Wagon Christ

Artist- Wagon Christ
Album- Toomorrow
Label- Ninja Tune

Luke Vibert, is a British electronic artist who records under the aliases Wagon Christ or Plug. Wagon Christ features a lot of cool, funky hiphop samples over laid-back beats (in the way that the Beastie Boys sample, for example). Overall, it’s a cool laid-back album.. A lot of the hiphop samples are jokey – “get on the dance floor” type of 80’s/90’s thing but overall it’s not too bad. The closest comparison I have for this is Squarepusher or Plaid. WC deftly weaves samples together in an interesting way that always holds my attention.

Wild Palms

Artist- Wild Palms
Album- Until Spring
Label- One Little Indian

Despite being signed to One Little Indian, home to Bjork, Wild palms aims for an 80’s stadium rock sound not unlike 80’s era U2. The singer tries for that emotive, yearning quality but just doesn’t seem to get it. The guitar and bass often are intertwined, sounding a bit like newer band Warpaint. In the end, Wild Palms is too derivative (even their name is cribbed from Twin Peaks) and too wimpy.

EMA

Artist- EMA
Album- Past life Martyred Saints
Label- Souterrain Transmissions

Erika M. Anderson, formerly of the noise-folk groups Amps for Christ and then Gowns, strikes out on her own with an eerie album of freaky guitar feedback and raspy vocals. EMA is great at riding the line between quiet and loud, sounding at times like early Cat Power and PJ Harvey or Kim Gordon. “Milkman” is a fuzzed-out stomper, while “Marked” has Erika singing over some creepy as hell guitar string scratching. This album is definitely weird, but at the same time it makes for a captivating listen.

RIP LCD Soundsystem

Goodbye to one of WPTS' longtime favorites

Arc in Round

Artist- Arc in Round
Album- Diagonal Fields
Label- Uniform

Formerly named Relay, this newly renamed Philadelphia 4-piece makes shoegazey yet noisy indie-rock. Dream-pop, but still experimental and heavy on the references to rhythms of classic Krautrock sound. The rich textures on this CD are its true charm – Jeff Zeigler’s vocals are heartfelt without bullshit melancholy, riffs are soaring without being too cloying. Kurt Vile randomly shows up to play trumpet on the final track (“Slow Ceiling”) – by far the most experimental tracks but it’s also very pretty. “Spirit” is the most straightforwardly dreamy & poppy song of this 5-track EP, but I prefer the more interesting layers of “3 A.M.” or “Follow” personally. Excellent semi-debut.

Yelle

Artist- Yelle
Album- Safari Disco Club
Label- Co-op

The French synth-pop threepiece is back with another album of fun chirpy tunes, following up on their 2007 debut Pop-Up. Singer Julie Budet’s calmed down a bit since her previous release: gone are the bratty sexual rhymes of “Je Veux Te Voir” (a song making fun of a particularly chauvinist male rapper’s genitals). Instead, the dance-pop on this album is darker and more emotive.

The Curious Mystery

Artist- The Curious Mystery
Album- We Creeling
Label- K

The sophomore release from this Olympia-based band (practically a requirement for K Records) is a rich exploration into 60’s psychedelic and smoky atmospheric garage guitars, produced by Karl Blau. Vocals are evenly split between of (desolate)Nicolas Gonzalez and (lovely, breathy and yearning) Shana Cleveland, though it’s best when the two combine. The music has a desert vibe, almost shimmering at time, the guitars sometimes joined by sitars and mellotrons. It’s neo-psychedelic and drifting at times, but the instrumental bits of songs feel nicely-paced.
For fans of: the 60’s, Wye Oak, Desolation Wilderness, Fungi Girls, K Records.

Boats

Artist- Boats
Album- Cannonballs, Cannonballs
Label- Kill Rock Stars

Cute Winnipeg band released second album of indie-pop on Kill Rock Stars. A reviewer describes them as “the Arcade Fire without the drama”; I’d agree except that singer Mat Klachefsky’s vocal delivery recalls both Daniel Smith (aka Danielson) and Mac McCaughan (Superchunk). It’s nasally, in short. These songs are spastic and twee, featuring cheap keyboards and xylophones.

Adebisi Shank

Artist- Adebisi Shank
Album- This is the Second Album by a band named Adebisi Shank
Label- Sargent House

Adebisi Shank is a cool, instrumental math/post-punk threepiece band out of Ireland. It has a lot of finger-tapping, angular postpunk rhythms, and funky bass. It basically sounds like Holy Fuck meets Hella or Battles, filtered through some 8-bit noise – experimental with a math rock base. I think my main qualm is that one of the songs is literally titled ‘(-_-)’. Conor O’Brian of Villagers guests on “Europa” but his vocals are mixed way down.

