About E-mails * babysue® Store * Donate * Contact Info * LMNOP * babysue * dONW7 * Poetry * T-Shirts * Review Policies
Comics, Poems, & Reviews from 
About E-mails
* babysue® Store * Donate * Contact Info * LMNOP * babysue
* dONW7 * Poetry
* T-Shirts * Review
Policies
Comics, Poems, & Reviews from
November 2009
= TOP PICK
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aarktica - In Sea (CD, Silber,
Progressive)
Aarktica is the one man band consisting of Jon DeRosa...who,
over the past few years, has developed a small but incredibly devoted cult
following. In Sea is DeRosa's sixth full-length release. Once again,
it's a total keeper. The album features trance-like atmospheric pieces
and subdued pensive soft pop tracks...each flowing into the other like ocean
currents. Although the overall sound is markedly different, the tone here
is strangely reminiscent of Brian Eno's Another Green World.
Far too obtuse and cerebral for the casual listener, In Sea is an
album that will continue to solidify Jon's superior standing among other
artists and esoteric music fans around the world. Subtle, distant, haunting,
and mesmerizing tracks include "I Am (The Ice)," "LYMZ,"
"In Sea," "Instill," and a truly peculiar cover of Danzig's
"Am I Demon?" TOP PICK.
Actors and actresses
Are boring people.
Boring, boring, boring
People.
Arms
and Sleepers - Matador (CD, Fake Chapter, Progressive pop)
Arms and Sleepers is the duo comprised of Max Lewis and Mirza
Ramic. The last time we heard from these folks was back in January 2008
when they released their Black Paris 86 album. Matador is
difficult to describe. Max and Mirza write moody keyboard-driven soft pop
tunes that sound very restrained and personal...but they also incorporate
electronics and atmospheric sounds into the mix which give their tunes additional
odd flavors. Some of the sparse soft reverb drenched sounds seem ghost-like
in nature. Listening to this, you almost get the feeling you are in a huge
deserted mansion hearing people making music in some far distant corner.
Lewis and Ramic are getting good at what they do. Quite damn good.
Sparse restrained compositions...very serious and meticulous...lots of subtle
things going on in the background. Ten puzzling cuts. TOP PICK.
Alex
Arrowsmith - Modernity Leave (Independently
released CD-R, Pop)
Portland's Alex Arrowsmith returns with another independently released
CD-R. This time around Alex takes a different approach, presenting his songs
simply without spending a lot of time on the recording process (according
to the press release he "didn't spend longer than an hour recording
any song"...cool!). This sounds markedly different from the last
album we heard from this fellow. So...which is better, the more traditional
sound...or the simpler stripped down approach...? In actuality, both
work. There's a lot to take in here as Alex presents no less than 36 new
tracks (yow!). We love it when artists go off on a tangent like this...recording
for their own enjoyment rather than trying to come up with music that will
please potential fans. Our favorites include "Kill Me On A Friday,"
"Space Elevator," "The Universe Wins," "Get A Job,
Hippie," and "Yes, I Wanted To." True creative expressions.
Bad Apples - The Autumn People (CD, Seksound,
Pop)
The second full-length release from Estonia's Bad Apples. This band
was originally a one-man project created by Henrik Esse but now includes
an array of additional musicians (Rein Fuks, Rivo Jarvsoo,
Tonis Kenkmaa, Helina Risti). What may surprise many people
is how American the tunes on The Autumn People sound. Esse writes
extremely smooth, hummable, and accessible pop tunes with a heavy emphasis
on vocal melodies. The press release that accompanied the disc made comparisons
to Serge Gainsbourg, The Carpenters, and Juan Garcia Esquivel
(all of whose influences can be heard to some degree on this album). Smart
dreamy tunes abound here. Some of our initial favorites include "Love,"
"Charming Boy," "Play Time," and "Hey Doctor."
TOP PICK.
The Beat Rats - A Cellar Full of Rats! (CD, Kool
Kat Musik, Pop/rock)
What would a cross between The Young Fresh Fellows and The Beatles
sound like...? Well...very likely something like New York City's The
Beat Rats. The guys in this band play with a cool youthful enthusiasm
that is particularly appealing. The tunes are direct...super direct...featuring
a basic lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. The guitars are appropriately
rough and raw and the rhythms almost always infectious and danceable. The
band consists of Frank Max, Paul Garwood, Tony Matura,
and Bluto Mongo. It's a sure bet that these guys are a blast in concert.
Totally cool cuts include "Mine All Mine," "No Good At Love,"
"Go!", and "Goin' Goin' Gone." Credible rockin' stuff.
Bend
Sinister - Stories of Brothers, Tales of
Lovers (CD, Distort Light,
Pop)
Bend Sinister has been in existence now for about a decade. The band
was begun by Canada's Daniel Moxon but now also includes Joel
Myers (bass), Jason Dana (drums), Joseph Blood (guitar),
and Henry Alcock-White (guitar). Stories of Brothers, Tales of
Lovers features loud, punchy, in-your-face keyboard-driven modern pop.
These tunes feature thick busy arrangements and the energy level is impressive.
Fourteen intelligent songs here including "The News," "Give
In To The Light," and "Once Again." As a side note, the band
offers eight of their tracks free of charge on their web site (see link
above).
Barney
Bentall - The Inside Passage (CD, True North, Pop)
Recorded in 2008, The Inside Passage is only now beginning to be
distributed around the world. Barney Bentall was originally in the
bands Brandon Wolf and The Legendary Hearts (the latter whose
debut album was quite successful way back in 1989). When the twenty-first
century hit, Bentall decided to take a break and moved to Canada to operate
a cattle ranch. However his music eventually resurfaced in the form of a
2007 debut solo album (Gift Horse). Passage is a super slick
collection of commercial pop tunes seemingly written and conceived with
radio and internet downloads in mind. Instead of going the artsy route,
Brandon writes songs that can easily be appreciated by the average listener.
These mid-tempo pop tunes have a great deal in common with a lot of what
was popular on FM radio stations in the 1970s. These tunes find Barney's
voice in great form...he has a nice deep voice and never sounds like he's
trying to push himself. Ten pleasant cuts here including "Hold My Heart,"
"Face To Face," "Papa Henry's Boy," and "Disappearing."
Very nice picturesque tri-fold sleeve.
Be there in a second.
Be there in a minute.
Be there in an hour.
Be there in a month.
Be there in a year.
Be there in a decade.
Be there next century.
Boy Genius - Staggering (Promo CD, Progressive pop)
The second full-length release from Boy Genius. Staggering
was (appropriately) produced by iconic producer Mitch Easter. Interesting
how this album was recorded and the way it is being marketed. These tunes
were recorded on tape, mixed to tape, and mastered directly to the lacquers
(used to press vinyl). As such, it is only being offered in a limited edition
run of vinyl albums (the digital tracks will only be available as a download).
The tunes most definitely have a nice thick analog sound...sounding extremely
reminiscent of pop records from the 1980s. Ten cool guitar pop tunes here
including "Scatterbrain," "Ramona Saves the Day," "When
Sunday Goes," and "Edison." Neat modern pop with a nod to
the past.
