Yeah I Know

Darlings are pretty great. They're one of those "New York buzz bands," and I'd say they deserve it. Yeah I Know is like 10 New York moments wrapped up in jangly guitars, where you remember everything, but it's just a bit fuzzy and you cant's get that New York noise out of your head. The songs are at once familiar (so familiar in fact, that I can't think of the comparison I want to make) and relatable, yet still have that youthful exuberance that comes with the light subject matter. Darlings probably aren't trying to change the world with their music but they definitely make some fun, noisy, 60's influenced garage pop about girls, TVs, and everyone's favourite reason for celebration: eviction. Yeah I Know releases August 11th on Famous Class, and I'd highly recommend picking up a copy since it's an all-around good time. And so you can say you knew about them before they go on and open for the Strokes or someone.

Yeah I Know .mp3

FIGHT RIFF!

Eula are a really great noise-pop (I guess the fall into that category) band from New Haven, Connecticut. Based off the couple songs on their myspace they're something like CSS if Stewart Boyracer ran the show, meaning they don't make you want to dance, they make you want to fucking dance.

Fight Riff .mp3

Seems like they'd be loads of fun live, right? Yes? And you live in New York you say?
KABLOW!

Songs for Tuesdays on Wednesday

I'm not sure whether this was a happy coincidence or stroke of release date genius, but Summer Cats' debut full-length Songs For Tuesdays hit shelves yesterday (that's Tuesday)! Clocking in at 33 minutes, the Summer Cats were kind enough to supply the pop-world with 13 songs for every day of summer, including last year's jam "Lonely Planet." Take the fun of their Cloudberry or weePOP! singles and multiply it by thirteen and you should have a good idea of how much distorted guitar/keyboard/catchy bass/amazing vocal dancey-fun you're in for. If you've never heard their singles, think Honeybunch playing garage pop. Sounds nice, eh? You can pick up a copy from Slumberland on CD or pretty color splatter vinyl.

Hey You .mp3
Super .mp3

Survival Strategies in a Modern World

So how psyched are you right now? Not very? Liechtenstein have an album out on Slumberland. How about now? Giddy? I know! Survival Strategies in a Modern World is one of those albums where every time you give it a spin you end up with a new favourite song. Have you ever given any thought as to how that's possible? It only happens when every track is thoroughly amazing. With Liechtenstein's beautiful harmonization, solid lyrics, and simple and catchy guitar, bass and drum lines, I'd say they meet the criteria. All nine tracks are a truly wonderful experience, so I would highly recommend you head over to Slumberland to pick up a copy! And it comes on 10" yellow vinyl! Woo!

Roses in the Park .mp3

The Dimes

This isn't quite indie-pop, but since I do like to partake in the occasional tall glass of folk-pop, I thought Portland's The Dimes warranted a post. Sounding something like Iron and Wine meets Death Cab for Cutie and maybe a dash of The Decemberists, The Dimes make some pretty pop-y folk songs, or maybe some pretty folk-y pop songs, I'm not quite sure which. Complete with mandolins, melodicas and the mighty lap steel, The New England EP is four tracks based on stories from the Boston area. I'm no Boston historian, so I can't vouch for their accuracy, but I can say that they're four really good folk-pop songs. Head over to The Dimes Myspace to hear some songs from The New England EP, pick up a copy of their debut album, or just say hi. And if you like what you hear, you should mark all of August on your calendar, because that's when their sophomore album is due out!

Here's my favourite track from the EP:
Clara .mp3

Veronica Falls

Remember back when Sexy Kids were all the rage and I said they had a full length coming out this year? That was a blatant lie. Luckily for the pop-world, The Royal We turned Sexy Kids have turned Veronica Falls. "Love in a Graveyard" has all the oohs, aahs, faahs and laas that you would expect based on the band members' past endeavors, not to mention the jangly guitars, Roxanne's lovely voice, and the ever catchy boy-girl chorus of "I'm broken hearted, dearly departed. Dearly departed, I'm broken hearted." If you hadn't gathered based on the chorus, it's a little on the melancholy side, but there's nothing wrong with that. You can head over to Veronica Falls myspace to give it a listen (which I would highly recommend).

UPDATE: I forgot to upload this when I got my grubby hands on it, but better late than never!
Found Love in a Graveyard .mp3

Footsteps!

"Footsteps" is the new single off from Pocketbooks' upcoming (and debut) album Flight Paths, and sounds something like a jolly romp from the town to the dicotheque compressed into three minutes with you dancing the whole time. And while shopping for some vintage clothes before hitting the dancefloor sounds like a good time on its own, it gets even better, because your special lady (or laddy) is there with you the whole time! While the sentiment is nice enough, it's those boy/girl harmonies at the end that really bring it home. The "Footsteps" single comes out June 15th and Flight Paths releases on July 13th. Both will be available on How Does It Feel To Be Loved (and I'd highly reccommend picking up anything they have that you don't already own on account of how extremely ace every single one of those releases are). In the meantime, visit the Pocketbooks' Myspace to hear some of their other tracks.

