

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Audra Mae

Album: The Happiest Lamb

Label: Side One Dummy

Comments: Audra Mae’s storytelling may appeal to fans of KT Tunstall, Fiona Apple, or Indigo Girls. Her country roots show through particularly clear on “Millionaire” (Track 2), “The River” (Track 3), and “Lightning In A Bottle” (Track 6). “Bandida” (Track 8) stands out as stylistically unique among the others on the album and is worth a listen for fans of Bat for Lashes or Julie Slonecki.

City Light

Add Date: May 10

Artist: City Light

Album: Burned Out Bright

Label: Banter

Genre: Indie Rock/Electronica

Comments:The group cites similarities to Bright Eyes, and not wrongly so. Don’t be fooled, though; the album is far from acoustic. “Far Away From Here” (Track 5) opens with Strokes-esque guitar and concludes in a snippet of electronic which would blend in nicely in a Mario game. “Evil Twin” (Track 6) and “I Want What’s Bad For Me” (Track 12 is the radio edit) play like a whimsical cross between Blue October and Elliott Smith.
DNP: 3, 4, 9

Delorean

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Delorean

Album: Subiza

Label: True Panther

Genre: Rock, Balearic pop, electronica

Comments: A gorgeous pop record from Barcelona-based quartet Delorean, their third LP--but the first that will be widely available in the USA. The Balearic style has spread through the UK and into northern Europe--it's often associated with Swedish electropop these days--but it's good to see that homegrown Spanish bands are still capable of making tunes that are as danceable as they are well-crafted. Delorean don't just make house music, though; formed as a punk band, elements of indie rock, R&B and pop infuse the sound of Subiza, a record named for the Basque town in which it was recorded.

For fans of The Tough Alliance, jj and Animal Collective's Fall Be Kind. Start with "Stay Close," "Grow" and "Real Love."

Tobacco

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Tobacco

Album: Maniac Meat

Label: Anticon

Genre: Electronic

Comments: Tobacco, the mastermind behind techno-pop group Black Moth Super Rainbow, was hard at work composing Maniac Meat, the newest addition to his solo repertoire, while putting the finishing touches on BMSR's newest and more mainstream record Eating Us. While listening to Eating Us, I often wondered how Tobacco managed to suppress his more experimental side. The answer is, he didn't. He funneled it all into Maniac Meat.

This album takes the older, heavier style of BMSR and makes it heavier. It's so thick with guttural fuzz you can taste it. There is not a single pure noise in the whole album. Everything is dirty, affected, distorted, twisted. Although most of the lyrics are, characteristically of Tobacco, transformed into background ambiance, he even whips out some serious freestyle on a few of the tracks, laying down syllable after syllable of calculated nonsense.

The hip-hop/funk drums are simultaneously atmospheric and driving. And well, I would categorize the other "instruments," but really it's all just intense club noise in chords that are borderline twelve-tone. The funk is unstoppable. This stuff will get anyone's head bobbing.

It's all strange, and it all feels so right. Maniac Meat has a life of its own, a solid relentless pulse beating life into the body of a giant mechanized insect. A must-play for any DJ looking to unearth some truly novel sounds.

Disalto

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Disalto

Album: One Beacon in the Strand

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, Alt

Comments: From the promoter:

"Los Angeles-based band Disalto takes its name to heart. Meaning 'by leaps' in Italian, Disalto here signifies a hard-working, no-nonsense five piece that's making music based on ruthless emotional honesty, driving electric guitars, and propulsive rhythms, and has been winning over crowds in Los Angeles and on the West Coast with an impressive momentum."

Big soundscapes, dramatic vocals, and assaulting guitars shape this group's rock sound.

Tinderbox

The Kyle Sowashes

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Kyle Sowashes

Album: Nobody

Label: Anyway

Genre: Indie Rock, College Rock

Comments: The Kyle Sowashes come straight out of the '90s with their lo-fi, college rock anthems. There isn't much diversity or ambition in the Kyle Sowash's vocals but they lyrics are pretty catchy and the band is good at fulfilling their role as easy-listening, upbeat rock. You could picture these songs playing in the background as your favorite stars of old (Melissa Joan Hart, Freddie Prince, Jr.) handle the ups and downs of their stereotypical life. This album is not revolutionary or even all that distinctive but a good throwback to the supposed 'golden age' of indie rock. My favorites on the album: "Can't Make Up My Mind" and "I Would Like To Speak To Yr Manager."

