She & Him - Volume One
Alternative - 2008
Reviewed by: Jeff

Okay, so... everyone's seen Elf, right?

The female lead in that movie, Zooey Deschanel (who sings "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for the film's soundtrack) has a new musical project with M. Ward called She & Him. Their first record, Volume One, is out now on Merge Records.

The album was written almost entirely by Deschanel... and like most of her characters is kind of quirky, but fun and charming at the same time. M. Ward's influence is definitely felt in the music, as the songs have an alt-country/folk feel with twangy guitars and pedal steel. It's a good summer record that doesn't take itself too seriously. I got to see She & Him at South by Southwest recently and they put on a great show at a live radio broadcast. Unfortunately the show was a quick one, but it was really cool to see them live so early in the band's existence. Ward said they had only played "half-a-dozen or so shows" previous to SXSW.

In a record of mostly Deschanel original love songs, Volume One is complete with covers of The Miracles' "You Really Got a Hold on Me," The Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better" (done duet style between Deschanel and Ward), and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot."

Focus tracks:
#1 - "Sentimental Heart"
#3 - "This is Not a Test"
#9 - "Black Hole"
#12 - "Sweet Darlin'" (co-written by Jason Schwartzman)

Tommy Guerrero - Return of the Bastard
Alternative - 2008
Reviewed by: Keita

This record is finally out in the US!

San Francisco's living legend, Tommy Guerrero, has released his 4th album Return of the Bastard.
Tommy Guerrero was one of the prominent members of the Bones Brigade, Powell Peralta's professional skateboarding team that dominated the 1980s.

After he switched his weapon from skateboard to guitar in 1997, he has been releasing records full of California-vibe with elements of Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk, Rock, and Soul. His second album, A Little Bit of Something is known as his masterpiece.

I went to see Money Mark at SXSW and ran into Tommy Guerrero there. I was so impressed with Tommy's "go-with-the-flow" attitude. He's probably the nicest guy on the planet, and his music lives up to the hype!

Nada Surf - Lucky
Indie Rock - 2008
Reviewed by: Leslie

“Everyone’s right, and no one is sorry – that’s the start and the end of the story” emerge as the opening lines to Nada Surf’s newest album, Lucky. Not entirely prolific – perhaps a precursor to the album – but entirely enjoyable nonetheless.

Fans of Nada Surf’s sophomore album, Let Go, may fail to find solace in this near-rendition of the band’s previous album, The Weight Is A Gift (particularly obvious in Lucky’s eighth track, “From Now On”). However, you could certainly argue that Lucky exists as a semi-hybrid of the two, as it undoubtedly combines the rock ‘n roll elements crucial in the success of Let Go with the catchy indie undertones of The Weight Is A Gift. Much like Radiohead’s Kid A and consequential Amnesiac, Lucky seemingly exists as a continuation of the previous album, The Weight Is A Gift (and interestingly enough, “The Fox” even sounds like an indie rendition of Radiohead’s “Street Spirit Fade Out” on The Bends).

That being said, however, the album has several merits. Songs like “Whose Authority” and “Weightless” most decidedly exhibit the catchy lines and chords that have helped Nada Surf gain the popularity it boasts today. The tracks “Here Goes Something” and “Are You Lightning” even explore the realm of the ever popular “indie meets alt-country” facet which, albeit atypical of nearly every indie artist today, provides variety that is undeniably catchy . Aside from the vocals in the repetition of the lines “your majesty” in “Here Goes Something,” you could easily attribute the music to another band. It’s as if the Shins and the Old 97’s produced a love-child with Nada Surf’s vocals thrown in for good measure.

“Weightless,” without a doubt, remains the paramount track on Lucky. Strategically placed smack-dab in the middle of the album, the song gains more appreciation after listening to its predecessors, simply due to its layers and initial fast-paced nature. This is the track to blare with your windows down. “Weightless” thus reigns as the prevailing tack on the album and indisputably sets the standard for its previous and following tracks.

“Baby, I only want to make you happy” says Nada Surf in “I Like What You Say.” Sure, the track – as well as the entire album – beats us over the head in it countless attempts to please a varied audience, but its inexplicably charming approaches do in fact resonate well with old and new fans alike. Perhaps this is why the album on a whole ultimately (and moreover, efficiently) caters to differing listeners. Nada Surf’s Lucky demonstrates imagination and potential, though it invokes a question of what lies in store for the band.

The album effectively closes with its Shins-esque track “The Film Did Not Go Round,” which both vocalizes and wraps up Lucky’s aspirations through its enticing lyrics and chill melody. All in all, the album, despite its irrefutable quirks, “gets lucky,” in accordance to its success, though still leaves the listener wanting more.

Idiot Pilot - Wolves
Alternative - 2007
Reviewed by: Ross

Hailing from Bellingham, Washington, the duo of Michael Harris and Daniel Anderson create some of the most amazing and intense music around these days. Their latest record Wolves is quite a standout out of all the new music this year.