Footsteps .mp3
And because I can, here's the fun video!

I'd Really Like to See You Again

I have some wonderful news for those of you with an insatiable appetite for that alternative-y, new-wave-y, New-Order-y, dance-y stuff: there's a new Thieves Like Us 12" coming out on Tuesday (actually, you can order it from Shelflife right now)! I might even go so far as to say it's even better than Play Music, particularly "To Joy." Everything you need for a home dance party is there: a driving beat, a melancholy synth line that's to die for, and some equally melancholy and catchy vocals. I don't really need to explain much more.

The other tracks aren't slouches by anymeans. "To Joy" morphed into the title "Really Like to See You Again," "American Skies" is how Miami complains about the economy, and "Desire" has been reworked from the version heard on Play Music to drive itself deeper into your head and deeper into your footwork.

Here's the title track, and the "demo" version. You can decide which you like more!

Really Like to See You Again .mp3
To Joy .mp3

First String Teenage High!

I just got the amazing news from the fine folks at Unchikun Records that they will be digitally re-releasing First String Teenage High: The Songs of Tullycraft Played By People Who Aren't on July 28th! And if that wasn't enough, this fall, Unchikun will be releasing a new Tullycraft tribute album featuring "20 or so fairly well known and respected bands!"

Anyways, here's two tracks from First String Teenage High to get you in the mood!

Murder Beach covering 8 Great Ways .mp3
Bugs Eat Books covering Sweet .mp3

And you can head over to Unchikun to stream three other tracks!

Blame Love

I'm a little late with this one, but better late than never, right?
Boy Genius are a four-piece from Brooklyn that play that jangly pop that's just not sure if it wants to rock or not. Their new single, Blame Love (which just happens to have a Miracle Legion cover as a b-side) could pretty much be summed up as comfy. It's not trying to do anything but be there. Like a lost 7" from "the good ol' days," "Blame Love" has everything you want and nothing you don't. Jangly guitars, boy/girl harmonies in all the right places, a grooving bass line, and you know it had to happen...a shredding pop-solo! You can head over to Boy Genius' Myspace to have a listen and pick up a copy of Blame Love as well as their past releases.

And if anyone happens to be in Connecticut or feels like making a trip, Boy Genius are playing in the Tweefort! It's not actually a fort, or twee, or even a place, but hey. Here's the flyer...

Woooo-oooooh!

I sort of have a computer again! Time for the super-fast-indie-pop-recap!


NYC Popfest is over! :( I missed it, but I hope those of you who made it had a blast!


Coming up, SF Popfest! I can't make that either...someone freak the fuck out at Tullycraft for me. Cheap Red too!


Speaking of Cheap Red, Boyracer re-issued happenstance on vinyl. I don't know if there are any copies left at this point, but if there are I'd highly reccommend grabbing one!


Lacrosse have a new video for a new single from their new album! There aren't any hand puppets, but there are balloons!





The Champagne Socialists play fuzzy 50s-60s style pop. They're opening for the Pains in July, and remind me of the early works of a certain Mr. Thomas.

Teardrop Tattoo .mp3

Oh me, oh my!

So as anyone who reads this may have noticed, there hasn't been too many posts as of late. I'm sorry for that, but my computer broke and I don't have the money to fix it, so you know...Sugarsours is going to be on a bit of a hiatus...Boo!

My love is a wave!

And here I though I posted on this..If you hadn't heard by now, concurrent with the new Pains release, Slumberland also put out a 7" with two new Crystal Stilts jams. I'm pretty sure I've heard them play "Love is a Wave" live before, but it's definitely new as far as their recordings go. It just chugs right along with everything pushing forward. The drums and bass are relentless in their drive, and the guitar and vocals just rise and fall sounding like nothing can stop them. Where "Love Is a Wave" chugged right along with its feedback-heavy guitars, "Sugar Baby" is all about that keyboard. The guitars have something along a twang to them, making the whole thing sound like punk invaded the 60s pop scene in Arizona.

Love is a Wave .mp3

New Pains! Again!

Just in case your Pains collection was starting to feel a little lonely, Slumberland's got you covered with another ace 7!" Everyone's favourite teenage lust song takes up the a-side, while the b-side is home to Ramona. You all know Young Adult Friction is amazing, but what might have escaped you is that when the Pains of Being Pure At Heart Slow it down, they're still tops. Ramona sounds like it came right off that mix-tape you made back in the 90s. The one for the girl who was moving away. Remember? It was nestled right in between Black Car and Drive It All Over Me. You never made that tape? Well now you can.

Young Adult Friction .mp3

Say Yes!

