Ratatat: Classics
When Ratatat first popped up a few years ago, their intriguing collection of drum beats and spacey guitar work set them apart from most bands. Sure, other instrumentals were eyeing the same avenues, but Ratatat put the mental n instrumental with their border-breaking goldmine of catchy as fuck beats and just plain solid songs.
Kimya Dawson: Remember That I Love You
While the bulk of the album is Dawson with her guitar, behind each song there hides conspicuous piano notes, drowsy whistlers, lonely drums, and drunk violins.
Half-handed Cloud: Halos + Lassos
Sure, Ringhofer loves Jesus, but so does George Bush and do we hold that against him? Well, technically yes. But the point is, no matter which God you
Liz Durrett: The Mezzanine
Liz Durrett is doing what a lot of people have been doing for a long time, but her patience as a songwriter and her calculated decision to do more with little is what makes The Mezzanine phenomenal.
John Vanderslice: Pixel Revolt
On Pixel Revolt, Vanderslice graciously straddles the bridge between songwriter and story-teller (there is a bridge, trust me), taking a J.D. Salinger meets Conor Oberst approach and layering his lyrics with dusky cellos, lightly strummed guitars, and floating beats.
Love as Laughter: Laughter
Handclaps collide with raunchy guitars and surfboard vocals to create nothing less than a beach party for hippies, mod rockers, and emo kids wearing Chucks. Its pure Subpop.
The Super Groovy Band: Joyride
Living in the highest hippie-per-capita part of British Columbia, this Southern Vancouver Island band seems determined to make you smile and dance, preferably at the same time.
Capt. Soularcat : Three Rivers Point
No doubt, studio albums for jam bands do little to really showcase the band
SeepeopleS: The Corn Syrup Conspiracy
The Corn Syrup Conspiracy is an open-air, free ride that collects bits and pieces from eras long gone, present day beats, and somehow, gains access to the portal’s of the way music will sound in the future.
Tiger Mountain: Get Along Like A House On Fire
Tiger Mountain (perhaps the best band name of the year) is that special band that treads the line of hard-hitting rock beats just enough to make their album enjoyable.
Steve Howe and Martin Taylor : Masterpiece Guitars
Fans of Howe and Martin have probably had this album in their sights for years, but for those who haven’t heard of them, this is your chance.
Devotchka: How It Ends
Take a hint of Interpol, throw in some Cuban salsa, and add, not a hint, but a fair amount of those old German polka records that show up at flea markets the world over, and you’ve got Devotchka’s stunning release, How It Ends.