R.E.M.

Artist- R.E.M.
Album- Collapse into Now

R.E.M. is still trying to appeal to college kids? The 80’s are over, dudes. The best parts of this album simply sounds like retreads of songs from decades past. This album is most successful when going the ballad route – “Walk It Back” is a nice mature song all around. Unfortunately, it’s not clear where R.E.M. is going with this album – it clings to their old sound while a few songs are too aggressive and not very R.E.M. in nature.

Little Scream

Artist- Little Scream
Album- The Golden Record
Label- Secretly Canadian

Featuring members of Silver Mt. Zion, The National, and Arcade Fire at times, it’s clear that Little Scream aka Laurel Sprengelmeyer has friends in high places. For most of her debut album, she plays most of the instruments, switching deftly between guitar, synths, vocals, and loops. The first two singles, “Cannons” and “The Heron and the Fox”, show the range of Little Scream. The former was neat layered echo-y effects and guitars (vaguely recalling Land of Talk), while the later is soft and acoustic like a Sharon Van Etten or a Cat Power track. “Guyegaros” has a Patti Smith-talking vibe and lo-fi chords.

The Deer Tracks

Artist- The Deer Tracks
Album- The Archer Trilogy Pt. 1
Label- The Control Group

The Deer Tracks is David Lehnberg & Elin Lindfors, two dudes from a small town in Sweden, who may soft and pretty music that sounds like Múm. Their best tracks on this EP have Elin’s nice, but clearly Scandinavian, voice high in the mix and programmed (yet weirdly organic) beats that prevent the songs from sounding too slow and atmospheric.

Carnivores

Artist- Carnivores
Album- Chandelier EP
Label- Double Phantom

A new EP from my favorite Atlanta indie band (after 2 full-lengths in 2010)! I am always thoroughly surprised that this band is not more well-known. This EP finds Carnivores getting away from their spunky-spastic style and moving towards psychadelic-pop. It’s not as rocky, but the songs are still rich in texture. Catchy as always, this is another great release by Carnivores.

The Dodos

Artist- The Dodos
Album- No Color
Label- frenchkiss*

The Dodos are back with album 3!!!! Meric Long and Logan Kroeber realized that having a third member and too-glossy production dragged down 2009’s LP Time to Die. Back to a guitar/drum duo, No Color is a return to the rawness that marked their debut Visiter. Neko Case provides guest backing vocals on about 5 tracks here as well, but she never crowds the band. The Dodos’ strength has always been their reliance on terrific drumming that provides a solid backbone to their indie-folk sound.
The LP opens with “Black Night”, a song with wondrous momentum and a perfect introduction for new fans. “Sleep” has a trance-like quality that perfectly reflects the song’s name. “Going Under” is raucous (Dodos go electric!) and is great, though it’s 6 minutes long. The Dodos’ new album is a true delight – not perfect by any means, but rhythmic, poppy, and energetic all in one fell swoop. Play this.

Tony Castles

Artist- Tony Castles
Album- No Service EP
Label- Famous Class

This debut EP sounds like Wavves meets chillwave with a Caribbean influence – they’ve toured with Fool’s Gold for a comparison band. Energetic male vocals (a bit like Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend) and heavy bass riffs meets dancehall influences. “New Brain” recalls the fun Afro-pop of the Dirty Projectors, while “Adequate Sheen” has some nice hazy synthesizers. I dig this type of African-influenced jangly guitar stuff, and I’m glad that Tony Castles goes beyond the typical Vamp Weekend-ripoff and creates their own sound – one informed by chillwave as much as it is Public Image Ltd.

Stateless

Artist- Stateless
Album- Matilda
Label- Ninja Tune

Stateless is a British band that combines electronic beats with echoey indie-rock accompaniments and the sampling elements of trip-hop. Mostly, the singer’s RnB voice dominates each track. “Ariel” has kind of a trip/hiphop mood to it with a cool Saharan guitar vibe. I think that this album needs to be listened to all at once, and it simply doesn’t make for great radio singles.

The Megaphonic Thrift

Artist- The Megaphonic Thrift
Album- Decay Decoy
Label- Sonic Unyon

The Megaphonic Thrift (ft. members of Casiokids and Stereo) loves 90’s groups like Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth (poppy, Geffen-era Sonic Youth, that is). That said, The Megaphonic Thrift does a pretty great Sonic Youth impression if you can look past its derivativeness. This album by the Norwegian band is full of feedback, yet the sound is clean and clear. The album combines blistering noise (the band is known for their wall-of-sound live shows) with a sharp knack for melody.

