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Best New Music

2012-01-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

Top adds for the week:

First Aid Kit

Cloud Nothings

Trailer Trash Tracys

The Big Pink

Hospitality

And don't miss out on: Big Deal, The RE:GENERATION Music Project, John C. Reilly, Rodrigo y Gabriela

Cloud Nothings

2012-01-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Cloud Nothings

Album: Attack on Memory

Label: Carpark

Genre: Rock

Comments: From the promoter: "Cloud Nothings began as a bedroom project for Dylan Baldi, dabbling in lo-fi power-pop jams. After three years of constant touring, a handful of EPs, and a full-length album under his belt, Baldi has accomplished his most ambitious work to date. By shedding the juvenile grittiness of Baldi's earlier releases, Attack on Memory tightens up production, adds complicated compositions and displays how a young band can quickly mature. With fiery guitars and epic noise rock moments on tracks like 'Wasted Days', and keeping true to their roots with grainy power-pop on tracks like 'Fall In', Cloud Nothings pull out all the stops on Attack on Memory."

Baldi and his band teamed up with ace producer Steve Albini for Attack on Memory, and this is indeed a mature, accomplished alternative rock album. The only thing that one might label as juvenile would be Baldi's bratty vocals, but that's one of the key things that make Cloud Nothings' music work. And now, rather than getting lumped in with the myriad other lo-fi, garage rock bands out there, Baldi and co. are channeling the likes of Nirvana (there's the Albini connection again) and Fugazi.

While I'll stop short of calling Attack on Memory a masterpiece, this is very, very good stuff. Spin "Fall In", "Cut You", "Stay Useless" and "Our Plans", and be sure to save time for the 9-minute epic "Wasted Days".

Return to Mono

2012-01-27T15:21:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Return to Mono

Album: Framebreaker Remixed

Label: Audio Villain

Genre: Electronica

Comments: Known for their mix of electro-rock, trip-hop and dance music, the San Francisco trio Return to Mono released Framebreaker nearly a year ago, and now Framebreaker Remixed features 14 tracks that rework songs from that LP. "Song of the Beast" gets no fewer than six different treatments--try the versions done by Lunchbox Riot or Katzenwaffe, as well as Le Crayon's remix of "Black Swan".

Shira Gavrielov

2012-01-27T15:20:00.002-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Shira Gavrielov

Album: Clear Vision

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop

Comments: The Israeli-born artist Shira Gavrielov makes singer/songwriter pop in the vein of Kate Nash, Lily Allen or Fiona Apple. The songs on Clear Vision follow a pretty standard formula, but Gavrielov's songwriting and vocals make it worth a listen for fans of the genre. Start with "Hug Me" or her cover of the Gnarls Barkley smash "Crazy".

pacificUV

2012-01-27T15:20:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: pacificUV

Album: WEEKENDS

Label: Mazarine

Genre: Pop, shoegaze, electropop

Comments: Originally from Athens, Ga., but now based in Portland, pacificUV's music meshes shoegaze, classic and modern pop, and New Wave influences into a neat sound that falls somewhere between The Jesus & Mary Chain and The Radio Dept. WEEKENDS, the band's third LP, is the perfect soundtrack for winter (assuming that cold weather ever returns to Virginia).

Check out tracks 2, 9 and 6.

Rival Sons

2012-01-27T15:20:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Rival Sons

Album: Pressure & Time

Label: Earache

Genre: Rock

Comments: In an indie rock and folk-dominated alternative music scene, it's hard to find a band ripping pure rock & roll from their amplifiers. Rival Sons, though not great, are a band reminiscent of the bygone days of classic rock. Hailing from California and upholding spirituality and veganism (which naturally go hand in hand), Rival Sons' second studio album, Pressure & Time, serves as an ode to '70s rock bands like Led Zeppelin, while also displaying some Guns N' Roses tendencies. A driving album, every song excepting the last clocks in at close to three minutes, with soaring guitar hooks and vocals, in which rock & roll purists will undoubtedly find solace. Some may cast Rival Sons off as a simple revivalist band. Only future works will tell.

Listen to tracks 4, 7 and 2.

Buxton

2012-01-27T15:17:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Buxton

Album: Nothing Here Seems Strange

Label: New West

Genre: Folk, indie rock

Comments: Buxton's debut album on New West, Nothing Here Seems Strange, may draw fans of Blitzen Trapper, The Avett Brothers and Megafaun in for a listen. The album begins sonically, which betrays Buxton's decidedly folk/indie rock sound, immediately made apparent by the banjo that takes the reins in the first track. Nothing terribly new here; however, the lead vocalist's breaking and twanging melodies will attract attention. But for listeners of the aforementioned bands, Buxton is sure to please.

The premier track is undoubtedly "Boy of Nine", with its punching bass drum breaking from beneath the banjo rhythms. Try tracks 6, 3 and 8 on for size.

Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A.

2012-01-27T15:16:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A.

Album: Area 52

Label: ATO

Genre: International, Latin, jazz

Comments: Rodrigo y Gabriela have expanded. On Area 52, the newest album from the Mexican duo of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero, the band enlists the stylings of the 13-piece Cuban band appropriately named C.U.B.A. The driving acoustic guitar work laced with Cuban brass and percussion flows together to create the rather unique fusion of jazz, Latin, African and Cuban music, with traces of metal.

A cornucopia of sounds flows throughout this album and, bluntly stated, it works marvelously on some tracks and falters a bit on others. The brilliant guitar work of Rodrigo is sometimes drowned by the overwhelming horns and percussion of C.U.B.A. Flashes of Santana-esque riffs abound on tracks like "Hanuman", while Latin overtones dominate on the wonderful "Diablo Rojo". For a solid introduction, start with "Santo Domingo" and "11:11".

Barry Adamson

2012-01-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Barry Adamson

Album: I Will Set You Free

Label: Central Control

Genre: Pop, rock

Comments: From the promoter: "The legendary Barry Adamson (The Bad Seeds, Magazine) is releasing his 10th solo studio album, I Will Set You Free... Thirty-four years after the first album he played on (the seminal Magazine's post-punk classic Real Life), Barry has made an album that touches on the sonic stepping stones he's used year by year to pave his way to the present... All this has directly influenced I Will Set You Free, coloring it with a steady, sure-handed experience that emanates from the fingertip fire of rock numbers to emotive, yearning noir ballads and New Wave-inflicted power pop."

Great record from a very talented musician. Most of it has a kind of dark melodic pop sound to it. Check out 1, 5 and 2.

Plug

2012-01-27T15:11:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Plug

Album: Back on Time

Label: Ninja Tune

Genre: Electronica, dubstep

Comments: From the promoter: "In early 2011 Luke Vibert said that he had just found some long-lost, never-heard-before DATs dated '1995-1998' and entitled 'Plug'. Avant-jungle that wasn't made for the 'club,' the album was an eccentric bolt from the blue; it shocked many of Vibert's contemporaries but went on to influence many, most notably Squarepusher."

This is an insanely upbeat and fast-paced electronica record. While it's not made for the club, it's definitely still dance music. Check out tracks 1, 2 and 3.

Hospitality

2012-01-27T15:09:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Hospitality

Album: Hospitality

Label: Merge

Genre: Rock, indie pop

Comments: The onesheet describes New York trio Hospitality as "a sophisticated new pop voice", and that's a pretty good way to summarize the band's self-titled debut. I am, of course, a big homer for Merge Records, but let me say this: while they could coast by with nothing but their heavy hitters (Arcade Fire, She & Him, The Mountain Goats, and the recently re-signed Magnetic Fields, among others), the label does a superb job of signing up-and-comers, too: see Let's Wrestle, Wye Oak, The Love Language, and now Hospitality.

The influences on Hospitality range from The Police to Elvis Costello to Kate Bush, and surely there has to be at least a bit of Stephin Merritt and Stuart Murdoch on any good indie pop album, right? But straightforward pop music, this isn't; every time you're sucked in by Amber Papini's coyly sweet voice or a nifty melody, your brain is warped by a guitar squall or angular bass line that, frankly, you weren't expecting to be there.

These kinds of rewarding surprises happen throughout Hospitality, and there's no break in quality during the album's 10-song, 33-minute duration. My favorites, though, were "Friends of Friends" (check out the music video, featuring Alia Shawkat), "Eighth Avenue", "Betty Wang" and "The Right Profession".

Big Deal

2012-01-27T15:08:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Big Deal

Album: Lights Out

Label: Mute

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: For the UK-based duo Big Deal, less is more: London-born Alice Costelloe and California native Kacey Underwood turn two voices and two guitars into masterful bedroom pop on Lights Out, their full-length debut on Mute. It's pretty difficult to take the simple guitar-and-vocal scheme and make truly interesting music, but Costelloe and Underwood have devised a fascinating album. Without the potential clutter of a full band, the songs have plenty of room to develop; yet when a lush, rich melody is needed to flesh out a tune, their guitar work capably takes care of that.

Both soothingly pleasant and musically adventurous, Lights Out is worth a listen--in particular, try tracks 2, 1, 5 and 8.

