Bad Brains “Build A Nation” (Megaforce)

I have never been a big fan of Bad Brains so it is hard for me to truly understand Build A Nation. For their fans, is it a return to form or yet another failure at a reunion? I have no clue. All I can say is that I could not manage to make it through the entire album. Take that for what it is worth.

www.myspace.com/badbrains

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Patient Patient “Professionals And Convicts” (Self-Released)

If you dig early Radiohead or Muse this Seattle band should be right up your alley. The band sounds straight out of the UK scene and definitely heavily influenced by many a british rock band. The band is quite good at what they do. The only question is if the band’s sound is up your alley. Unfortunately, for me, they are not.

www.myspace.com/patientpatientband

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Action Reaction “3 Is The Magic Number” (Hope Division/Equal Vision)

While I enjoyed Jason Gleason as the vocalist on Further Seems Forever’s second album, How To Start A Fire, Action Reaction is another story. Gleason has a great set of pipes and he never fails to show that off all over 3 Is The Magic Number. Unfortunately, it does not keep this record afloat. Action Reaction is like a cross between a generic emotional rock band (take your pick) and Muse. While that might leave me running for the door, I can see a lot of people being into this record. So, to each their own.

www.myspace.com/actionreaction

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Lillydale “The Art Of Becoming One’s Shadow” (Mt. Fuji)

Lillydale play solid indie rock with some emo tendencies. This album would fit right in on Saddle Creek. Male/female vocals lead the way as the album sounds incredibly familiar. Unfortunately, while that may endear the album at the beginning, things do get a bit monotonous towards the end. There is definitely promise shown here though. With a little more time, that promise could lead to big things for Lillydale. A nice effort.

www.myspace.com/lillydale

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The Challenger Deep “The Challenger Deep” (Self-Released)

When listening to these five songs it certainly makes sense that these guys hail from San Diego. John Reis would certainly be proud as the Drive Like Jehu/Hot Snakes stamp is all over these five songs. For fans of mathy, meaty rock The Challenger Deep are certainly a band to watch out for.

www.myspace.com/thechallengerdeep

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The Western States Motel “The Western States Motel” (Firebird Field)

This debut delivers nothing but solid indie pop/rock. Much in the vein of The Eels, Grandaddy or even The Shins, many of the songs here are absolute gems. However, the consistency of the aforementioned bands alludes The Western States Motel at times. That can certainly be overlooked as this is only a debut. This debut is certainly one that should be noticed.

www.myspace.com/thewesternstatesmotel

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Cat-A-Tac “Past Lies And Former Lives” (Needlepoint)

This Denver band throws a little bit of everything into their sound. The band mixes pop, shoegaze and a little rock together to make an intriguing mixture. What comes out is often quite desirable even if the lyrics leave a a little to be desired. One thing is fairly certain when listening to Past Lies And Former Lives…Cat-A-Tac have the talent to do something special in the future.

www.myspace.com/catatac

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Kate Havnevik “Melankton” (Universal)

Miss the trip-hop/electronica sounds of Portishead? I suggest you give Kate Havnevik a listen. The Norwegian artist has a sound quite similar. Havnevik’s sound is bit more airy and light though. Often Havenevik’s songs are even comparable to Bjork’s more whimsical material. While Kate Havenevik does not reside in genres I tend to frequent often, Melankton is an album I enjoyed listening to a great deal.

www.myspace.com/katehavnevik

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Fields “Everything Last Winter” (Columbia)

Fields are a British band and Everything Last Winter is the band’s debut album. The problem is that after the 10 song, 49 minute debut has finished there is not much left to remember the band by. The album never seems to go anywhere even though it sounds fantastic. Perhaps that is the downfall though as legendary producer Michael Beinhorn seems to over produce and in turn suck out the band’s spirit. What is left is a lack of direction behind these ten songs. That is a shame cause this band is capable of much more.

www.myspace.com/fieldsband

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The Horrors “Strange House” (Stolen Transmission)

London’s The Horrors are the perfect example of hype gone very bad. I was skeptical reading the press. But now after listening to Strange House I am completely dumbfounded. Tell me how in the world this band deserves such notoriety? Please somebody tell me! If the band tried half as hard at writing good songs as they did in creating their ridiculous persona then they might have been on to something. Sadly, The Horrors are all style over substance. If that excites you, go right ahead and scoop Strange House right up.

www.myspace.com/thehorrors

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah “Some Loud Thunder” (Self-Released)

Short Review: Go read my review of the band’s debut here. It applies to this album as well.