BOAT

Artist- BOAT
Album- Dress Like Your Idols
Label- Magic Marker

Boat (not to be confused with Kill Rock Stars band Boats) is a band from Seattle on their fourth LP. It’s kind of slacker 90’s indie rock in the style of early Modest Mouse or Pavement. Crunchy guitars, singalong choruses, catchy hooks. This album is nicely produced but still has an indie sound – so 90’s.

Six Organs of Admittance

Artist- Six Organs of Admittance
Album- Asleep on the Floodplain
Label- Drag City

Six Organs of Admittance is primarily the project of guitarist Ben Chasny, a major player in the freak-folk scene of the early 2000’s (notably memorialized in the 2004 compilation Golden Apples of the Sun curated by Devendra Barnhardt). On his fifth album for Drag City, Chasny strays away from the oft-cutesy BS side of freakfolk and instead turns melancholy and images of the drifting American west. Chasny’s gentle voice and fragmented lyrics never overpowers the simple and sometimes psychedelic guitar pickings. SOOA’s new album is a spacious work, and anyone who digs Devendra Barnhart, Jack Rose or Sir Richard Bishop should check this out.

Anna Calvi

Artist- Anna Calvi
Album- Anna Calvi
Label- Domino

Anna Calvi: perhaps the new PJ Harvey? Brian Eno is her personal mentor and calls her the “biggest thing since Patti Smith”; Nick Cave personally asked her to open for Grinderman’s tour. The collection of 10 songs on her self-titled debuted are sultry and sumptuous in a way that recalls Harvey (and PJ’s drummer Rob Ellis produced this album) – and all of Harvey’s lyrical mainstays are present: devils, femininity & masculinity, desire, the usual tricks. Calvi sure loves her twangy guitar licks, at time recalling the best moments of Television’s “Marquee Moon”, and her sultry vocal stylings are cigarette-tinged – all the best chanteuses smoked. “Blackout” is certainly the most commercial track here, and I recommend avoiding it for the more raw cuts.

Lumerians

Artist- Lumerians
Album- Transmalinnia
Label- Knitting Factory

This is the debut full-length from the psych-rock San Francisco band (the music scene that undoubtedly rules the current psych-rock genre). It kind of sounds like a more prog Sun Araw, or basically like the Black Angels. There’s loopy, fuzzed out bass, distorted guitars, and some spacey keyboards. On tracks like “Black Tusk” the band gets kind of 60’s in their Nuggets-influenced melodies. “ Atlanta Brook” totally sounds like a Spaceman 3. Lumerians manages to do drony, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-rock without overstaying their welcome.

Duchess Leo

Artist- Duchess Leo
Album- Golden Grey
Label- Whale Heart

Duchess Leo is an electronic music producer and a songwriter, and the duo is pretty great. This album is like the string section of an orchestra meets electronic beats meets Sun Airway. “Your Sweet Love” is a Lee Hazlewood-appropriating, crazy string sample hit. “Bloom” is more chilled out with reverb-laden echoed guitar rhythms and almost violent drum beatings– kind of Phantogram-ish almost. This LP is a little lopsided unfortunately, with nothing really matching the greatness of “Your Sweet Love”. Still, fans of this type of chill, guitar-electronics combination should give this a listen.

Lykke Li

Artist- Lykke Li
Album- Wounded Rhymes
Label-Atlantuc

Lykke Li’s much-anticipated sophomore album does not disappoint. The most common complaint about her first album, Youth Novels, was the sound which seemed cutesy to some listeners. On WR, her voice is still high-pitched and delicate, but much more powerful and sure; her versatility is now evident through the contrasting sounds on this album. Normally woe-is-me songs bore me, but LL delivers such spunk and dazzling soul that I just can’t get enough of this rich, moody (and dare I say dark?) album. She launches listeners into a frenzy when she incites them to “come on, get down” on the first track. From then on it’s a melee of emotion and sound, the textured percussion and small details hinting at Bjorn (of Peter and John)’s superb production. This album ranges from slow, haunting, terrifyingly beautiful tracks, to deliciously saucy danceable pieces. Lykke Li does not deny heartbreak and wistfulness, but embraces them. When she expresses her emotions, she does so with grace and careful execution. Musically and thematically, this album is a knockout.

Memphis

Artist- Memphis
Album- Here Comes A City
Label- Arts and Crafts

Memphis is a duo consisting of Torquil Campbell (the singer of Stars and sometimes member of Broken Social Scene) and Christ Dumont. This group definitely has that mellow indie-rock sound popularized by BSS down to a T. The Smiths-y jangle pop of “Apocalyptic Pop Song” sets it apart from other tracks. There’s the swirling atmospheric glaze that seems to appear on every Arts&Crafts band’s cd, but the cheerful guitar riff and steady drumbeat of “I Am The Photographer” saves the song in this instance. Memphis seems to be one of those side-project groups that remains similar enough to the original act in order to keep fans’ attention, but it’s nice to see Campbell stretching his comfort zone.