Carcrashlander - Where To Swim (CD, Parks
and Records, Progressive pop)
More and more folks seem to be picking up on Carcrashlander...and
for good reason. We've been huge fans of Cory Gray's band
ever since we were first turned onto the music. Gray is somewhat of an artist's
artist and/or one of those folks virtually every reviewer considers to be
super cool. His music is probably most appreciated by other folks involved
in music in one way or another because their perception may be slightly
more acute. Where To Swim is another exceptional batch of tunes.
Strangely enough, this album is probably Cory's most accessible yet. But
don't think you'll be seeing him making an appearance on the talk show circuit
anytime soon. This guy has too much artistic integrity for that. Carcrashlander
tunes are melodic, moody, and slightly experimental. The sound is slick...but
there are always peculiar jagged ideas lurking around the background. In
terms of vocals, Gray's soft subdued voice is an absolute perfect fit for
the style of songs he writes. Ten incredible tracks here including "Landmines,"
"House Arrest," "Rosie," "Behind You In Line,"
and "Yellow Car Tides." Highly recommended. TOP PICK.
Choosey mothers choose
Human trafficking.
John
Clinebell - Make It Land (Independently
released CD, Pop)
Most up-and-coming underground artists make music for a very small percentage
of the listening population. Santa Monica, California's John Clinebell
writes and records music that could easily appeal to the masses. Make
It Land is a surprisingly commercial and accessible album full of instantly
friendly pop. Clinebell is joined on this album by Aram Arslanian
(guitars, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals), John Wolf (drums,
mellotron), and Sarah Arslanian (backing vocals). Nice smooth melodies
and exceptional vocals abound here. Top picks: "Hold On," "Back
To Me," "The Best of Yours," "Holding Pattern."
It's cute to get smashed but
It's irresponsible to get
Fucked up.
It's wrong
To hate people because of
The color of their
Skin but it's okay
To hate them if they
Have a different
Point of
View.
Russell
Crawford - Floating Aimlessly (CD, Popboomerang, Smooth soft pop)
Really nifty hummable effervescent pop. Australia's Russell Crawford
sounds something like a cross between Elvis Costello, Ben Folds,
and very early Rick Springfield. Some folks might take that last
comparison as a cut...but if you ever heard Rick Springfield's first few
albums (before he was ruined by success) you know that is a very
high compliment indeed. After releasing his first EP in 2006 (Hearing
All That's Heard) Crawford suffered a severe neck injury that put him
out of commission for several months. He thankfully recovered and is now
back in fine form on Floating Aimlessly. Some really cool direct
hits here. The album ends on a thud--an unfortunate choice to cover Andrew
Gold's "Thank You For Being A Friend." Otherwise...a nice
solid release.
The dammit pussy
Lives in a perpetual circuit
And evolves.
Deserters - Pale Morning (CD, Popboomerang,
Smooth soft pop)
Deserters is the latest band driven by the songwriting skills of
Luke Thomas who also plays in the bands The Picture and The
Ronson Hangup. Fans of 1980s and 1990s guitar pop will find a lot to
love here. The tracks on Pale Morning are finely polished and produced
to perfection. Luke's music reminds us of not one, but two Neils (Neil
Finn and Neil Innes). In particular, the fifth track ("Race
Me Home") sounds so much like Innes that we could almost swear its
the man himself singing. Moody, yearning pop tunes include "Waking
Birds," "Pale Morning," "Looking My Way," and "Valerian
(Goodnight)." Really nice sounding stuff, recommended. TOP PICK.
Disgust
Of Us - Disgust Of Us (Independently
released CD, Pop/rock)
A short mini-album (just under 30 minutes in length) from Oakland, California's
Disgust Of Us. These folks have a cool underground guitar-driven
sound that is characterized by some uncharacteristically nice and soothing
female vocals (something one doesn't normally associate with a hard rock/pop
band). The band consists of Cheryl Martinez (vocals, guitar), Patrick
Thomas (vocals, guitar), Laura Bagnato (bass), and Sam Banker
(drums). Some of the tracks on this album are slightly reminiscent of 1970s
progressive rock bands while others take a more direct modern approach.
Interesting stuff, these folks are off to a great start here. Top picks:
"Tick Tock," "Homemade Haircuts," "Regret Regard."
Don't read.
Stupid people
Read.
Matt
Epp - Safe Free (CD, Manitoba,
Pop)
Nice breezy organic folky pop with a heavy emphasis on vocal melodies and
lyrics. Canada's Matt Epp has a super smooth and inviting sound that
is certain to appeal to a wide range of listeners. Epp's tunes are a far
cry from the average twenty first century technology-driven dribble that
appeals to so many people. Safe Free features twelve songs...pensive
guitar-driven tunes that are, for the most part, surprisingly mainstream
and accessible. In some ways, Matt's songs sound like a more radio-friendly
version of Eels. Not only does this guy write excellent smart songs...but
he also has a voice that really adds magic to the proceedings. Plenty of
keepers here including "This Old House," "Life For Life,"
"They Won't Find The Bodies," and "Too Cool." Nice reflective
stuff.
Estocar - Metaphorically Speaking (Independently released CD, Pop)
We really admire the way these folks are marketing themselves. This CD features
artwork handmade from various LP sleeves...transformed/recycled into a simple
CD cover. And instead of a specific numbered edition, the inside is marked
"one of 'em out of a few hundred" (haw haw!). Metaphorically
Speaking was recorded at Tiny Telephone Studios in San Francisco in
2009. Estocar tunes sounds something like a modern underground cross
between The B-52s and The Talking Heads. The tunes are bright
and upbeat and feature some really killer danceable rhythms. Sounds like
these folks had a lot of fun recording this album. Top picks: "Painted
Black Enamel," "Model Citizen Melee," "Throwin' Eyeballs."
Foods expire.
Drugs expire.
Fires expire.
Amplifiers expire.
Fin
Fang Foom - Monomyth (CD, Lovitt, Progressive pop)
More and more bands from the 1990s seem to be reappearing lately...and the
guys in Fin Fang Foom are the latest to resurface (this is their
first new release in six years). Good thing too...because Monomyth
is a cool and engaging album that finds the band in fine form. This Chapel
Hill, North Carolina-based trio (Michael Triplett, Eddie Sanchez,
Mike Glass) plays nice, smooth, progressive pop that sounds not unlike
a heady cross between Guided By Voices (but much less poppy) and
The Psychedelic Furs (but much more subdued and dreamy). Complex
and engaging nine track album. Our initial favorites include "Magnetic
North," "Lonely Waves," "Monomyth," and "Nome,
Alaska."
For Against - Never Been (CD, Words
On Music, Progressive pop)
We were kinda late hopping aboard the For Against bandwagon...but
now that we're onboard we'll be staying for the entire journey. This Nebraska-based
band began in 1984 and has been widely credited with being one of the first
dream pop bands in the United States. With Never Been these guys
once again hit the target dead center. We've always been suckers for groovy
guitars and great vocals...and this band has plenty of both. It's hard to
pin down possible influences here...although some of the more poppy tunes
on this album remind us ever-so-slightly of The Hang Ups. You won't
find any easy, catchy, predictable pop here...as these songs have a roundabout
way of making their point. The more we hear For Against...the more seriously
addicted we become. Nothing but cool stuff here...some of our initial favorites
include "Sameness," "Black Willlows," "Antidote,'
and "The Tenebrists." An easy and obvious TOP PICK.
