Reviewed :: Mars Classroom - The New Theory of Everything

Late last year when it was announced that Robert Pollard had a recorded an album's worth of material with Gary Waliek of our beloved Big Dipper we nearly fell out of our chairs. But after we gave it some more thought we realized that this dream team collaboration, made perfect sense. After all we witnessed Pollard's Big Dipper fandom first hand when he tapped them to open a show at The Paradise for his Boston Spaceships in 2008. Not to mention that he was perched at the side of the stage for Big Dipper entire set that evening, showing his obvious appreciation. Was it that fall evening in Boston that the seeds of Mars Classroom were planted? Who knows. More importantly what would the pairing of the magnanimous Robert Pollard and Gary Waliek, founding member of both Volcano Suns and Big Dipper sound like?

Rest assured, Mars Classroom works on every level. With assistance from Pell Mell's Robert Beerman , Pollard and Waliek have issued an instantly satisfying collection of mostly chiming guitar power-pop with a few curve balls to keep us on our toes. The album works so well because of the pristine and varied guitar driven underbelly that Waliek provides throughout, which allows Pollard to insert some of his most direct and stirring melodies. The New Theory of Everything is book ended by two of Pollards most instantly satisfying tracks. The title track had us reaching for the repeat button from fist listen and the albums final track, Wish You Were Young is a gorgeous, albeit melancholy gem, that reminds us a bit of the quieter moments from GBV's 2001 TVT released, Isolation Drills. But our odds on favorite track is the jagged Pre Meds A Trip which finds the trio upping the noise and prog factor all the while pummeling you with blistering pop hooks. But then again this record has a habit of revealing a new favorite with each listen.

Depending on who you ask you might get a slightly different answer, but to say that Robert Pollard has been on hot streak over the last few years is a gross understatement and Mars Classroom manages not only to continue the streak it manages to raise the bar a bit. Tell you're old college buddies, you know the ones you talked into that GBV reunion show, to pay attention, Mars Classroom is the Pollard pop record they've been waiting for, and frankly so have we. Let's hope this is not the last we hear from Mr's Pollard, Waliek, and Beerman as Mars Classroom because it's too good to be a passing fling.

Buy it via The Factory of Raw Essentials|Official|Facebook

Reviewed :: The Grownup Noise - This Time With Feeling

Boston's baroque pop stalwarts, The Grownup Noise are poised to celebrate the release of their second long player, This Time With Feeling on Saturday with an impressive line up at The Middle East. More on that in a bit. First allow us to provide the obligatory back story. The Grownup Noise formed in 2005 after Adam Sankowksi (bass/vocals) and Paul Hansen (guitar/vocals) paths crossed while attending Berklee College of Music. They released their self titled debut in 2007 and now four years later the band are about to drop This Time With Feeling. The album was recorded in and around New England and according to the press released some of the albums vocals were tracked in Hansen's bathroom. The album was mixed in North Carolina by studio engineer/producer Scott Solter (The Mountain Goats/Spoon), who also provides additional instrumentation to several of the albums tracks.

For the past several weeks I've been struck by the simple beauty of This Time With Feeling. From the very first listen I connected immediately with lyrical imagery of looking back on our youth as well as to present, to the struggles or adulthood. There's something incredibly honest and comfortable about these songs, something almost familiar. The albums rich textures are in large part due to each member being a gifted multi-instrumentalist, it's also what gives the album a true collaborative feel. on This Time.., the Grownup Noise deftly tread the line between Folk and Americana to reveal 12 complex and engaging pop songs. Some of our favorite moments come when Paul Hansen's croon is complemented by the angelic voice of Katie French(cello) on a handful of the albums tracks. With the should be hit single Just So You Know as well as our personal favorite Six Foot Solemn Oath, The Grownup Noise have issued a record that's both irresistible and eclectic, not to mention completely addicting from the very first listen.

