Shelby Bryant - Luscious

I had high hopes for this album based upon the awful album art, but it kind of reminds me of what it would sound like if The Unicorns/Islands mated with the Flaming Lips and the results were not as good as they should be. Quirky lo-fi pop stuff.


This is the closest I can find to a website for this guy; it was the one listed on the record promo sheet so I guess it's alright.
www.midheaven.com/artists/bryant.shelby.html

The Alphabetical Order - I Am Magically Happening!

These guys (and girl) are definitely influenced by 90's D.C. emo/hardcore, with extra bits of rock and punk influences as well. Songs tend to vary in style from one another but maintain their hardcore energy throughout. The second half of this album is remarkably boring. They're okay, but certainly not great. "Submarines" was my favorite track.


www.myspace.com/thealphabeticalorder
www.thealphabeticalorder.org

Ghostland Observatory - Dancing On My Grave single

The new single from their upcoming third full-length album. They are a weird mix of trashy electronica, dance, rock, and funk. The singer has a distinctive, high-pitched voice. The B-side to the single, the instrumental "Club Soda," is the best track on this three-song sampler. A band for the more adventurous person to enjoy. As a side note, I saw these two guys perform on Austin City Limits and spent most of the time watching them trying to decide if the singer was male or female (as it turns out, he is in fact a male).

www.myspace.com/ghostlandobservatory
www.ghostlandobservatory.net

The Whitsundays - The Whitsundays

60's influenced "reverb-wrapped" pop music, I quite like it. Would play nice with bands like The Shins, Spoon, etc., plus older 60's pop bands. The chorus on #6 is strangely reminiscent of The Who's "Boris The Spider" despite not having anything in common with it at all.

www.myspace.com/thewhitsundays
www.friendlyfirerecordings.com/Bands/Whitsundays/whitsundays.html

The Fleshtones - Take A Good Look!

Formed in Queens in 1976, these guys have been releasing records since the early 1980s. A testament to the fact that being old doesn't mean you can't rock, these guys know how to kick out the jams. Twelve tracks of solid toe-tappin' garage-rock pop goodness, this rocks. Thank goodness for bands like this.

www.myspace.com/fleshtones
www.fleshtones.org

AA Bondy - American Hearts

The new solo album from AA Bondy, who is actually Scott Bondy, who used to be the lead singer of the alt/indie band, Verbena. This is acoustic, stripped-down folk music that has country and blues influences. His voice is reminiscent of Patrick Park. Very laid-back, music to play if you are just going to relax and want to listen to music that tells a story.

www.myspace.com/aabondy
www.superphonicrecords.com/aa_bondy.html

The Gentz - Rock City

This band hails from New York but recorded this album in Detroit. This album is awesome! A throwback to 1980's pop/rock with a power-pop/New-Wave edge and romantic feeling to some of the songs; guitar solos and keyboard flourishes on some tracks. Excellent. I need a Camaro to ride around in and blare this from the sound system. Recommended if you like The Cars, Rick Springfield, maybe even Cheap Trick.

The Gentz on Myspace
www.thegentz.com

The Battle Royale - Wake Up, Thunderbabe!

Out of Minneapolis, here is their second album. The first half is a strange mix of electronic-dance-rock, similar to The Faint, except not as dark. The second half segues into indie-dance/pop territory. The vocals can get annoying after a bit. Just alright.

www.myspace.com/thebattleroyalemusic
www.afternoonrecords.com/thebattleroyale

The Ropes - Cry To The Beat EP

Here is the newest EP from New York City's female-fronted dance-rock band, The Ropes. The different parts of the songs, such as verse/chorus/bridge, don't really flow together naturally and it makes for a jarring listen. It sounds like they can write decent parts of songs, but not whole songs. An underwhelming effort. As a side note, 2 of the 5 songs on this have swears and are not radio friendly.

www.myspace.com/theropes
www.theropesonline.com