Anna
Garrott - Only Time Will Tell (CD, Blue
Steel, Country/pop)
Refreshingly simple and direct country/pop from Anna Garrott. So
many modern country music artists overdo it these days...when all you really
need are some great songs, a few great players, and a killer singer. On
Only Time Will Tell you get all three. Some of Garrott's influeces
include Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and
Kitty Wells. Our guess is that fans of any of these artists will
instantly fall in love with Anna's warm, genuine vibe. Time Will Tell
is a nice polished album...but never so glossy and overproduced so that
Garrott's personality gets lost in the process. This young lady has a great
voice...slightly sassy and sexy...and she definitely has stage presence
to spare. Producer Rick Holt added just the right amount of rock
and roll punch to these up-tempo country pop tracks. Groovy danceable tunes
include "What A Way To Go," "Silver Wings," "Pink
Roses," and "Only Time Will Tell." TOP PICK.
A people don't bleed
When you cut it.
It giggles.
Gossip
- Music For Men (CD, Columbia,
Pop/funk/rock)
Originally known as The Gossip, the folks in this band dropped the
"The" and are now just known as Gossip. When we last heard
from this band it was during their humble beginnings phase on the Kill Rock
Stars label. Music For Men will probably be the album that introduces
this band to most listeners not only because it is being released on a major
label...but also because the sound is now quite calculated and slick. We
can't help but guess that the band's original fans will dismiss this as
a sell out album...but we actually prefer the new super slick sound to the
band's rougher earlier recordings. So while Music For Men will probably
alienate all the super hipsters out there...folks simply wanting some groovy
modern funk/pop to dance to will find a lot to love here. Beth
Ditto's vocals still sound as strong as ever...and some of the grooves
are simply out of this world. Nifty tracks include "Dimestore Diamond,"
"Love Long Distance," "2012," and 'The Breakdown."
Hate crimes
Are an acceptable form of
Self-expression.
Health don't care.
Health never did
Care.
Hey
Young Believer - Invisible By Day (Independently
released CD, Pop)
Nice clear and clean hummable modern pop. Hey Young Believer is the
San Francisco, California-based trio consisting of Lilly Wolfson,
Alex Neuhausen, and Nick Shilling. Invisible By Day
features sixteen tracks. Instead of trying to be incredibly artsy or clever,
these three musicians seem intent on making music that can easily be appreciated
by casual music fans. Their songs are straightforward and feature some instantly
catchy melodies. The arrangements are simple and direct which definitely
works in the band's favor. Plenty of cool cuts here including "Tidal
Waves," "Green Green," "Spark," and "Don't
Look Down." Nice refreshing stuff.
The Holy Roman Army - How The Light Gets In (CD, Collapsed Adult, Progressive
pop)
This album arrived in our holy mailbox without much accompanying literature...but
because it came by way of the cool folks at The Honest Music Alliance we
figured it had to be good. And...it is. The Holy Roman
Army is the Irish brother and sister duo comprised of Chris Coffey
and Laura Coffey. The Coffeys recorded the tracks from this album
in their home studio from 2006 to 2008. A lot of time, care, and attention
went into the creation of this album. Chris and Laura write and record soft,
pensive, subdued dreamy pop tunes that are subtle and calming. The vocals
are often haunting and innocent...and the arrangements are often peculiar
and unorthodox. If you're looking for an easy fix this isn't it. We had
to spin How The Light Gets In several times before the substance
inherent in the tunes began to sink in. Kickass cuts include "Berlin,"
"He's Not Responding," "Lastwood," and "Neon In
Our Dreams." Super smart stuff with plenty of unexpected curves...
Humdrum - Individual Man (Independently released CD, Progressive
pop/rock)
This is a different sounding collection of tunes from a band with a different
approach to progressive pop. Humdrum is four guys in Saint Louis,
Missouri: Mic Boshans, Dan Meehan, Paul Maguire, and
Phil Strangman. There are so many one-shot bands out there on the
planet...who have one basic song or idea and they beat it into the ground
until no one is listening anymore. On Individual Man there are no
easy canned goods. Instead of writing and recording generic music with the
intent to sell it later, it is obvious that these guys are making music
for all the right reasons. Some of the songs are loud, some soft, some mid-tempo...but
the one thing you won't find here are samey predictable tunes. These songs
weave around all over the place...and they feature some wonderfully smart
and insightful lyrics (thankfully a lyric sheet is included because you
will want to absorb the words). Lots of killer cuts here including "I'm
Attractive," "Individual Man," "Earth Is So Reliable,"
and "For Everything Bad." Recommended. TOP PICK.
Jamie Hutchings - His Imaginary Choir (Independently released CD, Progressive
pop)
Some of you out there may remember the band Bluebottle Kiss (they
released several albums on Murmur, the same label that boasted the more
commercially successful band Silverchair). Despite critically acclaimed
albums and connections with tons of other well-known artists, the band never
really achieved the recognition they deserved. Jamie Hutchings was
the driving force in Bluebottle Kiss...and he has now embarked on a solo
career. Folks familiar with his previous band may be surprised at the sounds
on His Imaginary Choir. On this album Hutchings takes a much more
subtle approach to music...creating smooth, pensive almost folky pop tunes
with remarkably effective melodies and thoroughly engaging arrangements.
On this album Jamie was apparently inspired by artists from the 1960s and
1970s...and it shows. The tracks on this album have a nice, cool, resilient
sound that is sadly missing in the recorded work of many twenty-first century
recording artists. Eleven nifty reflective cuts here including "Buried
By Trouble," "Indian Ocean Virgin Snow," "Nomads,"
and "Treasure Trove."
I know there is no place called Heaven.
I know we don't go anywhere when we die.
I know that Jesus doesn't love me because
I know he never existed.
I know there is no God.
Geoff
Leigh & Yumi Hara - Upstream (CD,
Moonjune, Progressive)
Upstream is an album aimed at listeners with an open mind. Geoff
Leigh plays/uses a variety of things on this album including flute,
soprano sax, zither, percussion, nose flute (?), voice drone, and electronics
while Yumi Hara plays keyboards and sings. Leigh is probably best
known as an early member of the British progressive band Henry Cow
and also played in the bands Slapp Happy and Hatfield and the
North. Hara was/is in the band Frank Chickens and also acts as
a DJ under the name Anakonda. Anyone even slightly familiar with
any of these other bands will have some idea of what to expect here which
is...the unexpected. Upstream is a bizarre collection of tracks that
go all over the place. Fans of the previously mentioned Henry Cow will find
a lot to love here. Leigh still composes tunes that could almost fall into
the modern classical category...but threads of popular music remain intertwined.
Some of the tracks are more musical than others...while others are more
experimental in nature. Yumi's strange dreamy vocals add a particularly
odd element to these proceedings. Nine heady cuts including "Upstream,"
"Stone of the Beach," "Dolphin Chase," and "The
Siren Returns."
