The Capstan Shafts: Revelation Skirts (Rainbow Quartz)
release: August 24, 2010
style: power pop indie rock
[rating: **] Rainbow Quartz had been releasing a ton of psychedelia and garage rock, from the Grip Weeds to Lilys to Telepathic Butterflies. I kinda wish they stuck with that exclusively, because one-person band the Capstan Shafts is not making me feel like everything feels good. Dean Wells, who had help from producer/drummer Matt LeMay, is like a power popping Billy Bragg with no cause. All the melodies are plain and interchangeable, while the vocals are sleepy and sometimes off-key. Maybe having only one other person to work with is the problem, as there is no one to give him feedback while he's playing all those instruments! I mean, i dig the Dinosaur Jr style guitar solos, but track after track there's a strong sense that Wells is not fullfilling his potential. -Kenyon

Hammock: Chasing After Shadows...Living With the Ghosts
(Hammock Music)
release: May 18, 2010
style: ambient, space rock
[rating: ****] Enjoyed by Jonsi of Sigur Ros, Hammock's previous releases have been some of the most gorgeous atmospheric instrumentals of the past five years. On this fourth album, the duo introduces a rich tapestry of excessively processed guitar effects, live drums and strings. Any of these tracks, from the echoing "The Backward Step" to the glistening "the World We Knew as Children" wouldn't be out of place as an instrumental on a record from Sigur Ros or Slowdive. Mixed by Tim Powles of another influence band, the Church, Chasing is another winner, providing a wealth of relaxation from the heart. -Kenyon

Annie and the Beekeepers
Squid Hell Sessions EP
release: May 12, 2009
style: country folk with no drums
similar: Gillian Welch, Tori Amos, Neko Case
[rating: ***1/2] The tragedy of disappearing bees inspired the name for this talented group, and hopefully they can tie in some awareness to a potential environmental danger. The Berklee College-bred group sings in pretty pastel colors while playing upright bass, cello, accordion and mandolin. The strangely titled EP--named after the studio where they recorded--includes the touching "Nobody" and the lilting "Pirate's Life." Lyrically, the songs address the confronting of suffering and getting through the pain. Everyone has problems, don't forget it. But if all those bees go away, we are all going to have serious problems up the ying-yang. -Kenyon

www.myspace.com/annielynch

Jeniferever: Spring Tides
(Monotreme)
release: April 14, 2009
style: chill indie rock, post rock
similar: Appleseed Cast, Death Cab
[rating: ****] Spring Tides feels real. This Swedish band, who's been under the radar for a decade, delivers emotion-splitting orchestral-like works with a purpose. The atmospheric guitaring (hey, Jeniferever, i can make up words too) melt with lilting vocals that get carried away by whichever space-filling keyboard tone they're using. Something deep is going on. "Sparrow Hills," with its fragile bells/chimes, is the pinnacle of an already consuming album. Can i get a heart? Cool, here's a heart...[heart]. --Kenyon

www.myspace.com/jeniferever

These Arms are Snakes: Tail Swallower & Dove (Suicide Squeeze)
release: October 7, 2008
style: post hardcore
similar: Uncut, Blood Brothers, Russian Circles
[rating: ***] You seriously don't mess with a band named These Arms are Snakes. The band has been hot for a few albums via Jade Tree and now Tail Swallower is here to attack, sting and burn. The band continues to break down the walls of rock using complex drum patterns and tongue tied guitar swoops. -Kenyon

Johnny Cash Remixed (Compadre)
release: October 14, 2008
style: disasterous
[rating: *] Johnny Cash has got to be rolling in his grave right about now. Not exactly "remixes," these are more like "songs" that sampled Cash. The worst offender is first: Snoop Dogg of all people ruins "I Walk the Line" for one of the most pointless reworkings ever. A couple of efforts are effective, namely the Midnight Juggernauts' mix of "Port of Lonely Hearts" and maybe the Wolf take on "Rock Island Line." Some of these other ones would make sense in a Fatboy Slim or Crystal Method big-beat track in the late 1990s, but the only level it works on is to introduce the uninitiated to Cash in general, which the recent film already accomplished. Try the originals instead. -Kenyon

The Dark Romantics: Heartbreaker (lujo)
release: September 9, 2008
style: dark romance
[rating: **] Like She Wants Revenge, the entire record from Dark Romantic is blatantly about heartbreak, torn relationships and dark romance. "Love and Pain" and "The Death of You" are only a couple of the titles that represent the content. With a band consisting of spouses and a best friend, it's ironic that the songs are so solemn and brooding. Not nearly as intense as the best work from Interpol or Editors or SWR, but the dark side of reality is always welcome. -Kenyon