We Are the Ocean

2012-01-27T15:08:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: We Are the Ocean

Album: Go Now and Live

Label: SideOneDummy

Genre: Rock, punk

Comments: Hailing from Essex in eastern England, the 5-piece band We Are the Ocean meshes hardcore and punk-leaning alternative in a way that sounds like some strange hybrid of Rise Against and The Gaslight Anthem (the latter of whom, it should be noted, are We Are the Ocean's labelmates on SideOneDummy). The dual lead-singer setup of Liam Cromby and Dan Brown--on the band's Wikipedia page, Cromby is listed as singing "clean vocals", while Brown is credited with "screaming vocals"--accomplishes this mix quite well. The music is tight and cleanly produced; if not for Brown's hardcore-influenced voice, I'd describe this as melodic pop-punk.

Interesting stuff. Start with the excellent "What It Feels Like", and also check out "Trouble Is Temporary, Time Is Tonic", "The Waiting Room" and "Now and Then".

The Darcys

2012-01-27T15:06:00.002-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: The Darcys

Album: Aja

Label: Arts & Crafts

Genre: Rock, psych pop

Comments: Toronto band The Darcys have been quite busy; it's only been a few months since the band released its eponymous debut back in October, and they've got another original full-length planned for later in 2012. The middle record in what will, ultimately, be a trilogy is Aja, The Darcys' reinterpretation of Steely Dan's 1977 classic.

I'm by no means a Steely Dan aficionado, but from my limited knowledge of that band, it seems that The Darcys take the jazz-rock flare of the original and turn it into a psychedelic pop-rock jaunt. Start with "Peg" or "Home at Last".

The Life and Times

2012-01-27T15:06:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: The Life and Times

Album: No One Loves You Like I Do

Label: Slimstyle

Genre: Rock, alternative

Comments: From the promoter: "Pitchfork describes [The Life and Times' sound] as 'shoegaze-inspired guitars neatly folded between heavy modern rock drumming.' ... [T]heir newest release combines lush and over-the-top arrangements with dense melodies and a booming sense of urgency... RIYL: Hum, Pinback, Russian Circles, The Appleseed Cast..."

Spacey indie rock on The Life and Times' new record, No One Loves You Like I Do. Try tracks 1, 5 and 3.

The Valery Trails

2012-01-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: The Valery Trails

Album: Ghosts and Gravity

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Born in Brisbane and now based in Houston, Andrew Bower was heavily influenced by 1980s post-punk, and there's a heavy dose of that on Ghosts and Gravity, the new record from Bower's band The Valery Trails. Rounded out by Bower's brother Sean on bass and Dan McNaulty on percussion, The Valery Trails' music will certainly appeal to fans of Guided By Voices. (Andrew Bower's vocals aren't too far off from those of Robert Pollard, either.)

Nice lo-fi rock; spin "Horizon", "On the Perfume River" and "This Town".

Tigertown

2012-01-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Tigertown

Album: Welcome to Tigertown (EP)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, folk pop

Comments: From the promoter: "Resonating with warmth, honesty and positive charm, Tigertown are a boho bunch that share a special familial connection. Together, the exotic 6-piece alternative band weave melodic musical ideas with an authentic heart."

This is a fantastic pop-rock EP from Tigertown. The female lead singer has an ultra-endearing voice, while tons of bells, keyboards and guitars sweep the music away in a flurry of melodies. This is a really great sample of songs from a cool band; start with 1, 4 and 3.

Virgin Forest

2012-01-27T15:04:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Virgin Forest

Album: Easy Way Out

Label: Partisan

Genre: Rock

Comments: From the promoter: "Easy Way Out is a balls-out rock record made by guys who make no bones about who they are and where they're coming from: people ill-suited for the 'straight' world and often at odds with it. Guys who learned their craft in front of a live audience, not laptop-jockey rock warriors celebrating their first legal drink simultaneously on Twitter, Facebook and the bar they're actually in."

This is a fine, albeit pretty standard, rock record. Start with tracks 1, 2 and 3.

John C. Reilly

2012-01-27T15:03:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: John C. Reilly

Album: John & Tom/Becky & John (EP)

Label: Third Man

Genre: Folk, country, rock

Comments: John C. Reilly is the actor who stars in, among other great films, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Now, he's collaborated with Tom Brosseau and Becky Stark to create this wonderful collection of four folk/Americana songs. This dual 7-inch set was produced by Jack White, and released on his Third Man label.

The entire EP is a fantastic exploration of traditional folk melodies and sounds. You can't miss Reilly's voice, even when it's paired with the beautiful vocals of Brosseau or Stark. Check out 3, 1 and 2.

Capsula

2012-01-27T15:02:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Capsula

Album: In the Land of Silver Souls

Label: Krian Music Group

Genre: Alternative, rock

Comments: From the eyes of a Pitchfork reviewer at SXSW: "A last-minute change in schedule meant that when I went to see NY up-and-comer Lissy Trullie at the Red 7 Patio, I ended up staring at some mariachi band instead. From a couple of blocks away, though, I heard something that sounded pretty right on. Turned out it was Capsula, a glammed-up power-trio from Spain playing to a mostly empty Habana Bar backyard. Capsula sounded alternately like straight-up scuzzy garage punk and like Death Valley 69-era Sonic Youth if Kim Gordon sang all their stuff. Pretty good! And I definitely wouldn't have heard them if they weren't playing so loud."

With their new album, Capsula is bringing some very raw, very live, very Mando Diao-like vibes to the alt-rock fest. It's garage rock with a bit of glam, and tracks 3, 4, 1 and 7 prove that the sound is still alive and kick'n.

The Big Pink

2012-01-27T15:01:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: The Big Pink

Album: Future This

Label: 4AD

Genre: Rock, electropop

Comments: Similar to the indie sounds of Is Tropical and Metronomy, English electro-rock band The Big Pink are releasing their sophomore effort with Future This. And like their 2009 hit single "Dominos", the boys are back with some big and boisterous, commitment-free jams with killer hooks that have made bands like Foster the People and Young the Giant so popular these days.

Booming pop of the best kind, check out The Big Pink's new album, particularly "Stay Gold", "Hit the Ground (Superman)", "Give it Up" and "Rubbernecking".

Howlin Rain

2012-01-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Howlin Rain

Album: The Russian Wilds

Label: American

Genre: Alternative, rock

Comments: Per the onesheet: "San Francisco Bay Area-based power quintet Howlin Rain's third album, The Russian Wilds, passionately protests the currently popular notion that heroically conceived and executed rock music is a thing of golden ages passed... The Russian Wilds is a sprawling, Pynchon-esque labyrinth and a colorful, feeling-filled catalyst for hungry minds... This New Cosmic California movement shares an exploration of song-grounded, psych-touched emotionally charged boogie and blues; they are, in short, the next generation to carry on the viscerally charged spirit of the musical pioneers that once rendered the Fillmore and Winterland stages magic in decades long passed."

Short and simple: if you're interested in some decent gospel-tinted rock, this album might be worth a listen. If anything, try tracks 11, 2 and 4--particularly track 11, since it's the standout electric-guitar-show-stealing single.

RE:GENERATION

2012-01-27T14:59:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: RE:GENERATION (Various Artists)

Album: The RE:GENERATION Music Project

Label: ATO

Genre: Electronica, dubstep, rap, funk, folk

Comments: Ever had the hanker'n for an album that featured some Mark Ronson pop, Martha Reeves funk, and Skrillex womp? While this may sound like one of those "worst. decision. ever." ideas for an album, it's actually quite the opposite. RE:GENERATION, a record derived from The RE:GENERATION Music Project documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev, examines the history of music through the direction of some of the most interesting DJs and electronic music producers of the decade.

With help from Nas, LeAnn Rimes, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Ekykah Badu, Mos Def, and members from The Dap-Kings and The Doors, this 5-song album is such an amazingly eclectic mix of musical genres and trends that you're bound to find at least one song to like. Even if you consider yourself a non-fan of dubstep womp-womps, there's a good chance that you'll enjoy Skrillex's throwback to The Doors with his "Break'n a Sweat."

The entire album is worthy of a listen, but I'd say the best tracks are 1 and 3.

First Aid Kit

2012-01-27T14:57:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: First Aid Kit

Album: The Lion's Roar

Label: Wichita

Genre: Folk, folk rock

Comments: If you're like me, then you've been waiting for this debut for weeks. You've probably listened to First Aid Kit's songs on NPR, iTunes, Pitchfork, and, yes, even perezhilton.com (feel free to give me flak for reading this website). If, however, you've been living in a hole, you're in for a great surprise. This Swedish sister duo demonstrates their complete understanding and excellent practice of every type of folk on The Lion's Roar.

The title track starts the album with a dark, rough edge and the central themes of desperation and disappointment. These themes float through the whole album, but the girls intermittently play with their softer voices and softer sides. First Aid Kit's expert oscillation between a hard resentment of the world's faults and forelorn surrender to their imminence makes The Lion's Roar not just a sincere album, but also a personal journey through these commonplace, yet heartbreaking, difficulties.