The
Mercury Program - Chez Viking (CD, Lovitt, Progressive)
The last time we heard from this band was way back in May of 2001 when we
covered their All the Suits Began to Fall Off EP. A couple of years
after that EP was released the band took a break...and have now re-emerged
with this seven song disc. Their fans will no doubt welcome them back with
open arms because these guys were (and are) one of the more inventive and
engaging instrumental bands to emerge in the 1990s. The songs are progressive
for the most part but never difficult or pointlessly artsy. These latest
recordings find the band playing music that has flowing epic qualities.
The arrangements are flawless...the melodies strong and absorbing. This
is a band that is obviously a labor of love. Let's hope this time around
these guys receive enough support to keep the momentum going. They deserve
it. Killer cuts include "Chez Viking," "Arrived/Departed,"
"Stand & Sing," and 'Fluorescent Laces." Housed in a
particularly nice tri-fold cardboard sleeve. TOP PICK.
The Most Powerful Telescope
In The Universe - The Moonlight's Fair Tonight
(Vinyl LP, Data Was Lost /
Ionik)
A beautifully packaged 12" vinyl LP and...can you believe it...we still
don't have a record player hooked up in our office suites...?!! Sad but
true, once again we're not following trends. And in this case it's a bummer
because this one looks to be a real treat. Oh well...we'll hold onto this
l'il sucker until it becomes unfashionable (again) to play records...and
then we'll start spinning 'em again...
My
Dad Is Dead - A New Clear Route (CD,
Unhinged, Pop)
Most folks probably still think of My Dad Is Dead as an underground
band in the 1980s that had some moderate success on the college radio circuit
in the United States. But what those same folks probably aren't aware
of...is the fact that Mark Edwards (the name who is My Dad
Is Dead) never completely stopped releasing quality albums. (Although there
was a gap from 1997 to 2005 when the 'band' released the reunion album A
Divided House). Switch to 2009...and Edwards unleashes another batch
of groovy melodic guitar pop. Unlike other artists who seem pressed to change
and/or alter their sound to fit the changing times, Edwards continues doing
what he does best. His songs feature smart chord progressions, exceptional
melodies, perceptive lyrics, and simple arrangements. Instead of sounding
tired or corny, this album has the same cool resilient qualities that made
My Dad Is Dead such a cool band in the 1980s. Mark hits the target with
each and every track here...but our particular favorites include "Carolina
Blue," "A New Clear Route," "The Rising Tide,"
and "Walls." TOP PICK.
Nurse whatever you can
Get your mouth
Around.
Olekranon - Identi (Limited edition CD-R, Inam, Progressive/noise)
The drone/noise movement in the United States is becoming increasingly obscure
and/or complex. While the genre may never reach a mass audience (that
really isn't the point, is it...?), there are most certainly those in
the minority who are addicted to the strange hypnotic sound. The folks at
Inam have released an extremely limited edition release (only 100 copies
are being produced) of Olekranon's Identi. While the majority
of the tracks are of the drone/noise variety, some of the cuts are surprisingly
melodic and accessible. Really noise artwork on this one. Absorbing and
slightly cerebral...
Madame Pamita - Madame Pamita's Wax Works (CD, Old
Time Is A Good Time, Pop)
There have been plenty of unique approaches to recording and releasing music
over the years. Some folks may remember when Tiny Tim released a
78 RPM record. More recently Cheap Trick released their new album on 8-track.
A 2009 AC/DC box set even included a miniature guitar amplifier as
part of the set. So...when we read the press released for Madame Pamita's
Wax Works we were initially puzzled by the claim that the album was
recorded "...using absolutely no electricity during the playing or
recording process." Yeah, right! we thought to ourselves...pretty
funny but impossible. But as we continued reading...and we began to listen...we
realized that Madame Pamita (whose real name is Pamela Ann Moore)
did indeed record her album without electricity. For you see, the
appropriately-titled Wax Works was recorded on a hundred year old
wax cylinder recorder (the kind you had to crank by hand). As such,
this is possibly the most low fidelity twenty-first century album
you could possibly get your hands on (complete with all the strange crackles
and pops that only wax could produce). An interesting gimmick to be sure...but
it wouldn't be nearly as interesting if it weren't for the fact that the
music itself is completely and totally credible. Yup, these strange simple
tunes recall a time decades ago when music was much simpler and far more
direct. This short album (approximately 26 minutes in length) features thirteen
intriguing tunes including "Madame Pamita's Theme Song," "Three
Wishes," "Moving Day," and "No Bad News." We can't
wait to hear what this talented lady comes up with next. Highly recommended.
TOP PICK.
The
Pantones - Inside The Sun's Wild Flame
(Independently released CD, Pop)
After several years of home recordings, the guys in Bath, Michigan's The
Pantones decided it was time to record an album in a proper studio.
Inside The Sun's Wild Flame is the result, a batch of tunes the band
members recorded at El Pop Studios in Eaton Rapids. More than any other
band, the tracks on this album remind us very much of some of the poppy
keyboard sound of 1970s British band Stackridge. Vocal melodies are
up front in the mix, and the band's tunes feature appropriately restrained
arrangements. The more we spin this album...the better it sounds. Instantly
hummable tunes include "Circus Freaks," "Keeping You Alive,"
and "Welcome to the Desert."
Parallax
Project - I Hate Girls (CD, Kool Kat Musik, Pop)
Parallax Project was supposed to be a variable rotating band created
by Michael Giblin...but after he assembled a live band to promote
his debut album the group stuck together. Produced by Don Dixon,
I Hate Girls is a direct shot of pure melodic guitar pop. Giblin
borrows ideas and sounds from classic artists from the past few decades...but
injects his tunes with his own unique point of view...and he's got a great
voice for pop music. Girls spins like a non-stop string of hit singles
(hit singles that you have never heard before, of course). Upbeat,
positive cuts include "All The Same," "I Hate Girls,"
"Half," and "Needle In A Haystack." Catchy peppy pop.
Project
Skyward - Moved By Opposing Forces (CD,
Rocket Girl, Progressive
pop)
Project Skyward is the band created by Ryan Field (who goes
by the name 'Skyward'). Moved By Opposing Forces is the second full-length
release from Field who--before becoming a musician--got a college degree
majoring in holistic science and astronomy. Forces displays a heavy
emphasis on space and technology. The tracks are driven by electronic rhythms
and feature interesting heady layers of spacey keyboards. Folks who were
into the trance movement in the 1990s will find a lot to love here. Ryan's
songs sound something like 1990s trance music updated to the twenty-first
century with rhythms (and sometimes vocals) added to the equation. Plenty
of cool drifting qualities here. Nifty cuts include "Canis Major,"
"Lunacy," and "Fairweather Friend."
The Revelations Featuring
Tre' Williams - The Bleeding Edge (CD, Decision, Soul/pop)
There has been a refreshing and impressive resurgence of genuine soul music
over the past few years. For such a long period of time almost all black
artists seemed to think that they had to incorporate elements of rap or
hip hop into their music or they wouldn't have an audience. Thankfully we
are now hearing from artists who think outside the box...artists like Tre'
Williams and The Revelations. The Bleeding Edge is a slick
album...super slick and polished...but the songs have the kind of soul and
heart that was such an important piece of the puzzle for many of the great
soul artists from the 1970s. This, the debut album from this Brooklyn, New
York-based sextet...is a straight shot of smooth hummable soul pop. The
arrangements are thick and danceable...and the vocals are way up front in
the mix. Fortunate, because Williams has a great voice that really makes
these tunes cook. Fifteen keepers here including "Stay Free,"
"Let's Straighten This Out," "It's Too Late," and "Heavy
Metal Blues." Cool and real.
