Written by Fense
A drum/vocals only group is a rare thing. But, before you dismiss the theory behind such an oddity, you’ve gotta check out Wildbirds & Peacedrums. This Swedish duo is aptly titled – wild vocals on par with (and this may be a bit of a stretch), say, Nina Simone and soothing, hypnotic tribal-like percussion.

Written by bob_vinyl
There aren’t many albums as low-key as Sunday at Devil Dirt by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan. Every movement of the album is so subtle that it’s difficult to discern. The first two tracks, “Seafaring Song” and “The Raven”, seem more like movie soundtrack material than the road into a dynamic album, but they set the sparse scene for the album’s first stand-alone song, “Salvation”, which makes it clear that this album searches and journeys.

Holy Fucking Shit! This Album Is Amazing!!! That was my expression of XXL upon listening to the first track, “Sunday / Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw.” I was amazed at the power behind XXL, a collaboration between Jamie Stewart’s Xiu Xiu (MySpace) and Italian post rockers Larsen (MySpace) for the Important Records release ¡Ciaütistico!

Written by Fense
Not too long ago, I wrote a review about a band called Cleeman and, being well in advance of the album release, I tossed in a “p” and titled it a “pReview” – it was a name well received, so well in fact that the release show for said album was dubbed the pReview show. I will now take it one step further. From this day on, pReviews will be included in the Feature Band section and will be focused on a new track from an …

Let’s face it: Europeans know dance music. We here in the states are often ignorant when it comes to the crafting of the perfect dance tune. European dance music comes more in the form of clashing two worlds: pop and electronica. Now that’s dance music!

Written by Fense
February marks three occasions for the girlfriend and myself. The first is our 18 month anniversary. The fourteenth, of course, is Valentines Day. And the 28th is her birthday. It also marks a special occasion for Seattle’s Smile Brigade (MySpace); it’s the release of their next album, Eering, Creaky EP.

Bon Iver (MySpace) is a play on volume. Led by Justin Vernon, the group’s music is soft and fringes on romantic, as we heard in tunes like “Flume” and “For Emma” and “Skinny Love” off For Emma, Forever Ago. But how does the follow-up to their debut LP, fit in? Blood Bank follows suit, equaling last year’s LP in offering up mysterious, experimental folk-pop.

Written by Ron Trembath
It is so refreshing to discover an indie-core band with a positive attitude. Manchester’s Keyboard Rebel hit it hard with uplifting prose over catchy bass lines. Pop Grenade is a not only a clever title, but a descriptor for the genre these low-key monarchs have attempted to produce. Splendid pop music busts through the tattooed walls and boot cut jean pillars of the rock n roll underground.

Upon discovering Young And Sexy (MySpace) in the preview rack at KZUU last year, “The Curious Organ” became a quick favorite of mine, topped only by “Conventional Lullabies”. Panic When You Find It also made my personal top 20 albums of 2006. “The Curious Organ” begins with lyrics Time of the season which immediately draw reference to The Zombies as the instrumentation has similarities to the group, though not the song.

Here is an artist that seems to revel in acoustic sweetness. London’s Robin Grey (MySpace) invites you into his coffee shop friendly world on his latest release. I Love Leonard Cohen is a four-track EP so splendid Mr. Cohen himself should be more than honored to have such a talented fan. Anyone looking for a fun-filled depressive state, look no further.