I got a copy of The Hi-Life Companion's new CD in the mail last week and never really got the chance to post about it.
Does anyone remember the Mayfields? Or Maybe Airport Girl? Yeah, it's those guys. Brothers, actually. The Hi-Life Companion sound like a blend of The Beach Boys, Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian (and others of that ilk), so if that sounds good to you (and who wouldn't that mix sound good to?), I'd keep my ear to the ground to try to hear Peru. Say Yes! is due out soon on Plastilina Records, which is perfect timing seeing as summer is right around the corner and it's a super summer-y.

Here's the opening track:
You're the Greatest .mp3

NYC Popfest Lineup!

Yeah!

* * * * * * * * * *

Thursday May 14th
Venue: Cake Shop

Knight School (NYC)
Soft City (NYC)
Dream Bitches (NYC)
The Metric Mile (NYC)
My Teenage Stride (NYC)
THE BALLET (NYC)

* * * * * * * * * *

Friday May 15th
Venue: Don Hills

Don Lennon (NYC)
The Tartans (CA)
( secret band )
Liechtenstein (SWEDEN)
CATS ON FIRE (FINLAND)

+ Mondo Indie Dance Party

* * * * * * * * * *

Saturday Afternoon FREE show!
Saturday May 16th
Venue: Cake Shop

Hidden Ghost Balloon Ship (MI)
The Hat Company (OH)
Strega (NYC)

* * * * * * * * * *

Saturday May 16th
Venue: Bell House

Computer Perfection (MI)
Eux Autres (CA)
The Secret History (NYC)
Pants Yell! (MA)
THE RADIO DEPT. (SWEDEN)

+ Indiepop Dance Party

* * * * * * * * * *

Sunday All-Dayer
Sunday May 17th
Venue: Cake Shop

Boy Genius (NYC)
Afternoon Naps (OH)
Very Truly Yours (IL)
The Smittens (VT)
Rose Melberg (CANADA)
The Icicles (MI)
Casper and the Cookies (GA)
BURNING HEARTS (FINLAND)

* * * * * * * * * *

Kisses leave concussions

I'm not sure how I didn't post this right away...NEW FUCKING CAMERA OBSCURA! "My Maudlin Career" is a bit fuzzier that you might be used to, but believe me, it's a great thing. The lyrics are everything you would expect them to be, the vocals are spot on, and it's catchier than a cold. Basically, it's a Camera Obscura song.

The album, under the same name, is out on 4AD April 21st for us yanks and 20th for everyone else. Not only is the music good, but the cover art is lovely, and Abba's piano is used on one of the tracks. Yow!

Mediafire is doing some maintenance, so no mp3 for now, but you can hear a couple tracks from the new album on their myspace.

I am pants. I play music.

Maybe you were up at Popfest New England last year and caught the Inclined Plane. If not, you should look into them. They have a new album coming out in April, and if you're looking to fill that slower-tempo lo-fi hole in your life, I'd recommend checking it out. From the sounds of it I Am Pants is going to be what you want to listen to late at night when the party's dwindling but no one wants to go home, so you sit on the couch and look through old photo albums.

Important In the Morning .mp3


On the other end of the spectrum is Play Music from Thieves Like Us. Basically, if you like New Order (or Hot Chip), light electronic stuff, or coke binges you NEED this. But really, it's super dance-y. If I Am Pants is what you listen to sitting on the couch, Play Music is what you play when you want to dance, but the discotheque doesn't play anything you want to hear, so you have your own dance party in your living room. It's like club music for pop kids. Then again, this'll probably be huge at the discotheque. It's be available from Shelflife Records March 10th, on 12" vinyl none the less, so you can do your bump right off the spinning record!

Drugs In My Body .mp3

Gone are the days!!!

So it only took four years, but there's finally a new Mirah album! I arbitrarily decided to check out the K Records site just now and (A)spera apparently released February 11th (then again it might be up for pre-order, and they just failed to mention that, because it says elsewhere that it doesn't realease until March 10th)! And I even managed to scrounge up a track from it! "Gone Are the Days" is a bit more bare-bones-folk-pop-y; it's just Mirah, bongos, and the occasional trumpet.

Gone are the days .mp3

I would also highly recommend giving the Vibrarians new single a listen. It's streaming on the site and to borrow K's word, it's a real corker!

New Cats on Fire!!

I almost missed the boat on this one! Not really, but I didn't know they had anything coming down the pipeline. Our Temperance Movement comes out March 11th, but it's available for pre-order from a couple places, like Record Label X and Stupido Shop for about $22.50 (Record Label X is a euro cheaper). They have a couple of the new tracks streaming on their myspace, and if what I've heard is any indication, this is going to be the best thing to come out of Finland since their last record. "Garden Lights" features all the great Cats on Fire guitar, bass, and vocals that you would expect, plus what sound like some bongos and a stellar clarinet solo! Sooo good!

Garden Lights .mp3