Shorter review: Clap your hands say CRAP!

www.myspace.com/clapyourhandssayyeah

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The Broken West “I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On” (Merge)

Much like rock music has classic rock, indie rock music has classic indie rock. The Broken West are no doubt classic indie rock. No matter how great and eclectic the Merge roster gets they always find room for these kinds of good ole classic indie rock bands. The Broken West are a great classic indie rock band but they do nothing to distinguish themselves from the pack. It all sounds nice when playing but there is not much to bring you back. Hopefully, The Broken West can differentiate themselves on future albums.

www.myspace.com/thebrokenwest

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Kaddisfly “Set Sail The Prairie” (Hopeless)

I think it is great when a band truly wants to experiment with their sound. Kaddisfly is most definitely one of those bands. Set Sail The Prairie should certainly be commended for it’s experimental nature. The band has been compared to the likes of Brazil or Coheed And Cambria. If you are a fan of those bands you will fall in love with Kaddisfly. The band is just as experimental as those bands. Yet, they have a warm inviting tone that the aforementioned bands simply lack. However, 14 songs and over an hour of the type of music that Kaddisfly plays is beyond my threshold.

www.myspace.com/kaddisfly

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Of Montreal “Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?” (Polyvinyl)

I remember listening to Of Montreal’s album, The Gay Parade many years ago. Frankly, I did not like the band then. Fast forward to 2007 with Of Montreal’s new album, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, and well, I still don’t like them. Sorry.

www.myspace.com/ofmontreal

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The Hours “Narcissus Road” (A&M)

I think A&M is trying to find themselves another Snow Patrol…or maybe a Coldplay…or anything in between that will sell them some records. Keane perhaps? Anyway, The Hours might just be that band. They are all sincere and endearing and terribly cheesy. It’s really not too bad a listen if you can get past all that stuff. But, frankly, it just seems like a little too much work.

www.myspace.com/thehours

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Alasdair Roberts “The Amber Gatherers” (Drag City)

This is my first exposure to Scottish singer/songwriter Alasdair Roberts. Roberts certainly has a pretty voice that guides these songs along their way. Unfortunately that does not really translate to great songs. Sadly, The Amber Gatherers is just plain boring. The songs seem to wonder aimlessly with no real destination in mind. Perhaps that is the point. However, I choose to not go along for the ride.

Fall Out Boy “Infinity On High” (Interscope)

I’m not gonna lie. I dig some of Fall Out Boy’s stuff. The boys can flat out write some catchy shit. I give props where they are do. But, it doesn’t really change the fact that I want to hit Pete Wentz in the face with a brick. I’ll still put this on for all the dance parties I have at my house. Oh, wait, I don’t have dance parties at my house.

www.myspace.com/falloutboy

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Moros Eros “I Saw the Devil Last Night and Now the Sun Shines Bright” (Victory)

Marietta, GA band Moros Eros quietly signed to Victory Records and released this album last year. Did Victory spend any money promoting these guys or did all that go towards the label’s many lawsuits with former bands? Either way, Moros Eros are much better than your average Victory Record band. This is a cool record even if it is a bit uneven at times. The band still seems like they are finding their sound. Musically, comparisons to Minus The Bear and post-punk bands are appropriate. Vocally, there is a bit of an At The Drive-In influence. Moros Eros seem quite ambtious with their songwriting which makes for some great moments as well as some truly awkward ones as well. This is a band to watch for though.

www.myspace.com/moroseros

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Goldenboy “Underneath The Radio” (Eenie Meenie)

