New Music Round Up: 3/13/09

This post was written by TNG co-founder Zack.


The TNG headquarters receive a ton of new music in the mail. Its a tough job, I know, but I've valiantly taken some time out of my work week to listen to them all and let you know which are worth your time and which wouldn't even be suitable to cover up the sounds of the never-ending construction that's happening in the alley behind your bedroom.

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

Really Awesome:

Artist: Black Lips
Album: 200 Million Thousand
Who the hell are they?: Atlanta garage-rockers known for homoerotic stage antics
Sounds like a combination of: The Velvet and Underground
For Example: Starting Over
Recommended?: For people who aren't mirthless curmudgeons that dislike The Velvet Underground.
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: Chairlift
Album: Does You Inspire You
Who the hell are they?: Brooklyn dreampop trio. If I type "Brooklyn" in one more of these I'm going to throw my keyboard through the window.
Sounds like a combination of:His Name Is Alive and Massive Attack
For Example: The Most Evident Utensil
Recommended?: Wholeheartedly, though the second half gets a little wacky.
Release Date: April 21

Artist: Friendly Fires
Album: Friendly Fires
Who the hell are they?: Hyper-kinetic English dance-punks
Sounds like a combination of: Talking Heads and The Rosebuds
For Example: Paris
Recommended?: Yes, but I think most of you knew that already. I'm late to this game.
Release Date: Sept. 23, 08

Artist: Swan Lake
Album: Enemy Mine
Who the hell are they?: Indie supergroup composed of Dan Bejar (of Destroyer and The New Pornographers) Spencer Krug (of Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown) and Carey Mercer (of Frog Eyes and Blackout Beach.)
Sounds like a combination of: David Bowie and Destroyer
For Example: A Hand at Dusk
Recommended?: Yes. (Also, there's a song about someone named Jackie. Whats with Dan and that name?)
Release Date: March 24

Pretty Awesome:

Artist: Dan Deacon
Album: Bromst
Who the hell are they?: Eccentric Baltimore electro/whatever musician
Sounds like a combination of: An aphasiac robot and two computers having tempter tantrums
For Example: Get Older
Recommended?: For making people wonder if you're dancing or having a seizure.
Release Date: March 24

Artist: Eulogies
Album: Here Anonymous
Who the hell are they?: Catchy California Indie Band
Sounds like a combination of: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Human Highway
For Example: Bad Connection
Recommended?: More and more with repeated listens
Release Date: April 7

Artist: Mika Miko
Album: We Be Xuxa
Who the hell are they?: San Fernando Valley punk band
Sounds like a combination of: Joan Jett and The Coathangers
For Example: On The Rise (MySpace player, track one.)
Recommended?: Yeah.
Release Date: May 5

Not Very Awesome at All:

Artist: Eleni Mandell
Album: Artificial Fire
Who the hell are they?: Sultry-voiced LA singer/songwriter
Sounds like a combination of: Feist and mundanity
For Example: Artificial Fire
Recommended?: For the above track only.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Jeniferever
Album:Spring Tides
Who the hell are they?: Sleepy Swedish indie band.
Sounds like a combination of: Mercury Rev and nondescript
For Example: Green Meadow Island
Recommended?: For napping.
Release Date: April

Artist: Kinetic Stereokids
Album: Kid Moves
Who the hell are they?: Flint, MI rap/rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Everlast and Linkin Park
For Example: Free Money
Recommended?: For desensitizing yourself to the horrific return of rap/rock
Release Date: March 17

Read More......

New Music Roundup: 3/6/09

This post was written by TNG co-founder Zack.


The TNG headquarters receive ton of new music in the mail. Its a tough job, I know, but I've valiantly taken some time out of my work week to listen to them all and let you know which are worth your time and which wouldn't even be suitable to cover up the sounds of the never-ending construction that's happening in the alley behind your bedroom.

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

Really Awesome:

Artist: Morning Benders
Album: Grain of Salt EP
Who the hell are they?: Kinks/Kooks knockoffs get melancholy and original
Sounds like a combination of: The Kinks and The Clientelle
For Example: Grain of Salt (MySpace player, 1st track.)
Recommended?: Very much so
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: Pete Doherty
Album: Grace/Wastelands
Who the hell are they?: Debut solo album from tabloid fodder (and deceptively talented) English rocker.
Sounds like a combination of: "This is Hardcore"-era pulp and Dusty Springfield
For Example: Last of the English Roses
Recommended?: So, so much. This is quickly becoming my soundtrack for a melancholy, hungover 2009.
Release Date: March 24

