Month: June 2010

[Abby’s Road] Virtues are not dead – kindness makes a comeback

Two weeks ago while sitting in the passenger seat on a ride through Waycross, Georgia, I grabbed the steering wheel in an attempt to “help” my boyfriend avoid what I thought was an armadillo sauntering down the center of the road. I almost killed every being involved. Only after what can loosely be described as… Continue reading [Abby’s Road] Virtues are not dead – kindness makes a comeback

[MP3] Elsinore: “Yes Yes Yes”

Want a sweet touch of pop to spice up the beginning of your weekend? Look no further than Elsinore, from Champaign, Illinois. Led by songwriter and vocalist Ryan Groff, the foursome is set to release their second full-length album, Yes Yes Yes, August 10. Groff’s inimitable falsetto vocals and the band’s lush, full, slickly produced… Continue reading [MP3] Elsinore: “Yes Yes Yes”

Woodsist to release compilation: Welcome Home/Diggin’ The Universe

Woodsist, the label that several great artists call home (including Woods, Real Estate, The Fresh & Onlys, etc.), just announced what is surely an epic compilation. Welcome Home/Diggin’ The Universe will feature 13 tracks, 12 of which are exclusive to the record. Our first taste of the new Woodsist tracks is “I’m Not Gone,” a… Continue reading Woodsist to release compilation: Welcome Home/Diggin’ The Universe

Sleigh Bells announce North American tour

Well-hyped noise-pop/dance duo Sleigh Bells have received a lot of praise for their debut album, Treats, and now they’re taking their act on the road as a headliners. If their live show is anything like their album (full of awesome, danceable, raw energy), then the live shows will be incredible. Because I guess they recognize… Continue reading Sleigh Bells announce North American tour

[MP3] Stars: “Wasted Daylight” + “We Don’t Want Your Body”

Stars just released TWO new songs (in addition to “Fixed”) from their forthcoming The Five Ghosts, which we’ve been hyping like whoa here on KR. Electro synth has been rockin’ the songs we’ve heard so far from the album, and I’m a-okay with that. It’s exciting; it’s fun; it’s different. Torquil finally gets his turn on “We… Continue reading [MP3] Stars: “Wasted Daylight” + “We Don’t Want Your Body”

Dum Dum Girls release silly funtimes video for “Bhang Bhang, I’m A Burnout”

Lo-fi girl group Dum Dum Girls recently released a pretty good debut record, and now have their second video from it for the single “Bhang Bhang, I’m A Burnout.” I called the song a “cute pop track” in my review of I Will Be, and I not only stand by that initial assessment, but also… Continue reading Dum Dum Girls release silly funtimes video for “Bhang Bhang, I’m A Burnout”

[MP3] Wavves: “Post Acid”

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from lo-fi burnout Nathan Williams aka Wavves (although he now sports a three-piece touring band). The California boys are prepping the release of King of the Beach, their second album (third, if you count their small-release debut Wavves). Our first listen to the new record is “Post… Continue reading [MP3] Wavves: “Post Acid”

Suckers show promise but lack focus on Wild Smile

The much-anticipated debut full-length from Suckers is finally here, and man, I don’t know what I was expecting of the album after hearing a bit of their previous work. But that was my problem: I shouldn’t have been considering expectations – Wild Smile is all over the place, sticking to no one genre; no one… Continue reading Suckers show promise but lack focus on Wild Smile

Wye Oak needs to step outside the music on My Neighbor/My Creator

Something about Wye Oak’s style — the sweet female vocals, the lush, strummed guitar, the odd bits of electronics — is instantly likeable. It sounds slightly left-of-center, but still feels familiar. After all, for all the duo’s interesting experiments, the song structures and vocals aren’t terribly hard to come by. That said, the band seems… Continue reading Wye Oak needs to step outside the music on My Neighbor/My Creator