Goldenboy is a singer-songwriter in the indie pop vein. Underneath The Radio is a solid album’s worth of material. However, no matter how nice and familiar the songs sound, you will be hard pressed to remember them after the album ends. It’s not bad but why would anybody choose this album when they could easily listen to an Elliott Smith record instead?

www.myspace.com/goldenboyband

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Form Of Rocket “Men” (Sickroom)

I vaguely remember dismissing Form Of Rocket’s debut Lumber when it came back out on Some Records a few years back. Men is much better than I remember the band to be. The band plays a brand of noisy rock in the vein of The Jesus Lizard and bands in that particular realm. Still though, there are much better bands playing this sound. But, if you get off on this style, well, Form Of Rocket will probably give you exactly what you need and want.

www.myspace.com/formofrocket

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Pablo “Half The Time” (Curb Appeal)

This is a nice debut from this Brooklyn band. Pablo play a brand of soft and unassuming indie/folk fairly reminiscent to a band like Gomez. Half The Time is a simple album that reveals a little more with each listen. The band certainly has the talent to create something far beyond the promise they have displayed here on their debut.

www.myspace.com/pablomusic

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The Lovekill “These Moments Are Momentum” (Astro Magnetics)

This album was produced by Stephen Pederson (The White Octave, Cursive, Criteria) and it is understandable why. The Lovekill seem like they have followed Pederson’s career very closely. While they are definitely coming from some nice influences, the band lacks that certain something that brings a listener back. This is a debut that certainly shows some promise though. The Lovekill are a band to keep an eye on in the future.

www.myspace.com/thelovekill

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Youth Group “Casino Twilight Dogs” (Anti)

These Aussies last album, Skeleton Jar, was pretty solid. Casino Twilight Dogs is a small step back though. While there are some great singles here, like the album opener “Catching & Killing”, the album as a whole falls into mediocrity far too often considering the talent the band obviously possesses. Putting that aside, fans of Snow Patrol and indie pop in general should be able to find something to like here.

www.myspace.com/youthgroupmusic

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Self Against City “Telling Secrets To Strangers” (Drive-Thru)

Listening to this record makes me want to reach through the stereo and punch the singer in his face. Seriously.

www.myspace.com/selfagainstcity

This is a new feature to help me cover more music in less time. Somedays I will do these shorter reviews instead of writing one “real” review. I don’t think I’ll set a word limit but all these reviews will be short and sweet. So, you get the point…here we go:

Old Crow Medicine Show “Big Iron World” (Nettwork)

I’m not a big fan of bluegrass. However, Nashville-based Old Crow Medicine Show provide a nice modern spin on old-timey bluegrass. This is good stuff that I’m sure the bluegrass traditionalists hate. For fans of bluegrass who do not usually listen to bluegrass.

www.myspace.com/oldcrowmedicineshow

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Professor Murder “Professor Murder Rides The Subway” (Kanine)

This is pretty good stuff here. Professor Murder play dancey indie rock mixed with post-punk. Fans of !!!, Radio 4 and The Rapture should be soaking their pants over this. While it does sound good, I must admit I’m a bit turned off by the feeling that these guys are hipster magnets.

www.myspace.com/pmurdermusic

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Classic Case “Losing At Life” (Fearless)

It’s sad to see that former members of Glassjaw and Beloved make up the Classic Case roster. This is bland modern alternative rock in the vein of Incubus. Uh, no thanks.

www.myspace.com/classiccase

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Hem “Funnel Cloud” (Nettwork)

Solid downtempo pop music that has a country feel to it. The record plays really well as background music. This is easy listening stuff that relaxes completely. Comparisons to 10,000 Maniacs, Cowboy Junkies and Mazzy Star have been made. Great mood music.

www.myspace.com/hem

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Damiera “M(US)ic” (Equal Vision)

What the hell is that album title? Anyway, Equal Vision is determined to sign as many bands as possible that resemble Coheed & Cambria. This is bad. Sell your Coheed records and do not buy this. Just go listen to Circa Survive instead.

www.myspace.com/damiera