Kurt Vile

Artist- Kurt Vile
Album- Smoke Ring for My Halo
Label- Matador

On his fourth LP and his second for indie heavyweight Matador, Kurt Vile has expertly expanded his sound to create an stunning album of rock ‘n roll bedroom pop.
On tracks like “Puppet to the Man”, Vile does his best Lou Reed impression while his excellently-named backing band The Violators fleshes out his murky musings into a full-fledged rock song. Other tracks find Vile practically solo: “On Tour” is a sprawling yet captivating abstract diary, and “Baby’s Arms” sees Vile trying to convince himself that he’ll never be alone. This LP is expansive, soft, and gritty all at once – gone is the lo-fi sound of early Kurt Vile, but the result is now we’re at the heart of things. It’s difficult to find “picks” because each song is perfectly nestled next to its neighbor in this astoundingly cohesive CD.

Sacred Animals

Artist- Sacred Animals
Album- Welcome Home EP
Label- Delphi

This EP culls the best elements of Radiohead, Air, and Sigur Ros and somehow makes it all work together. The singer sounds like a more normal Thom Yorke (a reference that is played out in today’s music scene but it’s true). “Chosen Seed” has neat arpeggiated guitar loop (hints of Air circa Talkie Walkie or the Virgin Suicides OST). The lyrics are all oblique and strangely cautious in their wording. This “secretive” Dublin group (actually the solo project of one man) has wonderfully come upon the weird intersection between psych-folk and electronic music and turned it into a delightful 4-song EP. They’re not the most immediately gratifying tunes but these 4 songs are compelling growers.

The Caribbean

Artist- The Caribbean
Album- Discontinued Perfume
Label- Hometapes

Discontinued Perfume, the fifth album by D.C. art-pop trio The Caribbean, is a weirdly calming yet disjointed record. This album is all about singer Michael Kentoff’s pleasant storytelling lyrical style. The music itself is “chill” I suppose, yet at the same time it’s quirky and a little disquieting. Soft guitars arpeggios, weird handclaps and time signatures- yet none of it is jarring or experimental. I think the fact that it’s so normal and weird is what helps this band’s aesthetic.

Luke Rathborne

Artist- Luke Rathborne
Album-Dog Years / I Can Be One EP
Label- Dilettante

On this split EP, Luke Rathborne shows that he really wants to be Bob Dylan. What folk-guitarist doesn’t? Rathborne changes up the traditional man-and-guitar formula with well-done production, drum backing, and a general knack for a good tune. Personally invited by Devandra Barnhart to tour, Rathborne rises above the other singer-songwriter dreck.

Edwyn Collins

Artist- Edwyn Collins
Album- Losing Sleep
Label- Co-op/Downtown

Edwyn Collins was the frontman for bitchin’ Scottish 80’s new-wave group Orange Juice and is currently having the comeback of his life. His old band just got a huge reissue on Domino, and now the dude is putting out a solo cd with collaborations from Johnny Marr, The Drums, Aztec Camera, and Franz Ferdinand. This album explores Collins’ 2005 double brain hemorrhage and subsequent recovery, yet it’s set against poppy and jangly indie-pop- a weird combination, but to be honest how many young bands are doing postpunk jangly rock the right way anymore? Not many. While many 80’s musicians struggle to stay relevant in the 21st century, Orange Juice’s influence is still palpable in many 2000’s bands, and this excellent solo album is a triumph.

Dom

Artist- Dom
Album- Sun-Bronzed Greek Gods
Label- Astralwerks / Burning Mill

Dom is a hyped Worcester, MA quartet that follows the trend of catchy, surf-y fuzz-pop, though the addition of a female singer adds a Tennis-ish vibe. This EP has been “remastered and remixed”, aka it’s polished. The synths keep this EP sounding fresh and sets it apart from other summery bands. Single “Living in America” is great- the looped, sarcastic lyric “It’s so sexy to be living in America” backed with synth-tinged riffs. Most of this songs are about drugs, making out, teenage shit. This is a highly catchy EP, and Dom’s star has only been rising since the original release of “Sun Bronzed Greek Gods.” A band to watch.