Worth listening to the whole album, but highlights include tracks 1, 2 and 10.

Trailer Trash Tracys

2012-01-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 24

Artist: Trailer Trash Tracys

Album: Ester

Label: Domino

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: Trailer Trash Tracys drifts through the world of '50s-style lush, moody surf pop on their debut, Ester. This 10-song album incorporates muted vocals, fuzzy guitars, and drifting tones that all come together in a highly nostalgic album, which proves increasingly engrossing. I like "Candy Girl".

Best New Music - January 17

2012-01-20T18:28:00.000-05:00

Ladies' night?

Laura Gibson

Cate Le Bon

Ani DiFranco

The Jezabels

Grace Woodroofe

And don't miss: Ben Kweller, Porcelain Raft, Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes, John K. Samson

Cate Le Bon

2012-01-20T18:25:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Cate Le Bon

Album: Cyrk

Label: The Control Group

Genre: Rock, psych pop

Comments: The Welsh artist Cate Le Bon has been mentored by Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys; her music is steeped in the psychedelic pop of The Velvet Underground & Nico, Syd Barrett and Os Mutantes; and she spent the fall touring with St. Vincent. In my book, that means that any further description or promotion of Cyrk, Le Bon's second LP is purely superfluous, but I'll continue.

This is a stunning record, perhaps the first true gem of 2012. Le Bon's excellent voice--let's go back to Nico here; in particular, the folksier, late-album track "Ploughing Out Part 1" hearkens back to Chelsea Girl--and songwriting are enough to carry an entire record (she performed solo when opening for St. Vincent, and it worked amazingly well), but the full-band setup of Cyrk only adds to what Le Bon is doing. Which, in case you've not been paying attention, is making a stunning psych pop album that will, undoubtedly, show up on year-end best-of lists in 11 months' time.

Tremendous music--the whole record is worth a listen, but highlights include tracks 2, 6, 9, 1 and 3.

The Jezabels

2012-01-20T18:17:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: The Jezabels

Album: Prisoner

Label: Mom + Pop

Genre: Rock

Comments: After three expectation-building EPs, we finally have a full-length record from Sydney four-piece The Jezabels. Released in Australia back in the fall, Prisoner comes to the US thanks to Mom + Pop (Neon Indian, Sleigh Bells). And it doesn't disappoint. The band's unique take on alternative rock is informed by the disparate backgrounds of the four members: behind frontwoman Hayley Mary--who claims influences that include Kate Bush, David Bowie, Queen and Cyndi Lauper--are a metal aficionado, a classically trained pianist and a folk rocker. The end result is a collection of well-constructed, ornate rock songs.

While I wouldn't say that they sound exactly alike by any stretch, The Jezabels' closest musical contemporary would probably be Florence Welch. Yet Prisoner is more indebted to '70s and '80s rock than Lungs or Ceremonials, particularly on excellent tracks like the prog-leaning "Endless Summer" and the New Wave smash "Rosebud". This is very good stuff all-around; also check out "Long Highway", "Deep Wide Ocean" and the title track.

Ben Kweller

2012-01-20T18:16:00.003-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Ben Kweller

Album: Go Fly a Kite

Label: The Noise Co.

Genre: Rock, folk rock

Comments: From the promoter: "Go Fly a Kite marks the triumphant return of Ben Kweller, and the debut release of his label, The Noise Company. From the dynamic electric riff of 'Mean to Me', to the closing upbeat declaration of 'You Can Count on Me', Go Fly a Kite exhibits Kweller's signature genre-jumping blend of alt-rock, piano ballads and folk music. The songwriting on tracks like 'Free' and 'Full Circle' is relevant and reflective, immersed with unforgettable melody and harmony, lush arrangements, and bittersweet lyrics.

"Kweller may address such heavy topics as broken friendships and love gone awry on Go Fly a Kite, but his characteristic optimism and unprocessed folk-rock vibe give listeners plenty of reason to keep their feet tapping through the duration of the album... RIYL: Ben Folds, Wilco, The Head and the Heart..."

More good stuff from Mr. Kweller--check out tracks 3, 5, 1 and 11.

Mother Falcon

2012-01-20T18:16:00.002-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Mother Falcon

Album: Alhambra

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk pop, chamber pop

Comments: From the promoter: "Austin, TX orchestral pop outfit Mother Falcon is made up of 20 friends who met in high school. With vocals, violins, cello, piano, mandolin, accordion, trumpet, bassoon, guitar, saxophone, glockenspiel, banjo, percussion and more, their sound is full, rich and extremely detailed... [Recommended if you like] Canon Blue, Owen Pallett and Beirut..."

I'll second that description. While there's an awful lot going on with nearly every track on Alhambra, these are still pop tunes at heart. The whole record has a nice vibe, but in particular start with "Just to See Her Smile", "Fireflies" and "Rabbit Run".

Menáge

2012-01-20T18:16:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Menáge

Album: Menáge

Label: Liberdade

Genre: Rock

Comments: Upbeat, energetic rock music from the three L.A.-based siblings who comprise Menáge on this eponymous debut LP. Early-album tracks have, for better or worse, drawn them comparisons to My Chemical Romance; toward the end of the album, though, things get a bit folksier ("Doomed From the Start", "Better This Way") or proggier ("Leave It All Behind"). Start with tracks 13 and 9.

O'Brother

2012-01-20T18:16:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: O'Brother

Album: Garden Window

Label: Triple Crown

Genre: Rock

Comments: O' Brother combine elements of alternative, hard rock and even progressive metal into a very loud, yet melodic sound on Garden Window. The band claims influences as diverse as Mogwai, The Appleseed Cast, Earth, Blonde Redhead and Sigur Rós, all of which you can hear at some point in the course of the record. (OK, I'm struggling to make the Sigur Rós connection. But still.)

All in all, this is impressively polished for a debut full-length release. Try tracks 2, 3 and 5.

The Beautiful View

2012-01-20T18:15:00.002-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: The Beautiful View

Album: Life Is Beautiful

Label: Requiemme/Bug Music

Genre: Rock

Comments: The Beautiful View make pretty standard-fare rock/alternative music, claiming influences that range from Duran Duran and Blondie (good) to The Bravery and The Killers (meh). The end result is closer to the latter set of bands; if that's your thing, you'll enjoy Life Is Beautiful. Try track 1.

Elk Bell

2012-01-20T18:15:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Elk Bell

Album: Superfragilistic

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk

Comments: Perth native Elk Bell's quiet, neatly arranged folk melodies sail along primarily behind the singer/songwriter's beautiful voice and her acoustic guitar. Please ignore the promoter's comparisons to St. Vincent, Feist and Neko Case; in addition to unfairly heaping an enormous amount of pressure and expectations on a young artist, that's also highly inaccurate. Bell's music occasionally veers into the spectrum of folk pop, but the stripped-down songs on Superfragilistic aren't even remotely connected to any of those artists. Nor is she aiming for their sound.

A very nice listen; start with "A Little Cold Outside", "All Fall Down" and "Holiday Island".

Sleepmakeswaves

2012-01-20T18:15:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Sleepmakeswaves

Album: Sleepmakeswaves (EP)

Label: Bird's Robe

Genre: Rock, post-rock, experimental

Comments: Australia's Sleepmakeswaves make instrumental, guitar-driven post-rock that owes a great debt to the likes of Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai. Lush production values, slow-building tunes, and the occasional driving guitar part add up to what you'd expect from this genre, and the band pulls it off quite well.

Spin "We Sing the Body Electric" or "The Obstacle Is the Path", both of which meet all of the criteria for official post-rock song titles.

Rockets

2012-01-20T18:14:00.002-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Rockets

Album: Rockets (EP)

Label: Creative Vibes

Genre: Rock

Comments: This up-and-coming Sydney quartet makes well-constructed rock songs that incorporate '00s alternative quite well--The Strokes seem to be an obvious reference point for these young 20-somethings, who I'm sure grew up listening to Is This It and Room on Fire. Imitators, though, they are not; there's also a noticeable British rock influence on this 4-song EP. Try "Toad" or "With Thanks".

Factories

2012-01-20T18:14:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Factories

Album: Together

Label: Self-released

Genre: Electropop, electronic rock

Comments: The promoter's spiel on this Phoenix trio: "Factories... brings a new take on electronic pop music. Many of the endearing qualities one would come to expect from the genre--catchy hooks, danceable beats, sweet harmonies--are there, but Together also brings decidedly more hypnotic, visceral, and deeply affecting elements into play. Esoteric electronic beats provide the backbone for soaring guitars, crashing keyboards, and intense lyrical content."

Check out "Calypso" or "Couldn't Be Darker".

Porcelain Raft

2012-01-20T18:14:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Porcelain Raft

Album: Strange Weekend

Label: Secretly Canadian

Genre: Rock, experimental

Comments: This debut album from Porcelain Raft fits nicely into the genre of lo-fi/dreamscape pop. Fronted by Mauro Remiddi, a man who is almost 40 years old, Porcelain Raft sounds forever young with glowing melodies and a light atmosphere surrounding the entire album.

