mewithoutYou - Ten Stories (2012)

Probably my all-time favorite band, mewithoutYou's latest album Ten Stories signifies some interesting changes for the band. Foremost, a step away from their former label Tooth & Nail records and releasing this album independently, as well as another departure in sound. 2009's It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream It's Alright may have been a major curveball for fans not expecting the folk-as-fuck direction the band took, but it was definitely a necessary measure: they've returned to the sound they developed through Catch for Us the Foxes and the triumphant Brother, Sister (sorry, A to B fans, if you're looking for the harsh post-hardcore of their debut), but now utilize the lyrical themes and vocal melodies played with on It's All Crazy. Such is demonstrated on opener "February 1878" , while new styles are explored on "Cardiff Giant" which may very well be the happiest song they have ever recorded. Whatever the sound may be, however, Aaron Weiss' songwriting is as strong as ever, telling the story of a trainwreck, releasing circus animals into the wilderness and using these characters as a means of telling introspective parables relating to Weiss' own personal struggles.

The end result is the perfect culmination of how the band has grown for over the past ten years together serving as both a flawless testimony to their music and also the most accessible album they have ever made. Definitely one for newcomers to try out and figure out what parts they liked and where that should take them next in their rich discography. As mentioned before, this is the band's foray into independently releasing music, so I cannot recommend enough that--if you liked the samples or love the band--by all means, support mewithoutYou by purchasing Ten Stories if you can.

Sample: "Fox's Dream of the Log Flume"

- Jake

Dinosaur Feathers - Whistle Tips (2012)

Following up their 2010 album Fantasy Memorial, Dinosaur Feathers lean away from the sunny, tropical, drum circle-esque 60s-inspired pop in favor of...sunny, tropical, 60s-inspired pop-rock. Electric guitars take up a larger presence than the debut, but it all fits in naturally with the band's high energy, and the vocals are just as strong as ever, be them in harmony or taking center stage. A rather fine addition to this year.

Sample: "Beatcha"

- Jake

Palette Town - Palette Town EP (2011)

Palette Town is an indie rock/pop band from Florida, and this EP is extremely well described by its cover. The songs are dynamic and colorful with both male and female vocals. Fun stuff, really upbeat and sort-of fast-paced music made by friendly people with catchy riffs and an old-school feel to it. And it's free! Palette Town tells us that you can't beat free, and they're right! Check it out.

Sample: "Along The Edge"
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Bandcamp

- Alessandro

The Olivia Tremor Control - Black Foliage: Animation Music Volume One (1999)

The Olivia Tremor Control is one of the three first bands on the Elephant 6 label, alongside Neutral Milk Hotel and The Apples In Stereo. This album contains 27 tracks and has a very warm feel to it, with some experimental elements here and there. I'd almost say that it's the 90's version of The Beach Boys! Calming vocals with waves of fulfilling sounds that will make love to your ears. Also, one of the songs has guest vocals of Jeff Mangum. Great stuff!

Sample: "A Sleepy Company"

- Alessandro

Canon Blue - Rumspringa (2011)

Canon Blue is a solo project of singer-songwriter Daniel James, though Canon Blue is not singer-songwriter music at all. "Rumspringa" is a 11-song orchestral pop marvel and was written while Daniel was touring the world with Danish indie rock band Efterklang, and on the Canon Blue website described as "a classical exploration of emotions, with nuanced arrangements of woodwinds, brass and percussion lending a unique tenderness to modern melodies and lyrics." It's good stuff, go check it out.

Sample: "Bows & Arrows (Vegas)"

- Alessandro

Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now, Youngster (2008)

Sharing because I recently got reacquainted with it and, like every time it happens before, I realized it's one of my favorite albums ever. Hyperactively happy on the surface, Hold on Now, Youngster is packed with spastic guitars, twinkling glockenspiels and synths, hand-claps, and violins, all serving as the colorful backdrop to Gareth David's cleverly confessional lyrics dealing with all sorts of heartbreak (be it from a girl, society, or even punk rock). Like a post-breakup diary exploding with confetti, is a manic-depressive affair that invites you to shout-along in catharsis from the very start.

Sample: "Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats"

- Jake

Grace Potter And The Nocturals - Nothing But The Water (2005)

Grace Potter And The Nocturals is a rockband from Vermont, America, lead by Grace Potter, just in case you didn't figure that one out on your own. Grace Potter has a multi-instrumentalist with an extremely relaxing voice. "Nothing But The Water" is filled with catchy riffs, mostly cynical lyrics and Grace Potter's lovely voice range with a bluesy atmosphere. It'll keep you excited throughout the entire thing and make you want more when it's over, which'll result in replaying this album tons of times.

Sample: "Left Behind"

- Alessandro

Suckers - Wild Smile (2010)

Hailing from Brooklyn, Suckers takes the usual "urban jungle" motif...emphasis on jungle as the heart of each of these songs feels like it grew up in the Congo, then thrust into a new neon-lit wilderness. A rather exciting listen through and through, many of the tracks hit peaks where the only acceptable way to dance to them is with arms and legs akimbo. Nearly every song has a great sing/shout-along quality to it (and a fantastic opportunity to stretch your shrieks or falsettos), definitely one of my favorites from the turn of the decade.

Sample: "A Mind I Knew"

-Jake

Conhecido - Hometown (2012)

Conhecido is a musical project by Portuguese instrumental indie rock musician Pedro Pereira. "Hometown" is an EP with a few amazing tunes that are inspired by his attempt to leave his hometown. In his hometown, he has had good times and bad times. Lots of emotions bundled up in his struggles and achievements. All of these things are bundled up within the tunes on this album perfectly.

Sample: "Wait, It's Over?"
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Download

- Alessandro

Now, Now - Threads (2012)

Combining an abundance of youthful angst with the search for adult clarity, Now, Now crafts a fine indie pop-rock album straddling between Tegan and Sara and Metric, with their sophomore effort Threads. Vulnerable, girlish vocals engulfed in moody melodies make for an appropriate soundtrack for nocturnal or cloudy day sulking. Ch-ch-ch-check it!!

Sample: "Thread"

- Jake