Low / Things We Lost in the Fire / Kranky "We're only going to play this once," Low seems to be saying, "so you'd better pay attention." Not that paying attention is difficult, with songs like "Dinosaur Act" on the playlist. This track is a stunner. Beginning with a loping rhythm and a framework of slightly western guitar, anchored by a persistent drum and Zak Sally's light-fingered bassline, it swells to increasing grandeur as the lyrics reach the title phrase. Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker share a gorgeous vocal harmony, and a single strident horn lends its support to their efforts...more» FEATURED ON THE BOOMBOX!
		The Montgomery Cliffs / Self-Titled / RPM USA I'm convinced that the entire disc is going to be classic rock inspired, melodious pop -- and I'm definitely not in the mood for it. I’m not exactly sure how I come to this terribly wrong judgment or why I’ve decided to pick on the innocent Cliffs, but I’m determined to check out something else and give ‘em the axe. Man, was I wrong. Way wrong. It just goes to show that you really have to pay attention to some music in order to fully understand its greatness ...more» FEATURED ON THE BOOMBOX!
		Poor Rich Ones / Happy Happy Happy / Rec90 Willy Marhaug's vocals recall the work of Placebo's Brian Moloko, with the range and emotion of Thom Yorke thrown in for good measure. Geneva and Kent are perhaps the closest reference points, and Poor Rich Ones are just as accomplished musically as either of those bands. It simply wouldn't be right not to mention all of the bands' influences and peers, because they aren't treading new ground here, and that can be a dangerous propostion for any young band...more» FEATURED ON THE BOOMBOX!
		Call and Response / Self-Titled / Kindercore Call and Response's debut was produced by the infamous and notorious Bill Doss and Of Montrealer/all around nice guy Derek Almsted. It also features a host of cameo appearances from the likes of Heather McIntosh, Kevin Barnes, Jamey Huggins and the Athens Insect Orchestra. However, as I said before, this album sounds like nothing you’d expect to hear from those fine folks. Instead, in just over 40 minutes, Call and Response manage to sound a little bit like every band you’ve loved in the last 30 years...more»
		Brian Hall and Carter's Ghost / When Maggie Turns to Fly / Outside If you've been reading Splendid for a while, you'll recognized Brian Hall as the man behind Snake Forcefield. We like Snake Forcefield, and have consistently enjoyed Hall's attempts to cloathe Dylanesque folk and Wilsonesque pop in shoegazer-era finery. We've also been curious how Hall, purportedly a folk and bluegrass musician, approaches the more traditional material upon which he apparently cut his musical teeth. Now, thanks to When Maggie Turns To Fly, we can offer further endorsement...more»
		Less Than Jake / Borders & Boundaries / Fat Wreck Chords Armed with a fearless horn section, Less Than Jake dishes out an impressive array of pop ska tunes. Fast and furious, these cuts go right for the college kid's jugular, daring all drunken party-goers not to pogo or show off their privates to MTV cameras. Each track features the usual suspects: volleys between fat, distorted and clean, staccato guitar licks, spoken/sung lyrics of angst and "Man, I screwed up" tales of love woes, and blow-the-roof-off horns...more»
		Plastiq Phantom / Enjoy the Art of Lying Down / Sweet Mother Enjoy the Art of Lying Down is art made during the "dead times" of the day. These are songs whose genesis and actual creation reached fruition during walks and bus trips to and from his workplace. They pointedly contain random noises (made when people bumped into him, or when his feet stepped in gum), yet these noises are trapped within a happily conventional framework, where there's a discernible beginning, middle and end...more»
		Trollstilt / Self-Titled / Azalea City On this debut release, fiddler Dan Trueman and guitarist Monica Mugan have created a fascinating musical world that is equal parts rootsy organicism and agile intellectualism. With its modal, folk-like melodies and repetitive rhythmic quality, Trollstilt's music can easily be compared to the work of mystic minimalists like Taverner or Gorecki. On the other hand, there's a sense of life, of celebration in their music that isn't present in the aforementioned more sombre fare...more»
		Winechuggers / Thank You All Very Much / Box Factory "Ripped to the Tits", the standout track that I can't get out of my head, has to be the only song I've ever heard make use of that (hilarious) term for drunkenness. If you don't listen to it and immediately find it a useful and stirring anthem for the overpaid, overspoiled, overtrafficked middle class -- "already got my mind made up/ a coffeecup full of whiskey did it for me / I won't be in to work today" -- you are probably too content with your life. Join a Buddhist monastery and leave the rest of us alone...more»
		Wise Monkey Orchestra / They Live / Lauan What makes the Wise Monkey Orchestra so intriguing is their ability to blend a century worth of musical approaches into a single sweaty sound. This live album, recorded during several shows in California, serves as a fine example of how successful such combinations can be. For example, consider the album's opening track, "Movin' Free". Opening with an easy mid-tempo funk, the track moves like a forgotten Prince song with slinky bass and horn motifs -- then abruptly shifts intentions...more»