They’re Russian! But there’s so much more to this beautiful, powerful album of acoustic instrumentals. And me, I usually hate instrumentals. They’re usually boring. But Mooncake know exactly what they’re doing. The album is billed as “post rock,” but honestly I’m not sure what that even means. I hear some soaring prog rock here (especially [...]

I don’t know what the fuck is up with this album, but it’s terrific. “Let’s Have a Three-Way” sounds like Interpol (but not lyrically: “You said donkey punch! Let’s have a three way!”). “Mister Hipster,” who has all kinds of records, still in their shrinkwrapped sleeve, and whose “screenplay is always in the final stage,” [...]

Sad Little Men=Indie rock with great lyrics and vocals, bursting out of Portland, Oregon, with a fantastic sound.  And apparently it’s just two guys.  I guess when you’ve got an amazing drummer, you can sound big with just a little band. I’m truly lovin’ this. http://soundowl.com/embed/2erb Sad Little Men I’ll Be the Octopus

Amor de Días (“love of days”) have released their debut album on Merge Records. I’ll pretty much post about anything Merge puts out. AdD includes members of The Clientele and Pipas, and the music is beautiful, complex chamber pop. My only complaint is that the whole albums sounds whispered. With a lead singer willing to [...]

I can’t seem to stop listening to The Riverbreaks, “Get You Right,” a strange hybrid of Americana and experimental indie pop that emphasizes tight songwriting over musical showmanship.  There’s no real blazing guitarwork or overpowering vocals–there’s just a team, a band playing together, straight outta D.C. I can’t believe these guys played The Iota, right [...]

Here’s one that almost made my best of 2011 lists.  In fact, I think I’ll tag it accordingly, even though it just didn’t edge out the competition. Rae Spoon, formerly of Saved By Radio, operates out of Montreal and makes mellow indie electronica that recalls the best non-dance Sinead O’Connor tracks.  I guess I’ll mention [...]

I already posted my top 10 albums of 2011 list.  These here?  They’re the next ten, the runners up, numbers 11-20, whatever you wanna call it.  They just ain’t the top 10 indie albums of 2011.  Just damn close. I must listen to between five and ten new records every week.  Times that by 52 [...]

There was some real good indie rock this year. But, surprisingly, there was a ton of good hip hop as well. Usually there’s a few rap records on my list, and the rest are rock. But 2011 was a good year for rap. Truly. Every year, folks complain about how there’s not good hip hop [...]

Here’s my list. Let’s do this. 10.  SCOUT-Pi A sweet, simple EP. Please Excuse Me. 9.  SELF SCIENTIFIC-Trials of the Blackhearted An EP with Big K.R.I.T., Talib Kweli, Freddie Gibbs, Game….And the shit’s free?!? 8.  MOTHA FOLKIN’ SOUL-Self Titled. Hilarious, rated X, irreverent, catchy and well-written.  Awesome debut.  Here’s the review. Best Friends. 7.  GRYNCH-Timeless [...]

Have you ever heard anything like Family Lumber before?  Yes.  Does that mean it’s not worth checking them out?  Hell to the No.  It’s indie rock–the kind you expect to hear when you hear the term–but it’s done extremely well.  Heavy texture, lead vocals that tend to hide in plain sight, strong songwriting, relentless guitar [...]