D.
Rogers - Sparks On The Tarmac (CD, Popboomerang, Pop)
The folks at Australia's Popboomerang label always seem to have an uncanny
knack for discovering some of the best new pure pop artists. With Melbourne's
D. Rogers they have, once again, hit the target dead center. This
young singer/songwriter presents pop tunes reminiscent of Neil Finn
and a few soft, introspective folky tunes. This is Rogers' third full-length
release. It's a smooth, polished effort full of instantly catchy tunes with
warm and inviting melodies. This fellow isn't an underground artist in any
conventional way. He writes and records classic pop that could easily be
appreciated by millions of fans. Sparks On The Tarmac is a nice clean
blast of twenty-first century pop...featuring cool credible tracks like
"Poison Pen," "First To Know," When It's Done, It's
Done," and "How Unfortunate..." Neat stuff.
Rollerball - Two Feathers (CD + DVD, North
Pole, Progressive)
This is an album...that starts at one place and ends up somewhere else entirely
by the disc's end. There have been so many twenty-first century bands and/or
artists whose music is heavily influenced by 1970s progressive rock. But
in most cases the artists are merely rehashing old ideas. Perhaps that is
what makes Rollerball such a refreshing change of pace. The folks
in this band write and record what could best be described as progressive
pop/rock...but instead of aping and/or copying bands from the past, they
simply use the ideas as a diving board to create their own unique sound.
Some of the tracks on Two Feathers are almost normal sounding...while
others are wildly unpredictable and experimental. You'd never know from
listening to this CD that these folks have been at it for about fifteen
years now. In addition to the CD, this package also includes a DVD with
music videos from the 1990s and beyond, a film by Starbage Hands,
and performances by Rollerball, OVO, and Ronin in 2005. So
many listeners want a band to be easily pigeonholed and categorized. The
folks in Rolllerball defy categorization and, by doing so, are creating
their own unique niche in the world of music. Housed in a beautiful cardboard
foldout sleeve. Recommended. TOP PICK.
Boris
Savoldelli & Elliott Sharp - Protoplasmic (CD, Moonjune,
Progressive/experimental)
This album was recorded without overdubs in September 2008 at zOaR Studio
in New York. Folks seeking gentle, familiar, and/or accessible music should
be warned in advance that this is difficult stuff. Boris Savoldelli
and Elliott Sharp are sure to alienate a lot of listeners with this
album...and that just might be the point here. Actually, our guess is that
these two musicians simply made these recordings without giving a damn how
they would be perceived. As such, Protoplasmic is a total and complete
artistic endeavor. Savoldelli and Sharp let their imaginations run wild
on these recordings...and the results are rather bizarre and spectacular.
Peculiar electronics and effects gone wild abound here. This is the kinda
stuff you either love or hate. We love it when folks challenge us...and
Protoplasmic does just that. Crazy, unpredictable, offbeat, and insane...this
is an album for purists. Ten bizarre tracks including "A-Quantic,"
"Reflective Mind, " "A Meeting In A Park," and "Dig
It." TOP PICK.
Scan
Hopper - Scan Hopper (CD, Simplexity,
Progressive pop)
Hmmm...interesting. Scan Hopper is the one man based comprised
of Scott Hopkins. This, the band's debut self-titled album, contains
tracks recorded from December 2008 to March 2009 but "several elements
were recorded well before then, and a majority of the music was actually
composed between 2002 and 2004." Scott has apparently been influenced
by music from the vinyl era. Instead of predictable canned creations, the
tracks on this album seem strangely out of synch with music being released
in 2009. And that, of course, is a very good thing. Considering how many
people have begun collecting vinyl again, we can't help but think that this
album would be a prime candidate to be released on vinyl as well (perhaps
this is already in the works?). We can't come up with many similar sounding
artists or comparisons...but some of the ideas presented here remind us
of Joy Division and even The Residents at times. A bizarre
hodge podge of ideas and sounds. Fourteen tracks including "Your Timbre,"
"Notes Or The Face (Plumage Rock)," "Sparkler," and
"The Grass Mountain."
Steve Shiffman & The Land
of No - Steve Shiffman & The Land of No
(CD, Tiny Beast, Pop)
Originally in the band 4-Star Movie, Canada's Steve Shiffman
decided to strike out on his own after moving to New York and hooking up
with drummer Pete Hayes. The band now also includes Alec Ferrell
and Kent Heine (both of whom previously played in The Holy Ghost)
and Dave Holinghurst (who was formerly in Small 23). This
band's self-titled debut features songs that go all over the map. While
basically a pop band, these guys don't play predictable samey modern pop.
Plenty of interesting sounds, styles, and melodies here. Our favorite tracks
include "Unfortunately For Her," "Jet Lag Blues," and
"Squirrel in Chinatown."
Sam
Shrieve - Bittersweet Lullabies (Independently
released CD, Pop)
Being the offspring of well-known musical celebrities has its pluses and
minuses. In some cases, a celebrity's son or daughter has an immediate advantage
by having his or her foot in the door. In other cases...it almost seems
as if the connection is a hindrance and/or a curse. Being the son of John
Lennon certainly didn't do much for Julian Lennon's career. But
in other cases similar connections have spawned some interesting automatic
celebrities. Sam Shrieve's father is Michael Schieve who played
drums in Santana. Sam may be following in his dad's footsteps by
making music...but on this album he's working in an entirely different genre.
Bittersweet Lullabies is a nice big slice of pure pop. And for a
debut, it's certainly impressive. The album is slick...super slick and well-produced.
We're not sure if having a debut this polished is a plus or a minus. In
some ways, we like to hear an artist progress over time rather than hear
them start on such a high note. But in other ways...if you have the resources
to record something like this...why not? Slick hummable pop tracks
include "Kiss You," "Hey Adrian," and "Said and
Done."
The Sons of Hercules - A Different Kind of Ugly (CD, Saustex
Media, Rock/pop)
The last time we heard from The Sons of Hercules they sounded very
much like a modern rock version of The New York Dolls. On this, the
band's latest full-length release...we're pleased to report that the band
still sounds very much like a modern rock version of The New York
Dolls. Thank God that some things still stay the same. These guys take the
most direct approach possible in music...turning way up loud and just letting
their tunes rip naturally. There are no fancy studio gimmicks...no thick
layers of overdubs...virtually nothing to get in the way of the band's raw
rock and roll power. A Different Kind of Ugly is the band's fifth
full-length release...and it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that these
guys are in it for the long haul. Raw rockers include "A Different
Kind of Ugly," "Numb," "No Regrets," and "Easy
Action." This album would make Iggy Pop proud. TOP PICK.
The world is shitty because
People are
Shitty.