The Brutes

Artist- The Brutes
Album- Wonderous Punch
Label-self-released

The Brutes are a newish rock band from Minneapolis. Their music reminds me of the Strokes (early Strokes too) and the singer sounds like Paul Banks of Interpol. “Yourspace” is the most obviously Strokes-y, and the guitars on “Last Man Left Hanging” seem to pulled straight from Franz Ferdinand’s first album. I wish this album had been more original, but overall it’s really not bad and the guitars are quite catchy for anyone who digs the jangly-pop vibe.

Sean Rowe

Artist- Sean Rowe
Album- Magic
Label- ANTI-

Sean Rowe’s debut album is definitely a Leonard Cohen / Van Morrison affair: sparse instrumentation that accompanies Rowe’s soft yet powerful bass voice. This style of music definitely is not for everyone – fans of Cohen, Nick Drake, and Morrison will love this – but it always bear similarities to The National circa Boxer.

Jamaica

Artist- Jamaica
Album- No Problem
Label- Cooperative USA

Following up on their Cross the Fader EP from fall 2010, Parisian duo Jamaica is back with their first full-length. As before, this is produced by Xavier de Rosnay (of Justice) and Peter Franco (Daft Punk’s engineer) and their influence shows in Jamaica’s electro-tinged rock. The best tracks of the EP reappear on the LP (#1, 2, and 11), but new tracks “The Outsider” and “By the Numbers” are just as good. Jamaica sounds like a harder Phoenix than they do Daft Punk, but I still dig their punk staccato guitar riffs and the duo certainly has a knack for melody. (None of the remixes tacked on are particularly worth playing).

The Boxer Rebellion

Artist- The Boxer Rebellion
Album- The Cold Still
Label- self-released

The third release from this alt-rock London quartet is perhaps a step backwards from sophomore album Union. While it’s certainly not as ferocious, and it’s pretty clear that the Boxer Rebellion draws influence from The National, there are still some solid moments on this album. Most songs, excepting “Step Out of the Car”, are slow, indie tracks carried by the vocalist’s pleasant National-meets-Chris Martin voice.
For fans of: the National, Editors, The Veils, Chapel Club

Banjo or Freakout

Artist- Banjo or Freakout
Album- s/t
Label- Rare Book Room

Banjo or Freakout is the shoegaze-influenced, dare I say it, chill-wave project of Italian-born/London-based Alessio Natalizia, and after many EPs we finally have a full-length. There are NO BANJOS ON THIS LP, so don’t worry. Some songs, like “Move Out”, have definite discernible guitar elements, while others (the woozy, wondrous “Go Ahead) are looser and more shoegazey in nature. Vocals are generally hazy and at times I’m reminded of the Antlers. Obviously it’s hard to be fully original in a genre that’s fairly defined, but Banjo or Freakout does a pretty good job here.

Neon Legion

Artist- Neon Legion
Album- Empire
Label- self-released

Neon Legion is the project of Phillip Kressin –a name that means nothing- except this project features members of Holy Fuck, the Hidden Cameras, and Fischerspooner. The result is an album of dancey, New Wave laser music. Kressin’s vocals sound like the singer for the Pet Shop Boys. Given the guest performers, I expected this album to be much better.

Winter's Fall

Artist- Winter's Fall
Album- At All Angles
Label- Velvet Blue Music

Despite what the sticker says, Winter’s Fall actually reminds me more of Band of Horses than My Morning Jacket. Like Band of Horses meets country-folk. It’s mostly the singer that sounds country, not the music. The music itself has a spacey, meandering quality that is rather nice- with a different vocalist this would be a better band. “Maybe I Do” best exemplifies this band’s sound.

Silk Flowers

Artist- Silk Flowers
Album- LTD. Form
Label- Post Present Medium

This New York-based “dance goth” trio is undoubtedly one of the better acts signed to No Age’s personal label Post Present Medium. The LP is split evenly between instrumentals and tracks with singer Peter Schuette, who sounds very similar to Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. The album is synth-driven and not as lo-fi as their previous album thanks to Amanda “MNDR” Warner at the production helm. The album sounds warm, but without sacrificing any charm. Anyone who digs Joy Division, Zola Jesus, or synthy stuff like Diamond Rings will love this.

Tommy Guerrero

Artist- Tommy Guerrero
Album- Lifeboats & Follies
Label- Galaxia

Former 80’s professional skateboarder returns to the 2000’s with a CD of jazzy, Afrobeat and lazy downtown-cool drum beats. I want to wear black and read poetry to this LP. TG himself plays guitar, bass, keys and percussion, and is joined by a variety of instrumentalists to flesh out his sound. “Bulls on Broadway” is bassy with a hint of dub underneath the melodica parts, and “Cut the Reins” has a cool jazz shuffle going on.