Contest/Giveaway:

We are pleased to be able to offer up a pair of tickets to The Album Release Show that also features, Kingsley Flood, Spouse, & Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons at The Middle East as well as two copies of the new album. Yes, you and your +1 will both get a copy of This Time With Feeling. If you wish to enter, just send an e-mail to ashgrayproclamation.com with The Grownup Noise in the subject line. Due to the show being tomorrow we will announce our winner today at 5PM. Good Luck

Transmissions :: Double Dagger

Whenever we get the opportunity to share anything from the world of Baltimore's Post-Hardcore wizards Double Dagger, we jump at the opportunity. This video was shot a couple of nights ago by a fan named Rob Brulinski. That same evening an other fan reportedly not Rob shot video with the web cam on his Macbook. Why haven't we attempted this yet? Probably because we're not sure how we'd explain our laptop being smashed to bits to our bosses and significant others. If you're looking for a crystal clear recording of this band, look elsewhere. However if you would like to witness the glorious chaos of a Double Dagger show, look no further.

*Not recommended for those prone to motion sickness

Official/Myspace/Thrill Jockey

Transmissions :: Crystal Stilts

Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts are ready to drop their new LP, In Love With Oblivion on April 12th via Slumberland Records. Through the Floor is the second single taken from an album that we can't wait to get our mitts on. They continue their minimalist approach to all things Crystal Stilts in this video in an almost non-video, instead letting the excellence of the track speak for itself.

The Return of Comet Gain

For the better part of two decades England's shambolic pop pioneers, Comet Gain have been churning out endearing and highly influential records of lo-fi pop.But the band's been a ramshackle affair from the beginning, something the bands founder refers to as the Comet Gain Curse. Since forming by David Feck in 1993 the band has gone through several line up changes, in fact as they're constituted today Feck is the only original member. Not to mention the frequent label changes, Comet Gain has released albums for Beggars Banquet, Kill Rock Stars, What's Your Rapture? and on May 16th they will release their seventh long player, Howl of The Lonely Crowd via their new and hopefully long-term label Fortuna Pop!.

The album features a heavy weight production team anchored by Edwyn Collins (Orange Juice), with assistance from Ryan Jarman (The Cribbs), Brian O'Shaugnessey (My Bloody Valentine/Primal Scream) and Alisdair MacLean (The Clientele). Partially recorded at Collins' West Health Studios, Howl Of The Lonely Crowd is the bands first official studio LP, since 2005's City Fallen Leaves and follows 2008's superlative compilation Broken Record Prayers. We assume you prefer to get bad news from us at the end of a post,so here goes, it saddens us to inform you that as of today there is no word of U.S. release date. But we're hopeful that one of America's esteemed independent labels will step up and find a place on their rosters for one of Britain's best and as far as we can tell criminally under appreciated bands. C'mon Matador, Merge, and Slumberland Records, (to name but a few) we're counting on you.

Comet Gain have given the privilege of debuting the first track from the album, Working Circle Explosive to Clash Music. You can grab it here.



[Video] Comet Gain - You Can Hide Your Love Forever

We Were There :: Telekinesis|The Love Language| & Slowdim @ T.T. The Bears

There's something utterly unique about seeing bands play inside the confines of T.T.The Bears place in Central Square. Weather it's the history of the room, we once saw Paul Westerberg perform under the alias Thadeus Moonbeam to a packed house of 250 sweaty patrons in 93'. Or perhaps it's the fact that you can find the evenings performers hanging out at the bar pre and post show. Or is it the fact that we have yet to see a sub par performance at 10 Brookline street?

As you may have read on these pages last week we were eager to witness the first ever live performance from Slowdim. The Boston trio ran through their recently released Spirals EP and displayed their penchant for smart indie pop. The band began their set as duo with fronter Paul Sentz and bassist Karina Dacosta covering some the bands quieter material before drummer Ethan Cannon joined in for the remainder of the set which culminated with a jaw dropping version of Don't Cough me Out. An impressive jumping off point from one of our city's most promising new bands.

We were vaguely familiar with North Carolina's The Love Language going into this show, however what had heard we liked. Live the band jettisons the mid-fi sounds of their debut, in favor gothic twang and classic pop hooks. A performance that caused us to make a trip to the bands merch table for a copy of their Merge Records debut, Libraries. Something we should have done months ago, shame on us.