Sprocket
- Medicated Empty (Independently released CD, Progressive pop/rock)
Produced by Mike Herrera (MxPx), the guys in Los Vegas, Nevada-based
Sprocket have come up with a nice, thick, hard rocking batch of tunes
here. Originally from Boise, Idaho, the guys in Sprocket released their
debut disc (Sympathetic Addictions)...and then shortly afterward
lead vocalist/guitarist Brodie Knight's father passed away and he
had several surgeries. During his recovery he and his bandmates came up
with the tune "Medicated Empty" which ended up being the lead
track and title of the band's latest album. The tracks on Medicated Empty
have a nice, big, thick, explosive sound. These recordings feature layers
upon layers of overdubs...but the songs still have the necessary ingredients
that give them an edge. These guys have a big arena sound that should appeal
to fans of super slick bands like U2.
Star
& Micey - Star & Micey (CD,
Ardent Music, Pop)
Star & Micey is the Memphis, Tennessee-based trio comprised of
Joshua Cosby (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Geoff Smith (vocals,
bass guitar, percussion), and Nick Redmond (lead guitar, keyboards).
Produced, engineered, and mixed at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis,
this self-titled album captures all the immediacy and excitement of a live
performance. And judging from the songs on this album our guess is that
Cosby, Smith, and Redmond put on a killer live show. Plenty of cool upbeat
numbers here threaded with slight hints of bluegrass and blues...but the
songs are definitely pure pop all the way. Feelgood tracks include "Salvation
Army Clothes" (a truly outstanding tune), "So Much Pain,"
"On Your Own," and "Quicksand." Smart classy pop stuff.
Sujo
- Morte e Descida (Limited edition 3" CD-R, Inam, Noise/drone)
A really cool limited edition release (only 100 copies are being made available
to the public). This tiny little 3" CD-R features nineteen minutes
of drone noise. What more needs to be said...? Totally underground artsy
stuff for those needing some serious mind numbing...
Tin
Huey - Before Obscurity: The Bushflow Tapes
(CD, Smog Veil, Progressive
pop/rock)
Some of you out there may remember Tin Huey. While the guys in Devo
were raking in the bucks and fans, Tin Huey remained one of Akron's lesser
known (but critically acclaimed) bands that never had much commercial success.
Because of the band's tiny cult status, we were very surprised and pleased
to see a new disc being released under this band's name. Thanks to the folks
at Smog Veil, new, unearthed, and unreleased tracks are being made available
to that small but enlightened segment of the population interested in hearing
some obscure Tin nuggets. Before Obscurity: The Bushflow Tapes features
fourteen tracks...some live, some previously released, and some previously
unreleased. This is a weird hodge-podge of sounds and styles...and a good
overview of what the guys in Tin Huey were all about. A nifty little audio
collage, this one...
Tom
Thumb - We Never Die (Independently
released CD-R, Progressive pop)
Most up-and-coming artists sound very much like some other more successful
artist. Common points of reference in 2009 often include Ben Folds,
The Ramones (still), Sufjan Stevens, The Flaming Lips...as
well as any other number of other commercially and/or artistically credible
acts. What impresses us most about the folks in Tom Thumb...is that
they aren't aping any of the usual hip acts. This band writes and records
music that seems to come straight from the heart. Although there aren't
any easy and instant points of reference, a few of the tracks on We Never
Die remind us slightly of early Alex Chilton. Ten nifty cuts
here including "Olivia" (a truly exceptional tune), "Better
Days," "Polished Improv," and "Acid Rain." Out
of step with the pack. Neat stuff.
Divided we fail.
United we fail.
Variety
Lab - Team Up! (CD, Peer, Pop)
When we slammed this CD into our player our first reaction was...The
vocalist in this band sounds just like Donovan! Alas, when we
perused the back cover we realized...that the first track actually features
Donovan himself on lead vocals. Variety Lab is the one man
band consisting of Thierry Bellia who released his first album (Providence)
in 2003. Bellia chose some excellent folks to collaborate with on this album.
Tracks feature input from such super cool artists as Mona Soyoc,
David Bartholome, Kidsaredead, Lily Frost, Lisa
Kekaula (of The Bellrays), and Yael Naim. What is interesting
here is that...instead of sounding fragmented and disjoined...this album
holds together extremely well. Nice thick commercial sounding pop that is
totally credible and entertaining from start to finish. Killer cuts include
"Is This The Last Time?", "Soda Pop Confusion," "Let's
Boogie," and "Love Is A Bird." Totally cool stuff.
The Very Foundation - This Restless Enterprise (Advance independently released
CD, Pop)
Nice understated melodic pop. The Restless Enterprise features plenty
of sparse, smart pop tunes. The album features guest musicians from other
bands: The Decemberists, Blind Pilot, Oh Darling, Blue
Horns, and Upsidedown. We didn't receive the entire package on
this one so we'll keep this brief. The folks in The Very Foundation
write and record credible, memorable pop with smart lyrics and inventive
melodies. Plenty of really nice sounding stuff here...
Vlor
- Six-Winged (CD, Silber,
Progressive/experimental)
Trying to review and/or cover bands and artists whose music doesn't easily
fit within specific categories is simultaneously time consuming, frustrating,
and thought provoking. After all, it's a lot easier to simply toss out a
few positive sentences about the latest rock group whose songs all pretty
much sound the same. Around since 1992, Vlor is a band that has come
and gone and shifted from one phase to another. This album presents tracks
that were recorded by Brian John Mitchell who recorded guitar and
bass tracks and then sent them to various artists/musicians across the country
and around the world to expound upon and/or flesh out (or more accurately,
as the press release states "a collection of Silber all-stars working
together). The artists recording with Mitchell include Jon DeRosa,
Jessica Bailiff, Paolo Messere, Annelies Monsere, Martin
Newman, Mae Starr, Jim DeJong, Michael Walton,
Brian McKenzie, Michael Wood, and Megen McAvenney.
Not surprisingly, this album goes all over the map...and very often totally
off the map altogether. When money isn't the motivation...it's amazing
what can happen in music. A mind-bending blur of styles and approaches...almost
completely unpredictable. TOP PICK.
Simone White - Yakiimo (CD, Honest Jons, Soft pensive folky pop)
Smooth soft pensive pop from Simone White. On Yakimo, Ms.
White sounds something like a cross between early Suzanne Vega and
that bizarre stripper in Robert Altman's Nashville film (remember
her...?). The tracks on this album feature very simple, straightforward
arrangements that allow the listener to focus on Simone's lyrics and melodies.
She's a soft singer...almost whispering on many of these tracks. Melodies
are what make this album such a solid spin. White writes modern classic
folk/pop tunes that are smart and resilient. Several knock down dead great
cuts here including "Candy Bar Killer" (an incredible tune),
"A Girl You Never Met," and "Let the Cold Wind Blow."
Daphne Willis - What To Say (CD, Vanguard,
Pop)
The debut Vanguard full-length release from Daphne Willis, a young
lady (only 22 years old) with a voice and presence well beyond her years.
Willis lives in Chicago and only started playing guitar about three years
before the release of this album...which might explain the underlying excitement
in her music. The tracks on What To Say are unashamedly commercial...super
slick modern pop tunes with slight threads of blues and soul. What will
blow most folks away...are Daphne's vocals. This young lady has a truly
amazing voice and really knows how to belt out a song without overdoing
it. This twelve track album is certain to be hugely successful over the
course of the next few months. Killer tracks include "Everybody Else,"
"Bluff," "Swirl," and "Jim Thornton."
