February Album Of The Month

The year might have started a little slow for indie music, but February took off like a rocket with some fantastic albums we are sure you will still be listening to as the calendar flips to 2013. We imagine Album Of The Month to be a close call each time out, but nearly all of the 'Also Worth A Listen' selections here could have just as easily been the pick this month.

Album Of The Month

Cursive: I Am Gemini
From the playfully taunting strut of "The Sun And Moon" to the devilishly jabbing "Warmer, Warmer", Tim Kasher and crew have a blast crafting the tale of two twins separated at birth on the band's seventh studio album. Shifty time changes and Kasher's uniquely splintered vocal delivery remain, with the creaky stomp of "Double Dead" and buzzsaw guitars of "Wowowow" keeping things plenty strange, but the are flourishes of melody around nearly every corner, as with the rumbling groove of "Twin Dragon/Hello Skeleton", making this strange gem a more welcoming Cursive album than most.

Also Worth A Listen

Bahamas: Barchords
Canadian singer-songwriter, Bahamas made a name for himself with the delightful, if a tad too placid, debut, Pink Strat. Things do not pick up much in tempo this time around, but he feels a bit more comfortable awash in the strummy mellow cool of his music on the lovely "Lost In The Light" , the drippy blues thump of "Never Again", and playfully bouncy "I Got You Babe".

Band Of Skulls: Sweet Sour
The dual vocalist approach of this blues-kissed UK rock trio returns with a spectacular sophomore album. The slithering guitar and menacing beat of the title-track opens the album with a track that pulls you in hard only to punch you in the gut, with the rest of the album finding you questioning how they are not yet a household name. The eerily alluring harmonies of Emma Richardson and Russell Mardsen add a touch of unexpected sweetness to snarling "You're Not Pretty But You Got It Going On" and turn "Bruises" into a heartbreaker. The antsy layers of sound on tracks like dazzling "Wanderluster" only add to the enticing package.

Dr. Dog: Be The Void
The lo-fi bluesy shimmer of opening "Lonesome" and tangled mash of antsy beats and organ on trippy pop tune "That Old Black Hole" pull you into Dr. Dog's latest quickly. The carefree, ramshackle production of these irresistibly catchy tunes works great with their creaky harmonies on tracks like swaying "Get Away" and blippy chimes and naked drums that greet "Heavy Light". If you have never heard of them, but enjoy Wilco's flair for experimental indie pop, you are in for a treat.

fun.: Some Nights
If there is any band in danger of having their harmonies materialize into delicious soft-serve ice cream as they ooze out of the speakers, it is fun. Their sophomore effort again succeeds on the strength of, former The Format frontman, Nate Ruess' vocals, balancing triumph and heartbreak with each soaring note. The steady assault of beats and soaring, gorgeously melodic hooks of tracks like "We Are Young", featured in Chevy's Superbowl commercial this year, is the very definition of power pop. Like their debut, there are a few awkward missteps, but what works here, like the relentlessly cheery title track and the strummy, hopeful stomp of "Carry On", far outweighs what falls flat.

Geographer: Myth
Dream indie popsters, Geographer will melt your soul with their graceful, gorgeous sophomore album. The trio win your heart quickly with the vocals of Michael Deni gracefully oozing through the hypnotic blend of synth and beats on the opening "Life Of Crime", and hold you in breathless anticipation of where they head next with each passing new wave kissed gem. Melodic strummer "The Myth Of Youth", blippy bounce of "Lovers Game", and twirling lead single "Kites" will keep this album in heavy rotation well into Summer.

Heartless Bastards: Arrow
If you like a little country in your rock n roll, or a little rock n roll in your country, the gorgeous fourth album from this fantastic quartet will satisfy your wants. The achy heartbreak in Erika Wennerstrom's vocals weaving through the dancing guitar and bass groove of "Only For You" and the steady cool of "Marathon" show the band's softer side, while the ragged strummer "Parted Ways" and thick swath of guitar on "Late In The Night" show off their more rock edged side. Produced by Spoon drummer Jim Eno, consider this proof that Britt Daniel is not the only member of the legendary indie rock outfit that can produce a kick-ass album.

Ben Kweller: Go Fly A Kite
Folky singer-songwriter, Ben Kweller adds a bit more southern rock twang to his sound this time around, proving a welcome change that flushes out the rocking verses and poppy melodic hook of "Mean To Me" well. The piano he has leaned on in recent albums returns on the jangling classic pop of "Jealous Girl" and boppy "Gossip", but the album succeeds largely on the heavier reliance of guitars lending Kweller a bit more of an edge his feel-good tunes.

Audra Mae and The Almighty Sound: Audra Mae And The Almighty Sound
In some ways the debut from Audra Mae's new band sounds like a more flushed-out, country dipped take on Asteroids Galaxy Tour, but that somehow sells the crackling energy and infectiously swaggering confidence of the album short. One listen to twangy gem "My Friend The Devil" or soulful flickering "The Real Thing" and you will be left wondering where Mae has been your whole life.

Anais Mitchell: Young Man In America
The taut, haunting fifth studio album from, folk singer-songwriter, Anais Mitchell is tough to get out of your ears once you hear it. The restless beauty in the achy vocals twisting through the title track, the delightfully splotchy harmonies and drizzled guitar of "Dyin Day", and casually captivating vibe of "Ships" make this the kind of album that sends you instantly searching for her previous work to catch up on what you have been missing. The loose, rhythmic strut of "Smokin The Boys" and steady step of working man blues "Ne'er Do Wells" round out the vibrant, diverse album well.