With his drum kit front and center Telekinesis mastermind Micheal Benjamin Lerner took to the stage flanked by Bassist Jason Narducy and guitarist Cody Votolato to put the cap on a Merge-centric evening. Drawing heavily from the excellent and just released, 12 Desperate Straight Lines LP, as well as selected tracks bands self titled debut. The band tore through a raucous and exhilarating set only slowing occasionally for Lerner to pick up a guitar as he did for I Saw Lightning and to assemble his buddies in The Love Language for a blistering cover of the GBV classic Game of Pricks. The evening was put to bed when Telekinesis returned to the stage one last time to play Coast of Carolina which prompted everyone in the room to raise a glass and sing along with Lerner's every word. A sweaty beer drenched Tuesday night never sounded better.

*photos taken with one of our crappy smart phones, due to the SLR being on the fritz.

Slowdim|The Love Language|Telekinesis

Transmissions :: Times New Viking

This just released short film, from Columbus OH, lo-fi goliaths,Times New Viking features a few samples of the bands forthcoming Merge Records debut. These tracks as well as the previously shared No Time to Live sound decidedly more melodic and dare we say listener friendly, while maintaining they're DIY charm. Dancer Equired will be released on April 26th. The band is headed to Austin later this week to play 5 shows at this years SXSW, lets hope it won't be too long until TNV returns to the Boston area.

March Live Dates:
13 | Birmingham, AL, Bottletree
14 | Little Rock, AR, Sticky Fingerz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack
15 | Beaumont, TX, Victoria House
17 | Austin, TX, East Side Drive In (Pitchfork #offline)
18 | Austin, TX, Urban Outfitters Back Lot (Ground Control Touring party)
18 | Austin, TX, The Parish (Merge Records showcase)
19 | Austin, TX, Home Slice Pizza (MXTS - Music by the Slice)
22 | Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge
23 | Asheville, NC, Grey Eagle

Tumblr|Facebook|Myspace

Forthcoming :: Lets Wrestle

Certain bands leave their mark on very first listen. These are the bands that freeze you ever so briefly in time. You remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you first heard their music . Lets Wrestle came along just when I needed them most, I had recently been laid off and working a horrible stop gap, pay the bills job. The bands debut resonated with me and as a result became my go to album that year. So I'm thrilled to be able to share the news of the bands new LP. On May 17th London's skewed pop stalwarts, Lets Wrestle will issue Nursing Home their second long player via the impeccable Merge Records. The album was tracked last year at Electrical Audio in Chicago with Steve Albini and features the bands now signature dim world view and razor sharp wit. Last week the trio shared up the album track Dear John, a jarring and unrelenting slice of noise pop. To follow the transcendent, In The Court of Wrestling Lets is no small task, but if Dear John is any indication it certainly sounds like they're up for the challenge.

Let's Wrestle - Dear John

Myspace|Facebook|Blog|Merge

Introducing :: Slowdim

It's not all that often that we get witness a bands first ever live performance. Sure we've had the good fortune to catch some national acts as they've made their first Boston performances. But this is a horse of a different color. Boston's ascending indie pop trio, Slowdim hit the stage at TT The Bears tonight as part of a Merge-centric line-up that features North Carolina's The Love Language and Seattle's pop treasure,Telekenesis. Slowdim is the brainchild of Paul Sentz (This Car Up) who wrote and recorded the bands debut EP in his apartment during one of Boston's most brutal snow filled winters in recent memory. The band also features drummer Ethan Cannon and Karina DeCosta (28 Degrees of Taurus). Slowdim released the Spitals EP last month via their bandcamp page for low price of $5.00, we recommend you grab it immediately. The band will hit the TT's stage at 9PM for their first public performance, but get there early for a chance to grab a FREE 3-song tape that band will be handing out to the first 25 people through the door. Be there.



Myspace|Bandcamp|Facebook

Transmissions :: Bird of Youth

Brooklyn's rising folk pop ensemble, Bird of Youth have recently recorded an acoustic video series to tease the upcoming release of their Will Sheff [Okkervil River] produced debut album, Defender, which will be released on May 24th. Bird of Youth is fronted by former music journalist, Beth Wawerna and features contributions from members of The National, Nada Surf, The Wrens, and The Mendoza Line. Check out the bare bones and gorgeous version of the album track, The Great Defender, above.

