Artist: The Maroons
Album: You're gonna ruin everything.
The Scoop: Shimmering power-pop from a band with a good pedigree (lead singer John Moen has drummed for Elliott Smith; he and keyboardist Mike Clark currently play with Stephen Malkmus as members of The Jicks). Moen's sweet mid-range vocals are the highlight here, and they're supported by an addictive assortment of guitar riffs. Eric Bennes provides a consistent backbeat on percussion, especially on danceable, feel-giddy tracks like "Skipping The Introduction." As for the rock quotient, The Maroons don't even get as heavy as The Jicks; even the occasional frenetic moment is anchored back to the band's softly lilting melodies. You shouldn't want it any other way. Be warned, though: your macho friends will bust out adjectives like "pretty." But watch their girlfriends swoon.Highlight Tracks: "Dance Floor Flirt" and "Skipping The Introduction."
For More Info: Listen to selected tracks and/or buy the album at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/themaroons or visit http://www.inmusicwetrust.com
Artist: Brendan Benson
Album: Lapalco
The Scoop: Benson took quite a hiatus after Virgin Records pulled the plug on his debut album One Mississippi. But now Benson is back with a dozen smartly crafted tunes (some co-written with ex-Jellyfisher Jason Falkner), and has lately been touring with The White Stripes. Lapalco, meanwhile, has attracted praise from both Benson's ardently patient, somewhat obsessive fans and from the bigwigs at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly. All together now: Nice move, Virgin.Highlight Track: "You're Quiet" is an appetizing slice of pop-rock that sounds like a jaunty version of something you'd come across on your FM dial a couple decades ago; the type of song you can picture Paul Westerberg telling you to turn up.
Honorable Mention: When Benson sits down at the keyboard for the jaunty "Jetlag" (with its opening "My so-called friends / Where are they now?"), it's hard not to think of The Beatles. Then, instead of fading out when you think it will, a robotic voice intones "Come on now," the drums and guitar kick in, and Benson "da da da da da"'s his way out the door. Lovely.For More Info: Visit http://www.startimerecords.com
Artist: Cookie
Album: Sweat-Soaked & Satisfied
The Scoop: After you pretty up your CD collection with Brendan Benson and The Maroons, you can ugly it back up with Cookie. "You want curves / I got curves / You want balls / I got it all!" leers Sabrina RockArena on "All You Got." Behind her, pyrotechnic (pyromaniac?) Tommy Sparks crashes on the drums while guitarist JayMe LayMe shows plenty of mad metal prowess, but also pulls out a few bluesy, roadhouse-ready riffs. And when you think you have their formula figured out, an accordion appears...not just once, but twice. The songs roar out as quickly as they thunder in, typically staying in the appropriate 2-3 minute realm.
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