Weaver at the Loom

2012-01-20T18:13:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Weaver at the Loom

Album: Before Now, Was Then

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: Minnesota's Weaver at the Loom, spearheaded by Daniel Smith, makes quiet, pensive atmospheric pop-rock songs that borrow heavily from the UK, most notably the quieter moments of Coldplay or Keane. Though the sound tends to bleed together a bit on Before Now, Was Then, it's a very pleasant listen. Try "Encyclopedia (Galactica)" or "We're Wild Animals (We Always Were)".

Jessie Baylin

2012-01-20T18:13:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Jessie Baylin

Album: Little Spark

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop, rock

Comments: In Jessie Baylin's third album, Little Spark, this New Jersey girl harkens back to '70s-style soft pop with a slight twang. The Watson Twins provide backing vocals throughout the record. Nice enough to listen to, even if it's not particularly memorable. Start with "Hurry Hurry".

Grace Woodroofe

2012-01-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Grace Woodroofe

Album: Always Want

Label: Modular

Genre: Folk, blues, folk rock

Comments: The native Australian Grace Woodroofe debuts her folk-blues stylings with Always Want, an album transformed from would-be mediocre lovelorn songs to a desperately sincere artistic reflection of the heart by Woodroofe's rough, warbling voice. Her voice will transport you from your iTunes library to a dark and smoky bar filled with fuzzy guitars and equally fuzzy minds searching for a reprieve from, or at least an understanding of, the melancholy that can plague the heart. Start with "Battles".

Laura Gibson

2012-01-20T18:10:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Laura Gibson

Album: La Grande

Label: Barsuk

Genre: Alt-rock

Comments: In a followup to her 2009 release, Beast of Seasons, Laura Gibson's La Grande proves beautifully simple and intoxicating. Gibson's crooning alto voice rises, falls, and breaks in front of a plucking acoustic guitar and an atmospheric background. Additions by members of Calexico, The Decemberists, and The Dodos only add to Gibson's quiet and natural sound. For a great song and a taste of Gibson's vision on the album, start with the title track.

Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes

2012-01-20T18:09:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes

Album: Bones for Tinder

Label: Five Head

Genre: Folk, rock, hip hop, eclectic

Comments: Justin Robinson is best known for his work with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a critically acclaimed bluegrass band. Robinson recently parted ways with the Drops to start this solo project. From the promoter: "Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes' debut full-length, Bones for Tinder, paints a much more vivid picture of this eclectic individual than his work with the Carolina Chocolate Drops ever did."

This is a wildly eclectic record rooted in folk and melodic sound. The constants are organic, analog sounds from acoustic and human (i.e. beatboxing) instruments. Start with 9, 2 and 3.

The Pines

2012-01-20T18:08:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: The Pines

Album: Dark So Gold

Label: Red House

Genre: Folk, folk rock

Comments: From the promoter: "From the haunting opening track 'Cry, Cry, Crow', The Pines conjure up rural specters and ghosts from the farms slowly disappearing throughout their native Midwest. Exploring the tension between city and small town and the loneliness that can exist in both, they move through breakups and new beginnings... Showcasing their distinct blend of dark atmospheric indie-folk, rock and blues, The Pines' new album shows a young band that has fully arrived with a sound and songcraft that stands apart."

Very nice folk songs that are well-connected to Midwestern landscapes and cultural issues. Start with tracks 5, 2 and 3.

Ani DiFranco

2012-01-20T18:07:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Ani DiFranco

Album: ¿Which Side Are You On?

Label: Righteous Babe

Genre: Folk, rock

Comments: From the promoter: "¿Which Side Are You On? marks [Ani] DiFranco's first studio album in more than three years. The collection features a radically reworked rendition of the classic title song, originally written by Florence Reece and famously popularized by the one and only Pete Seeger nearly five decades ago, but no less relevant today."

DiFranco doesn't hide the fact that this is a political album. She sings about the many crises that the U.S. government and people are confronted with today, including environmental disasters, overwhelming cultural materialism, and war. The songs are weird and folky, yet fun, gripping, and beautiful all at the same time. After listening to this album, I'm excited about the music that 2012 will bring about. Start with 3, 1 and 11.

John K. Samson

2012-01-20T18:06:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: John K. Samson

Album: Provincial

Label: ANTI-/Epitaph

Genre: Rock

Comments: John K. Samson, head of the critically acclaimed Canadian band The Weakerthans, has released his first solo album. Provincial is a soft-spoken collection of fantastic pop tunes. Samson's singing is laid back, yet gripping, while his lyrics are one of the strongest parts of the entire ensemble.

Lots of interesting subtle sounds like bells, piano, strings, and soft percussion fill out the edges. I really like this album. Start with tracks 3, 2 and 5.

Claps

2012-01-20T18:04:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: Claps

Album: Wreck

Label: Guilt Ridden Pop

Genre: Rock, synth pop

Comments: Per the promoter: "Wreck is the debut full-length LP from Minneapolis three-piece Claps. With nine tracks of surging synth tones and dark bass notes, a breath of pop is found in its dark whispers. Wreck beckons fans of Depeche Mode, OMD and Joy Division, though stays true to their alliance to minimal synth by relying decidedly on the heart of the analog synth."

An '80s-driven synth pop album, Claps' album is a decent treat for those who want some grunge with their pop. Try out tracks 1, 2, 4 and 7 for starters.

The Relationship

2012-01-20T18:03:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: The Relationship

Album: The Relationship

Label: Golden State

Genre: Alternative, rock

Comments: Hey, do you know that guy from Weezer? No, not Rivers Cuomo. I mean the drummer, Brian Bell. See, he has this new side project called The Relationship that's been in the works since 2006. Their debut self-titled record was just released this past November, and it even includes reworked versions of Weezer songs. With a style that definitely detours from his work in Weezer, Bell's debut LP proves to be an old-school rock effort that satisfyingly balances Beatles-y ballads with Tom Petty riffs.

If you're looking for some songs with a little rock 'n soul, try out tracks 2, 3 and 5.

The Melismatics

2012-01-20T17:55:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: The Melismatics

Album: MANIA!

Label: Pravda

Genre: Rock, alternative

Comments: Remember those '80s pop and '90s alt-rock tunes that always had our heads bobbing during the title sequences of our childhood rom-coms? I'm looking at you, 10 Things I Hate About You. Well, now you don't have to wait for a retro-film to be released with Topher Grace to relive those emotions. Introducing MANIA!, the latest effort from Minneapolis band The Melismatics. With their New Wave and post punk-influenced power pop tuneage, the band creates some mildly edgy and energetic music that is reminiscent of early Weezer and OK Go.

Need some new alt-rock songs in your iTunes library? Check out tracks 2, 3 and 5.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

2012-01-20T17:54:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 17

Artist: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Album: Out of Frequency

Label: BMG

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: Hailing from Copenhagen with a neo-psychedelic sound that makes Tame Impala look positively conservative, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are releasing their sophomore effort with Out of Frequency. Like their hit single "Golden Age", a poppy dance song that was featured in countless commercials in the last year, AGT is delivering an album that still has their signature indie-pop, retro-futuristic soul. It's frothy, it's futuristically nostalgic, and it has just enough sci-fi synths and addictive hooks to keep you in a happy mood.

A great pop album that delivers; try out tracks 2, 5, 4, 6 and 11.

Best New Music - January 10

2012-01-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

First five of 2012:

Guided By Voices

Little Brutes

Nada Surf

Palomar

Bill Ryder-Jones

Also check out: an EP from Zoos of Berlin

Guided By Voices

2012-01-13T15:02:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Guided By Voices

Album: Let's Go Eat the Factory

Label: GBV Inc.

Genre: Rock

Comments: If you believe Robert Pollard, last year's Guided By Voices reunion was never supposed to happen--and certainly, no way, would they ever record a new album together. But once Pollard and his bandmates gave in and started touring again in 2011, Let's Go Eat the Factory, the band's first studio release since 2004's Half Smiles of the Decomposed, was all but inevitable. "[T]he tour went so well; the response was really unexpected," Pollard said. "I thought at some point that a lot of people would like to hear new GBV music. The chemistry was still there."

That last statement encapsulates this new LP: though, as the frontman, Pollard has long been the most prominent member of the band--and his more-than-prolific solo career, both pre- and post-GBV breakup, has seen him issue dozens and dozens of records, and thus remain at least somewhat in the public eye--Guided By Voices isn't a one-man show. The so-called "classic era" lineup of Tobin Sprout (who wrote or co-wrote and sings on six of the 21 songs on Let's Go Eat the Factory), Kevin Fennell, Mitch Mitchell and Greg Demos is still a force to be reckoned with.

The "classic era" of Guided By Voices refers to the Ohio band's legendary mid-'90s run, when they were releasing stellar albums like Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes, signing to Matador, and just generally blowing people's minds with their songcraft. Like most of those GBV albums, Let's Go Eat the Factory was primarily laid down outside of the studio--mostly in Mitchell's garage, and various other basements, living rooms, and the like--and it's not difficult to imagine the guys getting together with a few cases of cheap beer and just cranking out songs left and right.