Artist: Shunda K & Kotchy
Album: Le Passion, Yo!
Who the hell are they?: Queer Yo! Majesty frontwoman Shunda joins forces with Brooklyn producer Kotchy for solo EP.
Sounds like a combination of: Yo! Majesty and Meshell Ndegeocello.
For Example: First Encounter
Recommended?: Highly
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: White lies
Album: To Lose Your Life
Who the hell are they?: Ominous, death-obsessed UK dance trio
Sounds like a combination of: Depeche Mode and The Killers
For Example: Death
Recommended?: For dancing at the end of the world.
Release Date: March 17

Pretty Awesome:

Artist: Bricolage
Album: Bricolage
Who the hell are they?: Glasgow four piece
Sounds like a combination of: Morrissey and Reel Big Fish
For Example: Flowers of Deceit (MySpace player, 1st track.)
Recommended?: For it's blatant misuse of "Be My Baby" drums on track 7.
Release Date: May 12

Artist: The Decemberists
Album: The Hazards of Love
Who the hell are they?: Dramatic Portland chamber-popsters.
Sounds like a combination of: A highschool drama club and the White Stripes.
For Example: The Rake's Song
Recommended?: For storytelling and complexity
Release Date: March 24

Artist: Late of The Pier
Album: Fantasy Black Channel
Who the hell are they?: Frenetic English dance-rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Franz Ferdinand and The Cars
For Example: Heartbeat
Recommended?: For dancin'
Release Date: Jan. 13

Artist: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Album: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Who the hell are they?: Seattle indie wailers.
Sounds like a combination of: Tokyo Police Club and Rush
For Example: Anchors Dropped
Recommended?: I guess.
Release Date: March 10

Artist: The Secret History
Album: Desolation Town EP
Who the hell are they?: Side project of My Favorite frontman Michael Grace Jr.
Sounds like a combination of: Everything But The Girl and Stars
For Example: It's Not The End of The World, Jonah
Recommended?: For both good songs and its apparent shout-out to Donna Tartt
Release Date: Nov. 4th, 2008

Artist: Tragically Hip
Album: We Are The Same
Who the hell are they?: Long-practicing Canadian rock band, who, incidentally, have New York City's coolest publicist.
Sounds like a combination of: REM and The Angry Inch
For Example: Morning Moon (MySpace player, 1st track.)
Recommended?: If you like 'em.
Release Date: April 7

Artist:tUnE-yArDs
Album:BiRd-BrAiN
Who the hell are they?: Frustratingly capitalized ecclectic solo act
Sounds like a combination of: PJ Harvey and The Gorillaz
For Example: Sunlight
Recommended?: I normally don't like stuff this discordant, but it's pretty good
Release Date: Last year

Not Awesome at All:

Artist: Balmorhea
Album: All is Wild, All is Silent
Who the hell are they?: Austin band who is neither wild nor silent. Discuss.
Sounds like a combination of: The Family Ties theme song and a soothing noises machine from the Sharper Image catalogue.
For Example: Harp & Boon
Recommended?: For the world's most beautiful, posh, tree-lined elevator.
Release Date: March 10

Artist: Tina Dico
Album: A Beginning, A Detour, An End
Who the hell are they?: Danish singer/songwriter releases wholly unnecessary three part album
Sounds like a combination of: Dido and Ikea
For Example: He Doesn't Know
Recommended?: For a Starbucks. No, not even. A Caribou
Release Date: Jan. 27

Read More......

New Music Roundup: 2/27/09

This post was written by TNG co-founder Zack.


Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

This week includes mini-reviews for Nite Jewel, Telekinesis, That Pumpsta and many others.

Artist: Caroline Weeks
Album:Songs for Edna
Who the hell are they?: Bat for Lashes member goes solo on album of Edna St. Vincent Milay poems set to music.
Sounds like a combination of: A renaissance fair and the cure for insomnia.
For Example: Elegy.
Recommended?: No. This was very ill-advised.
Release Date: April 7.

Artist: Children
Album: Hard Times Hanging at The End of The World
Who the hell are they?: NYC hard rock trio.
Sounds like a combination of: Thin Lizzy and Buddha Stalin
For Example: Death Tribe
Recommended?: Actually, yes.
Release Date: May 12.