Shearwater: Animal Joy
The chilling falsetto of Jonathan Meiburg pairs with sparkling acoustic-based arrangements on the Texas indie outfit's latest offering, making for an intense listening experience that demands your attention with its grace and beauty as often as it does with the uptempo strut of tracks like "Immaculate". The way Meiburg quivers through the quaking backing of "Breaking The Yearlings" and the puffy-chested demand on jangling "You As You Were" makes this a magical, breathtaking album.

Tennis: Young & Old
Husband and wife throwback duo, with drummer James Barone joining on their first tour, Tennis had an awful lot of hype behind them when their debut, Cape Dory hit last year. With The Black Keys' Patrick Carney handling production, their sophomore effort sounds much more capable of reaching the towering heights their debut's hype promised. Alaina Moore's classic pop vocals roaring through the shaggy "It All Feels The Same", jangling piano of "Petition", and boppy, sweet winner "Origins" show that just because you find a band overhyped at first does not mean there is true talent there waiting to deliver the goods.

Rosie Thomas: With Love
It is both appropriate and a shame that this album came out on Valentine's Day. Thomas' latest is so bursting at the seems with love and affection that songs like the fantastically cheery "Over The Moon" are exactly the kind of tunes that induce that ear-to-throat gag reflex in those averse to V-Day. For those not afraid for a little love and hope in their indie, give the tender "2 Birds" and pretty "Where Was I" a shot and see how quickly the album wins you over.

The Twilight Sad: No One Can Ever Know
The third album from Scottish brooding rockers The Twilight Sad places the lads somewhere between The Smiths and Editors with shadowy romantic tunes like "Alphabet" and methodically twittering, sparsely lit "Sick". The album is a stark, mesmerizing listen that is hard to escape, with songs like the murky "Not Sleeping" and humming synth and rumbling bass of "Another Bed" grabbing hold of you tight and refusing to let go.

Indie Music Watch

Want to know what we think of the latest from John Butler Trio, Kate Nash, The Mynabird, fun., The Bird & The Bee, and Cloud Cult? Well then click here.

Spoiler alert - we like them.

Upcoming Shows - Week ending April 11th

Baseball is here, and so is the spring surge of concerts! It is a very busy week!

Monday, April 5th - Schubas – 8pm - FREE
Headliner: Kerretta
Openers: An Aesthetic Anesthetic, Shooter Grey Suede, The Young Jesus Band

Things do not get much better than a free show, with a new up-and-coming import band headlining. Add three local bands to a line-up top-lined by, sensational New Zealand instrumental hard rock trio, Kerretta, and you have yourself a can't-miss show. One listen to last week's Single Of The Week will make it hard to resist.



Tuesday, April 6th - Bottom Lounge - 8pm - $13
Headliner: As Tall As Lions
Opener: Bad Veins

As Tall As Lions are plenty to get you interested in this show. Their self-titled sophomore album is dream-pop perfection, and their third album saw the Long Island band spread their wings to more experimental territory. They are a fantastic live band, thanks in large part to, front man, Dan Nigro's soaring vocals. Bad Veins are the best orchestral pop band you have never heard of, and the duo will blow your mind live. Do not make the mistake of getting to this show late!



Tuesday, April 6th – House Of Blues – 6pm - $24
Headliner: Dashboard Confessional
Openers: Corey Chisel & The Wandering Sons

Following a stint opening for Bon Jovi's Circle tour, Dashboard Confessional bring their songbook of heartfelt anthems to the cozy confines of House Of Blues. This is not our first choice on Tuesday night, but we can certainly see it as a viable alternative to As Tall As Lions and Bad Veins.

Wednesday, April 7th – House Of Blues– 5:30pm - $20.50
Headliner: Motion City Soundtrack
Openers: fun., A Rocket To The Moon, Sing It Loud

We have been in love with My Dinosaur Life since its release earlier this year, and the only potential negative to this show is the unfortunately early start time combined with the start of 'road construction season' on 290. The 5:30 start will make it difficult for anyone with a job in the suburbs to see the opening bands; which is a shame, given how damn fantastic fun. is. The new project from Nate Reuss (The Format) is exudes the same gorgeous melodies of his former band, now with an arrangement that recalls classic Beatles. Even if you do not make it for fun., Motion City Soundtrack will prove worth the price of admission on their own.

Friday, April 9th – Shark City (Glendale Heights) – 9pm - $15
Headliner: Local H
Opener: Kinch, Love Blast

We would not normally recommend a suburban show, since most venues in the suburbs are full of tribute and cover bands. Local H has been a Chicagoland staple for years. Their concept of playing this show as one album, start-to-finish, based on a fan picking an album out of a hat, is great. Still, we are headed to the Glendale Heights pool hall to get an earful of Kinch. There is a bunch of great indie bands making noise out of Arizona lately, but Kinch is among the best of them. Give a listen to this week's podcast for a clip of the infectious "Carolina Cannonball", and just try not to go. We dare you.

Saturday and Sunday, April 10th and 11th – Aragon Ballroom – 7pm - $50
Headliner: Atoms For Peace
Opener: Flying Lotus

Thom Yorke, Flea, and Nigel Godrich = Atoms For Peace. Seriously, what else do you need to know?

Monday, April 12th – Schubas – 8pm - $12
Headliner: The Morning Benders
Opener: Miniature Tigers

This is somewhat of a 'bonus' show, but we want to make sure you do not miss the chance to catch these two great indie rock bands next Monday. Speaking of great Arizona indie bands, Miniature Tigers make an appearance opening for The Morning Benders at Schubas on Monday night. One great band is usually enough to make a show worth going to, with tantalizing unknown opening bands. Two great bands makes for a must-go show.