WILDLIFE - Strike Hard, Young Diamond

They're from Toronto and this is their debut album. I like it. They sound like a band I already know and love. Put this on and tell your friends it is the new Wolf Parade, they won't bat an eyelash.

www.myspace.com/wildlifemusic1

THE LONELY FOREST - The Lonely Forest EP

The Lonely Forest is a quartet from Anacortes, Washington. They've been making music for several years; their first EP was released in 2006. Their self-titled EP, however, marks their first release for Death Cab For Cutie member Chris Walla's Trans record label. Apparently, The Lonely Forest were the first band to be signed to Trans. I'm not surprised because their music is really good and it bears a likeness to DCFC's sound: driving indie rock. The two bands could tour together and they would work perfectly with each other. The Lonely Forest's vocalist, John Van Deusen, sounds like Michael Stipe at times (except you can understand what Van Deusen is saying). The music has great dynamics with soaring, full-on choruses and laid-back verses. Recommended.

www.myspace.com/thelonelyforest
www.thelonelyforest.com

WOLF PARADE - Expo 86

Wolf Parade's third album; it was released on June 29, 2010. I'm just getting around to listening to it now. I have a problem listening to new Wolf Parade material because their debut album, Apologies to the Queen Mary, is one of my favorite albums ever. That debut album holds so many memories and emotions for me. Really, nothing Wolf Parade can ever put out will compare to that album and how I feel about it.

But I do love the band so I find myself listening to their new stuff. Actually, Expo 86 is really good. I never really fell in love with At Mount Zoomer, but this one, this one is good times. Really digging it. It's got a great vibe to it. I'll never feel the same as I did with their first LP, but this is definitely worth a listen (or a few!).

www.myspace.com/wolfparade
www.subpop.com/artists/wolf_parade

BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE - Forgiveness Rock Record

May 2010 release from these kings (and queens) of indie rock. They are often described as a collective, rather than a band, as the only two constant "full-time" members are Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. They have a rotating band of merry musicians join them both on records and live, some of whom are or have become indie rock stars on their own (Feist, members of Stars, Jason Collett, and so many others). We can consider Forgiveness Rock Record to be BSS's fourth proper studio album. I remember when this album came out that a lot of people on the 'nets kind of trashed it. It doesn't have the same intense groove as their last record; I don't see people dancing to this one like they did to jamz like "Windsurfing Nation" or "Fire Eye'd Boy". There's still some catchy stuff on here, though. I like "Texico Bitches" and "Art House Director" to get my indie rock rock-outs on to, and there's a lot of material on here to chill to as well. I wouldn't trash this record; it definitely still is BSS, just a little more of a laid-back vibe. Will I play this every day? Nope. Am I glad I gave it a chance? Yes.

www.myspace.com/brokensocialscene
www.brokensocialscene.ca

MATT & KIM - Sidewalks

Matt & Kim, the too-cute couple duo from Brooklyn, present their third full-length album. Their sound hasn't changed too much from their previous albums: upbeat indie pop/rock with nerdy male vocals. Fans of previous albums should be pleased. I'm personally not as crazy about this as I was for their first two albums, but I could see this growing on me if I give it more spins. I don't think it's as immediately catchy as their previous releases, but it seems to have more potential for staying in rotation. The songs seem to have more happening and won't wear thin after a few plays. So for that, it could very well end up being my favorite album by these two kids. For those that are curious, "Cameras" is the album's first single and "AM/FM Sound" is my favorite track after my first play of the album in its entirety.

www.myspace.com/mattandkim
www.mattandkimmusic.com

RA RA RIOT - Boy EP

Ra Ra Riot were formed in Syracuse, NY, so I always feel a sense of hometown pride when I hear them mentioned (even though I'm not from Syracuse and most people from Syracuse probably have never heard of the town where I grew up or the town where I now live). Nonetheless, their ascent to the indie rock royalty throne is certainly a story that will inspire kids from these parts for years to come. You could even call them a comeback story. At any rate, this band is a major player in the indie scene and beyond - but we're all wondering, can they repeat the success of their debut, The Rhumb Line?

