Hailing from NY city, Bridges and Powerlines could best be described as early 80's infused indie pop! New wave synths, vocals with way too many vocal effects, and driving bass lines make their EP Ghost Types a real treat! Check out songs "Uncalibrated" & "Theives They Are Everywhere." Totally gnarly. Totally.
Here we go again, another week, another superior release from Canada. Plants & Animals Parc Avenue is a fantastic piece of work. With pianos, excellent guitar work, and Queen-esque backing harmonies, songs like "Bye Bye Bye" harken back to a time when rock n roll was meant to delight and entertain and make you forget all the problems of the world even if it's only for just a few moments. The entire album is clever and intellegent. Check these guys out.
I have always been a Dan Bejar fan. Though I have felt all of the Destoyer releases since Streethawk have been a bit uneven, I am pleased to say that Trouble in Dreams is a complete and utter triumph from the first song to the last! Tracks like "Leopard of Honor" and "Introducing Angels" have that great 70s feel that first made Bejar a stand-out. This album is a must have.
Ok, I am truly smitten. Who knew Zooey Deschanel could sing? She & Him is comprised of the starlet of movies like Elf and Failure to Launch and indie vet M. Ward. The combination is pure magic. It's part old school country (back in the day when it was still country western) and part 60s girl group. It really is one of the most fun records I have heard in a long while. Check out songs like "I Was Made For You" and "Sweet Darlin." Based on how good this record is, I can hardly wait for Volume Two.
In A Cave, Elf Power's 9th album is due out on March 25th! Unlike the previous release Back to the Web, the gang has infused the release with a little bit of musical muscle with rockin' guitar sounds and interesting arrangements. Songs like Spiral Stairs will surprise the pants off you with its gritty 70s groove rock guitar feel. This album really has taken a huge leap forward in originality. Elf Power really seems to have reinvented themselves! 
Fleet Foxes Sun Giant EP is pretty incredible. It is a convergence of amazing musicianship, songwriting, and vocal performance that is rare these days. Usually if you can get two of the three on an album you are doing pretty well! The arrangements are pretty fascinating; sometimes sparse, sometimes lush with beautiful instrumentation, but always interesting. Also, hymnal-esque spiritual harmonies of the 70s abound on this album in a delightful manner. It may wind up a little offputting to some, but to me it is a treat. I do recommend this album strongly.
Hailing from Sweden, Envelopes are incredibly entertaining popsters with a flair for late 70s, early 80's underground motifs and cutesy European songwriting! They have updated this era with an infusion of originality and sense of whimsy. Don't confuse early 80's with New Wave, think more along the lines of early Squeeze or Talking Heads (I mention these merely as a point of reference and not as a comparison). Male & Female vocal interplay adds to the pleasurable experience of Here Comes the Wind. They are pushing the excellent tracks "Party" & "Freejazz", but my personal favorite is the charming song "Boat." Be sure to check Envelopes out. It's a really wonderful way to spend 45 minutes of your life.
