Gritty in their psychedelic-tinted folk-pop, The Dutchess And The Duke maintain much of their lo-fi folk sensibilities on “Hands” while simultaneously progressing in their mastery of song and style. The song is the latest from the duo, who are set to release their sophomore LP Sunset / Sunrise soon.
Read More »The Dutchess And The Duke: Hands [Track Review] 
First things first: HEALTH is fucking crazy!!! This band can blow your mind, you load and whatever the fuck else it wants to because they are just that insane. These guys contorted their bodies in never before seen positions while thumping microphones into amps for loud bursts, while moaning ecstatically into other microphones, and while keeping both eyes on the drummer to ensure they didn’t miss a cue. Read More »HEALTH: Live At SXSW [Flamingo Cantina, 2008]
“I Love You, But Goodbye”, off Langhorne Slim‘s forthcoming junior release Be Set Free, continues Langhorne’s soulful gospel-style folk. Building from the most subtle of beginnings, the song grows to include powerfully emotive vocals backed by a hefty orchestrated instrumentation. In “I Love You, But Goodbye”, Slim fully realizes his already impressive ability to craft a powerful song; it may just be his most achieved track to date! Read More »Langhorn Slim: I Love You, But Goodbye [Track Review]
Sent To Coventry by Coulter was obviously influenced by an 80s-era indie pop, circa C-86 and The Smiths. Guitar riffs and synth lines all scream pop bounce, while the vocals have an occasional stripped-down lo-fi quality. Songs like “See You Next Tuesday” could easily have been released a quarter century ago rather than this year.
Read More »Coulter: Sent To Coventry [Album Review] 
The Cave Singers debuted back in 2007 with Invitation Songs, an album packed with power folk tracks like “Dancing On Our Graves” and “Seeds Of Night”. These songs were inundated with an ancient folk sound, tinged with rock. “At The Cut”, the first single off their sophomore release Welcome Joy, maintains selections from that early sound, but the emphasis now is rock tinged with folk. Read More »The Cave Singers: At The Cut [Track Review]
Harmony and melody aren’t exactly two terms one would associate with Bear In Heaven, at least from the standpoint of their debut LP, Red Bloom Of The Boom. But they work quite well here, for the first single off their upcoming sophomore release Beast Rest Forth Mouth, “Wholehearted Mess”. This new sound represents virtually a complete change for Bear In Heaven.
Read More »Bear In Heaven: Wholehearted Mess [Track Review] 
“50’s Film” is your standard indie pop track influenced by an array of bouncy pop influences, but the band behind the song, The Da Vincis, is not your typical band. Their sound is mature and refined, yet the trio that make up The Da Vincis aren’t even old enough to hold a high school diploma. The juxtaposition gives their songs a special style of innocence, one backed by expertly pieced-together pop. Keyboardist Andrew Burke lends bouncy notes and deep tenor vocals to “50’s Film”, while Gavin Fields backs him up on vocals and pounds out impressive percussion. Read More »The Da Vincis: 50’s Film [Track Review]
It’s already obvious to me that Reservoir by Ah Holly Fam’ly is a contender for a top 10 position of my Best of 2009 list. And, after several listens, “All Unfolding” has quickly taken the lead as my favorite track off the album. Much of its pinnacle placement is due to the dominating presence of Jeremy Faulkner’s most unique style vocals. Here the band performs the song during a practice session in a Portland basement.
Read More »Ah Holly Fam’ly | All Unfolding | Video Review 
Audiophiles have but a single cure—seeking out the best, most pleasing music for the ears to experience. Sometimes the cure comes in the form of placing that old jazz record on the turntable and giving it a good spin. Sometimes it comes in the form of placing a giant pair of headphones over your ears, closing your eyes, and letting the music surround you. Read More »Lymbyc Systym: Love Your Abuser [Album Review]
The Besnard Lakes seem to have taken everyone by surprise; their music blends drone-y shoegaze and prog-rock with the playfulness of lightly orchestrated indie-pop. These elements make Are The Dark Horse one of the best comprehensive albums of 2007. Songs like “Because Tonight†are instantly classic in nature—The Besnard Lakes’ ability to dictate between sophisticated and precise string arrangements, and drone-heavy prog-rock give them an edge in a somewhat polluted independent music scene. Read More »The Besnard Lakes: Are The Dark Horse [Album Review]