Artist: Jessie Kilguss
Album: Nocturnal Drifter
Who the hell are they?: Brooklyn-based singer/actress.
Sounds like a combination of: Paula Cole and respectability.
For Example: A Little Place Behind My Eyes
Recommended?: Again, I'm going to surprise myself and say yes. I could listen to the above song all day.
Release Date: January 6

Artist: Julie Doiron
Album: I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day
Who the hell are they?: Latest solo release from journeywoman vocalist.
Sounds like a combination of: Kimya Dawson and Veruca Salt.
For Example: Heavy Snow
Recommended?: More than most girl-with-guitars. She actually rocks.
Release Date: March 10

Artist: Laura Barrett
Album: Victory Garden
Who the hell are they?: The personification of a new age bookstore.
Sounds like a combination of: Abject boredom and hell on earth.
For Example: Bluebird
Recommended?: What do you think?
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: Nite Jewel
Album: Nite Jewel
Who the hell are they?: LA '80s-revivalists.
Sounds like a combination of: Bronski Beat and The Eurythmics.
For Example: Artificial Intelligence
Recommended?: For bringing back the '80s the right way.
Release Date: March 17

Artist: Pomegranates
Album: Everybody Come Outside.
Who the hell are they?: Upbeat Cincinnati quartet.
Sounds like a combination of: Le Loup and Harlem Shakes.
For Example: Corriander
Recommended?: Yes!
Release Date: April 14

Artist: Sleepy Sun
Album:Embrace
Who the hell are they?: Buncha Santa Cruz hippies...
Sounds like a combination of: Blitzen Trapper and The Age of Aquarius.
For Example: White Dove
Recommended?: For when Phish is too loud and fast for your liking.
Release Date: Feb. 25

Artist: Telekinesis
Album: Telekinesis!
Who the hell are they?: Debut of Seattle one-man band.
Sounds like a combination of: Arcade Fire and Alamo Racetrack.
For Example: Coast of Carolina
Recommended?: Yes!
Release Date: April 7

Artist: Tha Pumpsta
Album: Bass Black Treble White
Who the hell are they?: Oversexed white rapper.
Sounds like a combination of: Lil John and Dizzee Rascal.
For Example: 1987
Recommended?: Not even a little... and I like Dizzee Rascal and Lil Jon.
Release Date: July 1, 2008

Artist: Tortured Soul
Album: Did You Miss Me
Who the hell are they?: Brooklyn neo-disco.
Sounds like a combination of: Phoenix and Kool and the Gang.
For Example: Your Dream is My Dream (MySpace player, 2nd track)
Recommended?: For wearing your tightest, shiniest pants.
Release Date: March 6

So which one should I buy?: In my stumbling opinion, this weeks best are Jessie Kilguss, Nite Jewel, Pomegranates and Telekenesis.

Read More......

New Music Roundup: 1/20/08

This post was written by TNG co-founder Zack.


Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

This week includes mini-reviews for Asobi Seksu, Empire of The Sun, Handsome Furs and many others.

Artist: Army Navy
Album: Army Navy
Who the hell are they?: L.A. indie-pop band heavily featured on the "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" Soundtrack.
Sounds like a combination of: The Caesars and The Stone Roses
For Example: My Thin Sides
Recommended?: For its cover of Maxine Nightingales's impossible-to-ruin "Right Back Where We Started From."
Release Date: Oct. 14, 2008

Artist: Asobi Seksu
Album: Hush
Who the hell are they?: Brooklyn shoegaze duo.
Sounds like a combination of: The Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush
For Example: Me & Mary
Recommended?: For lying in bed and staring at through a kaleidoscope.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Blitzen Trapper
Album: Furr
Who the hell are they?: Portland folk/rock sextet.
Sounds like a combination of: Wilco and Gordon Lightfoot
For Example: Furr
Recommended?: Yes! It's really good.
Release Date: Sept. 23, 2008

Artist: Crippled Black Phoenix
Album: 200 Tons of Bad Luck
Who the hell are they?: Artful UK noise band
Sounds like a combination of: Moody Blues and Mannheim Steamroller
For Example: Rise Up and Fight (MySpace player, 2nd track.)
Recommended?: For when the van's a-rockin'.
Release Date: April 14

Artist: Darla Farmer
Album: Rewiring the Electric Forest
Who the hell are they?: Self-described "carnival rock" band from Nashville
Sounds like a combination of: Save Ferris and Beirut
For Example: The Quotient (MySpace player, 1st track.)
Recommended?: For carnivals, I guess.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Deradoorian
Album: Mind Raft EP
Who the hell are they?: Solo release from member of The Dirty Projectors
Sounds like a combination of: Beach House and Res
For Example: High Road (MySpace player, 1st track.)
Recommended?: For when Portishead isn't gloomy enough. (And yes, it's recommended.)
Release Date: May 5

Artist: Emanuel and The Fear
Album:Emanuel and The Fear
Who the hell are they?: 11-piece band from, wait for it, Brooklyn.
Sounds like a combination of: Duncan Sheik and Guster
For Example: The Rain Becomes The Clouds (MySpace player, 1st track.)
Recommended?: For a college A Capella group near you.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Empire of the Sun
Album: Walking on a Dream
Who the hell are they?: Synthey dance band from Australia
Sounds like a combination of: Phil Collins and Cut Copy
For Example: Walking on a Dream
Recommended?: Yes.
Release Date: April 21