The Figgs| Precinct, Sommerville| March 4th

Reviewed :: BOAT - Dress Like Your Idols

Seattle's self proclaimed sloppy pop outfit, Boat return with their fourth full length, Dress Your Idols. The album is set to be released on March 22nd on the band's long time label, Portland, OR based Magic Marker Records. Dress Like Your Idols picks up where 2009's Setting The Paces left off. A bit of polish has been applied to D. Crane's catchy as hell pop songs due to Boat recording at (the now defunct) Two Sticks Audio in the bands home town. This marks the first time the band have balanced their tried and true method of recording at home with the benefits of professional studio tools. Well, after this they might have to abandon that sloppy pop tag, because Dress Like Your Idols is filled with perfectly executed and irresistible pop moments, with the bands signature tongue and cheek wit intact.

It's on tracks, Bite My Lips, Forever In Armitron, and the John Roderick (The Long Winters) guested Landlocked that Boat deliver on the promise of their previous recordings, and then some. These are fully realized and instantly addicting pop nuggets that have us reaching for this LP on a nearly daily basis. Elsewhere the band shines on home recordings such as, Water it Down ,which provide charming and albeit brief interludes that assist in the flow and superb sequencing of Dress Like Your Idols.

Not only have Boat achieved the dubious task of following up a high water mark album like Setting The Paces, they've managed to surpass it. Albums about love, girls, and idols aren't supposed to be so consistently rewarding, but Dress Like Your Idols isn't just another indie pop record. Far from it.

BOAT - (I'll Beat My Chest Like) King KongBOAT -

Transmissions :: The Hush Now

This just in: Boston's jangle pop titans, The Hush Now have announced they will play Church on March 10th. To celebrate/promote the occasion the boys have offered up this show announcement via video. Rock and roll propaganda? Yes and we love it, plus who could blame them after seeing the line up they've assembled.

@Church 3/10/11
11:00 - The Hush Now
10:00 - A Bit Much
9:00 - Action Verbs
8:00 - Butterknife
Grab tickets

Introducing :: The Megaphonic Thift

Bergen, Norway's rising noise stalwarts, The Megaphonic Thrift wear their influences proudly and prominently on their collective sleeves, giving nods to Dinosaur Jr., My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, and we even hear a bit of Swervedriver in there as well. However the band never come off like copyists, quite the opposite actually. The Megaphonic Thrift make hypnotic noise pop that manages to deconstruct those influences to deliver something wholly original.

Born from the embers of Norwegian bands, Casiokids, The Low Frequency in Stereo, and Stereo 21, The Megaphonic Thrift formed in 2007 and released the Acid Blues/Mad Mary 7" in 2008, A Thousand Years of Destruction [EP] in 2009. All while earning a reputation as a ferocious live act from their native Norway to their much talked about 2010 SXSW sets.

On March 8th The Megaphonic Thrift will release their debut full length, Decay Decoy on Canada's Sonic Unyon Records The band has announced a short U.S. tour including another stop at this years SXSW. If you're headed to Austin next month, we implore you not miss your chance to catch The Megaphonic Thift Live.The rest of us will have to hold out hope for a Boton show in the not too distant future.

U.S. Tour Dates
3/13 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge w/Arbouretum and more
3/14 Brooklyn, NY – The Rock Shop, Brooklyn Vegan SXSW-send off
3/16 SXSW – Flavorpill/Musebox/I Rock I Roll/Bellhouse NY Day Party
3/19 SXSW –American Art Authority Day Party (4PM)
3/19 SXSW – Main showcase at Speakeasy (8PM)

[MP3] The Megaphonic Thrift - Candy Sin

[MP3] The Megaphonic Thrift - Sister Joan

[Watch] The Megaphonic Thrift - Talks Like A Weed [ SXSW 2010]

Reviewed :: Lifeguards - Waving at the Astronauts

Q: Can someone with a nom de plume of Echos Myron contribute a negative review of a Robert Pollard project for a blog called The Ash Gray Proclamation?

