Banquet Years is the third EP in a digital-only series of releases by Seattle-by-way-of-Austin’s Jon Rooney, the Virgin Of The Birds mastermind and proprietor of Abandoned Love Records. The album, containing five songs, finds Rooney further expanding his capabilities and musicianship. Opening track “Let Me Be Your Bride” demonstrates his folk-versatility, from the 60s-era bass guitar bop to the borderline experimental tinkering on the keys. Not to mention, the wicked guitar-work radiating in emotive psychedelic hypnosis.

From the beach to the mountains, Seamonster’s Two Birds echoes utmost pleasantries through the audible channel of lo-fi psychedelic folk-pop. Its pop charm is masked by the static white noise of immense distortion, mixed down to a satisfactory non-overpowering level, and warped with the sounds of summertime. “Oh Appalachia” is a beachgoers ode to the mountains. “The Philosophy Of Andy Warhol” will paint a pop-culture picture on the back of your eyelids while you lay, back on grass, facing a clear blue sky.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Jordan Michelman, who was a primary songwriter and the superb bassist in the now (and sadly) defunct Patience Please. A few years rest and he’s back with The Mill Kids. Michelman recently released the band’s debut album on Subtle Slope Records. The Mill Kids are uniquely original in that they possess the ingenuity of Elliott Smith, blend in the mopey vocal styling of artists like Conor Oberst and Owen, and top it off with the simple lo-fi genius of …

Gingerbread Dog is the debut release on HHBTM for this Florida trio. Baby Calendar has released before, but it was all DIY. And while I have yet to crack the past album, Fifteen Year Old Sneakers, I must say that what I’ve heard on Gingerbread Dog is on the verge of brilliance.
To quote their biography, Baby Calendar is “not completely pop or twee, not completely punk or rock.” Instead, they contain all four elements.
At the most elementary level, Baby Calendar is a cute trio that creates a classic male/female …

There is an unspoken comfort zone in underground music around the Pacific Northwest. We all know it is there, but we refuse to acknowledge it for fear of reprisal. However, when an artist invades this zone and tears down the walls, it’s becomes time for some exposure. This is just what David Minne does with his debut full-length album Pop Sarcastic.

Clash art punk with the resurgence of a somewhat Grrrl Rock sound and you’ll begin to get the picture Golden Triangle paints. Double Jointer is the band’s debut full length, following a self-titled EP from last year. Golden Triangle’s sound is based around noise. Everything is loud, in your face, and over the top. Exotic and slightly erotic, “Blood And Arrow” and “Eyes To See” bring forth a bit of crazy. That crazy is a common theme throughout Double Jointer, and it’s just as present (if …

Madeline Adams from Orange Twin Records stopped by Department Of Safety in Anacortes during the summer of 2008. With some local artists and a few well-known names, she recorded with them what would become Tour EP, a collection of six songs previously available only via a CD-R sold while on the road. It now gets proper release via Orange Twin on vinyl 7″. The songs feature Clyde Peterson from Your Heart Breaks and Karl Blau. Other staples dropped by to lend expertise, including Mount Eerie/Microphones master …

Anybody can enjoy a nice “almost punk” sound. And if you can’t, you’re likely to drown in that bottle of Jameson you call a life. Misery is necessary for the wicked, but sometimes we need to dance and love. A group like Bombs Into You are the perfect match for all those who wish to hear their bad news in a positive vibe. Metaphorically Yours [Vol 2] is a spectacular display of new wave pop at it’s finest.

Songwriting is an art that few can really perfect. Some artists have spent their entire lives producing words of wisdom, fear, turmoil, love, happiness, drastic sadness, etc. Some get heard and understood, some don’t. Bob Dylan has written more songs than you can shake a fedora at. So much work has been put into this art form, it’s almost unfair for it to go unnoticed. But, Richmond’s Louisiana Territory is bound for personal and recognizable glory with the wonderfully written words they have brought to …

After an extended leave of absence from the recording world, The Mercury Program are back in full effect with their latest release, Chez Viking. With an intriguing blend of atmosphere-filling sounds, these experimentalists by nature bring forth something of a fondue pot of boiling and bizarre collaborations between vibraphones and a taunting rhythm section. Their style would almost seem simple by nature if it didn’t leave you with an out-of-this-world, hand job from an alien-like euphoria after one listen.