THE LOVETONES - Dimensions

Dimensions is the Australian band's fourth album. Frontman Matthew Tow was previously in the band Drop City, recorded several solo albums under the name Colorsound, and also played guitar for the Brian Jonestown Massacre on one of their tours and wrote two songs for the BJM's album This Is Our Music. The Lovetones play psychedelic rock/pop that has a very distinct 60's influence. They're alright.

www.myspace.com/thelovetones
www.thelovetones.com

VOX JAGUARS - Vox Jaguars EP

This is the debut EP from these four Californian boys, two of which are still in high school. They're a very young band and have a lot of room to grow, but their first release shows them as a band that should definitely be watched. It's fuzzy, rough around the edges, lo-fi garage/punk/rock. The singer has a punk-rocker's voice that could be the make-it-or-break-it factor for you. Overall, this EP is a damn good way to spend 15 minutes and 39 seconds.

www.myspace.com/thevoxjaguars

THE TAKEOVER UK - Running With The Wasters

The boys from Pittsburgh (who have a British name, sound, and album title) present their first full-length album. Upbeat rockandroll/power-pop with a bit of a punk edge makes up most of the album, with a few slower tracks as well (including one that has a noticeable country influence to it). They're fun and seem like the kind of kids you'd want to end up at a wild party with, yeah, why not? If you like rock music in the vein of The Fratellis, The Kooks, and their peers, you should like The Takeover UK.


www.myspace.com/thetakeoveruk
www.rykodisc.com/thetakeoveruk/bio

SAY HI - Oohs & Aahs

Oohs & Aahs is Say Hi's sixth album, if you count the two under it's current name, and the four released under the Say Hi To Your Mom moniker. Eric Elbogen played every sound that appears on this album, and every sound is very nice. The album is filled with wonderful indie pop that has just a touch of indie rock added in. Eric has a very pleasant voice which he uses to sing the clever lyrics he has written, usually telling a little story about a character in the song. The album is great and truly one of the best bedroom pop albums I have ever heard.

www.myspace.com/sayhitoyourmom
www.sayhitoyourmom.com

BEADS - No One Knows

BEADS is the duo of Snow and Garnet Keim, two brothers who are also two-thirds of The Blakes. The record starts out with a drunk-sounding southern-rock/garage song, "Evil", which is probably the best track on here. As the album continues on, they explore psychedelia, Britpop, and the lighter, acoustic side of things as well. The two made this album after returning home from a long tour with The Blakes, with very little money and the victims of theft. Snow Keim found solace in making music and recorded songs directly to tape, and eventually teamed up with long-time friend, Brian Brown, to produce an album. No One Knows was recorded in Brown's home studio, and is a mixed bag; some songs work and others don't. In the end, it's an interesting look at how musicians cope with the difficult times in their lives.

www.myspace.com/beeaaddss
www.beadsmusic.com

CLEM SNIDE - Hungry Bird

This is the band's sixth studio album and first in four years. They are led by a man with one of the best names ever: Eef Barzelay. Their sound on this record is one of indie/folk/country/pop, and it's very mellow and easy-going. Eef has a unique voice that you will either adore or despise. I like it (he kind of reminds me of John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats with his vocal sound), so I found the album to be pretty good.

www.myspace.com/clemsnide
www.clemsnide.com

JEREMY JAY - Slow Dance

This is the second album from Jeremy Jay and his bandmates; it's been less than a year since his first album, A Place Where We Could Go, came out in May 2008. Slow Dance seems to have a lot more synth than his debut did, and the songs seem to be a lot stronger as well. Many of them fit together through the use of similar lyrics and structure while still working individually. It's a very nice pop album and should come with a bow wrapped around it because all the songs are so nicely packed on the cd, ready for your ears to unwrap.

www.myspace.com/jeremyjay
www.krecs.com/html/artists/artistbio.php?interest=101

BISHOP ALLEN - Grrr...

The Brooklyn-via-Massachusetts band releases their third full-length album, and the second one to be on the Dead Oceans label. They had their song "Middle Management" off of their previous album, The Broken String, featured on the Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist soundtrack and also appeared in the film. This increased attention has not meant a decreased quality in their music. They still play delightful indie pop with great lyrics. RIYL A.C. Newman, This Is Ivy League, Nada Surf's newer material, and similar artists.

www.myspace.com/bishopallen
www.bishopallen.com

NEW FOUND GLORY - Not Without A Fight

They're from Florida, and have been around since the end of the 90's. Not Without A Fight is their sixth proper studio album, following the release of Tip of the Iceberg/Takin' It Ova!, which featured an EP billed to NFG and a full-length by NFG masquerading as the International Superheroes of Hardcore. Not Without A Fight returns to the emo/pop-punk sound that New Found Glory is best known for, with most of the lyrics focusing on relationships. Singer Jordan Pundik sounds a bit less whiny on this album than he has in the past, though he still is recognizable (for better or for worse, depending on your feeling about his vocals). This is their first album on the Epitaph label and should please their long-time fans.

www.myspace.com/newfoundglory
www.newfoundglory.com (Currently redirects to their myspace site)

PLUSHGUN - Pins & Panzers

Debut album for the Brooklyn-based group that began as a solo project for Daniel Ignala, but has since evolved into the trio that it is today. They make cute indie pop/synth pop with very pleasant male vocals. Bleeps and bloops throughout. It's fun, sugary goodness, and very well done. RIYL The Postal Service.
www.myspace.com/plushgun
www.plushgun.com

AN HORSE - Rearrange Beds

They're from Brisbane, Australia, and this is their first full-length album. They are a duo, comprised of Kate Cooper and Damon Cox. They play fairly standard indie pop/rock, with female vocals. It is pretty good. They remind me of Tegan and Sara quite a bit.

www.myspace.com/anhorse
www.anhorse.com

MALAJUBE - Labyrinthes

Excellent third album from the Montreal quartet. All of their songs are sung in French. I don't speak that language, but the music is so good that it doesn't matter that I have no idea what they are saying. Really awesome 'indie rock' and well worth giving a listen. If you speak French, let me know what the songs are about.

www.myspace.com/malajube
www.malajube.com

BELL ORCHESTRE - As Seen Through The Windows

Their second album. Two of their members are in the Arcade Fire. All of their songs are instrumental. You could classify them as indie/experimental if you needed to, I suppose. They would sound best on a long drive through a desolate winter landscape.

www.myspace.com/bellorchestre
www.bellorchestre.com