Hooray for Earth

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Hooray for Earth

Album: Momo

Label: Dovecote

Genre: Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"With a summer tour supporting Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Surfer Blood, Hooray for Earth seem poised to enter the hearts of indie cognoscenti everywhere this summer. Though their name evokes feelings of pure ebullience (and indeed there is an undeniable joyfulness to the Boston/NYC group's unique take on synth pop), a dark cloud of mystic juju hangs over the band's latest release, Momo. Like indie-psych godfathers Flaming Lips, Hooray for Earth excel at mixing tragedy with bliss and banality with reverence while serving it all up in a Technicolor mealstom of swirling atmospheres and glorious fuzz."

Summery synthy pop with enough bass to keep things from getting too cute. For fans of Real Estate, Flaming Lips, and The Radio Dept. Start with "Surrounded by Your Friends."

Solex Vs. Cristina Martinez & Jon Spencer

Add Date: May 11

Artist: Solex Vs. Cristina Martinez & Jon Spencer

Album: Amsterdamn Throwdown, King Street Showdown!

Label: Bronzerat

Genre: Punk/Funk/Electronic

Comments: From the first note you will feel the funk. I've mentally placed this album somewhere between Eno & Byrne (My Life in the Bush of Ghosts) and some classic Parliament Funkadelic. This is the kind of album that sounds like it was recorded in your uncle's garage, and yet deep down, you know it's supposed to sound that way. The lyrics are inane and sometimes indecipherable ("I'm the galaxy man!"), but they create an atmosphere of Sublime-style retro sampling that is playfully groovy ("And... asteroid nuggets... yeah!"). Track 4 and 12 smoothly transform the sample-style lyrics into freestyle rap.

The songs flow in and out of heavy/acoustic guitar riffs, but the funk never fails, and the little techno-whine keeps pumping. Sometimes it goes tribal, sometimes hardcore urban, sometimes a smattering of jazz flute slips into the fray. I can't name a genre that isn't found in this cultural smorgasbord (track 7 even has a country vibe). Not to mention, some great horn work, for which I am a sucker.

The verdict: This album is the sludgy explosion resulting from the collision of backwater skunk and old-school electronica scenes. It never fails to surprise, while keeping alive a solid theme of fuzzy rhythm. I enjoyed every track, and it commanded my full attention all the way through. Trust me, this ain't yo daddy's side project.

Track 9 left me with an immortal question:
"Can you afford to buy monkey chow on your current salary?"

The Syllable Section

Add Date: May 11

Artist: The Syllable Section

Album: Linear Views

Label: Self-released

Genre: Experimental pop

Comments: Bizarre fragments of experimental electro-computer-blip pop that are reminiscient of The Unicorns or Of Montreal, Chicago's The Syllable Section is the combination of plays-every-instrument-except-drums Matthew T. Marquardt and drummer Brian Green. Together, these guys certainly know how to "experiment," sounding at times like they don't really know what they're doing with these sonic meanderings. Fans of the weirder stuff might enjoy the song fragments of the first nine tracks, but the final one, "I'm Alright Where I Stand," is a genuine pleasure.

Best of the Week - May 4

Some great new stuff in the folkier vein, but here's this week's top 5:

The Hold Steady

Flying Lotus

Lindstrom & Christabelle

The New Pornographers

The Wave Pictures

But don't you dare miss: Hank III, The Mynabirds, Wakey!Wakey!, Cadillac Sky

Sparkydog & Friends

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Sparkydog & Friends

Album: People of the World/Red Light (singles)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop

Comments: Bright, floaty indie-pop, with "weaving layered vocal melodies" and "innovative instrumentation". Not too dense but also not too overwhelmingly bubbly, with some slightly nostalgic sensibilities--a nice taste of what could potentially be a great indie-pop album. Try both tracks.

Poirier

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Poirier

Album: Running High

Label: Ninja Tune

Genre: Electronic/DJ mixing

Comments: I can't really do a fabulous describing Poirier's music in my own words, so to quote Terrorbird: "Over the last twelve months we've seen three very different EP's from Poirier. Each showcasing a different, yet coherent side of Poirier's globally curated pastiche of digi-dancehall bangers, hyper Soca rhythms, and techno/Caribbean hybrids....Now it's time to drop the culmination of those last twelve months into his 7th full length--the two-disc Running High. The first is all originals, while the second contains a collection of new tracks and remixed from Sticky, Stereotpy and mnay others".

