This post was submitted by Zack Rosen

As always, I’ve valiantly taken some time out of my work week to listen to a number of new CDs this week and let you know which are worth your time and which should be hauled off to the gulag.

Full list, in descending order of awesomeness, below the fold:

REALLY AWESOME:

Artist: Alvin Band
Album: Mantis Preying
Who the hell are they?: Bedroom recording from 21 year-old Miniature Tigers member.
Sounds like a combination of: Panda Bear and Rockapella
For Example: Temple Pressure
Recommended?: It’s good, but pretty redundant considering the recent outputs of Animal Collective and Panda Bear.
Release Date: September 22

Artist: The Horrors
Album: Primary Colors
Who the hell are they?: Second release from English garage/shoegaze rockers
Sounds like a combination of: My Bloody Valentine and Echo & The Bunnymen
For Example: Primary Colors
Recommended?: Strongly. I’m already pissed I’ll be out of town for their September show at the Black Cat.
Release Date: May 5

Artist: Sally Shapiro
Album: My Guilty Pleasure
Who the hell are they?: Swedish disco revival queen.
Sounds like a combination of: Bat for Lashes and Rachel Stevens
For Example: Love in July
Recommended?: For any dance party in the next six months. Thanks, Sally!
Release Date: August 25

PRETTY AWESOME:

Artist: Jupiter One
Album: Sunshower
Who the hell are they?: Cheery NYC indie band.
Sounds like a combination of: Toto and Tigercity
For Example: Flaming Arrow
Recommended?: For the “AM Gold” compilations of the future.
Release Date: September 15

Artist: Mew
Album: No More Stories…
Who the hell are they?: Expansive Danish trio about to tour with Nine Inch Nails.
Sounds like a combination of: Polyphonic Spree and Spiritualized
For Example: Introducing Palace Players
Recommended?: I’m sure they are cool live, but this album is pretty boring.
Release Date: August 25

Artist: Owl City
Album: Ocean Eyes
Who the hell are they?: Stage name of Minnesota musician Adam Young.
Sounds like a combination of: Ben Gibbard and Autotune
For Example: Hello Seattle
Recommended?: Yes.
Release Date: July 28

Artist: Rollercoaster Project
Album: Revenge
Who the hell are they?: DIY one man band from England.
Sounds like a combination of: Crystal Castles and Muzak, alternately
For Example: What Happened
Recommended?: For being a pretty cool disc once you get past all the unnecessary interludes.
Release Date: Sept. 22

Artist: Tinted Windows
Album: Tinted Windows
Who the hell are they?: Sunny but inessential supergroup whose members include James Iha, Taylor Hansen and Adam Schlesinger.
Sounds like a combination of: Fountains of Wayne and Cheap Trick
For Example: Kind of a Girl
Recommended?: God, any band that combines members of Smashing Pumpkins and Fountains of Wayne should be amazing. And this isn’t bad, but it is far from amazing.
Release Date: April 21

NOT AWESOME AT ALL:

Artist: Jeremy Davenport
Album: We’ll Dance ‘Til Dawn
Who the hell are they?: New Orleans jazzman
Sounds like a combination of: Cole Porter and George Gershwin
For Example: Almost Never
Recommended?: Take this as you will, but I will personally come to your house and do your dishes if this CD reminds you of anything besides a department store at Christmastime.
Release Date: July 21

Artist: As Tall as Lions
Album: You Can’t Take It With You
Who the hell are they?: Nondescript, yet inoffensive, indie rockers.
Sounds like a combination of: U2 and Citizen Cope.
For Example: In Case of Rapture
Recommended?: If you twist my arm.
Release Date: August 18.

Artist: Wallpaper
Album: Doodoo Face
Who the hell are they?: Oakland wannabe clubbers
Sounds like a combination of: Chris Browne and Lonely Island
For Example: Pool Party (which isn’t on the album, but should give you an idea.)
Recommended?: Eh.
Release Date: September 22.TNG

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