Utilizing keyboards and synths paired with driving guitars and loud drums, a strange breed of electronic rock is produced. Standout tracks include "Last Chance," "Retina & The Sky," "Good Luck," & "Recurring Dream."

Be sure and check them out when they come through on this year's Taste Of Chaos tour.

Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off The Lavender Bridge
Grunge/Classical/Powerpop - 2008
Reviewed by: Keita

This record is like your favorite sandwich.

Falling Off The Lavender Bridge has a sick taste of melody and a variety of instruments (Cello, Oboe, Pedal Steel, Clarinet, and Flute) which help to develop the maturity of the sound.

This deeply autobiographical album takes you on an emotional journey, from the infectious debut single "Galaxy Of The Lost", to the dark worlds inhabited within "Midnight Surprise" and "Devil Tricks For A Bitch."

One bite is all you need. You won't be able to forget the guy in a red sweater with a bunny.

http://www.myspace.com/lightspeedchampion

Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV: Volume 2: No World For Tomorrow
Progressive Rock - 2007
Reviewed by: Ross

Every Tuesday, new records are released for the public to listen to and purchase.  Some Tuesdays are more exciting than others. Two weeks ago, Coheed & Cambria's new record dropped, and let me be the first to tell you it was an exciting Tuesday.

The record, titled the ever-so-short Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV: Volume 2:  No World For Tomorrow, begins with a short and simple song titled "The Reaping."  At first, the sound of an acoustic guitar comes in, and then the iconic voice of lead singer Claudio Sanchez sings that "Hell must know."  It takes us into a dark mood, but that's fitting for this record since it is the last chapter in an ongoing saga titled "The Amory Wars" that Sanchez wrote and has been publishing comics about it since the band began. Coheed & Cambria as a band creates a soundtrack to this world, when one knows the story; one can truly appreciate Sanchez's lyrical genius.

What follows is the title track "No World For Tomorrow.", Sanchez and fellow guitarist Travis Stever, play dueling guitar parts through the verses but come together for a powerful chorus.  The rhythm section of Mic Todd and guest drummer Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters fame, keep everything tight and moving.  Original drummer Josh Eppard Josh Eppard left a void, after his departure from the band last summer. He was soon followed by bassist Todd, but he rejoined the band after a few months.  That left the doors open for Hawkins to come in and be an amazing studio drummer.  The drums on this record are fantastic as Hawkins integrates himself into an established sound, but at the same time, adds his own flair.  

The album continues in typical Coheed fashion, but this time there is a darker mood to all the songs.  Standout tracks include "The Hound (Of Blood and Rank)," the current single "The Running Free," "Mother Superior," and "Gravemakers and Gunslingers.", but I’ll be honest, every track on the record is a standout.  The final five tracks on the record are part of a unified end sequence called The End Complete.  It starts with a minute-long instrumental titled, "The Fall of House Atlantic," which to anyone who knows the Coheed mythology, is a big deal. But to others, House Atlantic was also the topic of the band's breakout single two records ago called "A Favor House Atlantic." 

The record closes with "On The Brink."  Most bands would end on a slow and somber note. Coheed builds the intensity all the way to the end.  When the record finishes, you feel satisfied.  I recommend that any Coheed fan take a few hours one day and listen to the entire Coheed story, starting with their first album, "The Second Stage Turbine Blade" and going through to their current release.

Coheed & Cambria constantly shows that it is one of the premier bands out there right now.  This record solidifies their place in music history, so go get this record the first chance you have.  And, don't miss them when they come through with The Fall of Troy and Clutch on November 15 at the House of Blues.

5 STARS
TRACKS TO LISTEN TO:
"No World For Tomorrow"

"The Hound (Of Blood and Rank)"

"The Running Free"

"Mother Superior"

"Gravemakers and Gunslingers"

"The End Complete"

Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion
Pop - 2007
Reviewed by: Keita

Mika is known as a singer, songwriter, producer, and has even arranged orchestral works. His first record, Life in Cartoon Motion is sold worldwide and he has been touring internationally. His smash hit single “Love Today” has been in the top of the Japanese charts since June! This summer he played at the Fuji Rock Festival along with big name bands like The Cure, Iggy Pop, The Beastie Boys and Chemical Brothers. Mika is big in Japan, and is getting bigger in other countries around the world.

Once you've heard his music, you won’t be able to stop playing his CD every morning to get your day started right.

The Shout Out Louds - Our Ill Wills
Alternative - 2007

With their second album, the Shout Out Louds take their brand of poppy indie rock to new levels. In Our Ill Wills, the band graces us with not only the infectious melodies and toe-tapping rhythms that their debut album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff did in 2005, but now with the collaborative effort of producer and musical consort Bjorn Yttling (of Peter, Bjorn and John) the music of the Shout Out Louds has a calming and harmonious vibe.

It would be unfair to try and compare their first acclaimed album with the band’s latest accomplishment, as each takes their Swedish brand of pop rock in two different directions. The vocals have the same saturating effect but the pervasiveness of the hard hitting instrumentals have been toned back and work well together. All in all, Our Ill Wills is another success by the band that got our attention two years ago.