Beans

Artist- Beans
Album- End It All
Label- Anticon
Genre- hiphop

This album is insanely good- Brooklyn-based rapper Beans (formerly of the Antipop Consortium) is at his best, and each track is produced by an indie superstar such as TOBACCO, Four Tet, Bumps (aka Tortoise), Sam Fog of Interpol, and more. Beans’ rapping style often consists of staggering his rhymes, and the varied production actually shows how adaptable his rhymes are to different beats. My only complaint is that each track is too damn short: most clock at 2 minutes tops. “Glass Coffin” has a gritty, industrial edge set off by cool 8-bit arpeggiated riffs ; “Mellow You Out” features Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio singing background to Beans’ raps. BEWARE FCC VIOLATIONS

Shunda K

Artist- Shunda K
Album- The Most Wanted
Label- Fanatic
Genre- Hiphop

The hip-hop scene needs more women MCs and luckily Shunda K brings her best. Shunda begans as one third of group Yo Majesty, a buzzy rap group that signed to Domino in 2007. Her Southern-style of rapping is crazy quick and the beats here are gritty and electro-tinged. Highlight “Here I Am to Save the World” is insane. “My Light” cribs from Outkast but is still pretty good. “Rock & Roll” begins with an annoying sung intro, but once the grimy beat drops the song picks up. The album is sharp, well-produced, and above all entertaining.

Little Comets

Artist- Little Comets
Album- In Search of Elusive Little Comets
Label- Dirty Hit

This British band found themselves signed to Columbia Records and then held hostage to their contract for 2 years for not making catchy enough indie pop. Strange, because this album is extremely influenced by popular indie bands (see below). The singer reminds me Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, and the music itself, and the band’s style does have hints of the punky-Afrobeat style that Vampire Weekend folded into the indie mainstream. For fans of: Vamp Weekend, Ra Ra Riot, Futureheads

James Vincent McMorrow

Artist- James Vincent McMorrow
Album- Early in the Morning
Label- Vagrant
Genre- folk

This cd of folk-pop from Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow rises above similar efforts within the genre. It has elements of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes (ok, it is particularly similar to Bon Iver), yet McMorrow’s music feels more intimate. His tenor voice is quite beautiful if not thin as well. Fans of confessional style folk will love this, or for anyone who needs good headphone chill tunes.

Blaqstarr

Artist- Blaqstarr
Album- Divine EP
Label- N.E.E.T./Interscope
Genre- hip-hop

Not to be confused with confused with other rap group Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def), Baltimore DJ Blaqstarr is mostly known for his production work on M.I.A.’s albums. “Rider Girl” is a of reworking of previous collab with Rye Rye with Kanye-esque short verses about relationships. This definitely is more experimental as hip-hop goes, but anyone familiar with M.I.A.’s work should dig this. None of these are club bangers, definitely a more laid-back feel.

Apex Manor

Artist- Apex Manor
Album- The Year of Magical Drinking
Label- Merge

If you’re like me you pulled this off the shelf because of the album title
(who doesn’t love magical drinking?) but here’s some bad news: it doesn’t
quite live up to its charismatic name. That’s not to say this isn’t a
decent album. In fact the relaxed, catchy, slightly poppy guitar based
rock on Magical Drinking has a pretty classic sound (there’s even cowbell
on a few tracks) and is very easy to listen to. Think something like a
late Wilco with less piano, more electric guitar, and a deeper voice.

Tristen

Artist- Tristen
Album- Charlatans at the Garden Gate
Label- American Myth

Tristen is yet another songstress coming out of the Nashville scene. This is good enough, not great by any means. These songs draw more inspiration from Revolver and folk-pop than country. Opener “Eager for Your Love” is rather Cardigans-esque, featuring a vintage organ that provides a nice backing. The key word here seems to be “ernest” in its pop-stylings.

Fierce Creatures

Artist- Fierce Creatures
Album- I Mostri Feroci
Label- Self-released

This debut EP is pretty exceptional for being just that – a debut effort. It has all the enthusiasm of kids not yet jaded by the music industry, kids who saved their best melodies for their debut. It’s quirky folk-pop with quick melodies. Opener “Satan is a Vampire” is anthemic in its vocal melodies; it reminds me of Funeral-era Arcade Fire. The female vocalist takes over on “The Great White” and the effect is delicate. Closer “The Brute and the Beast” is the undisputed standout – it starts off well enough before adopting a soft, spaghetti-western surf guitar riff. Wonderful debut.