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg (CD, Interscope,
Hard rock/pop)
You know we have to admit that Wolfmother discs have slipped through
our fingers in the past. But for whatever reason (our frame of mind, the
quality of the previous releases)...we just weren't that impressed. Cosmic
Egg changes all that. This album is a hard-hitting intense ball of fire.
Fans of bands like Led Zeppelin and Jane's Addiction are almost
certain to go apeshit over this CD. There are a couple of softer tunes here...but
for the most part Egg is a blast of hard modern rock. Like the previously
mentioned bands, the guys in Wolfmother can play like holy hell. These tunes
have a thick, ballsy sound...and the lead singer is a totally believable
wailer. Produced and mixed by Alan Moulder, this little eggie ROCKS.
Gripping tracks include "California Queen," "Sundial,"
"Pilgrim," and "Violence of the Sun." TOP PICK.
J. Wong
- J. Wong & The Popular Butchers (Independently released CD EP,
Pop)
Nice laidback folky pop. J. Wong's songs have a nice sincere sound
that is most appealing...and they sound nothing like what you normally hear
from your average up-and-coming underground rock band. Wong was a founding
member of the band Rand-Univac and is now out on his own writing
and recording music in a decidedly different genre. This guy has a great
voice and writes what might best be described as classic folky pop. With
the right marketing and luck...Wong could very easily find himself hugely
famous...
Life isn't
Worth
It.
XOXO
- C'est la Vie (CD EP, 24
Hour Service Station, Pop)
A short little EP (only 25 minutes long) full of playful melodic pop. We
rarely review EPs...and only in cases when the music is really exception.
This disc most certainly falls into that category. C'est la Vie features
some fantastic pop tunes presented simply without unnecessary fanfare. The
vocals are particularly appealing...and the arrangements are kept to a bare
minimum which allows the listener to concentrate on the vocal melodies and
lyrics. Seven killer tracks here including "Fly Superman Fly,"
"Done and Done," "A Song for the Reminiscent," and "Merry
Times." TOP PICK.
When you're three you're nothing.
When you're ten you're nothing.
When you're sixteen you're nothing.
When you're twenty-five you're nothing.
When you're forty you're nothing.
When you're eighty you're nothing.
When you're one hundred you're nothing.
ZZ Top
- Double Down Live 1980 * 2008 (Double DVD, Eagle
Vision, Pop/rock)
Very nice double DVD set that presents ZZ Top live in 1980 (Disc
1) and live in 2008 (Disc 2). When these guys first started out few folks
would have predicted they would be around several decades later...but here
we are...several decades later...and ZZ Top is still selling out wherever
they play. The first disc presents ZZ Top at the top of their game playing
at the Grugahalle in Essen, Germany...slamming out 22 early classics from
their Tres Hombres and Fandango! albums. The second DVD was
shot on the band's recent European tour in 2008. In some ways these guys
have almost become a caricature of themselves...but in a way, that's the
beauty of their music. They play timeless rock and have the good common
sense not to take themselves too seriously. Totally entertaining from start
to finish, this set offers a nice, comprehensive overview of this highly
regarded band...
A
Abandon Kansas - We're all going somewhere
Michel Ackermann - Kite
Air Waves - Air Waves
Al Atkins - Demon deceiver...plus
Arrivederci - Arrivederci
A Beautiful Curse - As it should be
Afghan Star - Original soundtrack recording
Alchemist - Chemical warfare
Verden Allen - My masochistic side
Alphatronic - Sonic landscapes
A New Vice - A New Vice
Anthem In - The cloudbusting EP
Arctic Sleep - Abysmal lullabies
Assy Fish-Bass - Bass in my ass
Atsiaktonkie - Four wolves prophecy
Jacob Augustine - Harmonia
B
Baak Gwai - Find a stranger in the alps
Backnbloom - Backnbloom
Norman Baker - The art of not knowing
Devendra Banhart - Baby EP
Barrel House - Open road
Bear in Heaven - Beast rest forth mouth
Beat Circus - Boy from black mountain
Beautiful Few - The nights you did your hair
Beauvilles - Whispering sin
Christopher Bell - Cover EP
Bend - The helpless EP
Sylvia Bennett - It's christmas time with sylvia bennett
Blackheart - Invisible
Black Mold - Snow blindness is crystal antz
Terence Blanchard Group - Choices
Blues Condition - Swingin' blues & rockin' roots music
Bonnington Truce - Bonnington Truce
Boy Without God - Your body is your soul
Boz - Karma knows...
Brokencyde - I'm not a fan but the kids like it!
Bronze Radio Return - Old time speaker
Criag Buhler - Skykomish
Bunnygrunt - Matt Harnish and other delights
Buskin & Batteau - Red shoes and golden hearts
C
Candace Brooks Band - The chase
Candy - Candy
Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst - Topanga ranch motel
Castevet - Summer fences
Billy Catfish - Half a jug full = no deal
Alexandra Celano - I'm overcome
Circle Circle - Square square
Circular System - Signal morning
Co-defendants - The patdown
Color Turning - Good hands bad blood
Copernicus - Disappearance
Copilots - Escape through the trees
Shannon Corey - Overdue
Cribs - Ignore the ignorant
Estrella Cristina - This is life
D
Mason Daring - Mason Daring
Dfactor - Slashing the sunlight
The DGB - Victory song
Marq DeSouza - & all his boyish charms
Don Diego - A new beginning
Ron Ray Band - On top of the heap
Mike Doughty - Sad man happy man
Downer Party - Ego-driven lust creatures
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Promo edition
Cornelius Dufallo - Dream streets
Dufus - In monstrous attitude
E
Brenda Earle - Songs for a new day
Early Hours - Falling elevators EP
Echelons - Don't kiss her face
Pauline Edwards - There comes a time
Empty mirror - Abstracted catholic
Eyes Set To Kill - The world outside
Eva & The Heartmaker - Let's keep this up forever
Evan and the Modern Human Show - A moose supreme
F
Face Value - Rode hard, put away wet
Fame - Original motion picture soundtrack
Family Curse - White medicine
Fans of Jimmy Century - Head go whoosh
Fonnie Fauss - New songs for the old frontier volume 1
Dodd Ferrelle - Lonely parades
Fighting the Villain - First impression
Fireman's Daughter - Road to tennessee
Floating Men - The sighing hours act II: swimming with gods
Lita Ford - A taste of...wicked wonderland
Dale Frane - 401K: Madness, greed and escape
Ad Frank and the Fast Easy Women - Your secrets are mine now
Fugitives - Find me
Funny People - Original motion picture soundtrack
Furious Seasons - Thank you for saturday
G
Anna Garrott - What a way to go
Gas - Neue zeit
Glen Iris - "Horseless" b/w "Big Hatchet"
Gogol Bordello - Live from axis mundi
Alex Gomez - Love sex & drugs
Nicki Gonzalez - Moron love
Gospel Gossip - Dreamland
Grand Hallway - Promenade
Grass - Rogue waves
Groove Kings - Blood red
H
Hadley, Norman & Keeble - An evening of gold
Hail the Size - I can't die in L.A.
Ben Cooley Hall - Owning up to a life
Trevor Hall - Trevor Hall
Hallelujah The Hills - Colonial drones (defective CD-R)
Will Hanson - Hope on top
Harken the Hands Askew - Thou
Don Harvey - A dance in red
Bill Hart - This is why
HB3 - The veldt
Fritz Helder and the Phantoms - Greatest hits
Hi-Nobles - Shake!