Artist: Handsome Furs
Album: Face Control
Who the hell are they?: Montreal dance-rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Joan Jett and We Are Scientists
For Example: Thy Will Be Done
Recommended?: Yeah, sure.
Release Date: March 10

Artist: The Lovetones
Album: Dimensions
Who the hell are they?: Side project of the Brian Jonestown Massacre
Sounds like a combination of: Arlo Guthrie and The Byrds
For Example: Journeyman
Recommended?: For busting out your tamborine
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: Tigercity
Album:Pretend Not to Love
Who the hell are they?: Falsetto-loving popsters
Sounds like a combination of: The Bee Gees and Electric 6
For Example: Powerstripe
Recommended?: For a couple of wild and crazy guys
Release Date: Sept. 9, 2008

So which ones should I buy: In my fumbling opinion, this week's best discs are Asobi Seksu, Blitzen Trapper, Deradoorian and Tigercity.

Read More......

New Music Roundup: 2/13/09

This post was written by TNG co-founder Zack.


Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

This week includes mini-reviews for Benjy Ferree, Gretchen Phillips, Lilly Allen and several other.

Artist: Anamanaguchi
Album:Dawn Metropolis
Who the hell are they?: Instrumental band who uses a hacked Nintendo to make their beats
Sounds like a combination of: Super Metroid and a seizure
For Example: Blackout City
Recommended?: For playing video games. Duh.
Release Date: March

Artist: Benjy Ferree
Album: Come Back to the Five and Dime, Bobby Dee Bobby Dee
Who the hell are they?: PG County singer writes a concept album about dead Disney child star.
Sounds like a combination of: A.C. Newman and Sharon Jones
For Example: Fear
Recommended?: Yes.
Release Date: Feb. 3

Artist: Cut Off Your Hands
Album: You and I
Who the hell are they?: New Zealand indie band
Sounds like a combination of: Hot Hot Heat and Every indie band ever
For Example: Oh Girl
Recommended?: For a beer commercial
Release Date: Jan. 20

Artist: Gretchen Phillips
Album:I Was Just Comforting Her
Who the hell are they?: Smart queer country singer
Sounds like a combination of: Amanda Palmer and The Dixie Chicks
For Example: Red State/Blue State
Recommended?: People who thought they didn't like country
Release Date: Feb. 3

Artist: Lilly Allen
Album: It's Not Me, It's You
Who the hell are they?: Sexually frank British pop-tart discovers electro
Sounds like a combination of: Lady Gaga and Sandra Bernhard
For Example: The Fear
Recommended?: For people who prefer pop stars with brains
Release Date: Feb. 10

Artist: Lovvers
Album:Think! EP
Who the hell are they?: Lo-fi British punk band
Sounds like a combination of: Love is All and Times New Viking
For Example: No Romantics
Recommended?: For people who can't sit still
Release Date: Sept. 12, 2008

Artist: Mi Ami
Album: Watersports
Who the hell are they?: 2 West Coast emigrees of DC-band Black Eyes
Sounds like a combination of: Deerhoof and a violent, screaming orgasm
For Example: New Guitar
Recommended?: For going down on a porcupine
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Obi Best
Album: Capades
Who the hell are they?: Silky voiced "The Bird and The Bee" backup singer goes solo.
Sounds like a combination of: Aimee Mann and Regina Spektor
For Example: It's Because of People Like You
Recommended?: For coffee shops with brushed aluminum counter tops.
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: Peachcake
Album:What Year Will You Have The World
Who the hell are they?: Dancey Arizona duo
Sounds like a combination of: The Faint and The Presets
For Example: Did I just Do That or Was It Jim Carrey?
Recommended?: For dancing.
Release Date: Nov. 18, 2008

Artist: Project Jenny, Project Jan
Album: The Colors EP
Who the hell are they?: Duo with no members named Jenny or Jan, but a lot of guest vocalists
Sounds like a combination of: Architecture in Helsinki and Ugly Duckling
For Example: Pins and Needles (featuring Fujiya & Miyagi)
Recommended?: If you like the involved vocalists.
Release Date: April 14

Artist: Those Dancing Days
Album: In Our Space Hero Suits
Who the hell are they?: Upbeat Swedish pop band? The devil you say.
Sounds like a combination of: No Doubt and The Pretenders
For Example: Hitten
Recommended?: For filming a "couples running through the park" montage
Release Date: Oct. 7, 2008

So which ones should I buy?: In my mumbled opinion, this week's best bets are Anamanaguchi, Benjy Ferree, Gretchen Phillips and Peachcake.

Read More......

New Music Roundup: 2/6/09

This post was written by TNG founder Zack.


Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

This week includes mini-reviews for My Dear Disco, N.A.S.A., The Plushguns and many others.

Artist:DeVotchKa
Album: How It Ends
Who the hell are they?: Denver-based "Gypsy Folk" band which I frequently mix up with Devandra Banhart
Sounds like a combination of: Andrew Bird and Gogol Bordello
For Example:How It Ends
Recommended?: For pining for the old country. Even if the old country is detroit.
Release Date: 2004. I'm not sure why I just got it now.

Artist: Don't Be A Stranger
Album:Frutti Di Mare
Who the hell are they?: Another Swedish pop band. Sigh.
Sounds like a combination of: Cat Power and a double espresso
For Example: Mon-chi-chi
Recommended?: For feeling whimsical
Release Date: April

Artist: Emeralds
Album: What Happened
Who the hell are they?: Experimental electronic band
Sounds like a combination of: A white noise machine and your cat walking on a synthesizer
For Example: Damaged Kids
Recommended?: For fans of aptly-titled albums
Release Date: Jan. 28

Artist: The Five Corners Quintet
Album: Hot Corner
Who the hell are they?: Jazz hepcats from Helsinki
Sounds like a combination of: Frank Sinatra and Angelo Badalamenti
For Example: Shake it
Recommended?: For a hot date at the Black Lodge
Release Date: Feb. 10

Artist: Future Clouds & Radar
Album: Peoria
Who the hell are they?: Austin dream-rockers
Sounds like a combination of: The Zutons and Mutations-era Beck
For Example: The Epcot View
Recommended?: I guess.
Release Date: Nov. 28, 2008

Artist: Golden Bear
Album: Everest EP
Who the hell are they?: Austin power-popsters
Sounds like a combination of: Islands and Vampire Weekend
For Example: Night Light
Recommended?: For jumping around in your own living room
Release Date: 1/20/09

Artist: I Was a King
Album: I Was a King
Who the hell are they?: Norwegian band with contributions from Sufjan Stevens
Sounds like a combination of: Suzanne Vega and Garbage
For Example: It's All You (Myspace player, third track.)
Recommended?:For the background of a really fun party
Release Date: I was completely unable to find when this album actually comes out, but I think it's soon.

Artist: Joker's Daughter
Album: The Last Laugh
Who the hell are they?: Celtic-tinged collaboration between UK singer and Dangermouse
Sounds like a combination of: Lisa Germano and The Mummer's Dance
For Example: Worm's Head (Myspace player, first track.)
Recommended?: For dying your hair red and roaming the moors
Release Date: April 7

Artist: My Dear Disco
Album: Dancethink LP
Who the hell are they?: Detroit dance-rockers with queer lead singer. They're playing at the next Homo/Sonic
Sounds like a combination of: Daft Punk and Lady Gaga
For Example: White Lies (Myspace player, third track.)
Recommended?: For dancing! And for seeing at the next Homo/Sonic.
Release Date: Oct. 11, 2008

Artist: N.A.S.A.
Album: The Spirit of Apollo
Who the hell are they?: Two DJs who recruited a million guest vocalists as varied as David Byrne, Tom Waits, Santogold and KRS-One
Sounds like a combination of: UNKLE and said million guest vocalists
For Example: Strange Enough, feat. ODB, Karen O and Fatlip
Recommended?: There are too many guest vocalists for you to not find something you like.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Album: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Who the hell are they?: Fuzzy, pop-y New York band
Sounds like a combination of: The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine
For Example: Everything With You
Recommended?: For running through the park, holding hands and generally being happy
Release Date: Feb. 3

Artist: Plushgun
Album: Pins & Panzers
Who the hell are they?: Kinda emo, kinda electro dance-pop
Sounds like a combination of: Postal Service and Blink 182
For Example: Dancing in a Minefield
Recommended?: Yes!
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist:Raveonettes
Album: Beauty Dies EP
Who the hell are they?: Dark Danish release download-only EP
Sounds like a combination of: Velvet Underground and Jesus & Mary Chain
For Example: Black/White
Recommended?: For doing terrible things. And liking it.
Release Date: Oct., 2008

Artist: Richie James Follin
Album: Battle
Who the hell are they?: Bluesy singer/songwriter
Sounds like a combination of: Janis Joplin and Lynyrd Skynyrd
For Example: Battle (MySpace player, first track.)
Recommended?: For drinking whiskey outdoors
Release Date: April 7

Artist: Seeland
Album: Tomorrow Today
Who the hell are they?: Birmingham electronic-rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Radio Dept. and Magnetic Fields
For Example: Library (Myspace player, first track down.)
Recommended?: Yes.
Release Date: March 17

Artist: The So So Glos
Album: Tourism/Terrorism
Who the hell are they?: Brooklyn Punks
Sounds like a combination of: Titus Andronicus and Hot Hot Heat
For Example: My Block
Recommended?: Not Really
Release Date: Nov. 4, 2008

Artist: Wintersleep
Album:Welcome to the Night Sky
Who the hell are they?: Halifax falsetto-mongers
Sounds like a combination of: Coldplay and Counting Crows
For Example: Weighty Ghost
Recommended?: For campfire sing-alongs
Release Date: Nov. 11, 2008

So which ones should I buy: In my humble opinion, this week's best are My Dear Disco, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Plushgun and Seeland.