The initial response to that question comes in the form of Boy, a quaint EP of three songs that clocks in at just over 10 and a half minutes long. The first song, the title track, is the only one that will also make an appearance on The Orchard, RRR's sophomore album that is scheduled to be released on August 24."Boy" is also the best track on here; hopefully, it is an indication of what the full-length album will be like. It's got great drums and an upbeat tempo. Our favorite string instruments give the song texture that most bands could only dream of. Love the bubbling bassline and that quickie guitar solo. Fantastic.

The other two songs on this ("Saccharin and the War" and "Keep It Quite (Bear)") didn't strike me as immediately as "Boy" did and while they would be at the top of the output heap for many other bands, I know Ra Ra Riot can do better. These songs are "growers" and maybe I'm just being too judgmental - I didn't have to wait for "Ghost Under Rocks" or "Dying is Fine" to grow on me since I was instantly attracted to them! I am enjoying these other two the more I listen, but still. I have very high standards here and hope for more instant attraction with the rest of the new material.

Definitely looking forward to The Orchard based off the strength of "Boy". August 24, here we come.

www.myspace.com/rarariot
www.rarariot.com

THE LOVE LANGUAGE - Libraries

Libraries is North Carolina's The Love Language's second album. I liked their first album and I like this one, too. I like the faster songs the most - they are at their best when they get the tempo cooking and the instruments rocking and everyone singing and yelling and making noise all at once. File under: indie/college pop/rock.

www.myspace.com/thelovelanguage
thelovelanguage.com

THE DRUMS - The Drums

The Brooklyn quartet finally releases their first full-length album, after tempting us constantly with singles and an EP. They sound like they came straight out of the 1980's post-punk/indie scene. I'm shocked they're not British. Their music is great and if they're not huge by the time I post this review then I am sure they will blow up soon. Recommended if you like The Smiths, Voxtrot, that sort of thing.

www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever
www.thedrums.com

TOKYO POLICE CLUB - Champ

I've been holding off on writing about this album for a few weeks now because I haven't been sure just how to describe my feelings about it. I don't have a lot of time right now to wax poetically, so here's the shortened review: My favorite new release, so far, of 2010.

www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub
www.tokyopoliceclub.com

WE ARE SCIENTISTS - Barbara

Fourth album from these guys. They've got a new drummer - Andy Burrows, formerly of Razorlight - for this release. Barbara is definitely a return to form for We Are Scientists. It may be just as good, if not better, than their debut album With Love And Squalor. We all know how many times I've played that record, so this isn't a compliment to be taken lightly. The songs on here are catchy and are prime examples of what danceable rock and roll party music should sound like. I especially enjoy this line in "Break It Up": "If no one wants to be up all night, what's the point in even going out?" Amen, brother, amen. Now let's drink up and dance.

www.myspace.com/wearescientists
www.wearescientists.com

[[Their website is awesome. The "Advice" section is inspiring.]]

MATT and KIM - Matt and Kim; MATT and KIM - Grand

Matt & Kim's self-titled debut was released in 2006, and Grand, the follow-up, was released in 2009. I'm reviewing them now because, while scouring the internet for shows coming to my area, I found that this Brooklyn-based duo is scheduled to play around here very soon. Not many bands playing original music play near where I live, so when there is one coming to town, I usually try to go. Unless the band is awful. I set out on a quest to see if Matt & Kim are awful or if I should plan to go check them out.

The overwhelming verdict after listening to their albums is that I am most definitely going to go to their show. Both of the albums are similar in sound, so no need to split up their reviews. Upbeat drumming, keyboards, a girl drummer (represent!), and a vocalist who sings like a way cooler version of John Darnielle, though still in a very nerd-esque manner? Count me in. The songs are fun and full of energy. I dig the lyrics, too. A better, more rocking version of Mates Of State. Matt & Kim are a band that I have overlooked the past few years and I am very happy to finally have introduced my ears to them.