Essentially, this is a super addictive mashup of techno, dancehall and tropical rhythms--a less hip-hop version of Major Lazer (if you'll beg the only comparison I can come up with). The beats are perpetual and sharp, and overall it seems to be great summer dance music--with a variety of originals and remixes to choose from.

Flying Lotus

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Flying Lotus

Album: Cosmogramma

Label: Warp

Genre: Electronica, hip hop

Comments: It hasn't taken long for Steven Ellison, alias Flying Lotus, to reach the pinnacle of his craft. The fact he's already on the same level as Madlib, Prefuse 73 or the late J Dilla after all of three records is as scary as it is obvious after listening to Cosmogramma. Flying Lotus' blend of electronica, hip hop and jazz--he's the great nephew of Alice Coltrane, so that genre's in his blood--makes for one of the year's most ambitious, thought-provoking, and just-plain-brilliant releases.

Flying Lotus is currently on tour with Thom Yorke, who provides vocals on "... And the World Laughs With You," while Laura Darlington guests on "Table Tennis." I'm also drawn to the electropop gems "Pickled!" and "Do the Astral Plane," the psychedelic number "Zodiac Shit" (the title is DNP, but the song is instrumental), and the jazz-enriched "German Haircut."

The Mynabirds

Add Date: May 4

Artist: The Mynabirds

Album: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

Label: Saddle Creek

Genre: Folk, folk rock

Comments: I'm quite thrilled that we finally have this record here at WLUR. The Mynabirds is the new project of singer/songwriter Laura Burhenn, who most recently was one-half of the duo Georgie James. Along with John Davis (ex-Q and Not U, and currently the driving force behind Title Tracks, whose record It Was Easy graced our playlist back in the winter), those two put out the LP Places in 2007. It was enjoyable indie pop, but ultimately nothing that hadn't been done before--in the end, you could see why they called it quits soon thereafter.

As The Mynabirds, Burhenn is completely in her element on the soul-infused folk record What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood. This is right in the vein of Jenny Lewis (especially her first solo LP) and Cat Power--I'll claim that it's as good as anything that they've ever released--as well as classic pop touchstones like Dusty Springfield and Carole King. Burhenn's a terrific songwriter with an absolutely stunning voice, and this style fits her much, much better than indie rock ever did. Produced by Richard Swift, the LP is neither too sparse nor too cluttered, with Burhenn's vocals always leading the way.

This is one of 2010's best; it's a terrific album from start to finish, but my favorites include "Numbers Don't Lie," "Let the Record Go," "Ways of Looking" and "We Made a Mountain."

The New Pornographers

Add Date: May 4

Artist: The New Pornographers

Album: Together

Label: Matador

Genre: Rock, power pop

Comments: The inimitable Canadian indie rock powerhouse that is The New Pornographers returns with its fifth album of power pop bliss. As if a lineup featuring Neko Case, A.C. Newman and Dan Bejar (Destroyer) weren't enough to draw in your attention, Together features guest work from Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff (vocals on opener "Moves"), St. Vincent's Annie Clark (guitar on "My Shepherd"), Beirut's Zach Condon (trumpet on "A Bite Out of My Bed") and the Dap-Kings (horns on several tracks).

Be sure to check out the Case-fronted "Crash Years" and the Case/Newman duet "Your Hands (Together)," as well as Bejar's always-distinctive contributions, including "Silver Jenny Dollar" and "Daughters of Sorrow."

Stingray Sam -- The Billy Nayer Show

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Stingray Sam

Album: The Bill Nayer Show (soundtrack)

Label: BNS Productions

Genre: Western, soundtrack

Comments: From the promoter:

"Stingray Sam is a six-episode musical-western series that takes place in outer space. A dangerous mission reunites Stingray Sam with his long lost accomplice, the Quasar kid. Follow these two space convicts as they earn their freedom in exchange for the rescue of a young girl who is being held captive by the genetically designed figurehead of a very wealthy planet."

This soundtrack could please fans of Sunset, Blue Roses, and The Castanets. Listen to Track 4 "Girl from the Moon" or Track 10 "One-Winged Man." Also, if you're interested in watching the show, shoot me an email and we can lend you the DVD.