Read More......

New Music Roundup: 1/30/09

Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

This week includes mini-reviews for Bon Iver, Franz Ferdinand and many others.

Artist: Bon Iver
Album: Blood Bank EP
Who the hell are they?: Rurally-minded singer/songwriter takes his gentle melodies out of the woods.
Sounds like a combination of: Bon Iver and a production studio
For Example: Blood Bank
Recommended?: Oh yeah. It's both pretty and pretty intense.
Release Date: January 20.

Artist: Drug Rug
Album: Kitchen Tapes EP
Who the hell are they?: Twangy, scratchy Cambridge duo
Sounds like a combination of: The Mamas and The Papas and Alvin and the Chipmunks
For Example: The Day I Die (MySpace player, first song.)
Recommended?: Sadly not. Their debut was awesome and I'm sure this summer's full length will rock too. But this one sounds like it was recorded in a shoe.
Release Date: Jan. 5

Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Album: Tonight
Who the hell are they?: Well-dressed Scotts you may remember from "Take Me Out."
Sounds like a combination of: The Strokes and a great night out
For Example: Ulysses
Recommended?: Yes! Especially for those of who don't do coke or stay out all night, but wish we did.
Release Date: Jan. 27

Artist: Gramercy Arms
Album: Gramercy Arms
Who the hell are they?: "Supergroup" featuring members of Luna, Guided by Voices, Joan as Policewoman and occasional backing vocals of Sarah Silverman
Sounds like a combination of: Damien Jurado and Wilco
For Example: Shining Bright (MySpace player, first track.)
Recommended?: For putting a little sunshine into your winter.
Release Date: Nov. 18, 2008

Artist: Jeremy Jay
Album: Slow Dance
Who the hell are they?: Electronic-tinged crooner splitting his time between Paris and L.A.
Sounds like a combination of: David Byrne and Gerry Rafferty
For Example: Where Could We Go Tonight?
Recommended?: Yeah. It's a cool one.
Release Date: March 24

Artist: Lovers
Album: I Am West
Who the hell are they?: Portland trio led by queer singer Carolyn Berk
Sounds like a combination of: Blonde Redhead and Placebo
For Example: Igloos for Ojos (MySpace player, first track.)
Recommended?: For getting your mind blown or your heart broke.
Release Date: April 28

Artist: Miniature Tigers
Album: Tell It The Volcanoes
Who the hell are they?: Phoenix quartet with a sense of humor
Sounds like a combination of: Fountains of Wayne and A.C. Newman
For Example: Cannibal Queen
Recommended?: Listen to "Cannibal Queen" five times and tell me what you think.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Reigns
Album: The House on The Causeway
Who the hell are they?: Not sure — the press release was very dense
Sounds like a combination of: Depeche Mode and a robot's dying breaths
For Example: Everything Beyond These Walls (MySpace player, first track)
Recommended?: For taking naps on glaciers
Release Date: March 9

Artist: Southeast Engine
Album: For The Forest To The Sea
Who the hell are they?: God-appreciating Ohioans with an old-timey sound
Sounds like a combination of: The Eagles and Vampire Weekend
For Example: Black Gold
Recommended?: For the waiting room of a really hip dentist
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Talk Normal
Album: Secret Cog
Who the hell are they?: Discordant Brooklyn duo
Sounds like a combination of: Xiu Xiu and a human sacrifice
For Example: 33 (MySpace player, first track.)
Recommended?: For those who like a challenge. That's not a bad thing...
Release Date: March 3

Artist: UME
Album: Sunshower EP
Who the hell are they?: Rawkin' Austin Trio
Sounds like a combination of: Smashing Pumpkins and Tool
For Example: The Conductor
Recommended?: For driving
Release Date: Feb. 24

Artist: Vulture Whale
Album: Vulture Whale
Who the hell are they?: Straight-up Southern rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Old 97s and Sticky Fingers-era Rolling Stones
For Example: Sugar
Recommended: Sure, why not?
Release date: Feb. 3

So Which Ones Should I Buy?: In my humble opinion, this week's best are Gramercy Arms, Jeremy Jay, Lovers and Miniature Tigers.

