Album: 6 ½
The Scoop: Posies frontman Jon Auer steps out solo for this excellent mini-LP of covers, featuring the songs of an eclectic batch ranging from Madonna to Husker Du. In addition to playing nearly every note on every instrument, Auer handles producing and engineering duties as well.
Featured Track: Ween’s “Baby Bitch” is turned into pop perfection. The instrumentation is lush and complex, and Auer’s wonderful voice matched with the biting lyrics of the Brothers Ween is a surprisingly nice fit; the tastiest morsel on an appetizing album.Honorable Mention: “Tears” and “Love My Way” are exquisitely crafted gems. If it’s possible for a cover to better the original, these would be two examples.
For More Info: http://www.pattern25.com or listen to tracks and buy the album at the always wonderful CD Baby ( http://www.cdbaby.com )
Artist: The Capitol Years
Album: Meet Yr Acres
The Scoop: Frontman and founder Shai Halperin weaves together a diverse group of influences, the most apparent of which are Beck, Tom Petty, and The Beatles. The end result is a batch of pop songs as pleasing as any collection you’ll be hearing—indie or otherwise—any time soon.Featured Track: “Faces And Beer” is one of the best late-night songs to come out this year. Brilliant.
Honorable Mention: “Roller’s Row” provides a great kick-off point for the album. Its swagger marches right into Vegas and takes over. “Lord, Lord, I’ve Gone Blind” is a song that could easily have been a one-off or a gimmick, but somehow manages to be strangely pained.For More Info: http://www.capitolyears.com
Artist: 16 Horsepower
Album: HoarseThe Scoop: A band that’s developed a reputation for incinerating live shows, 16 Horsepower releases Hoarse, a live album culled from performances in Denver and Paris. Frontman David Eugene Edwards doesn’t just sing, he sounds like he’s possessed by the words.
Featured Track: “Black Soul Choir” is a powerful piece of southern gothic that pulses with frightening adrenaline. Edwards yowls divinely over the sinister bass and propellent banjo. You can see why it’s one of the band’s favorites. After hearing 16 Horsepower live, you can hardly imagine them cooped up in a studio.Parental Advisory: Too much Bible-beating.
For More Info: http://www.16horsepower.com or http://www.16horsepower.net
Artist: Iowaska
Album: Vine of SoulsThe Scoop: One of the latest releases from Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label, Iowaska’s Vine of Souls is quintessential punk, equal parts devilish mischief and a manifesto for social reform.
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