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

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan - Sunday At Devil Dirt

Their second album together, following in the footsteps of 2006's Ballad Of The Broken Seas. Isobel Campbell is best known for her work with Belle and Sebastian and The Gentle Waves. Mark Lanegan is recognized for singing with Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Gutter Twins. Both have also released solo albums. Campbell wrote all of this album's songs, except for two ("Salvation," by Jim McCulloch, and "Who Built The Road," which she cowrote with McCulloch). Lanegan does the majority of the vocal work with Campbell adding background vocals and occasionally joining him for duets. He has a rough, deep and gravelly voice that is reminiscent of Tom Waits or Johnny Cash. Her voice is light and whispery; quite the opposite of his. The music is mostly sparse country/folk with some pop and blues influences at times. Decent stuff if you don't expect the same style of music Lanegan or Campbell is famous for.

www.myspace.com/isobelcampbell

Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us

The husband-wife duo returns with their fifth full-length and second for the Barsuk label. They play cutesy indie-pop. Kori plays a variety of keyboard instruments (keys, organ, piano) and sings while Jason is the drummer and second singer. Their indie-pop is sweet and adorable, to the point that I find them to be one of the most annoying, yet catchiest, duos in the indie scene today. It is hard to listen to them and be in a bad mood, they are very upbeat and just so darn cute. I don't know if I like this as much as their last album, but one thing can definitely be said: I really like the packaging this album comes in; it's simple and nice, much like their music.

www.myspace.com/matesofstate
www.matesofstate.com