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New Music Roundup: 1/23/09

Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

Artist: Autopilot is For Lovers
Album: To The Wolves
Who the hell are they?: Anachronistically-leaning Portland duo
Sounds like a combination of: Tori Amos and an oompa band
For Example: Pine Box Town
Recommended?: For fans of dissonance and the Borscht Belt
Release Date: "Early 2009"

Artist: The Boxer Rebellion
Album: Union
Who the hell are they?: Aspiring stadium-rockers from London
Sounds like a combination of: Coldplay and The Killers
For Example: Evacuate
Recommended?: Kinda. A lot of bands sound like this, but I suspect that's because people will always love guitars and to-the-rafters choruses.
Release Date: "January 2009"

Artist: The Coathangers
Album: Scramble
Who the hell are they?: All-female quartet from Atlanta
Sounds like a combination of: The B-52s and Sleater Kinney
For Example: Getting Mad and Pumping Iron
Recommended?: Hell Yeah. Bratty energy never goes out of style.
Release Date: April 7

Artist: Faunts
Album: Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.
Who the hell are they?: Synthy band of brothers from Edmonton
Sounds like a combination of: Joy Division and Phoenix
For Example: Feel.Love.Thinking.Of.
Recommended?: The album's pretty good, though it's all downhill from the first track.
Release Date: February 17

Artist: Fires of Rome
Album: You Kingdom You
Who the hell are they?: Supposed glam rock revival trio
Sounds like a combination of: The Rapture and Our Lady Peace
For Example: Dawn Lament (MySpace player, first song.)
Recommended?: Song by song? Yes. Whole album listening, though, is strictly for the intrepid.
Release Date: Already out

Artist: Fol Chen
Album: Part 1: John Shade, Your Fortune's Made
Who the hell are they?: Thanks to a ridiculously convoluted press release, I have no idea.
Sounds like a combination of: TV on The Radio and Zero 7
For Example: The Believers.
Recommended?: Yes. Yes Yes Yes. Yes!
Release Date: February 3

Artist: Hume
Album: Hume presents The Phat Daughters String Quartet
Who the hell are they?: Local artist with interesting ear for juxtapositions
Sounds like a combination of: Bach and The Wailers
For Example: Oneirnaut (Myspace player, 2nd track.)
Recommended?: If you know what you're getting into.
Release Date: Already out

Artist: Lambchop
Album: OH (ohio)
Who the hell are they?: Gentle alt-country from Tennessee
Sounds like a combination of: Leonard Cohen and latter day Bob Dylan
For Example: I Believe
Recommended?: For showing your parents that you can, in fact, like the same music
Release Date: Already out

Artist: Lissy Trullie
Album: Self-Taught Learner
Who the hell are they?: New York singer/songwriter
Sounds like a combination of: The Pretenders and Jack Johnson
For Example: Self-Taught Learner
Recommended?: Yeah. It's only an EP, but I wouldn't mind hearing more.
Release Date: February 17

Artist: Lonely, Dear
Album: Dear John
Who the hell are they?: Lonely Swedish popsters
Sounds like a combination of: Peter, Bjorn and John and Flock of Seagulls
For Example: Airport Surroundings
Recommended?: If you have insatiable thirst for the Swedish
Release Date: January 27

Artist: The Love Language
Album: The Love Language
Who the hell are they?: Lo-fi one man band from Raleigh
Sounds like a combination of: Adam Green and Alamo Racetrack
For Example: Lalita
Recommended?: Yes.
Release Date: None given

Artist: Here We Go Magic
Album: Here We Go Magic
Who the hell are they?: New moniker for Brooklyn musician Luke Temple
Sounds like a combination of: Animal Collective and Enya
For Example: Tunnelvision
Recommended?: Yes. Just don't operate heavy machinery while you're listening.
Release Date: February 24

Artist: Nico Vega
Album: Nico Vega
Who the hell are they?: Radio-friendly LA rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Meredith Brooks and Marilyn Manson
For Example: Be Giving
Recommended?: For an Urban Outfitters near you.
Release Date: February 3

Artist: Said The Whale
Album:Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia
Who the hell are they?: Vancouver indie kids
Sounds like a combination of: The Shins and Ben Folds Five
For Example: Curse of the Currents
Recommended?: I'm pretty neutral to this one
Release Date: Already out

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New Music Roundup: 1/16/08

Did you know that TNG loves music? I bet it never occurred to you. It's not like we write about it all the damn time or anything. Though we regularly cover bands in What We're Listening To and our interviews and our monthly live music roundups, we still receive many high quality CDs that never get reviewed on the site. To make up for this I am introducing a new weekly feature to give you the rundown of all the new music I've picked up in the last seven days. Not all of it is amazing and not all of it is released yet, but I do hope you that you find one or two in here that pique your interest.

