The Hoosiers - The Trick To Life

Here is the U.S. release of the British trio's debut album. Upbeat pop/power-pop/rock with male vocals that hit the higher register at times. Their sound is very polished but doesn't feel too overproduced. They remind me of a poppier version of The Attorneys, and I think they would also appeal to fans of bands like OK Go and Scissors For Lefty.

www.myspace.com/thehoosiers
www.thehoosiers.co.uk

The White Tie Affair - Self-Titled EP

This band sucks so much I am not even going to find a picture of the horrible EP I listened to by them. They sound like an awful cross between a boy band such as the Backstreet Boys and an emo-punk band such as Fall-Out Boy, who aren't even punk at all but they probably think they are so whatever. Anyway, they totally suck. Time to find some good garage rock to listen to.

Tres Bien - Tree EP

They are a four piece that formed in Florida in 2002 but I think they are based out of Pennsylvania now. All the Florida sunshine has done these boys good. They play wonderful garage rock/pop that is influenced by the British Invasion bands of the sixties. I like these guys a lot. I am excited for the full-length.

www.myspace.com/tresbien
www.touchtresbien.com

Snake and Jet's Amazing Bullit Band - X-Ray Spirit

They're a duo from Denmark. They play (ready for this?!) synth/organ driven garage rock/pop/dance/crazy-awesomeness. So much fun. If you like synths and organs and garage rock, which you damn well should, listen to this. Listen. Like. Dance.

www.myspace.com/snakeandjet
www.snakeandjet.dk

The Kooks - Konk

This is the second full-length for these lads from Brighton, England. They play a mixture of rock, garage rock, and Britpop. I really really love these guys. I could listen to them all day (and have). The songs on here are more laid-back than the ones on their debut Inside In/Inside Out, but I think their songwriting has improved drastically and considering that they are still only in their early twenties, they will hopefully keep getting better and better yet! Recommended if you like British rock i.e. Arctic Monkeys, Supergrass, Razorlight's first album, etc.

www.myspace.com/thekooks
www.thekooks.co.uk

R.E.M - Accelerate

This is their first new studio album in four years and I do believe it is their fourteenth overall. This album sounds like...R.E.M. Really, their style hasn't changed much since their past few albums. It's instantly recognizable as R.E.M. Most of the songs are upbeat and fairly short (the whole album clocks in at under 35 minutes) though there are a few slower songs. Some of the lyrics appear to have political overtones but of course they could also just be Michael Stipe's playing around with words. This album is pretty good overall, there are a few weak moments, but R.E.M. fans should be pleased for the most part.

www.myspace.com/rem
www.remhq.com

The Okmoniks - Party Fever!!!

Out of Tucson, Arizona, the world's largest hotbed of garage rock, comes this quartet. They bring us organ-laced garage rock with female vocals. Rather fuzzy-sounding, straight from the garage. It's cool. Recommended for those who appreciate fuzz, garage rock, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' older stuff, and The Charms. Rock.

www.myspace.com/okmoniks
www.okmoniks.com
Please note that both links redirect to their Myspace.

Switches - Lay Down the Law

These guys are from Britain and they totally kick ass. They play fun, catchy, upbeat rock and roll. It's not the newest sound in the world but who cares, it rocks. If you like bands like Franz Ferdinand, The Rakes, Maximo Park, and The Hives you will probably take a liking to these guys too. Please play at exceptionally high volume levels, thanks.

www.myspace.com/weareswitches
www.switchesmusic.net

Jason Anderson - The Hopeful and the Unafraid

This is his third studio album and 6th album if you count the work he did under the Wolf Colonel moniker. Jason plays indie rock that is somewhat minimal and lo-fi and owes a huge debt to Bruce Springsteen's sound. This might be my favorite Jason Anderson album so far, it is great. It's no secret that I love his music and am a strong advocate for his live shows - if you get the chance, go see him live! And dig this album, it's full of great tunes.

www.myspace.com/jasonandersonisawesome
www.indiepages.com/wolfcolonel

The B-52 - Funplex

The B-52s return for their first full-length in 16 years. The sound is still instantly recognizable as theirs, though they don't sound outdated by any means. It is just updated for the 21st century. Fun, upbeat pop/rock/dance. Female vocals with Fred Schneider's spoken verbal eccentricities thrown in for comedic and awesome effect. If you don't take music too seriously, this album is probably for you.


www.myspace.com/theb52s
www.theb52s.com