![Soul Distraction: Ticket To Paradise [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1631139_lg.jpg)
Soul Distraction is one of those groups you rarely see in this current frame of being. There is no dilemma of rationalization in listening to their music. There is no discredit in yearning to know this very powerful and talented group of musicians. And their sophomore release Ticket To Paradise is another chapter in the ever growing and spectacular being are these profound characters of modern rock n roll. There is too much evidence in Ticket To Paradise to believe that Elsa Faith and company [...]
![Stars In Coma: You're Still Frozen In Time [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1624066_lg.jpg)
When You're Still Frozen In Time arrived in the mail, I got really excited—the group's label was responsible for releasing one of my favorite indiepop albums last year, an album by Fireflies. Stars In Coma feature heavy synths and glam-like bits, but not quite to the level of Sweden's The Ark; where The Ark is more rock driven, Stars In Coma makes glam pop. "People Put Up With A Lot Of Shit" has one of the catchier guitar riffs on You're Still Frozen . The song [...]
![A Shoreline Dream: Recollections Of Memory [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1613678_lg.jpg)
The name A Shoreline Dream ( MySpace ) is, perhaps, the best indicator of what to find in their music. It is filled with crashing waves and sandy beaches and a trade off between a mystical evening sky and one tormented with dark storm clouds. These visual soundscapes lead the listener through an undertow of shoegaze, a mashup of pop and rock, and the struggle between dark vs. light, good vs. evil, land vs. liquid, life vs. death. On Recollections Of Memory it is quite apparent that [...]
![The Snowdrops: Mad World [7" Single Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1608495_lg.jpg)
What is the best way to debut on a record label devoted to the sweetest of indie pop? How about naming the single after a hit song from the '80s and covering that song as the A-Side? While it may not work for every band, it works almost too well for The Snowdrops . You've likely heard the original by Tears for Fears. You probably even like the Gary Jules cover better after seeing it in Donnie Darko . Well, look no further as The Snowdrops have created the ultimate version of "Mad World." I would be absolutely [...]
![Suturee: Suturee [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1579444_lg.jpg)
I hit a wall today. This happens when you've been working just a bit too hard, going too fast-paced, attempting to store too much information. Everything stops. Thought. Movement. You just go blank. There is music out there with the ability to draw one out of such a moment (or, rather, reactivate brainwaves and movement, etc.), and Suturee ( MySpace ) is a perfect example. Suturee's music is filled with subtle drones and quietly seductive dual male/female vocals. Moments of experimental pop drift in [...]
![Super XX Man: There'll Be Diamonds [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1538381_lg.jpg)
Super XX Man , pronounced "Super Double X Man," is bringing the Portland folk scene to it's knees. His less than ambient yet less than standard folky vibes bring a surprisingly different view to the expected one man, one guitar (with the occasional tambourine or ukulele) that has become so common in the underworld of the overtly acoustic, and financially challenged City of Roses. There'll Be Diamonds may be a senior release for Double X, but he still manages to sound fresh as ever on tracks like "Psychotic Breakdown" [...]
![The Story Of: Until The Autumn [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1535395_lg.jpg)
"Berkeley", the opening track off Until The Autumn by The Story Of ( MySpace ) compiles male vocals, includes plays on volume, and has an emphasis on melody. Hearing the tune for the first time, I was immediately reminded of Denmark's epic group Mew. But here, the song is not quite as heavy, not quite as forceful; the listener is allowed to relax. Of course, the entire album is not like this. "Hawk Gospel" would be better classified as true indie-pop, while "The Flock" is more suited [...]
![The Story Of: Until The Autumn [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1537218_lg.jpg)
"Berkeley", the opening track off Until The Autumn by The Story Of ( MySpace ) compiles male vocals, includes plays on volume, and has an emphasis on melody. Hearing the tune for the first time, I was immediately reminded of Denmark's epic group Mew. But here, the song is not quite as heavy, not quite as forceful; the listener is allowed to relax. Of course, the entire album is not like this. "Hawk Gospel" would be better classified as true indie-pop, while "The Flock" is more suited [...]
![Speck Mountain: Some Sweet Relief [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1505879_lg.jpg)
Written by Fense From the opening moments of "Shame On The Soul", the first track off Some Sweet Relief by Speck Mountain , one is drawn into the group's space-y, reverberation-heavy style of soft pop. The drawn out chord progressions, eerily soothing female vocal coos, and a predilection toward the softer side of psychedelia, one might draw comparison to Mazzy Star. But the music contain within Some Sweet Relief sets Speck Mountain apart from the emotively romantic-tinged tunes of Mazzy Star, simply due [...]
![Smile Brigade: Eering, Creaky EP [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1487814_lg.jpg)
Written by Fense February marks three occasions for the girlfriend and myself. The first is our 18 month anniversary. The fourteenth, of course, is Valentines Day. And the 28th is her birthday. It also marks a special occasion for Seattle's Smile Brigade ( MySpace ); it's the release of their next album, Eering, Creaky EP . Listening to Eering, Creaky , I can't help thinking two things: 1. Smile Brigade has progressed tremendously as a band since their debut, and [...]
![The Smittens: The Coolest Thing About Love [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1472759_lg.jpg)
Written by Fense The Smittens ( MySpace ) fit the darker side of indie pop, a side not often heard but easily welcome. Their chord progressions are filled with minors and, while ultimately upbeat, the songs are not nearly as cheerful. This rings as true on "The Interstate" as it does on "Half My Heart Beats", a song that is undoubtedly more upbeat and cheerful, but one that also includes several of the aforementioned darker elements. Now, this doesn't mean that The Smittens are [...]
Written by Ron Trembath The Netherlands have a secret that is rapidly being exposed. Silence is Sexy is an electric and gravity-defying group specializing in harmonies and the owners of an arsenal of alternative instrumentals. On This Ain't Hollywood , the guys portray exactly what it means to use powerful lyrics to dramatize pulse pounding in the spirit of My Bloody Valentine. The album kicks right into gear with the high intensity of "Back To You". Followed by the more bouncy cut, "Night [...]
![The Stowaways [Feature Band]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1333079_lg.jpg)
Written by Fense Lo-fi indie pop with a sweet nature often gets labeled as twee, or at least sounding like twee. And that's the first thing that comes to mind when listening to The Stowaways, whose style of indie pop features jangle-y guitars and a sweetness in the vocals. At times both guitar and vocals have the sound of Tender Trap, Amelia Fletcher's latest endeavor - and we all know she's a famed twee star from the Sarah Records days. This is of course a [...]
![The Sweetheart Parade: Sings Like A Priest [Album Review]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/1312772_lg.jpg)
Written by Fense Sings Like A Priest , the latest from The Sweetheart Parade ( MySpace ), again sets the stage for a Jason Molina (Songs: Ohio, The Magnolia Electric Co.) reference. Simply put, Joshua Britton's (or JB) voice sounds mighty like that of Molina; they're entrenched in a deep emotive folk minimalism. It's not surprising, however, that JB's voice has a bit more power - the difference is definitely in volume. Where Molina's groups truly live up to the minimalist moniker, insofar [...]
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