Artist: Antony & The Johnsons
Album: The Crying Light
Who the hell they are: New York band led by queer, androgynous singer Antony Hegarty, who is currently best known for his ultra-warbley vocal work with Hercules and Love Affair.
Sounds like a combination of: A tranquilized angel and Bryan Ferry making a bowel movement.
For example: Her Eyes Are Underneath the Ground
Recommended?: Yes. It can take a while to differentiate his songs from one another, but the whole experience is so beautifully mournful that it doesn't matter.
Release date: Jan. 20

Artist: Cotton Jones
Album: Paranoid Cocoon
Who the hell they are: A side project of the band Page France, which I haven't heard of either.
Sounds like a combination of: The Doors and Luna.
For Example: Gotta Cheer Up
Recommended?: Yes. The Jim Morrison plagiarism is short lived. After that it's all pretty groovy.
Release Date: Jan. 27

Artist: Francois Virot
Album: Yes or No
Who the hell they are: Frenchman who sings, plays guitar and looks really dreamy
Sounds like a combination of: The Dodos and The Dodos
For Example: Not The One.
Recommended? I guess, but only if you're already familiar with The Dodos.
Release Date: Already out.

Artist: Harlem Shakes
Album: Technicolor Health
Who the hell they are: New York band who I once saw open for Deerhoof.
Sounds like a combination of: Arcade Fire and The Kooks
For Example: Strictly Game
Recommended?: Yeah. This album's a lot of fun, especially the title track... which isn't yet available anywhere for me to link to. But I promise it rocks.
Release Date: March 24.

Artist: Human Highway
Album: Moody Motorcycle
Who the hell they are: Nick Thorburn, from The Unicorns and Islands, and some other guy.
Sounds like a combination of: The Unicorns and Neil Young
For Example: The Sound
Recommended?: Yup. I dare you to listen to "The Sound" only once.
Release Date: Already out.

Artist: Various
Album: Guilt By Association, Volume 2
Who the hell they are: A compilation of contemporary indie rockers covering Cozy FM staples like "Lady in Red" and "If You Leave."
Sounds like a combination of: Uh, indie rock and cozy FM Staples?
For Example: My Brightest Diamond covering Tainted Love. (Myspace player, third track.)
Recommended?: Not essential by any means, but the covers are pretty good.
Release Date: Feb. 17

Artist: Dent May & His Magnificent Ukele
Album: The Good Feeling Music of Dent May and his Magnificent Ukelele
Who the hell they are: Mississippi native who might or might not play ukelele
Sounds like a combination of: Tiny Tim and David Allen Coe
For Example: Oh, Paris
Recommended?: Not in good conscious. It's pretty gnarly. (Though even as I'm writing this it's growing on me. You gotta give him credit for that.)
Release Date: Feb. 3

Artist: The Naked Hearts
Album: These Knees EP
Who the hell they are: New York based male/female duo
Sounds like a combination of: Mazzy Star and The Kills
For Example: Call Me
Recommended?: It's alright for hangovers, Sunday mornings or remembering the 90s.
Release Date: Jan. 22

Artist: Passion Pit
Album: Chunk of Change EP
Who the hell they are: Boston band, which began recording as a musical Valentines Day gift from a member to his girlfriend
Sounds like a combination of: Hot Chip and the Postal Service
For Example: I've Got Your Number
Recommended?: Highly. I've already got my tickets to see them at the Black Cat Backstage on Feb. 3rd.
Release Date: Already out.

Artist: Pepi Ginsberg
Album: Red
Who the hell they are: Brooklyn-based musician. Who has ever heard of such a thing?
Sounds like a combination of: The Cowboy Junkies and Dusty Springfield
For Example: The Waterline
Recommended?: Oh yeah. I've already listened to it five times. She's great.
Release Date: April 22nd

Artist: These Arms Are Snakes
Album: Tail Swallower and Dove
Who the hell they are: Seattle-based thrashers
Sounds like a combination of: The Deftones and my mom yelling "turn it down!" through a closed bedroom door.
For Example: Red Line Season
Recommended?: If you like that sort of thing.
Release Date: Already out.

Artist: The Volunteers
Album:Spectrophilia
Who the hell they are: Swaggery Brooklyn bar-rockers
Sounds like a combination of: Louis XIV and Crucial Taunt
For Example: Rock and Roll (Will Kill You.)
Recommended?: Yeah, it's actually pretty fun.
Release Date: Already out.

Artist: The Weight
Album: Are Men
Who the hell they are: Alt-country, without the alt.
Sounds like a combination of: The Jayhawks and Toby Keith
For Example: Closer Than a Friend.
Recommended?: For country fans.
Release Date: March 10

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