That deliberately lo-fi, seemingly sloppy but somehow always refined, psychedelia-influenced, cheekily lyrical, genuinely-garage rock of Guided By Voices is as strong as ever on Let's Go Eat the Factory. Not to say that this is their best record--we'll see if it stands the test of time, like those albums from 15 or more years ago--but it does find the band in supreme form. Start with tracks 7, 14, 21, 1 and 3.

Nada Surf

2012-01-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Nada Surf

Album: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy

Label: Barsuk

Genre: Rock, power pop

Comments: It's strange to think that, for many casual music fans, Nada Surf are regarded as a one-hit wonder. After all, that hit, "Popular", came out way back in 1996, and it's a gimmicky song that doesn't really sound too much like the rest of the band's catalog. And though their music videos are no longer in heavy rotation on MTV--to be fair, no music videos are in heavy rotation on MTV--the band has kept churning out excellent power pop in the decade and a half since Matthew Caws explained his plan for "The Teenage Guide to Popularity". The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy, the band's fourth LP for Barsuk, is more of the same. (Great power pop, that is. A guide to popularity, perhaps not.)

The band's influences (early Weezer, '80s rock, Teenage Fanclub, '60s pop) are as readily transparent as ever, and in that regard Nada Surf fall into a large group of bands playing guitar-driven pop rock. But there's something about this record, as with many that the band has released, that makes you want to go back to it again and again. The promoter calls this "an unmistakable Nada Surf sound: a certain rhythm section groove, introspective chord shapes and the unique emotional weight to Caws' voice, both boyish and very soulful, a combination of wisdom and vulnerability."

Sounds about right. Spin tracks 1, 3, 9, 2 and 6.

Novalima

2012-01-13T14:56:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Novalima

Album: Karimba

Label: ESL Music

Genre: International, electronica

Comments: Per the promoter: "This collective based out of Lima, Peru, brings together Afro-Peruvian roots music with modern electric, dub, and Afro-beat. Since [their high school days when they first started the band], they have created a recipe to take Peruvian roots music into the future. Karimba takes the listener on a trip through history and travels the Afro-Diaspora of sound and struggle. From ancient to future, Novalima digs deep into Afro roots while extending these branches on that musical tree... The sound they create works equally well in a crowded club of dancers, in the living room, or out in the open air enjoying the sun on your skin."

If you're in an eclectic mood and want some decent Afro/Latin beats, check out tracks 6, 8, 12 and 4.

Palomar

2012-01-13T14:55:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Palomar

Album: Sense & Antisense

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, indie pop

Comments: Mix a bit of The Shins and Imperial Teen, and you'll get a sound that closely resembles Brooklyn-based quartet Palomar. With their fifth studio album, the band is hoping to successfully mix indie and pop sounds with enough raw power to make the room shake from contagious dancing.

If you're in the mood for some sugar-addict hooks and some likeable beats, this is the album for you. Try out tracks 2, 4, 9 and 5.

Run Dan Run

2012-01-13T14:55:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Run Dan Run

Album: Normal

Label: Hearts and Plugs

Genre: Alternative, indie rock

Comments: Affectionately known by their fanbase as "RDR," Run Dan Run began simply as a recording project amongst two friends and, after initial recordings, became an official indie rock band in the fall of 2006. Normal, the band's sophomore effort, showcases RDR's honest, lyrically-driven, indie rock sound in an appealing fashion.

A decent, albeit a bit stereotypical-sounding, alt-indie rock record; I would recommend checking out tracks 2, 3 and 5.

The Lost Satellites

2012-01-13T14:54:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: The Lost Satellites

Album: The War Will End

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, alternative

Comments: Per the promoter: "The Lost Satellites began as a studio project in the spring of 2007 in Petersburg, VA. The sound is a colorful mix of songwriting and lyricism continuing the traditions of '60s rock and '80s and '90s grunge and alt rock, blanketed with contemporary indie style and attitude. Openly introspective, often provocative, a bit irreverent, loads of fun, certainly post-modern... In a medium where image has become more important than integrity, The Lost Satellites are staying focused on the music and true to the art."

Most likely influenced by the musical styling of Beck, The Lost Satellites' nearest album is a pretty decent alt-rock effort. Try out tracks 1, 2 and 6.

Zoos of Berlin

2012-01-13T14:53:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Zoos of Berlin

Album: Pallister Chant (EP)

Label: Time No Place

Genre: Rock, psych pop

Comments: From the promoter: "Zoos Of Berlin are a quirky quartet hailing from Detroit who play pop music that streaks with indie rock, krautrock, and electronic influences. Pallister Chant is packed full of catchy guitar riffs, buzzy synths, and contagious grooves, which are especially evident in 'Haven't Eyes'."

Very enjoyable psychedelic pop on this 4-song EP, the first-ever release from the Los Angeles imprint Time No Place. Zoos of Berlin will have a full-length out later this year; in the meantime, spin tracks 2, 1 and 3.

Bill Ryder-Jones

2012-01-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Bill Ryder-Jones

Album: If...

Label: Domino

Genre: Neoclassical, experimental

Comments: If... is the debut solo record from Liverpool's Bill Ryder-Jones, formerly of The Coral. From the promoter: "If... was recorded to soundtrack Italo Calvino's meditation on writing in the post-modernist novel If On a Winter's Night a Traveler and lays out grand orchestral movements side by side with stark, nakedly emotional vocal-led pieces that weave a bleak but beautifully visceral accompanying narrative...

"Taking its cue from Abel Korzeniowski's off-kilter soundtrack for Tom Ford's acclaimed film A Single Man, If...'s influences are eclectic and diverse, from modern cinema composers like Michael Galasso (Seraphine) and Clint Mansell (The Wrestler, Black Swan) to psychedelic sorcerer Syd Barrett, Nick Cave and '90s Welsh indie-psych disciples Gorky's Zygotic Mynci. The results often sound like musical pieces in search of a film, and it's Bill's intention that the listeners' minds conjure their own to accompany the album."

A hauntingly gorgeous record that Drowned in Sound describes as "a calling card for film producers". The chamber pop number "Enlace" is the closest thing on If... to a single, while the other tunes do indeed sound like they're taken from a film score. Spin 1, 5 and 3.

Little Brutes

2012-01-13T14:52:00.001-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Little Brutes

Album: Little Brutes

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk, folk pop

Comments: As Little Brutes, the L.A.-based musicians Rachael Cantu and Harlan Silverman make beautifully constructed folk-leaning, pop-laced tunes. Cantu has an amazing voice--I wouldn't be the first to compare her to Cat Power's Chan Marshall--while Silverman's arrangements range from appropriately sparse, letting Cantu's soulful vocals take over on tracks like "Only One for Me" and "Sing to Me Sweetly", to the rich folk pop of "Long Time Ago", the energetic Americana of "Do It All Again" and the bouncy indie pop of "Meant for Me".

This 7-song mini-album is an extremely pleasant listen, and most likely a sign of great things to come. Spin tracks 1, 5, 2 and 6.

Grand & Noble

2012-01-13T14:52:00.000-05:00

Add Date: January 10

Artist: Grand & Noble

Album: Grand & Noble

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Grand & Noble frontman and songwriter Jon Elling grew up listening to '70s classic rock and '80s punk, and there's an undercurrent of that style of music on this self-titled release--most notably on the rock number "Effigy". However, most of the LP consists of poppier, piano and guitar-based rock, with just a hint of folk, and it's these tunes that Grand & Noble pull off quite well. Check out tracks 1, 3, 9 and 6.

Jeremy's Top 10 Albums of 2011

2011-12-14T11:19:00.000-05:00

My Top 10 records of the year:

1. Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes (Atlantic)

2. Gang Gang Dance, Eye Contact (4AD)

3. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy (4AD)

4. When Saints Go Machine, Konkylie (!K7)

5. Austra, Feel It Break (Domino)

6. The Rosebuds, Loud Planes Fly Low (Merge)

7. Real Estate, Days (Domino)

8. Eleanor Friedberger, Last Summer (Merge)

9. Wye Oak, Civilian (Merge)

10. Lia Ices, Grown Unknown (Jagjaguwar)

Honorable mentions: Acid House Kings, Music Sounds Better With You (Labrador); Dolorean, The Unfazed (Partisan); EMA, Past Life Martyred Saints (Souterrain Transmissions); Junior Boys, It's All True (Domino); Los Campesinos!, Hello Sadness (Arts & Crafts)

The Black Keys

2011-12-14T11:10:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 13

Artist: The Black Keys

Album: El Camino

Label: Nonesuch

Genre: Alternative, rock

Comments: Did you watch The Colbert Report this past week? "Too busy prepping for finals to watch TV," you say? Well that's just a shame, since you missed out on Mr. Colbert's gem of an interview with the Akron rock and blues duo known as The Black Keys. In the interest of time, I'll skip past all the hipster jokes to the key revelation of the interview: The album artwork featured on El Camino does not feature a picture of a Camino. "Weird observation," you reply, after chugging your fourth energy drink in Leyburn Library. But reader, if you really think about it, maybe that Camino-less El Camino symbolizes the new direction the band is taking with their music. And because I have the time and resources, I'll explain this thought further:

Since it hit shelves in the spring of 2010, The Black Keys' Grammy-winning album Brothers has completely and utterly saturated the market by being the go-to music for TV shows, major motion pictures, and even car commercials (here's looking at you, 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Luxury Van). It even got to the point when the band came on The Colbert Report earlier in the year (if you're keeping score, that's two appearances in one year) to have a "sell-out-off" with Vampire Weekend over whose music was used the most in high-profile advertisements.

