Boy for You
Incarnation Records/One Little Indian Records

Beautiful singer/songwriter pop from a British songstress that should be more popular in the states than she is. Upon first listen, I thought it was okay. With each subsequent listen, I like this album more and more. This is worth multiple listens.

http://www.astridwilliamson.net

Surface Parallel
Around Your Neck Records

This five-song EP sounds like what Silversun Pickups would sound like if their music went anywhere. Layered indie rock from Helsinki, Finland that isn’t afraid to take risks. Those risks pay huge dividends on each of these five songs.

http://www.pestida.com

Transport Systems

Centaur

It’s not my bag…  he’s the intelligent , fairly good looking, Jewish and gay Justin Timberlake. It’s all well and good for what it is. The production quality is ace - the beats are heavy.  It could definitely fill the floor at your local hot spot, it is an album full of floor fillers. His OP ED piece for the Advocate was a great read, very intelligent and put together - and his interviews are honest and time well spent.

America

2024 Records

Imagine if Ryan Adams had a cousin….  not a twin, not a brother… just a cousin.  The songs are moody and heavy on the dreamy.  The lyrics are lush but smart.  It’s not going to win Grammys… but it’s good and mellow. Some good company, a bottle of wine and good conversation - this is what should be playing.

Flight of the Knife

Black and Greene Records

Take Elton John, Panic at the Disco and musical theater, wad it up into a ball and throw it against a wall. That’s what this album sounds like. It’s bizarre, wonderful, engaging and downright fun.

http://www.bryanscary.com

Ooh La La Sha Sha

Jive Sucka

These funk soul brothers provide the most musical fun I’ve had in a long time.

http://www.missfairchild.com

Trying to Escape the Bigotry

Self-Released

These two brothers are like a poor man’s They Might Be Giants. Quirky, literate and just downright fun, Electric Needle Room is worth checking out.

http://www.electricneedleroom.com

saysomethingsaysomethingsaysomething

SideCho Records 

Some of the best atmospheric pop music to come out in years. It also helps that they were produced by Spoon lead singer Jim Eno and that they were called Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla’s favorite new band in the magazine Under the Radar. Via Audio is a band to actively look for. They are that good.

http://www.viaaudio.net

Dear Friend Dopamine

Orange Hand Records

This is fun indie-pop at it’s finest.

http://www.wheresmoo.com

Events

Princess Records

If you like the oddities of The Flaming Lips and Super Furry Animals, then you’ll love The Umbrella Sequence.

http://www.theumbrellasequence.com