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Sundowner

We Chase the Waves
Asian Man (2010)

We Chase the Waves is the second release from Lawrence Arms singer/guitarist Chris McCaughan. While technically his second solo release, this one is truly an individual effort, with McCaughan handling all the instrumental duties except for a few peripherals. His Lawrence Arms bandmate Neil Hennessy handled the majority of the production. Waves has a more stripped down, personal feel than … Read more

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Tommy Keene

You Hear Me-A Retrospective-1983-2009
Second Motion (2010)

2 disc greatest hits collection of Keene's work over his entire career. Disc #1 focuses on his eighties period of work. The most significant advantage to owning this release is having everything remastered here. The sound update is fantastic. Early crowd favorites like "Places That Are Gone" and "Nothing Can Change You" are here and should keep your stereo speakers … Read more

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The Izzys

Keep Your Powder Dry
Self Released (2010)

Digital release available for free off their website. But don't consider this a throw-away. This Brooklyn trio offers up free-wheelin' rock and roll songs that will feel good with a cold Busch in your hand and a breeze blowing your hair back. "Under The Sun" kicks things off with a shuffling backbeat and things only perk up from there. 'Lost … Read more

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Echo & The Bunnymen

The Fountain
Ocean Rain Records (2009)

New record from the band blasts off with the first single "Think I Need It Too" and doesn't look back. Will Sergeant's guitar is prominent throughout, and Ian's vocals still impress after all these years. "Do You Know Who I Am?" may be the hardest rocker on this collection, with driving drums powering the song along. But the quieter moments … Read more

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Modern English

Soundtrack
Darla (2009)

After a long hiatus, the band is back with a stunning new release. Skillfully produced again by Hugh Jones (Echo & The Bunnymen, Dumptruck), this record is the perfect mix of both sides of the band's sound. By this I mean that fans of the more brooding early 4AD material will be pleased, as well as fans looking for new … Read more

The Setup

Torchbearer
GSR Records (2009)

Many hardcore bands go one way or the other. Either they play ridiculously heavy to an almost numbing degree. On the other hand there are the overly melodic bands that almost sound too clean or almost like screaming pop punk bands. Yes, these are broad generalizations and I do love hardcore of both types. Most bands do very little to … Read more

The Warlocks

The Mirror Explodes
Tee Pee Records (2009)

Sometimes one can be anticipate something too much. Expect too much from something so as to nullify anything enjoyable from said thing. Sadly Expectations are like that. The Warlocks have had a long career of playing spacey over driven rock songs. It seems only right that they are signed to Tee Pee records. They've always carried a psychedelic vibe couples … Read more

Beaten Awake

Thunderstroke
Fat Possum Records (2009)

Some bands exist both inside a scene and outside the sound of the given scene. Beaten Alive are one of those bands. They are a band from Ohio identifying with the garage scene of their state sharing friend The Black Keys. This is where most of the normal characteristics end. While there is a touch of garage rock and some … Read more

Hopewell

Good Good Desperation
Tee Pee (2009)

Psych rock is a mixed up genre. Ok, yeah it is spacey it technically rocks without really being rock per se. The part where i have issue is that sometimes these bands find it more interesting to write songs that don\'t go anywhere. They just stay locked in their moment in time and space never truly building on a riff … Read more

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Big D and the Kids Table

Fluent In Stroll
Side One Dummy (2009)

I have to admit that normally I am not a big horns fan. It really has to take the song to another level for it to do anything for me. Unfortunately there is no evidence of that happening on this release. The back-up singers add a bit of texture here and there, but that doesn't help too much when the … Read more

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Averkiou

Wasted and High
Sound Study Recordings (2009)

The title track on this 7" is a fitting sound, given its title. "Wasted and High" has a pop structure run through the wash, and the fuzzy guitars and calm delivery of singer Matt Brink would fit under the shoegaze label. On "No One's Holding a Gun to Your Head," the band adds more harmony to Brink's sleepy delivery. Meanwhile, … Read more

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Gateway District

Some Days You Get The Thunder
It's Alive (2009)

What would a new band that features members of Banner Pilot, The Soviettes, Off With Their Heads, and Dear Landlord sound like if locked in a broom closet and forced to come up with songs? I'm guessing something like this release. They may be ex-members of some of these bands (I'm too lazy to check) but the influence is still … Read more

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Sims

False Hopes XIV
Doomtree (2009)

Lights Out Paris was one of my favorite releases of 2005, but as the Doomtree crew only has so much time and money on their hands, they rotate members' releases. Thus, it's taken Sims until 2009 to release a False Hopes (the Doomtree version of a mixtape). On #14, Sims has ten new songs to show his growth as an … Read more

Call Me Lightning

When I Am Gone My Blood Will Be Free
Dusty Medical (2010)

Is this the band that released Soft Skeletons? It's been 3 years, and clearly the band has opted to go in a different direction. While the band has never hidden their affinity for The Who, naming themselves after a 1968 song by the group, When I Am Gone My Blood Will Be Free takes their influence to the next level. … Read more

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