The thing I love about Ba Da Bing is that you never really know what you’re going to get, but you can always trust the fact that it will be 1) almost entirely unique, and 2) extremely good. Enter one of the label’s latest bands, Woom. They fit the facts, producing minimalist experimental folk pop tunes like “Quetzalcoatl’s Ship” on their mini LP, simply titled demo.

“Quetzalcoatl’s Ship” places great emphasis on percussion, but not in the traditional sense; it too is light and soft. An occasional guitar string pluck or strum and Eben Portnoy’s whistling make up the primary instrumentation, while Sara Magenheimer carries the tune and melody vocally. Dubbed as “beats and singing” on Woom’s Facebook page, the description is all encompassing of the music they create.

Yet their music, too, is so much more. And “Quetzalcoatl’s Ship” is perhaps the perfect example of that.

Download: “Quetzalcoatl’s Ship” by Woom

Damon And Naomi are headed to Seattle next Tuesday, and here are a few reasons you should go. First, of course, is their history. The duo was part of the epic band Galaxie 500. Second, their songs are filled with a mystical and orchestrated folk beauty. Just listen to the lovely “Cruel Queen” and the epic “My Flower”. (The latter jumps off the map in the bridge with a wicked noisy flute part.) These are songs that simply BEG to be experienced live. Third, A Hawk & A Hacksaw is also on the bill. Fourth, they haven’t toured in quite a while. Fifth, they’ve got some new albums out (a triage of releases that feature their favorite tracks from their old days on Sub Pop. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, because I said so. Not convinced yet? Then there’s something seriously wrong with you. Period.

Damon & Naomi: Cruel Queen [mp3]

Damon & Naomi: My Flower [mp3]

West Coast Dates

10.09.09 (Today!): Independent in San Francisco, CA
10.10.09 (Saturday): Nocturnum in Eureka, CA
10.11.09 (Sunday): Cozmic Pizza in Eugene, OR
10.12.09 (Monday): Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR
10.13.09 (Tuesday): Tractor Tavern in Seattle, WA
10.15.09 (Thursday): Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City, UT
10.16.09 (Friday): Hi-Dive in Denver, CO

“The Fraudulent Singer” opens the recent Colossal Yes LP Charlemagne’s Big Thaw and it begins with a monumental scream. Folk-y piano and a pop-filled fuzzy guitar enter, all fronted by folk-pop vocals. The song is ripe with hooks: be them the catchy piano tinkering, the wild guitar riffs, or the old-time country-ish vocals.

The vocalist is known — you’d know Utrillo Kushner as the drummer for Comets On Fire — but here he sets aside the sticks for the keys and a microphone. The vocals hint of southern rock circa the 70s, but it’s obvious that this music comes from today. “The Fraudulent Singer” is edgy and modern, and it’s the perfect opening to Charlemagne’s Big Thaw.

Charlemagne’s Big Thaw is out now on Ba Da Bing Records.

Colossal Yes: The Fraudulent Singer [mp3]

Look at the laundry list of names associated with the Team B project and you are likely to concoct an idea of how the group may sound. The list: Arcade Fire, Beirut, Stars Like Fleas, The Jealous Girlfriends… others.

Now, prepared yourself because the result is likely the furthest from what you expect. Take, for example, a song like “Hang Me”; it has more similarities to Atlas Sound and Grizzly Bear than any of the aforementioned artists.

It’s a surprise that takes a moment to sink in, and two moments to digest, and five to understand. After all, doesn’t sociology tell us that we all products of our environments? And if that is the case, how is not a trace of those artists depicted in this music — none whatsoever!

Team B has created something that is, for the most part, entirely unique in comparison to the group’s collective backgrounds; they’ve gone and disrupted everything we knew about Beirut and Arcade Fire. And to be honest, they’ve done it with style.

Team B: On My Mind [mp3]

Ba Da Bing Records [CD, 2009]

1. On My Mind
2. Hang Me
3. Tons Of Fun
4. Mystery Man
5. No Purchase Necessary
6. Redd’s Opus K607
7. Misma
8. Empty Hallways
9. Life (Remix)
10. Salad Days

Here’s a fun little video for “Complimentary Maps” by Hungry, Hungry Ghost (MySpace). The concept is simple enough and it’s quite effective in creating a unique little storyline. The three shots, all done in single takes, portray very refined choreography, much along the lines of something OK Go would do.

The song, too, is fun and easily entertaining. In “Complimentary Maps”, Hungry, Hungry Ghost makes majestic and theatrical pop that is entirely contagious as it progresses from humble beginnings to a sing-along conclusion.

“Complimentary Maps” can be found on Hungry, Hungry Ghost’s album Sleeping English, out this week on Infinite Best and available for purchase from InSound.

Hungry, Hungry Ghost: Complimentary Maps [mp3]