Lia Ices

Artist- Lia ices
Album- Grown Unknown
Label- Jagjaguwar

This carefully-constructed album is delicately beautiful, carried by simple melodies and Lia Ices’ amazing, ghostly voice. “Daphne” begins with acoustic guitar and light straight arrangements before Bon Iver pops up half-way through to duet. Ethereal and poetic. I like the handclap backing on the title track “Grown Unknown” in particular. Definitely not for everyone, but this rises well about the usual singer-songwriter crap on the basis of Lia’s voice and the minimal arrangements.

Blank Dogs

Artist- Blank Dogs
Album- Land and Fixed
Label- Captured Tracks

Blank Dogs is the lo-fi post punk project of Mike Sniper, the owner of veritable indie label Captured Tracks. This LP is certainly cleaner in sound than the last few Blank Dogs releases, but it still has an unpolished charm. “Goes By” features the mechanized drumming of Joy Division with gothy synths. All of Sniper’s vocals are distorted in some way on this album; it comes off as distant yet strangely cool (influences of 70’s group Suicide). “Northern Islands” has elements of 8bit, Nintendo-ish beats. “Insides” sounds like the Cure for the first minute until the song opens up into a quicker punky jam. Sniper has definitely begun to make a transition from post-punk to new wave on this LP.

Delicate Steve

Artist- Delicate Steve
Album- Wondervisions
Label- Luaka Bop

“Delicate” Steve Marion’s album is a wondrous exploration of a variety of styles. Psychadelic guitar shredding on “Welcome-Begin”; Afro-pop in the style of Dirty Projectors on “Sugar Splash” or “Butterfly”. The entire thing is instrumental, but the guitar riffs were interesting enough to keep my attention through. Fans of Marnie Stern, Dirty Projectors, or tropicalia will dig this.

Ben + Vesper

Artist- Ben + Vesper
Album- HONORS
Label- Sounds Familyre

Husband and wife duo who are tight friends with Sufjan Stevens (he plays piano on this) put out their first full-length in four years. It’s not twee like all those other boy-girl duos. This is balanced and well-done freak-folk pop. Often both vocalists sing the same parts together, though “Holly Home?” is more call-and-response. “How You Are” is kind of a nice, drifting tune too.

When Saints Go Machine

Artist- When Saints Go Machine
Album- Fail Forever EP
Label- !k7

Blissed out rpm with dancey tones, ghostly vocals, and some hazy atmospheric sounds. The Danes sure do know how to do this shit right. Singer Nikolaj Manuel Vonsild’s vocals remind me of a not-annoying Anthony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons / Hercules + Love Affair). “Pick Up Your Tears…” is influenced by Salem and it shows. “Fail Forever” and “You Or the Gang” are definite favorites – the later almost veers into Miike Snow territory but is saved by the great beat drop. While WSGM has an RPM base, this definitely has crossover appeal in my opinion.

Daniel Martin Moore

Artist- Daniel Martin Moore
Album- In the Cool of the Day
Label- SUB pop

Sub Pop gone folk? What??? This Kentucky-based dude’s CD for classic indie label Sub Pop is straight up Appalachia-tinged folk. Acoustic guitar, sometimes a piano, sometimes that’s all music needs. My Morning Jacket’s Jim James helps out on the banjo too. DMM definitely has an appeal – headphone music, chillout, whatever – and a lot of these songs have a gospel underpinning.

Modern Skirts

Artist- Modern Skirts
Album- Gramahawk
Label- self-r

Athens, GA four-piece’s third album of melodic alterna-pop. Love it. Melodies of the Beach Boys via the post-modern weariness of Spoon. The vocals on “Under Bridges & Overpasses” are almost hypnotic in their rhythmic talk-y delivery with overtracked sung melodies. The final track, “To Be a Branch Davidian”, is delightful and spacey with the right touch of melancholy. This album is varied in styles (mostly held together by the vocal stylings) but this is still absolutely pleasant indie pop.

Madison

Artist- Madison
Album- The Noise Some People Make
Label- G
Genre- electro pop

I dug this EP. It’s chock full of female 80’s electro/synth pop, like a hipster version of Robyn or a not-annoying Kesha. It’s very dreamy and breathy. The first two tracks are pretty good, but the second half of the EP sucks. “Superman” is annoying in its attempts to be kind of urban and sexy; “Hot Hot Love” is an improvement but still kind of dumb. Stick to “#1” and “Lights Low” (the single, already featured on a number of TV soundtracks).

Fergus & Geronimo

Artist- Fergus & Geronimo
Album- Unlearn
Label- Hardly Art (imprint of Sub Pop)
Genre- varied

This Brooklyn by-way-of Texas duo’s first LP is a smart and often funny blend of 60’s style jangly pop-rock. It’s off-kilter at time, drawing from a range of influences. “Powerful Lovin’” and “Unlearn” have the slow waltzy tempo of old 60’s R&B crooners. Most tracks have the attitude of the Violent Femmes- “Baby Don’t You Cry” is a jangly rocker with the same nasally voices (though less annoying) as the VF’s. The CD indicates a band that isn’t fully sure of their identity yet, but the varied styles means that there’s something for everyone.

