TEEN INC. - Fountains / Friend Of The Night

From Los Angeles, Teen Inc. was formed by the sibling duo of Daniel and Andrew Aged. They were both studio musicians (apparently for big-name artists like Pharell and Raphael Saadiq) so we know right off the bat that they've got the playing chops, but can they write their own stuff? I decided to give this single a listen after hearing it being compared to Prince. I suppose the vocals do have a Prince-like feel, but they're buried so far in the mix that they don't have the same confidence attached to them that Prince puts on his. The music does have a funk appeal to it but I'm not impressed yet. I could see myself giving a Teen Inc. full-length album a spin to see what happens to them, but it's not going to be on the top of my list.

www.myspace.com/teenincstuff
www.teen-inc.net

CHRIS JOSS - Monomaniacs Vol. 1

Monomaniacs Vol. 1 is the sixth album from Chris Joss, who is originally from France. It's another highly entertaining instrumental affair from Joss. No lyrics here, just 12 awesome, funk-influenced, 70's-vibed cuts. There's enough sounds mixed in to keep anyone occupied for a while trying to pick through all the layers. There's even some Indian sitar thrown in on the track "Kali Flowers". Highly recommended for anyone who's got a soul and likes to groove.

Just take a look at the album cover, you'll know if this is the kind of music for you or not. And if you still don't know after looking, try it out anyway.

www.myspace.com/chrisjoss
chrisjoss.free.fr

N.A.S.A. - The Spirit of Apollo

N.A.S.A. is the acronym for North America/South America, and is a collaborative effort of artists from both the hip-hop and indie music realms. Brought together by the duo of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon, who met in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the result is a hip-hop/funk album that is real cool. I'm certainly no aficionado in regards to this genre of music, but I enjoyed this and especially the collision of artists that you would never expect to be appear on the same tracks together (But David Byrne and Chuck D do go together like peas in a pod!).

www.myspace.com/nasa
www.squeakecleanblog.com/

The Virgins - The Virgins

Following the release of their excellent, albeit somewhat lo-fi, "Virgins EP" at the end of 2007, they return with their first full-length album. Hailing from NYC, they might as well be the new Strokes. Great tunes combine with good looks and the swagger that a band should have. They have realized that the secret to making danceable rock music lies in bass lines that could have been at home on a 1970s funk record or a 1980s new wave album; their bass player is truly their secret weapon. The songs are catchy and fun and could be the soundtrack to your next fashion party.

www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc
www.thevirgins.net

Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique

Everyone's favorite electro/dance/funk/rock duo from Austin returns with their third full-length album! High pitched male vocals. If you like The Rapture, Hot Chip, or even Daft Punk, but wish that they sounded trashier, this just might be the trick. Kind of a weird sound from two guys who appear to be inherently strange, but I quite like them. For the adventurous types.

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

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