I can only hope that the show is filled with lots of dancing, jumping around, singing out loud, and general hijinks. See you there, hipster friends.

www.myspace.com/mattandkim
www.mattandkimmusic.com

SPOON - Transference

Let me preface this post by saying that I love Spoon. They are the band that I hear whenever I think of my freshman year of college. I fell in love with them that year and I was constantly listening to them. During my junior year of college I got to see them play in Austin, their hometown, at SXSW 2008. The crowd was huge, perhaps because it was a free show, but also no doubt because more and more people were discovering just how good Spoon is. And damn they are good.

Transference is the seventh studio full-length from Spoon. Spoon have been hailed as the kings of minimal rock 'n' roll, and this album has them maintaining that stance. The music isn't minimal like lo-fi music is often said to be; it is minimal because they don't heap on layers of unnecessary sounds. This results in more stripped down songs than you might normally hear from a 'rock band', but that doesn't mean it's not rock and roll. I don't see any of the songs on here being a breakout hit like "The Underdog" off of their last album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, was, but the 11 songs on here are still satisfying and show a band who is known for its consistency continue that trend. While I'm pleased with this release, after only a few listens, it doesn't knock things out of the park for me just yet.

www.myspace.com/spoon
www.spoontheband.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

THE KINETIKS - Aye Aye Aye Aye [EP]

They're a quartet of young lads from Dublin, Ireland. This is their second EP. They have an indie/garage rock sound similar to bands like the View, the Libertines, the Kooks, and the Rakes. There are some really great songs on this ("Lightbulb" is especially good), but in order to capitalize on this promise, they'll need to be more consistent throughout all of their material.

http://www.myspace.com/kinetiks1
www.thekinetiks.com

THE LOVE LANGUAGE - The Love Language

From Raleigh, North Carolina; this is their debut. It's good! They play indie pop that has a garagey, lo-fi feel to it. Catchy and instantly likeable. They sound like they could play a club and get everyone in the place singing along and doing handclaps and it wouldn't feel hokey at all. They seem like they would be your best friends for the night. A very nice debut.

http://www.myspace.com/thelovelanguage

Army Navy - Army Navy

Much wimpier than their name implies. Their debut; it's 'indie' rock/pop with nasally male vocals. They had a song on the Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist soundtrack so they've probably got, like, a million fans already. You've heard this band's sound before but you still like it. Recommended if you like Ted Leo and Death Cab For Cutie (DCfC's Ben Gibbard used to play with Army Navy's lead singer Justin Kennedy in Pinwheel).

www.myspace.com/armynavy

Annuals - Such Fun

They were talked about quite a bit in 2006 when their debut, Be He Me, was released, but soon after it seemed no one cared about this North Carolina band much anymore. But they're back with their second album and it's decent stuff. Folky indie-rock, they remind me of an indie pop version of My Morning Jacket. The members of Annuals are also in the band Sunfold. The album artwork paintings were done by Bob Ross!

www.myspace.com/annuals
www.annualsmusic.com

Cold War Kids - Loyalty To Loyalty

They're from California, this is their sophomore album. They are classified as "indie rock," though that term really doesn't mean much these days. I think they sound like they have the vocalist of Ghostland Observatory (though Cold War Kids' lead singer, Nathan Willett, wishes he was Thom Yorke instead of the guy from Ghostland) crossed with the boring Kings of Leon songs. I'm not very impressed with this CD, all songs seemed rather dull and annoying to my ears.

www.myspace.com/coldwarkids
www.coldwarkids.com

Mother Mother - O My Heart

From Vancouver, this five-piece presents their second full-length album. There's a brother and a sister in the band; it's always good to see families making rock music together. The album is full of indie pop/rock with boy/girl vocals and harmonies, and some folk-rock influences (such as finger-plucked guitar, strings). It's quirky and can get a little crazy at times, but the songs are solid and they are lots of fun. It's unique, but instantly likable and catchy. Awesome stuff, this band is really good.

www.myspace.com/mothermotherspace
www.mothermothersite.com