With that in mind, it's no wonder that the main-main-mainstream success of "Tighten Up" and "Howlin' for You" made El Camino one of the most anticipated records of the year--both for fans and for the marketing industry. And suffice it to say, Dan Auerbach's speaker-blowing howls and Patrick Carney's gritty percussion skills led everyone to believe that the band's seventh studio album would be another trip down catchy blues-rock boulevard. But El Camino's album artwork just goes to prove that the duo found "the way" without entirely conforming or losing the element of musical surprise.

Simply put, El Camino trades the raw-blues, soulful stylings of Brothers for harder-driving, faster-riffing rock & roll. Produced by the ever-amazing Danger Mouse (who also produced the band's breakthrough single "Tighten Up"), the new album has all the indie-rock-disco that you could ever ask for, even if you never thought of asking for it in the first place. Whether you listen to the album in its entirety now, or in a few months after hearing its songs in countless Nissan and Victoria's Secret ads, you will fall in love with El Camino. No questions asked.

Snatching wigs and taking names, the album is another success for the band. But if you only have time for some choice jams, I'd definitely recommend "Lonely Boy", "Dead and Gone", "Run Right Back", "Hell of a Season", and "Mind Eraser".

Space Between Words

2011-12-14T11:08:00.001-05:00

Add Date: December 13

Artist: Space Between Words

Album: And We All Follow the Sun

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: The Florida band Space Between Words describes its sound as "soulful Southern rock... with an edgy '70s garage bite." Occasionally, that may be true, but And We All Follow the Sun mostly finds the quartet paying homage to its heroes of '90s and '00s indie and alternative. The music here is very raw, but there are some nice moments--particularly the Strokes-inspired "Things Children Do" and the toe-tapping, swing-hinting tune "Crazy As a Fox".

The Fox Derby

2011-12-14T11:08:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 13

Artist: The Fox Derby

Album: Life Apart

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, folk rock

Comments: Inspired at least in part by Homer's The Iliad, The Fox Derby's sophomore record Life Apart is a pleasant collection of well-constructed, accessible yet downcast pop songs. The band's guitars and percussion are fleshed out by bells and swirling strings, giving the music something of a baroque, chamber-pop flare, though the tunes remain very much within the realm of indie rock.

Pretty good stuff from this Texas troupe; check out tracks 2, 1 and 3.

Best New Music - December 6

2011-12-07T10:15:00.000-05:00

One more time:

Jessica Jalbert

Boris

Minnesota Beatle Project

Zomby

Husband

And don't miss fine instrumental records from Jacaszek and Goldmund

Jessica Jalbert

2011-12-06T17:02:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Jessica Jalbert

Album: Brother Loyola

Label: Old Ugly

Genre: Rock, folk rock

Comments: The promoter starts its review of this LP with this line: "One of college radio's biggest pleasures is hearing a tremendous album by an artist you're unfamiliar with." Well said. Until a couple of days ago, the name Jessica Jalbert hadn't even flown across my radar. Now, after a few listens to Brother Loyola, I'm hooked on the music from this Edmonton troubadour.

Jalbert (rhymes with "Albert") has already received the "alt-country" tag from multiple critics, but I don't think that's entirely accurate. While there are certainly some nice, atmospheric folk songs on Brother Loyola, that's only one of many motifs floating throughout the record. "Singer/songwriter" doesn't quite work, either--though Jalbert writes some excellent tunes, she works with a full-band setup, with guitars, bass and keyboards accented by cornet (played by Jalbert herself) and the occasional trombone, saxophone or cello. Needless to say, "rock" doesn't tell the whole story, either. As you can tell, it's pretty difficult to classify this music, and in this case that's a good thing.

Wye Oak is the best starting point for comparison, not least because Jalbert's voice sounds a good deal like that of Jenn Wasner. (I occasionally get a hint of Land of Talk's Elizabeth Powell, too.) Lead track "Necromancy" is a swirling, folk-infused composition that wouldn't seem out of place on Civilian or The Knot, but it quickly cedes the floor to a bombastic, piano and guitar-driven pop song in "Whatever Whomever". "Paris Green" has a heavy bass line and lots of guitar noise, which are neatly offset by Jalbert's sweet vocals. "Lack of a Lake" and "Stupid Hollow" are '60s pop-inspired tunes with a nice country undertone. In short, there are a lot of nice things going on throughout this record.

Brother Loyola is stellar from start to finish, but begin with tracks 4, 8, 1, 5 and 2.

Boris

2011-12-06T16:31:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Boris

Album: New Album

Label: Sargent House

Genre: Rock, experimental pop

Comments: From the promoter: "Boris has long been celebrated for their rare ability to reinterpret a multitude of esoteric musical genres into a sound uniquely their own. New Album finds the intrepid Japanese trio etching their own post-noise, extreme pop niche with some of their most accessible and melodic music being equally their most subversive."

For a band whose music has been described as "sludge/doom rock," "psychedelic stoner rock" or even "heavy metal", New Album represents a notable change in direction; as alluded to above, though, it's certainly not the first such shift for Boris. "Extreme pop" is an apt moniker for the sound here; the songs feature upbeat melodies and cheery vocals--when Wata takes the lead on tunes like "Hope", the music almost sounds like an industrialized version of Deerhoof--but the song structures are complex, and the band just can't help but load up several tracks with layers of shoegazey noise.

The perfect example of these intertwined styles--pop vs. experimentation--is "Spoon", New Album's strongest track and, presumably, its thematic focal point. Says Pitchfork: "More complex than you'll notice on a first or even second listen, 'Spoon' goes places your standard pop doesn't. It's an intriguing look at a band trying their hand at a second genre--and succeeding."

What's perhaps most interesting is that "Spoon" and "Hope", along with many other selections on this LP, are reworked versions of previously released material. In other words, the band doesn't view New Album as a break from its past, but rather as the next step in its musical journey. Fascinating stuff all around; spin tracks 5, 1, 2 and 3.

I, a Man

2011-12-06T16:29:00.002-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: I, a Man

Album: Fifteen Thirty Three (EP)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Melbourne's I, a Man make alternative rock songs that occasionally hint at British prog rock or American indie. Check out "Reprise" or "Big Ideas".

Zomby

2011-12-06T16:29:00.001-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Zomby

Album: Nothing (EP)

Label: 4AD

Genre: Electronica, dubstep, dance

Comments: The 7-track Nothing EP is the second release for the British dubstep producer Zomby on 4AD (Joker, Gang Gang Dance, St. Vincent), following up on his critically acclaimed summertime full-length Dedication. This is 22 minutes of melodic, danceable dubstep-leaning electronica, with great beats and a terrific flow throughout. Spin "Equinox", "Labyrinth" and "Ecstasy Versions".

Goldmund

2011-12-06T16:29:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Goldmund

Album: All Will Prosper

Label: Western Vinyl

Genre: Folk

Comments: From the promoter: "Keith Kenniff creates ambient electronic music under the moniker Helios, shoegazey indie rock with Mint Julep and stripped down post-classical acoustica as Goldmund. All Will Prosper is his fifth release as the latter and exemplifies, as all his releases do, an ability to delicately hold the listener whilst pushing and maintaining an uplifting, yet sometimes melancholic, mood. The LP is set against a backdrop of Civil War history and culture, with 14 of the 15 tracks being Civil War-era covers. Fresh and intimate, gripping and inspiring, All Will Prosper is a fresh take on a collection of historically significant songs."

These are beautiful instrumental renditions of period tunes, mostly centered around the piano. Start with "Shenandoah", "Dixie", "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "Amazing Grace".

Jacaszek

2011-12-06T16:28:00.002-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Jacaszek

Album: Glimmer

Label: Ghostly International

Genre: Electronica, experimental

Comments: From the promoter: "Polish composer Michal Jacaszek's first LP for Ghostly International, Glimmer, sees the artist expertly assimilating both classical and electronic genres into one distinct sound. He picks and chooses from the world of baroque instrumentation (clarinets, harpsichords, classical guitar) just as freely as he samples from the world of experimentation (playback, bit-crunching, wind gusts and tape reversal). Jacaszek exploits the tension between classical and electronic as he allows the two schools of music to push and pull for dominion of the album. The songs crackle and hiss with orchestral dread--like a Hitchcock soundtrack played at half-speed on a cart ride to Nosferatu's castle. Imagine that. Check out tracks #1, 4, 7, 8."