Heavy Hometown - Action figures
Hollis Brown - Hollis Brown
Hot Cha Cha - The world's hardest working telescope & the violent birth
of stars
I
In Cadeo - Making our graves
Inglorious Bastards - Motion picture soundtrack
Inspector Cluzo - Inspector Cluzo
Iron Horse - A boy named blue: The bluegrass tribute to the Goo Goo Dolls
The Iveys - The Iveys
I Was Totally Destroying It - Horror vacui
J
Alan Jackson - Songs of love and heartache
Janus - Red right return
Cosmo Jarvis - Cosmo Jarvis
Jookabox - Dead zone boys
Simon Joyner - Out into the snow
Frank Jurgens - Last call at the tiki bar
K
Katastrophe - The worst amazing
Katzen - It hertz!
Kennky and Leah - You and the night and the music
Kenny Young Project - Kenny Young Project
Kestrels - Primary colours
Kicksville - The singles - season 2
Kissing Cousins - Pillar of salt
Chris Knight - Trailer II
Komp'L - Tunnel vision
Greg Koons and the Misbegotten - Welcome to the nowhere motel
Kut - Doesn't matter anyway
L
Language-Arts - Where were you in the wild?
Lazy Preacher - 4th & independent
John Lefebvre - Psallngs
Laneous and the Family-Yah - Laneous and the Family-Yah
Steeuart Liebig/The Mentones - Angel city dust
Little Fyodor - Peace is boring
Little Tybee - I wonder which house the fish will live in
Little Tybee - Building a bomb
Jennifer Logue - The pretty EP
Los Explosives - Los Explosives
Lost Kisses - My life is sad and funny
Lower 48 - Everywhere to go
Lullwater - Forest for the trees
M
Gunnar Madsen - Two hands
Marizane - Cosmosis
Chris Marshall - Starting out
Jesse Matheson - Pleasure pounds
Kent McAlister & The Iron Chair - How i'll remain
MEM - Archaea
Men - Women aren't men
Men Aren't Men - Women
Meridiem - A pleasant fiction
Kono Michi - 9 death haiku
Mike Middleton - Waxing gibbons
Mile Marker Zero - Mile Marker Zero
Misophone - I sit at open windows
KR Morales - Simple man
Corbin Murdoch & The Nautical Miles - Wartime lovesong
Mystery of Two - Mystery of Two
N
New Slave - New Slave
Valerie Nicole - From the heart
Niggers - We are niggers
Nosound - A sense of loss
O
Robin O'Brien - The apple in man
One Eskimo - One Eskimo
John O'Mara - Five year missionas
Orchid of the Living - Orchid of the Living
Joao Orecchia - Hands and feet
OS Haxixins - OS Haxixins
Over The Hill - Looking for a spark
Ox - Burnout
P
Paper Heart - Original motion picture soundtrack
Paper Scissors - Howl
Peace - The peace
Pepper Dome - Let's try the otherside
Pere Ubu - Bring me the head of ubu roi: The radio play, pt. 1
James Perry - Now you're gone
Pi - Fire horse girl
Play the Angel - Play the Angel
Plea - Modern chaos
Ellynne Plotnick - Life is beautiful
Pocket - 3 single sampler
Ana Popovic - Blind for love
Porcupine - The trouble with you
Practically Einstein - Troubles with modern convenience
Pride Parade - Dose
Pretty Faces - Another sound
Public Good - No. 1
Puffy Dead Stuff - Dead stuff smells great
Q
R
Rails - Parallel movements
Red Channels - Red Channels
Red Rooster - Walk
Red Star Revolt - Red Star Revolt
Rent To Own - Spellbound
Requiem For Delinquency - Hobs end
RHINOCEroses - We is shore dedicated
John Robert - Meant to be
Rockabye Baby! - Digital download card
Matthew Ryan - Dear lover
S
60 Watt Kid - Welcome from the bright side
Sarakula - City heart
Micky Saunders / Dan Susnara - In the same old place / everything you're
not
Chris Schultz & Tourists - Gemini
Scruffs - Conquest
Secret Pop Band - Pardon the solar interruption
Seedy Seeds - Count the days
Self-Evident - Endings
Sexy Accident - Mantoloking
Siena Root - Different realities
Slivovitz - Hubris
Chris Smither - Time stands still
Snowbyrd - Diosdado
Soultet - Yours, mind, and the truth
Starcode - A fine line
Joe Stickley's Blue Print - Smoke leaves town
Storys - Town beyond the trees
States - We are the erasers
Stationary Odyssey - Sons of boy
Stepfather - Original motion picture soundtrack
Heather Stewart - Life of the party
Angie Stone - Unexpected
Luke Stone - Somethin's gotta give
Strotter Inst. - Bolzplatz
Super 400 - Sweet fist
Nathanuel Sutton - Starlite
Roxy Swain - new love designers
Swamphouse - The fade EP
T
Aly Tadros - Things worth keeping
Carley Tanchon - Pendot
Adam Taylor - Play the piano drunk
Brianna Taylor - Fireworks at the fairground
Teleseen - Fear of the forest
Terminal Lovers - As eyes burn clean
Brett Terry - You and your tribe
Textile Orchestra - For the boss
Tim Be Told - From the inside
Tin Star - Bettie Lane
Tirra Lirra - Grasp your free hands grow
TPF! - Es slassh tee
Adam Taylor - Play the piano drunk
Jessie Torrisi - Bruler
U
Underground Soul - Soulraye
Unit Breed - Always distance the lonely
Uh Uh - Yuh yuh
V
Gaby Valezquez - Let me in
Vangough - Manikin parade
Various Artists - Welcome to the wetherbeat scene 1988-1991
Various Artists - Rockabye Baby!: Lullaby renditions of Aerosmith
Various Artists - Shark Batter introduces sounds from the scottish underground
Various Artists - Prids Tribute: Connect the dots (CD-R)
Various Artists - Things about comin' my way: A tribute to the music cof
The Mississippi Sheiks
Various Artists - Kutsune Maison Compilation 8
Various Artists - Yo gabba gabba: Music is...awesome!: Hit songs from the
show!
Chris Velan - Solidago
Mia Vermillion - Alone together with the blues
Vessel - Vessel
W
Billy Wallace - The road spit me out
T.h. White - Company book
Kat Walker - Jazz skat gumbo
Sean Walsh and the National Reserve - Homesick
War Tapes - The continental divide
Wedding Soundtrack - Na na na ro
We'll Go Machete - We'll Go Machete
The Wheat Pool - Hauntario
Where the Wild Things Are - Motion picture soundtrack : Original songs by
Karen O and the Kids
The Wind Whistles - Animals are people too
Wonderbugg - Transgraduate
Woodward - Woodward
World's Greatest Dad - Original motion picture soundtrack
Anson Wright & Tim Gibson - Ukiah's lullaby
X
X Borts the Slorch - Trot trot
Y
Yes Pleases - From whence it came
Michael Yonkers - With the blind shake
You Are Home - Phoneyhome
Z
Zebras - Parasitic clones under the strong arm of the robotic machine