Is it just me or is there an overabundance of indie Christmas tunes being released this year? As in, substantial quantities more than usual. Maybe I’m just paying attention this time ’round. Anyway, one of the better ones I’ve heard as we approach the holiday season is “I’m A Snowman” by Ohio’s best pop group Bears. Read More »Bears: I’m A Snowman [mp3]
Why does Sweden stand out more than other countries when it comes to laying down pop tracks? The Swedes definitely know how to make pop music. The Lovekevins are a light bouncy pop group from Malmo, Sweden and such heritage means beautifully crafted pop songs. This Blame the English 7-inch single comes with four tracks and album info provided in English, Russian and French. Read More »The Lovekevins: Blame The English [7″ Review]
Originally recorded in 1974 by Big Star, Alex Chilton’s “Take Care” wasn’t released until 1978 on their Third/Sister Lovers LP.… Read More »The Lovely Sparrows: Take Care [Video]
The line between roots music and downright country music has blurred of late. Country pop artists tend to say they draw influence from powerful down-home roots artists, but rarely sound like them. So, to call Kasey Anderson an alt-country artist because of the twang in his vocals, or the subtly delightful stories he tells, would be absolutely absurd. What you year on Nowhere Nights are the words of an artist deeply rooted to what it used to mean to be a songwriter with some sad stories to tell. And that makes his music virtuous. Read More »Kasey Anderson: Nowhere Nights [Album Review]
Let me tell you a story. In 2007 some notable things happened. I attended the annual music festival SXSW (the image above is of myself and The Lovely Sparrows’ Shawn Jones, taken by Abandoned Love Records/Virgin Of The Birds’ Jon Rooney), I grew a mustache, and I met a beautiful girl named Andi at the Capitol Hill Block Party. We hit it off and ditched the after-party to get a sprite (her) and coffee (me) at Denny’s in Ballard (sadly no longer there) at 1:30am. I still have the mustache and I’m still dating Andi. A lot of pretty notable things happened that year, and a lot of great releases came out…
Read More »A Retrospective Top 33 and 1/3: Best Albums of 2007 
No sooner than I discovered The Cops, they were over; succumbing to the fate all bands reach at some point. But Mt. Fuji Records mastermind Mike Jaworski is back with a new project, one in the same vein as The Cops. This group, Virgin Islands, just dropped their first EP. I picked up Age Of Anxiety on a whim while in Seattle last weekend and now I’m obsessing over its post-punk Seattle in-your-face greatness. Read More »Virgin Islands [Feature]
Seattle pop music has always seemed a bit off-kilter. Still, the birthplace of Grunge has birthed a few outstanding pop artists. What A Lovely Surprise To Wake Up Here may not have taken Curtains For You into that realm yet, but it properly demonstrates that the band is heading in the right direction. Read More »Curtains For You: What a Lovely Surprise to Wake Up Here [Album Review]
Animal Kingdom produces brooding, moody pop that stems from soft romantic beginnings yet is capable of reaching heart wrenching climaxes, as heard in “Bright Lights”. The group’s music is large and oft features drones via swirling electric guitar notes backed by hefty percussion. Fronted by melodic vocals, the result is uncanny and surreal, at one moment drowsy with hypnotic melodies and in the next exploding with emotion. Read More »Animal Kingdom: Bright Lights [Video]
Colorful and as epileptic-inducing as a Dan Deacon video is “Bead”, the latest by Dinowalrus and director Matthew Caron. This video is not for the fainthearted: those susceptible to epilepsy, vertigo and possibly even claustrophobia might want to turn away, or at least close their eyes. Dinowalrus is a Brooklyn-based drum and drone group that flirts with electronica and psychedelia. Read More »Dinowalrus: Bead [Video]
Kagero front-man and founder Kaz Fujimoto would have you believe he has explored every inch of this earth. Whether this is true or not, it is the sounds of Japanese Gypsy Rock that will make you a believer. This Japanese wordsmith and harp aficionado pulls off some of the best indie world music you’ll ever get. His lyrics border the general frustrations of any 90’s alternative band; but they do so with violins, musical saws, a saxophone, fiddles, etc.
Read More »Kagero: Japanese Gypsy Rock [Album Review]