Mutts

2011-12-06T16:28:00.001-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Mutts

Album: Pray for Rain

Label: 8eat8

Genre: Rock, blues rock

Comments: Pray for Rain is the debut full-length from the Chicago band Mutts. From the promoter: "With distorted keyboards and a groovin' rhythm section, the guitar-less Mutts draw comparisons to such bands as The Dead Weather and Queens of the Stone Age for their blues-based rock music that is at times danceable, psychedelic, and heavy."

Frontman Mike Maimone also seems to style his vocals after Tom Waits, making for an interesting combination with the band's heavy blues riffs. Check out tracks 1, 8 and 3.

Off the Wagon

2011-12-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Off the Wagon

Album: Riverwood

Label: Self-released

Genre: Bluegrass

Comments: Very solid traditional bluegrass from the Nashville 6-piece Off the Wagon. The troupe provides nice versions of songs by several masters of the genre (Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Reno & Smiley, et al), but Riverwood also features a pair of fine original instrumentals. So start with those, the title track and "Red Door", and also check out "Unwanted Love" and "The Girl from West Virginia".

The Paper Scissors

2011-12-06T16:27:00.001-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: The Paper Scissors

Album: In Loving Memory

Label: Source Music

Genre: Rock

Comments: Australian trio The Paper Scissors seem to be going for a big Brit pop sound on In Loving Memory, their sophomore LP. The music mixes a post-punk, post-Joy Division vibe with some more angular indie rock sounds. Album standout "Lung Sum" brings to mind early Bloc Party; also spin tracks 5, 2 and 8.

Paperdoll

2011-12-06T16:27:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Paperdoll

Album: Ballad Nerd Pop

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: Slick guitar pop from the NYC quartet Paperdoll on their album Ballad Nerd Pop. Start with "Everything Is Fine" or "How Perfect".

Margate

2011-12-06T16:26:00.001-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Margate

Album: Rock 'N Roll Reserve (EP)

Label: Room 57

Genre: Rock, punk

Comments: Melodic, poppy punk tunes from the Los Angeles band Margate on this 6-track EP. The trio seems to have great energy and chemistry; all of the instrumentation--just simple guitars, bass and drums--is very capably and tightly done. Plus, I did NOT see that cover of "Eleanor Rigby" coming.

Fans of acts like Alkaline Trio will enjoy "Control" and the title track.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

2011-12-06T16:26:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Album: The Magic of Youth

Label: Big Rig

Genre: Rock, skacore

Comments: I had my ska phase during high school, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones deserve a great deal of the credit for that. "The Impression That I Get" came out sometime around my freshman or sophomore year; almost a decade and a half later, I'll still sing along.

What's interesting is that listening to The Magic of Youth gives me the same sort of nostalgic feeling that I'd get from spinning Let's Face It. Most reunited bands--the Bosstones went on hiatus in 2003, and this is their second LP since re-forming--either stick to their old hits, or take the plunge and release some truly sorry new material. However, the Bosstones somehow manage to recapture the energy and enthusiasm from their earlier work with freshly-penned songs. Dicky Barrett's vocals sound the slightest bit more gravelly, but that's about the only indication that this isn't a set of long-lost '90s recordings.

I can't claim that this is still my cup of tea, but the horn-driven, punk-leaning tunes of the Bosstones still sound as sharp as they did years ago. Check out tracks 1, 7 and 6.

Maryse Letarte

2011-12-06T16:24:00.000-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Maryse Letarte

Album: Des Pas Dans La Neige

Label: Artic

Genre: International, pop, folk

Comments: The Québécoise singer/songwriter Maryse Letarte's melodies could easily be mistaken for something heard in coffeeshops on the other side of the Atlantic. CBC/Radio-Canada's Alain Brunet has this to say of Letarte: "She's a really talented song maker and arranger, and an accomplished pop composer. Maryse Letarte has everything to succeed..."

I wouldn't argue with any of that, especially after listening to Des Pas Dans La Neige (which translates as "Footsteps in the Snow"), a winter-themed album originally released back in 2008. This is not your standard Christmas issue; all 10 tracks are originals, with many of them focusing more on snow and winter than on the holidays themselves, and there's a nice experimental flare to the second half of the LP.

RIYL Sondre Lerche, Feist and Kings of Convenience. Spin tracks 4 and 1.

Minnesota Beatle Project

2011-12-06T14:33:00.006-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Various Artists

Album: Minnesota Beatle Project Vol. 3

Label: Vega Productions

Genre: Compilations/soundtracks, rock

Comments: Minnesota Beatle Project Vol. 3 is the product of the Minnesota music industry in order to draw attention to and rebuild the state's music and art programs in public schools. This compilation includes renditions of classic Beatles songs ("Help", "Here Comes The Sun", "A Hard Day's Night", etc.) by Minnesota bands such as Cloud Cult, Motion City Soundtrack, and Tapes 'n Tapes. There's even a song performed by Anoka Middle School for The Arts. If you're a Beatles fanatic, you'll definitely enjoy this album. And if you're not, you should still give it a listen and support art and music programs everywhere.

Tribes

2011-12-06T14:17:00.005-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Tribes

Album: We Were Children EP

Label: Island

Genre: Rock

Comments: Tribes' We Were Children EP drifts between the land of elementary rock and fuzzed-out teenage garage band practice for the upcoming talent show. The lyrics aren't that discernable or interesting, and there aren't any stellar guitar riffs or experimentation, but you find yourself tapping your foot and singing along anyway. Spin the title track or "Girlfriend".

Husband

2011-12-06T13:56:00.005-05:00

Add Date: December 6

Artist: Husband

Album: Husband (EP)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: Husband, or the Perth-born Michael Paolino, likens himself to the intense, broody rock of The National and The Antlers. While Paolino's voice definitely sounds a lot like Matt Berninger's, I would halt The National comparisons there. Husband is a classic case where the whole is less than the sum of its parts. The tracks are relatively strong, but somehow, at the end of the EP I still don't have a connection to the lyrics or music. Nothing resonates too hard. Start with "Ordinary".

Best New Music - November 29

2011-12-01T09:57:00.000-05:00

Best of the week:

Kate Bush

The Duke Spirit

Gotye

Robert Pollard

Robert Schwartzman

And don't miss: Serenades' debut EP and a single from Niki & The Dove

Get Set Go

2011-12-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Get Set Go

Album: Fury of Your Lonely Heart

Label: Square Tire

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: Get Set Go's airy melodies bounce along on the strength of Mike TV's songwriting and vocals, which are very neatly complemented by the rest of the band. Perhaps most notable is Eric Summer's viola, an instrument that sets them apart from your typical pop-rock quartet. Get Set Go's influences range from '90s alternative to '60s pop, giving Fury of Your Lonely Heart a nice genre-hopping quality. Check out tracks 5, 10, 12 and 7.

Robert Pollard

2011-12-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Robert Pollard

Album: The Kids Eat It Up: The Best of Robert Pollard 2010-2011

Label: GBV, Inc.

Genre: Rock

Comments: If you're familiar with the work of Robert Pollard, then it won't surprise you that (a) Pollard is releasing a "best-of" collection that spans less than two calendar years; (b) the album contains 28 tracks; or (c) the work features tunes from five different projects. After all, since (the recently reunited) Guided By Voices broke up in 2004, Pollard has released 12 solo LPs, and roughly as many records with his various other bands--and that's just counting full-lengths. And by the way, four of those other bands are represented on this comp: Boston Spaceships, which also features The Decemberists' John Moen, along with Circus Devils, Mars Classroom and Lifeguards.

In other words, Pollard never wrote a song he didn't like. And release. The upside of that is that his fans are never left wanting for new material; the downside is typically that it's tough, if not impossible, to wade through all of the music that he puts out. In that sense, The Kids Eat It Up is a welcome summary of what Pollard has been up to over the last couple of years. Simply put, Guided By Voices still rank as one of the best indie/underground rock bands of all time, and Pollard was the driving force behind their magic.

Speaking of which, the Dayton legends are back together, and their latest (and 16th) studio album, Let's Go Eat the Factory, is due out in January. In the meantime, grab this compilation and check out tracks 7, 1, 3, 16, 8 and 13.

Lucas Field

2011-12-01T09:45:00.000-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Lucas Field

Album: Conquest of Happiness

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop, rock, R&B

Comments: The frontman of the short-lived, if much ballyhooed, southern Cali rock band Low vs Diamond, Lucas Field has set out on his own with the release of his solo debut, Conquest of Happiness. The music here signals almost a complete change in direction; moving away from the Brit rock-inspired sound of his former band, the songs here are stripped-down, R&B-infused pop numbers, as Field's soulful voice is accompanied by electric piano, bass and drums.

This new approach suits Field quite well. Start with "Hold Her Tonight"--a song that almost has a Bee Gees vibe--and also spin "Let It All Begin", "Just How It Goes" and "Two Lovers".

