Blog: Buzz Bands

The Capshuns , "Time to Say" (self-released) — The L.A. quartet's agile rock sounds as if it rode in on the slipstream of the British Invasion, the soundtrack to top-down, scarves-flying car chases involving ne'r-do-wells driving vintage Astin Martins. Blaring guitars and chugging rhythms carry the day, and although singer Patrick Thomas — at his best channeling the pained earnestness of Michael Penn — forces the issue too often, he adeptly plays agitated pop-punk on tracks like "Famous Layers" and "Her Lovers Thunder." On "Tell Her I Said Hello," he reflects on "mystic chords of memory." Overall, [...]

• The Idyllists - Empire State
• The Idyllists - Let's Fly Away
• The Idyllists - Pacific Coast Highway Blues