Dropping today (February 15th),via Serious Business Records/Ernest Jennings Recording Co. Lifeguards Waving at the Astronauts is the second Robert Pollard album of 2011, and again pairs Pollard with ex-Cobra Verde, ex-Guided by Voices 2.0 guitarist Doug Gillard. While we assume Pollard is good for 3 or 4 more releases this year, (Mars Classroom, his highly anticipated collaboration with ex-Volcano Suns and Big Dipper ax man Gary Waleik is due in March) Pollard is off to a great start in twenty-eleven with January’s excellent solo release Space City Kicks, and this thoroughly rewarding merger of Prog and Pop by Lifegards. Pollard and Gillard have paired up before, on 1999’s magnificent Speak Kindly of Your Volunteer Fire Department and again on 2003’s solid Mist King Urth. While Speak Kindly, arguably one of the best Robert Pollard records of the post classic lineup GBV cannon, sounded more like a Pollard solo record, Astronauts sounds like more of a collaboration record in the vain of his work released under Airport 5 with long time foil Tobin Sprout and Go Back Snowball, his collab with Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan. Like those records, Astronauts is the product of Pollard (deftly in this case) applying lyrics and melodies to music already recorded, at least in demo-form, by Gillard. What separates this record from its piece-meal predecessors is that on Astronauts, the listener can hear Pollard apply his tremendous gift for melody and uncanny ability to write hooks –to fairly straightforward guitar riffs.

While nowhere on Astronauts does Gillard deliver Pollard a pure meatball like Pop Zeus, although the stellar lead track Paradise Is Not So Bad comes pretty close. Uncle Bob hits Gillard’s compositions to all fields with power, knocking (Doing The)Math,You’re Gonna Need A Mountain, andThey Called Him So Much right out of the ballpark. While many of these tracks are more rhythmic than melodic, and fairly standard-rock instrumental tracks, the fact that Pollard transforms the other 6 compositions into memorable, hum-able pop songs, is a testament to his unparalleled pop chops, and what makes Waving at the Astronauts such a enjoyable listen.

~Echos Myron

LIFEGUARDS - Paradise Is Not So Bad by seriousbusiness

Follow The Links :: Winter 2011

Welcome one and all to Follow The Links, a new feature where we will gather up the finest in free, legal, and highly recommended new music streams and downloads. With the advent of Bandcamp and Soundcloud, as well as the generosity of the artists themselves, the discovery of your new favorite band, album, or rare live recording has never been easier. Although we will continue to post audio content in our regular features, Follow The Links will allow us to point you to music deserving of your attention in a consolidated and concise format. We hope you find this exercise to be a fruitful one and by all means feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions on this and future installments.

We Are Losers - The Newbridge, Kildare, IRL fuzz poppers issued their 3 song debut last summer and hooked us in immediately. The band has just posted a brand new track, Cheerleader, two and half minutes of sublime indie pop that you will find below. You can also download the bands debut EP from their bandcamp site.

We Are Losers - Cheerleader
Blogspot/Twitter/Bandcamp

Maritime - it's been a full four years since Maritime released any new music and eight since Davey von Bohlen and Dan Didier formed the band out of the ashes of the highly influential and in our eyes criminally over looked, The Promise Ring. On April 5th Maritime will release LP #4, Human Hearts on Dangerbird Records. The band is currently giving away the track Paraphernalia at the cost of your e-mail address at their site. We have also posted the track below , mainly because it's an irresistible pop song and we think you should hear it.

Maritime - Paraphernalia
Facebook/Twitter/Official

Chris North & the Love Parade - In late December Chris North fronter for Boston's American/Irish folk outfit The Points North, somewhat quietly released this self titled EP. As a genre we usually don't go for a lot of the "folk" stuff but there is something about these songs as well as North's Music with The Points North that strikes a chord with us. Beautiful and haunting all at once. Chris has made these songs available at his Bandcamp site for free however we request that you support his efforts with a donation of $5.00 or more.

Shows: Chris North will play Gay Gardens performance space in Allston on 2/18 and The Points North will play T.T. The Bears on 2/24 with The Craters.


