Dear and the Headlights ; Drunk Like Bible Times

"You're the only reason they came..."

To carry on in my all too familiar vein of grand, sweeping statements, let me drop this one; Dear and the Headlights is, unequivocally, the be-all end-all of my personal musical repute. Everything you could quite possibly need to know about my musical predilections are embodied in this singular Tempe, AZ outfit. Not to undermine the significance of this position, but it was indeed once held by the Backstreet Boys (god help me, I was very young) before they were stripped of their sovereignty by U2 (again - god help me, I was still relatively young). That being said, I feel as though I've finally settled on a worthy beneficiary. Small Steps, Heavy Hooves topped my list of favorite albums in 2007, and Drunk Like Bible Times might even take the crown for 2009...in the (unlikely) event that RA & the Cardinals completely blow it with their upcoming late October release. The album came out today...need I even explicitly advise you on how to proceed?

Dear and the Headlights - I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying, Are You?
Dear and the Headlights - Wilmetta

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

This Town Needs Guns ; Animals

"I can't hold up your every expectation."

Taking cues from American post-punk "greats" such as Owls or Cap'n Jazz (or anything the Kinsella boys touch, really) hasn't necessarily been a recipe for mainstream success. Cult followings are all rage now, anyway. This Town Needs Guns, who are indeed a reflection of their entirely erudite stomping grounds in Oxford, England, are a remarkably proficient bunch of technically inclined guitar "wunderkinds," if I may. The band has already released a sizable collection of EPs and singles courtesy of the indie Big Scary Monsters (which, at my behest - please take the time to check out the rest of the label's roster), and will continue the charge into the states with their debut full length "Animals" due to be released via new LA label Sargent House. While those in the states will have to wait while Sargent gets things sorted, those is the UK will find it easy to get their hands on. They're an absolute favorite of mine...please share in my exuberance?!

This Town Needs Guns - Pig
This Town Needs Guns - Chinchilla

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Bound Stems ; The Family Afloat

"Fumble at the door while the telephone rings..."

Flameshovel almost invariably gives us something to wax poetic about. They've done it again with the addition of Chicago's Bound Stems to their already heavily laden Midwesterner roster, which includes some personal favorites such as Make Believe and Davey Von Bohlen's Maritime. The band made a considerable impression in indie blogosphere (still hate the word and will henceforth try to refrain from using it...) as far back as 2006. At that point, quitting the day jobs and hitting hard Chicago's dive bars might not have been the most sensible thing to do. 2008, however, has a different story to tell as the band has "kept the dream alive." The sophomoric full length, the Family Afloat, hits shelves today to some widespread "oohs" and "aahs".

Bound Stems - Happens To Us All Otherwise
Bound Stems - Cloak Of Blue Sky

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Littl'ans ; Primitive World

Is it wrong for me to long for you to long for me?

Spending your days gallivanting around London, taking time to record an album in NYC, and keeping company with Pete Doherty (though he's stolen two of your band mates for Babyshambles, no matter, he made up by penning you a tune) sounds like a helluva lot of fun. New English band Littl'ans do just that. The boys, who rightly prefer the pronunciation of their name in their own vernacular and might in fact cringe upon hearing a long, drawn out American pronunciation of "Little Ones" seem to be hedging their bets by spelling their name as such. The band's new debut album, Primitive World, was released earlier this summer.

Littl'ans - Is It Wrong?
Littl'ans - Primitive World

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase