Americana music is in many ways comparable to the heavy questions regarding punk rock. What the hell is Americana? What is truly “punk”? As a couple of sub genres, they can be very difficult to explain or even comprehend. Except that they are supposed to be soundtracks to describe a certain (yet vast) culture or sub culture. Bravo Johnson (MySpace) is commonly referred to as an Americana rock group. With hints of old school rockabilly, it does fit the standard. But not really. …

Their motto is clear: We release records when we feel like it. If anyone likes to listen, we’re glad. If no one listens, we’ll keep doing it anyway. It’s a great attitude and likely one held by terrible bands and great bands worldwide. Luckily for The Hartmans (MySpace), they lean toward greatness.

The name A Shoreline Dream (MySpace) is, perhaps, the best indicator of what to find in their music. It is filled with crashing waves and sandy beaches and a trade off between a mystical evening sky and one tormented with dark storm clouds. These visual soundscapes lead the listener through an undertow of shoegaze, a mashup of pop and rock, and the struggle between dark vs. light, good vs. evil, land vs. liquid, life vs. death.

I’ve fallen in love with “Yarn Blues” by Yarn Owl, a small pop trio out of my college town of Pullman, WA. The three attend Washington State University (my Alma Mater) and include on percussion Ted Powers (Ether Hour) and on bass Tim Meinig (Band Of Horses, Run River Run) and on guitar/vocals Javier Suarez. Javier’s demo, Note, Beat, Word Collection landed on my promo rack via a mutual friend.

Manchester Orchestra have always used the classic themes of love, misery, loss, joy, or emotional fixation. But, their entrancing and graphic video for “The Only One” is a track on a whole new level of estranged convictions. It is the first piece in what will be an 11 video collection – one video per song from their much anticipated album, Mean Everything To Nothing, due for release on April 21st. A wonderful concept.

Desmond Reed is a mystery. The clues are few. It’s a he, he resides in Massachusetts, and he shares his name with a USC Trojan football player. So I guess it’s a little surprising that his music is not a mystery. The messages are clear and honest and simple and, at times, a little strange. At least that’s what can be gathered off his three-song, three-inch CD-R out now on Susy Records, The Window Shopping EP.

Art. Angst. Awesome. Three words starting with “A” that one can easily attribute to Eula (MySpace), a band so filled with elements of pop and punk and blaring rock that it’s amazing any of them still have eardrums left to help keep them in tune. Language Of Threat, their latest EP, is filled with the hyped-up, in-your-face sounds I referenced when they debuted opener “Housewolf” a few months back.

What is the best way to debut on a record label devoted to the sweetest of indie pop? How about naming the single after a hit song from the ’80s and covering that song as the A-Side? While it may not work for every band, it works almost too well for The Snowdrops. You’ve likely heard the original by Tears for Fears. You probably even like the Gary Jules cover better after seeing it in Donnie Darko. Well, look no further as The Snowdrops have created the ultimate version of …

“Sixteen & Pretty” may be my favorite song by Seattle indie-pop group Math & Physics Club. It is a soft ballad filled with jangle and some light strings. There is little I find sweeter than this song, featuring tambourine in the chorus and lyrics reminiscent of an innocent first kiss.

The Legends have been a favorite of mine since I discovered their debut LP Up Against The Legends in 2004. Since then, I have worked diligently to piece together a library of their recorded workings. I am close to succeeding, though for the final 7″ I’ll probably have to fly to Sweden. Most recently, I purchased the There & Back Again single.