Girl in a Coma

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Girl in a Coma

Album: Adventures in Coverland

Label: Blackheart

Genre: Pop, Rock (covers)

Comments: From the promoter:

"Girl in a coma, hailing form the Lone Star State, formed when best friends Jenn Alva and Phanie Diaz met in Jr-high school art class over a mutual love of the Smiths, Nirvana, and skipping school. All they needed was a singer. Enter Nina Diaz, Phanie's then 12-year old sister. Nina blew them away with her mesmerizing vocals, a powerful voice some critics have compared to Bjork, Patsy Cline, and the band's hero, Morrissey himself."

Check out Girl in a Coma's cover of The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" or George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

Planetary

Run From Cover

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Run From Cover

Album: The Rise

Label: Self-released

Genre: Alt, Pop

Comments: From the promoter:

"Run From Cover combines the soaring hook filled guitar lines reminiscent of U2 or Angels & Airwaves with melodic harmonies similar to Keane and Coldplay, creating their own unique sound. ... The band says they are all about drawing out emotional empathy from people and always pressing the limits of their genre."

For fans of U2, Goo Goo Dolls. Check out "On Your Side."

Tinderbox

Hank III

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Hank III

Album: Rebel Within

Label: Sidewalk/Curb

Genre: Country

Comments: Much has been said about the demise and downfall of country music. Fortunately, though, like most styles of music, what's played on commercial radio is irrelevant to the art of the form. As you know if you've spun country and folk tunes on WLUR before, there's plenty of good stuff out there: music that either adheres to traditional country, or takes it and moves it in positive directions. This genre is often called "alt-country," which seems to me to be a misnomer, but that's an argument for another day and time.

For all of his well-decorated lineage, Hank III (that's Shelton Hank Williams III, grandson of one of the originators of country) has managed to fly just below the radar as a pillar of this movement. Part of that is his penchant for hardcore punk; I'm not sure if this is still the case, but years ago Hank III's live shows would feature a set of country tunes and a set of no-holds-barred punk. Yet when Hank III sets out to make country, it's music that Hank Sr. would surely identify with and take pride in.

Rebel Within is a prime example of that: 11 tunes of honky tonk that, aside from modern production values, could have been recorded decades ago. They're tragic, yet upbeat, songs about drinking, drugs and dying, fronted by Hank III's hereditary yelp. Start with "Gettin' Drunk and Fallin' Down," "Drinkin' Ain't Hard to Do" and "Lookin' for a Mountain."

Cadillac Sky

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Cadillac Sky

Album: Letters in the Deep

Label: Dualtone

Genre: Folk, Americana

Comments: No wonder the critics love these guys: Texas-based Cadillac Sky offer stellar Americana that will please fans of recent playlist favorites Mumford & Sons. Produced with a gentle touch by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach -- no wonder it's so darn good -- these guys channel but don't rip off Fleet Foxes on "Trash Bag" and the Avett Brothers on "Human Cannonball." As the Chicago Sun-Times puts it, "This quintet offers a mountain of musical riches: close harmony singing, propulsive melodies with innovative tempo changes, hot banjo picking from Matt Menefee and intriguing original material from the pen of the group’s lead singer and mandolin player, Bryan Simpson." Well worth a listen.

Plant Music Scion CD Sampler

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Plant Music Scion CD Sampler

Label: Plant Music

Genre: Techno, electronica

Comments: Very trance-inducing tech-tronica from a host of Plant Music artists that hail from San Francisco, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Exclusive tracks from a bunch of artists that I've never heard of, but that isn't saying much for my knowledge of the genre is sorely lacking. If you're into this sort of thing, you'll probably dig the variety on here.

Lindstrøm & Christabelle

Add Date: May 4

Artist: Lindstrøm & Christabelle

Album: Real Life Is No Cool

Label: Smalltown Supersound

Genre: Electronica, Balearic pop, disco

Comments: From the onesheet: "After the massive critically acclaim of Lindstrøm's 2008 release Where You Go I Go Too and 2009's collaborative album with Prins Thomas, II, Norway's maestro of disco returns once again. This time he teams up with sultry vocalist Christabelle to bring us Real Life Is No Cool, an edgy pop album of incredible depth, structured chaos, and hypnotic beats."

Critical praise has been pouring in for this record since its release in January; now, we at college radio get to enjoy the duo's take on dance-pop. Start with "So Much Fun," the Vangelis cover "Let It Happen" and their twist on '70s disco with "Baby Can't Stop."