Bandcamp/The Points North/Twitter

The Bigger Lovers - We were flat out ecstatic when we heard that Philadelphia's purveyors of intelligent power pop were reuniting and reissuing their fantastic debut album How I Learned To Stop Worrying. As if that wasn't enough the band has just released their first new music since 2004's This Affair Never Happened… and Here are Eleven Songs About It, in the form of the new digital EP dubbed, The Little Giant Maxi-Single. Technically this one isn't free,but it's pretty close, four songs for a measly $4.00. The EP can be streamed and purchased over at The Bigger Lovers Bandcamp page or at finer digital retailers. You might as well pre-order the bands debut on limited edition 180 gram vinyl while you're at it. The Bigger Lovers have announced one hometown show in March, but we're totally hopping that the band adds some additional dates,like uh um Boston!


Tumblr/Bandcamp/Facebook

Yuck - Ever since releasing their debut single, last March these Londoners have been planted firmly on our radar as well as the rest of the interwebs. On February 15th Yuck will release their highly anticipated self titled debut and will answer the question that all blog buzzed bands must eventually address, was the hype justified? Based on the amount of time we've spent listening to the tracks that occupy their first long player, the answer is a resounding yes. You can hear a handful of these songs at the bands Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages.

Yuck - Holing Out
Soundcloud/Blogspot/Facebook/Twitter

Low -Deluth,MN's slow core/minimalist legends are set to return on April 12th with C'mom via Sub-Pop. The 10 track album was recorded at Sacred Heart Studios, a former catholic church and where they tracked 2002's Trust. The albums cover art has some local ties, it was snapped by Boston music blogger and all around nice guy, Brad Searles from Bradley's Almanac. Low have just announced a tour in support of C'mon that will have them in town for a show at the soon to be reopened Paramount Center on April 29th. Try to Sleep is the first track revealed from C'mon and it's yours in exchange for your electronic address.

Official/Facebook

Gruff Rhys - Originally intended as an album of piano ballads to lament his 40th birthday, thankfully that plan went a little off course in favor of impeccably constructed albeit off kilter pop songs (with horns) from the Super Furry Animals fronter. Rhys' third solo outing will be released in the U.K. on February 14th on Turnstile, however U.S. fans will have to wait until May 3rd before we can get our mitts on Hotel Shampoo via Wichita Recordings. As of yesterday you can now listen to the album in it's entirety at The Gruffington Post or on the widget that you'll find below.

Gruff Rhys - Sensations in The Dark [Video]

Listen To Hotel Shampoo

The Gruffington Post/Facebook

Fat History Month - These Boston lo-fi noise makers and frequent basement dwellers are responsible for one of our current favorite releases, First Tape which includes a ramshackle cover of Daniel Johnston's Casper The Friendly Ghost, among other noise drenched nuggets. Due to limited information available on line it's unclear when this album was actually released, we think and hope recently. The band makes regular appearances throughout the New England underground. They play Gay Gardens, Allston on March 26th with State Champion. Up until about 24hrs ago First Tape was available at Bandcamp, however it has since been taken down. Until we can locate that fine release, we hope you will find consultation in the track we found as the Bedroom Suck Records Soundcloud page.

Fat History Month - Money=Time=Death

Official/Bedroom Sucks

The Skull Defekts - Often referred to as Sweden's answer to Sonic Youth, The Skull Defekts have been at the center of the Swedish experimental scene since their inception in 2005 and for good reason,. On February 15th the band returns with Peer Amid on Thrill Jockey with a fifth member in tow, Daniel Higgs of Lungfish, who supplies vocals, chants, and various instrumentation. The bands label is offering the album track Fragrant Nimbus as a free download, go get it.

The Skull Defekts - Fragrant Nimbus
Thrill Jockey/Official/Facebook

Robert Pollard / GBV - What would this exercise be without the inclusion of Uncle Bob and his various vehicles for his seemingly endless deluge of material. With the near perfect, Space City Kicks already under his belt this year and collaborative releases from Lifeguards with former GBV guitarist Doug Gillard which will be released next week, as well as Mars Classroom with Big Dipper's Gary Waliek due in late March. There's plenty for us Pollard fans to look forward to in the very near future. You can hear the lead track off The Lifeguards' Waving at The Astronauts, Paradise Is Not So Bad at Serious Business Records. Not to mention that the reunion of Guided By Voices classic line up is alive and well and they have just added a couple more live dates, including one at this years Sasquatch Festival in Seattle. We're hoping for another trip east from Dayton but until then we're happy to find this bootleg from the Isolation Drills tour. GBVDB, the encyclopedic on-line resource for everything and anything you wanted to know about Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard, have recently unearthed The Last of The No Hit Wonders, Live at The Mercury, Austin, TX 06/17/01 and offered it as a free download. We remember this tour fondly which included some highlights from Suitcase as well as the bands TVT years.