Robert Schwartzman

2011-12-01T09:37:00.001-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Robert Schwartzman

Album: Double Capricorn

Label: California Dreamin'

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: From the promoter: "Better known as the frontman of the indie rock group Rooney, Robert Schwartzman has finally released his long-awaited solo album... Double Capricorn is dreamy pop melodies combined with the ever-present classic pop tone that is Robert's voice. Mostly all of the instruments were played by Robert himself, and were recorded in his own studio in L.A."

Bouncy, catchy tunes that borrow liberally, and quite well, from '70s pop and '80s New Wave. As a nice touch, all of the proceeds from Double Capricorn will benefit the Tibet Healing Fund. Spin tracks 2, 3, 6 and 7.

The Dead Milkmen

2011-12-01T09:37:00.000-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: The Dead Milkmen

Album: The King in Yellow

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: Philadelphia's The Dead Milkmen are back after a 16-year hiatus. The band's satirical rock lands them somewhere between Weird Al and They Might Be Giants on the lyrical spectrum; musically, imagine a combination of pop-punk and '90s indie rock. The songs on The King in Yellow range from the zany (in "Fauxhemia", the narrator admits that he doesn't understand people who listen to Norah Jones and watch Wes Anderson films) to the politically conscious ("Commodify Your Dissent" is all about the commercialization of protest movements), but all possess a similar energy and self-awareness.

If you're looking for a nice break from the torrent of relentlessly over-cheery holiday music, spin tracks 2, 14, 8 and 5.

The Western

2011-12-01T09:33:00.000-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: The Western

Album: The Damp Times

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock

Comments: The Chicago-based band The Western makes alternative rock songs that sound like a cross between Brit pop and '90s mainstream American rock. The tunes are very well-constructed; at times, though, the somewhat inaccessible lead vocals can get in the way, so stick with tracks 5, 7 and 9.

The Jefferson

2011-11-30T14:12:00.010-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: The Jefferson

Album: Days Are Falling (EP)

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: From the promoter: "The Jefferson are a 4-piece melodic rock-pop anthem band based in Sydney, Australia. They are often compared to bands who exhibit huge stadium-filling sounds such as U2 and Kings of Leon."

The "anthemic" description is pretty accurate. This is a very poppy, polished, and high-energy EP, which has a very pop-punk feel to it, without sounding over-the-top cliché or "emo." Start with 3, 1 and 4.

Niki & The Dove

2011-11-30T14:02:00.007-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Niki & The Dove

Album: "The Drummer" (single)

Label: Sub Pop

Genre: Dance, electropop

Comments: Niki & The Dove have written and produced a fantastically fun and rhythmic single. While "The Drummer" infects clubs across the urban world, I can't wait for this song to also find a happy home in rural Virginia in the studio of WLUR. Start with track 1 (haha).

The Supplement

2011-11-30T13:57:00.007-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: The Supplement

Album: The Supplement

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, punk

Comments: The Supplement is a high-energy punk-rock group that combines Southern rock, grunge, and punk influences into an upbeat self-titled record. A lot of this album sounds like a lo-fi version of '80s punk music. Start with 2, 4 and 5.

Ashley Fayth

2011-11-30T13:20:00.013-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Ashley Fayth

Album: Wonder Wonder

Label: Self-released

Genre: Rock, folk pop

Comments: Ashley Fayth is a singer/songwriter from Newfoundland, Canada. She writes very accessible, soft folk-pop tunes. Overall, the album is a pleasure and a fun listen. Fayth's voice has incredible depth and charismatically conveys emotion.

From Fayth's web site: "Her songs are vibrant yet warm; honest, intimate, and influenced by both contemporary alternative sounds and the traditional music of the fishing outports where she grew up."

Start with 1, 4 and 5.

Serenades

2011-11-29T15:37:00.006-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Serenades

Album: Come Home (EP)

Label: Cherrytree/Interscope

Genre: Rock, electropop

Comments: Serenades, the group comprised of Adam Olenius from Shout Out Louds and Marcus Krunegard, has released their first EP with Come Home. These four songs, which include a Bjorn Yttling remix of their single, showcase the duo's propensity for layering vocals, subtle electronics, and easy listening. Start with "Come Home"--a holiday song that you haven't heard 5 million times before.

Kate Bush

2011-11-29T14:36:00.010-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Kate Bush

Album: 50 Words for Snow

Label: ANTI-

Genre: Pop, experimental

Comments: I've always felt some sort of kinship with other people named Kate. Obviously, my name is not the most identifying trait about myself, but I believe in enough of fate, superstition, and God to think that all the girls in the world named Kate share some common and special feature. Kate Bush proves the exception to this rule--not because I don't identify with her early, yet enduring tunes or the evolved music that she has released in my lifetime, but because to say that I identify with her would seem an impossibility; she lives with her music somewhere far above the rest of us.

This removal from mere mortals can clearly be heard in 50 Words for Snow. In "Snowflake"--the straightforward story about the journey of a snowflake (voiced by her son)--Bush quietly explores the echelons of haunting pianos and high-reaching vocals in an effect that is all at once dark and heavenly. The next six tracks remove Bush even further from the norms--mainly by her dedication to long songs ("Wild Man" is the shortest track, yet it still spans 7 minutes). This longevity not only shows that Bush has earned the privilege of doing whatever she likes in this business, but that her style has grown from bits of idiosyncrasy to a sprawling illustration of the desperate, bizarre, and hazardous life.

Gotye

2011-11-29T14:03:00.013-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Gotye

Album: Making Mirrors

Label: Universal

Genre: Alternative, rock

Comments: In Making Mirrors Gotye (pronounced "GOE-ti-yeah"), or Australian Walter De Backer, actually makes an album evoking the constant change, illusion and confusion in a mirror house. Just when the album gets going and you think you're in for an alt-rock sound, Gotye throws in some '80s pop. And just when you get used to that, Gotye switches to blues and soul. While this could be executed poorly by a lesser man, Gotye's earnestness and conviction in his sound unites the album, so that instead of sounding disjointed and inaccessible, Making Mirrors proves highly intriguing and a lesson in the connectedness of all music types. Start with "Eyes Wide Open".

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

2011-11-28T14:22:00.012-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Album: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Label: Island

Genre: Rock

Comments: Noel Gallagher has released a fine record of atmospheric pop rock. Being a member of the defunct group Oasis, Gallagher's new album doesn't stray too far away from his roots.

From the Los Angeles Times music blog: "[In 2011], couched by cheeky diatribes in the media, Gallagher is front and center, both live and on his solo debut, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Not as memorable as Oasis' best anthems in the '90s, or as nasally rock-ready as his brother's [Liam] latest incarnation, Beady Eye, the album hovers within a melodic good-to-average middle ground.

"If Liam hones the Stones, Noel reworks later-era Kinks, forgoing guitar theatrics for the inclusion of strings, horns and a chorus, sometimes to overwrought effect. His bright tenor, though, serves him well. Recorded in England and Los Angeles, the album encircles themes of love, melancholy and aging."

Start with 1, 2 and 4.

The Duke Spirit

2011-11-28T13:41:00.007-05:00

Add Date: November 29

Artist: The Duke Spirit

Album: Bruiser

Label: Shangri-La

Genre: Rock, punk, pop

Comments: From Pitchfork: "The Duke Spirit are a band you want to root for, blessed as they are with an alluring frontwowan (Liela Moss) and good taste (drawing on everything from 1980s UK indie to northern soul to murder ballads), but also a willingness to burnish those outsider sources with a considerable sass and swagger to bring the masses on-side. And yet, the masses have been mostly resistant to their charms..."

The Duke Spirit is a band whose music is both rhythm and melody-heavy. Dense guitars and driving drums fuel each of the songs on this record. The band's got a pure rock 'n roll sound that is bolstered by great songwriting and sweet vocals. Start with tracks 1, 3 and 7.

Best New Music - November 22

2011-11-22T15:47:00.000-05:00

Give thanks for these records:

Darkness Falls

A Very She & Him Christmas

The Envy Corps

Ty Segall

Cloud Control

And this is just gravy: Big Deal, Sea Lions, Hindi Zahra

Darkness Falls

2011-11-22T15:44:00.000-05:00

Add Date: November 22

Artist: Darkness Falls

Album: Alive in Us

Label: hfn music

Genre: Rock, pop

Comments: Alive in Us is the first record from the Copenhagen duo Josephine Philip and Ina Lindgreen, soon to be known to all the world as Darkness Falls, and it's a pretty spectacular debut. Behind the terrific production of Danish techno mastermind Trentemøller, Philip and Lindgreen almost effortlessly breeze through a wide range of musical styles: early album gem "Noise on the Line" is a quiet, almost folksy pop song, but this tranquil tone quickly gives way to the bass-driven, New Wave-leaning "The Void". The title track--as do many moments on this record--will bring to mind another duo from Denmark, The Raveonettes; meanwhile, the gritty bassline of "Timeline" sets up the dark synthpop of that song, only to drop into a Kills-esque garage rocker in "Before the Light Takes Us".

There are many wonderful things going on throughout Alive in Us--I'd call Darkness Falls a band to watch out for, but it appears that they've already arrived. Spin tracks 2, 10, 4, 7 and 9.