ESG

Artist- ESG
Album- Dance to the Best of ESG
Label- Fire
Genre- Post punk

For those who don’t know, ESG was a highly influential early 80’s post-punk (with funky basslines) group that remains highly influential to this day – all that early 2000’s stuff like the Liars (#5 here is used for the Liars’ “Tumbling…”)as well as anything on DFA records. If you dig the disco-dance-punk sound of LCD Soundsystem, you must check this out. ESG is one of the most sampled groups of all time. They’re kind of like the female version of Public Image Ltd. with sparser arrangements. Start with "U.F.O.", "Chistelle", and newer instrumental "Tiny Sticks."

Ryan Adams

Artist- Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Album- III/IV
Label- Pan-Am
Genre- rock

Evidently this double album was recorded back in 2007 (the Easy Tiger sessions) and Adams just found the tapes recently. Like previous album Rock N Roll, Adams leaves his alt-country schtick behind, instead favoring muscled out power pop rock. With 21 tracks to choose from, it wasn’t hard to find a few winners. “Icebreaker” is Adams goes faux-metal, “The Crystal Skull” sounds like Morrissey. Adams needs to reevalute his recording practices, since his prolific output means that more often than not these CDs are full of filler.

British Sea Power

Artist- British Sea Power
Album- Valhalla Dancehall
Label- Rough Trade

Having never understood the appeal of BSP, their new, fifth album does nothing to help me out. Bloated, spacey and orchestral indie rock and no longer at their peak. Guitar swells and U2-level grandstanding. Perhaps it’s just not my cup of tea. #5 (Mongk II) is the clear standout track, a Krautrock reworking of the so-so track “Mongk” from the Zeus EP. “Thin Black Sail” is a random 1 ½ minute post-punk rocker. Overall, BSP seems to have lost the plot on their newest album.

Oberhofer

Oberhofer with Cloud Nothings - Brillobox, this Thursday!

Artist- Oberhofer
Album- Away Frm U EP
Label- self-released

This 19 year old hipster doesn’t even have a proper album out yet and already this shit is buzzy- talk of being the next Wavves. Regardless, this bedroom-pop EP is pretty pleasant. “Away Frm U” has a pretty, whistled melody, and although the title of “o0Oo0O0o” is pretty annoying, the echoed vocals that run through the 5 songs here show this kid’s skill. It’s self-aware, Brad kind of yelps at times, but it comes off as charmingly unpolished.

OFF!

Artist- OFF!
Album- The First Four EPs
Label- Vice
Genre- Hardcore

The long-awaited hardcore punk project of Keith Morris (Circle Jerks/Black Flag), Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides), Steven McDonald (Redd Kross), and Mario Rubalcaba (Rocket From the Crypt/Earthless). It’s pretty amazing, clocking in 16 songs at just about 20 minutes, but unfortunately this is pretty FCC dirty. The Raymond Pettibon (Black Flag, SY’s Goo) album art is perfect. OFF! sounds like the perfect dose of revival 80’s West Coast hardcore, leaning heavily on influences of Morris’ work in Black Flag and Circle Jerks mostly. I highly recommend this, but admittedly it’s not for everyone.

The Veils

Artist- The Veils
Album- Troubles in the Brain EP
Label- Pitch Beast

The Veils are a New Zealand band fronted by Finn Andrews (son of XTC’s keyboardist Barry Andrews) that hit their stride with 2009’s Sun Gangs. This followup EP is pretty mixed- lead tracks “Bloom” and “The Stars…” are pretty great indie rock songs, but most of the others have sparse arrangements and sound like polished demo tapes. Produced by Bernard Butler, guitarist of Britpop band Suede. Andrews’ voice is like a dryer version of Jeff Buckley.

Darwin Deez

Artist- Darwin Deez
Album- self-titled
Label- Lucky Number
Genre- Indie pop

This debut album from a mustached hipster already has the British press blowin’ up, now Darwin Deez has hit American shores. Songs like “Constellations” and “Radar Detector” are chirpy, upbeat numbers that sound like the intersection of The Strokes (first album era) and Yeasayer. It’s hard to find problems with these 3-minute gems. As an album, there’s naturally some filler, but the combination of Deez’s earnest vocals (switching between deadpan, falsetto, and Julian Casablancas’ casualness), the weird 4-string guitar he plays, and drum machine beats make for some great indie-pop songs.