Download The Last of The No Hit Wonders from GBVDB

[MP3/Stream] Guided By Voices - Settlement Down [Live in Autin]

Robert Pollard/GBV/Facebook

Transmissions :: The Answering Machine

Lifeline, is the title track from the forthcoming sophomore LP from Manchester England's The Answering Machine. Your new heartbreak anthem has arrived. Lifeline will be released on February 21st.
Pre-order

Plan Accordingly ::The Radio Dept.

Swedish dream pop stalwarts, The Radio Dept.,will make their Boston debut tonight when the trio plays The Middle East with San Francisco's rising shoegazers Young Prisms. The Radio Dept. are currently on tour to support last years critical smash, Clinging to a Scheme and their just released collection, Passive Aggressive: Singles 2002-2010. After just checking with The Middle East box office and their ticketing agency we are pleased to tell you that there are a few tickets still available for tonight's show. An obvious must see show for 2011, be there.

The Radio Dept. - Never Follow Suit [Official]

Forthcoming :: Rival Schools - Pedals

On March 8th NYC post hardcore titans Rival Schools will release their long awaited second album, Pedals. The album will be released by Photo Finish/Atlantic on March 8th and follows the critically lauded United By Fate, released back in 2001. You can currently pre-order Pedals in a variety of exclusive packages that include vinyl, hoodies, and Rival Schools high top sneakers. Coming on the heels of fronter, Walter Schreifels' exceptional solo debut, An Open Letter to The Scene, which landed firmly on our 10 favorite albums of 2010 list. Pedals features 10 diverse tracks, some of which reportedly have an acoustic foundation, that we're guessing were influenced by Walter recent solo recordings. Rival Schools will play some east coast dates that lead up to the release of Pedals including a show on March 5th at The Brighton Music Hall before heading over to Europe for a co-headlining jaunt with ..And You Will Know us by the Trail of Dead.

Rival Schools U.S. Dates
March 2nd Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
March 5th Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
March 6th Washington, DC Rock & Roll Hotel
March 7th Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's
March 8th New York, NY Santos Party House

Last fall Rival Schools released a digital single and video for Shot after Shot. You can grab it at the bands site at the low cost of your e-mail address.

Rival Schools - Shot After Shot

Reviewed :: Ancient Kids - Odd City

Normally bands are formed long before recording a debut album, however Jordan Robson Cramer decided to write and record the entirety of Odd City before putting a band together. Ancient Kids features past and current members of Montreal's best and brightest, including Islands/Unicorns, Adam & The Amethysts, Anemones, not to mention Cramer's other band Sunset Rubdown. Odd City was recorded from November of 2009 to August of 2010 with Jordan playing nearly every instrument in a loft space recording studio known as Digital Bird with Martin Horn handling production duties.

Admittedly we are big fans of Jordan's work in the Spencer Krug [Wolf Parade] fronted Sunset Rubdown, but we were unsure of what to expect from his first solo outing. What we found was one of the most varied and infectious records we've heard in a quite some time. Odd City starts with the rousing fuzz pop of See Through, which leads into Crystal Family a gorgeous piano driven ballad that reminds us of Sophomore Slump era Grandaddy, but after a couple of minutes angular guitar lines and pounding drums enter, which makes for one of the albums most immediately satisfying tracks. Throughout Odd City Jordan Robson Cramer displays penchant for writing catchy as hell choruses and the uncanny gift of delivering deadpan lyrics over sunshine pop which allows him to never sound overwrought or dramatic. This is best exhibited in our current favorite, Slowing Down (Already), when Cramer delivers the line "wintertime just has a way of fucking with our heads", not only timely but dead on. As a whole Odd City works beautifully mostly because it's an eclectic and engaging record that comes damn close to pop perfection.

Ancient Kids have offered Odd City at there Bandcamp site for free with the recommendation that you pay $8 and we wholeheartedly concur. So if you like what you hear below (and we think you will), plunk down some of your hard earned cash.